John Bonham A Celebration II, Palace Theatre
WHAT a gig and what a day!
A triple bill of top bands brought down the curtain on Redditch’s John Bonham Festival and what a finale it was.
Topping the bill was John Coghlan’s Quo and, opening with Caroline, the hit from 1973, you could close your eyes and believe the original band were there on stage right in from of you at the Palace.
Unbelievably, they got even better as they rocked their way through the hits with Coglan himself, now 74 and who played with Parfitt, Rossi and co from 1962 to 1981 doing a star turn himself behind the drum kit.
Of course they closed with Rockin’ All over the World, bringing the house down in the process and earning themselves a standing ovation.
If John Coghlan’s Quo were the top of the bill, Clearwater Creedence Revival pushed them all the way.
Paying tribute to the music of John Fogarty and his band Creedence Clearwater Revival they were fantastic, which wasn’t so surprising considering they played in some of the best bands this country has ever produced.
They don’t bother trying to look like CCR, they just played all their greatest songs, adding their own interpretations along the way.
Stand out number was Marvin Gaye’s multi million seller I Heard it Through The Grape Vine, which was recorded by CCR back in 2009 and which in Clearwater’s hands showcased the individual talents of the band, with bassist Alan Sagar, who’s played with Big Country, doing a breathtaking turn.
If the evening closed with two tribute bands, spare a thought for You Dirty Blue from Tamworth, who opened the gig.
Just guitar and drums, they seemed to embody what John Bonham was all about – playing rock and roll at the max.
They were only on for four songs which was a shame as they blasted away the cobwebs and got the audience ready for a night to remember.
Let’s hope we see more of them in the future.
Such was the embarrassment of riches on show at the Palace, a theatre which deserved to be packed out on the night.
There were fans from America, Germany and Norway it just needed a few more from Redditch to enjoy the show and boost the coffers of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Thanks go to Ros Sidaway who expended limitless amounts of energy putting the festival on. Here’s to next year’s show.
Ross Crawford
