| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| John E |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 21:41:27
I've probably said all of this on here before at different times, but here are some of my strongest memories of Arthur. I first saw him live at The Imperial College in 1970. At the time, I thought it was extraordinary that I could still hear him perform "Alone Again Or" - a whole three years after its release(I thought he wrote it, at that time)! I saw Arthur with The High Llamas at the Garage in 1974 (he wore an ususual piece of clothing draped across his shoulder, and had a very obvious wig. I had no idea what he would be performing, but I was knocked-out that it was a "greatest hits" set, and that Arthur'svoice sounded so good. Two years later, I saw Arthur with Baby Lemonade at The Powerhouse, and was totally blown away. This was the first time that Arthur sang "You Set the Scene". Fast forward six years, and I was at Concorde 2 for his comback. I'll never forget his swagger and knowing look as he took to the stage. He clearly knew that many of the kids there were about to experience the most stunning rock gig of their entire lives (which they did). This was repeated shortly after at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, where I amazingly got a front row seat at the last minute. Arthur smiled and acknowledged my red Love T-Shirt. It was at this gig that I first met David and Chrissie Housden. I first met Arthur in person after the gig at The Scala, King's Cross. He came onto the stage after the show in a long black coat, wearing shades, and a white scarf tied round his head vertically, beneath a black hat. He was looking for a bottle of wine, and I said that I'd buy him one if he signed my "Forever Changes" album. "Are you gonna buy it first"? he kidded, and kindly signed my album (sadly, I never did get to buy him the bottle of wine). Other strong memories of Arthur were when he knelt at the edge of the stage at Bath, and sang to Cayne's young son; and when he carefully scrutinized the audiences reaction at Angel, as the recorded version of "Rainbow in the Storm" was played for the first time. At the Borderline, he took my copy of the disk, so that he could wave it in front of the audience. One strong musical menory is Arthur's heart-felt rendition of "Old Man" at St. Albans. I last saw Arthur back at Concorde 2 in 2005. My last words to him were "stay alive man, we need you!", and he smiled. God bless you, Arthur.
Love forever, John E
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| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bob f. |
Posted - 07/08/2006 : 00:47:36
1966. the Hullubaloo theater on Sunset Strip, Hollywood, California.
very vague as vyou can imagine, me, young teenager,
seeing my favorite band, beside the Beatles
i can mostly, only recall a small portion of the show.
Arthur Lee walks out from the rest of the band, toward the audience.
he's standing there. right at the edge of the stage for the first time of the show. then, he and LOVE do " Signed D.C."
EVEN AT THAT TIME, i knew i was so fortunate to be there.
everyone had their favorite band. and i had always concidered LOVE my personal secret music. nobody would understand. why even bother to explain it? LOVE/ ARTHUR LEE was MY band. it was PERSONAL. and FOREVER CHANGES was from day 1, my ultimate magical musical transport that had me and my friends debating, wondering, amazed, listening all night and , the music had stayed in my head, and knew the rest of the world didn't understand LOVE. I LOVED LOVE. ALWAYS. and always will. glad i was able to see the great A.LEE, and LOVE BAND, A FEW TIMES after his release and re-emergence concert tours of the recent last few years in L.A.
I NEVER MET THE MAN, but i feel like he was my brother. i love you Arthur . now, peace forever. |
| Aake |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 23:02:41
Thanks John E,Tina,Gill and all for bringing up so many good memories.
youhoo |
| veryoldman |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 22:04:16
Played FC today for the first time since the news - very sad listening to it but heard all sorts of new things on some tracks. Thought that we could all do with hearing BL and hopefully JE touring and playing to the memory of Arthur - so much feeling, hurt, sorrow, respect and much else at the moment.
But underlying it all - we will never see AL perform again. Difficult to take in.
veryoldman |
| Kula John |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 18:18:06
Wonderful thoughts John E.
This is the time and this is the time and it is time, time, time, time, time, time, time.....
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| John E |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 17:29:25
Hi Kula John,
I certainly hope so...I have fantasies of an Arthur tribute show with Baby Lemonade, Johnny Echols, Probyn Gregory and the Stockholm Strings 'n Horns. If any special guests like Robert Plant want to show up, that would be fine too. I also hope we eventually get to see the "Gethsemane Tour" with Johnny Echols and Friends!
Cheers, John E |
| Kula John |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 15:06:09
Will we ever see BL and/or Johnny Echols in the UK again? I'd love to think so.
This is the time and this is the time and it is time, time, time, time, time, time, time.....
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| John E |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 14:58:55
Hi Tina and Gill,
We shared many great Arthur memories together, along with Aake and the rest of the gang. Do drop in the shop Tina if you visit the Cally again. Like you, I saw Arthur exactly 23 times (I also saw The Love Band without him once). And Gill...like you my last Arthur concert was Concorde 2, last year. I do hope that there are some tribute shows or gatherings where we can all meet up again. Love, John E |
| Gill |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 11:35:25
This morning I've been able to think a little about the amazing times I've had in my life because of Arthur - and the people I've met.
First time was at Waltham Forest Technical College in 1970 - couldn't believe I was seeing "my band" live for the first time, then I saw them again in 1975 and then nothing until the QEH in June 2002. In between that Arthur's music really has been the soundtrack to me life - his music was always there when I needed it. When my husband Colin heard Janice Long talking about the tour in 2002 he asked if I wanted to go to one of the gigs. I was hesitant - did I really want my memories of such wonderful times to be awakened again - would it be a let-down? However, he persuaded me to go and we got two seats in the second from back row. That night changed my life for the next 3 years. From the first note of My Little Red Book I sat there with tears streaming down my face with such pure emotion that this man was in front of me performing the best I'd seen. I couldn't talk about anything else for the next few weeks and from then on went to as many shows as I could manage, travelling the length of the country. Along the way I met some lovely people (you all know who you are) and experienced some magical moments of Arthur on stage.
The last time I saw him was at Concorde 2 in Brighton on 5 April 2005, which followed a three day LoveFest starting at Sheffield on to Norwich and finally Brighton. I had realised my dream of speaking to Arthur at St Albans the previous year and had my treasured photo of myself and him taken, plus an autograph. What do you say to someone you've loved most of your life but never met? I think I mumbled how much his music meant to me and he said "Thank you ma-am".
It's good to read people's memories of the past few years - John E - I've shared many of yours and reading your memories bought back lots of good ones for me too. Tina - we really do need to have a get-together soon.
Love
Gill
Love
Gill |
| Tina |
Posted - 06/08/2006 : 09:36:29
The most recent time (of 23 occasions)I saw Arthur perform was 11th April 2005, Edinburgh Liquid Rooms - with great friends Lizzy, her cousin Joan, George (Old Man)and his daughter Lorna, Fiona and Billy, and Aake who came over from Sweden. A great gig, as practically all of them were.
Still can't believe that's the last time. The happenings of the last few years have been a massive thing in my life. I feel privileged to have met and spoken with Arthur, I have never come across a man with such charisma and presence.
John E,I thought about you the other day, I was on the Caledonian Road. I think the time for that reunion of UK Love fans that we've talked about before should happen soon. |
| John E |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 23:24:12
By the way, Alan...unlike yourself I did play "Forever Changes" today. I'm amazed how this album never loses its power despite the numerous times that I've heard it both on record and live over a 35 year period. I always hang on every word and note, and every track affects me in much the same way, every time I play it. For instance, I feel a swell of emotion listening to "Live and Let Live", genuinely happy listening to "Clark and Hilldale" and purposeful and exilarated listening to "You Set the Scene". All the best, John E |
| John E |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 23:15:37
Hi Allan,
It's great that you had that connection with Arthur. Ironically, I was one of those who got an item signed at the Rocket. I couldn't resist the opportunity to get my "Forever Changes" CD signed by both Arthur and Johnny. This was the first time that I met Johnny, and when I asked him to adress his signature to "John E", he said "hey, are you John E from the message board?". It really knocked me out that
a musical icon who I hadn't met before was actually aware of my existence! All best wishes, John E |
| ALLANAGAIN |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 22:44:28
I met Arthur after the show at The Rocket in London, around 18 moths back, and as we met, i just said "nice show ,man" at wich point he shook my hand and said "Thaks man". I felt proud at just leaving it thus, without autographs or any such thing, as seconds later he was surrounded by people wantimng photo,s and auto,s.
End of the day, what you gonna say to your musicall hero anyway?
I Really am so sad he,s left us, i cant play ANY MUSIC TODAY.
allan |
| John E |
Posted - 05/08/2006 : 22:24:52
One other strong memory, and perhaps the nicest of all was when I was sitting in the front row at Cambridge, and Arthur actually extended his hand from the stage to shake my hand. I had no idea that Arthur would remember me, but clearly he recognised me as one of his regular supporters. Love, John E |
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