"Rhythm Kings Are Top Of The Bill. Oh what a nite!! Wednesday May 23rd at the Hexagon in Reading is one I won't forget for a long while. I last saw Bill perform with his 'old band' in NZ in 1973, from my seat five rows back
from centre stage it seemed 'time was definitely on his side', he hadn't aged one bit!

From the moment he cruised onstage the sell-out crowd came to life, welcoming back an old friend. He said a few words, spoken from the heart, he was genuinely pleased to be there, looking very cool in black with his 'headless' bass which proved the perfect weapon to underpin the Rhythm Kings sound... & what a sound!! Two horns, two female singers, two keyboards & two guitarists... plus Graham Broad, 'the stix behind the Stone'. Being a drummer myself, Graham Broad was a dream to watch.

Understated, solid, totally complementing Bill's flowing bass-lines. GB was enjoying...! The horns were truly 'horny'! Sax-maniacs Frank Mead & Nick Payn played everything that one could put in one's mouth, including some great harp in 'Mystery Train'. Frank's upfront soloing brought to mind the antics of the great Dave Glyde of Sounds Incorporated, now based in Sydney. The guitars were awesome, 'taylor-made' for the Wyman sound.

Albert Lee was phenomenal, I've long been an admirer of his liquid licks... oh to be in a trio with Bill & him! New man on keys, Mike Sanchez was the consummate showman, having settled in in a fortnight of gigs thru Europe. A real lady-killer, Mike brought the house down on 'Secret'. His piano style was the perfect foil for Georgie Fame, grooving behind his trusty old organ. Georgie is truly a legend, especially so to this kiwi who wasn't able to see him in action thru the 60s & 70s.

He made his Hammond talk & his 'Melody' is a great song... c'mon Wogan, why not play this on Radio 2! Beverley Skeete, with Janice Hoyte looked & sounded incredible, I'd have loved to hear them duet with Bill on Green River or Je Suis, but he remained the silent one, not that he needed to do more than he did, the band is a credit to his vision & leadership.

Oz guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel opened the show with half an hour of virtuoso playing & comedy banter. From 'Waltzing Matilda' & a Beatles medley to a percussion number where he hit everything in sight, Tommy wowed the crowd, a hard act to follow. I met Bill briefly back in 1989 when I was developing a nationwide Battle of the Bands Contest for TV called Banzai for Channel 4.

He impressed me as a friendly, genuine guy who loved his music. Sadly, the series didn't happen. If it had, it may well have led to a healthier 'live' music scene today. It's bands like the Rhythm Kings who keep the Heart 'n Soul of Rock 'n Roll beating... keep rolling Bill!"