Farewell to a Music Biz Legend “He was funny, witty and charismatic with a heart of gold.” When memories of the late George Kwiatkiewicz were shared by his family at a Funeral Mass held in his honour, it was his daughters Sofia, Isabella and Natasha who best summed up the personality and character of a much loved man. George had worked in the music industry
What Was And What Shall Be Well, that was a hectic few weeks in the run up to Christmas, an event now well past its sell-by date. Hopefully this will excuse the long period of recovery needed by The Raver to get down to business. Okay, we’re back, so now read on! SCRIBBLERS AND PLUCKERS AT PLAY December 2018 began with the legendary music biz
Oxford Street, London, 21st November, 2018 It was one of those magical moments when a jazz musician’s heartfelt burst of emotion inspired an audience to break into spontaneous applause. It came when Harry Evans took a muted solo in the midst of his interpretation of Duke Ellington’s classic Creole Love Call and summoned the spirit of James ‘Bubber’ Miley with great aplomb. Even the bespectacled
The Borderline, Charing Cross Road, London November 2nd 2018 ‘Old Guys rule...’ The man judiciously placing himself near the bar and in front of the stage was among friends and listening to just the kind of music his generation has loved - since he was a Young Guy. The slogan on his T-Shirt spoke volumes while John Coghlan’s Quo played volumes from the Status Quo
When Robert Plant sang the haunting Ten Years Gone on Physical Graffiti nobody expected that fifty years gone Led Zeppelin aficionados would still be celebrating and performing the music of a band that reached its peak in the 1970s. Yet in 2018, five decades on from the birth and demise of the world’s greatest rock band, their legacy lives on and their songs are being
It was an exhilarating night when the Steve Eggs Band unleashed a storm of cheers and whistles from the audience at one of London’s best ‘live’ music venues. And what was the cause of all the excitement? A band playing its own highly original songs with panache and conviction and having a great time in the process. And that’s just what happened at a crowded
GEORGIE FAME & GUY BARKER - SWINGING THE BLUES A cool, silver haired dude in a smart white jacket stepped on stage and proceeded to entrance his audience with one of the most enjoyable shows ever beheld at Ronnie Scott’s Club (Thursday September 6th). Of course, that might have been said of any of the nights during Georgie Fame’s eagerly awaited season with the Guy
Jon Newey and Chris Welch A HEATWAVE OF ROCKIN’ EVENTS JON HISEMAN’s FAREWELL, A YES MEMORIAL and visits to ABBEY ROAD and RONNIE SCOTT’S There was a tropical heat wave of events for The Raver to enjoy and experience over recent weeks, as the sun blazed and temperatures rose during the long hot summer of 2018. REMEMBERING JON First came an unforgettable afternoon when friends
Fans raised their arms in supplication as the Quintessential Yes roared towards the climax of their 50th Anniversary Show at London's 02 Arena (June 17th). They were moved by the sheer power of 'Owner Of A Lonely Heart, ' the hit song that revived the band's fortunes in 1983 and ensured another 35 years of classic rock excellence. It was just one of a series
MAGICIAN OF THE DRUMS When Jon Hiseman passed away in the early hours of June 12, 2018, he left a huge void in the lives of family, friends, fellow musicians and all those he had met and inspired during a lifetime of dedication to music. Photograph Phil Mulford (above) Wolfgang Gonaus (below) An inspirational force of energy, he tempered his enthusiasm, ambition and passion for
