Steve Browning

Also, is there any cost involved in cancellation? Most studios require 24 or 48 hours notice to avoid a charge. If you're using a commercial venue and there is no (apparent) charge I'd be thinking the venue was told in advance. I agree that you need to lay it on the line for them. You have your own standards and you shouldn't compromise them.

It was a nightmare getting off-site to get to the ferry. The ground was saturated. Still, Jeff Beck was great.

We are in the same club. It wasn't the main stage (hence 'technically'). The festival audience had the choice of my band, High Flying Birds or (under cover while it was peeing down) the Manics. Got me my Rotosound deal anyway!

Quite right. Technically, I headlined the Isle of Wight festival at 52.

I'm not sure that I ever did want to 'make it'. I always thought that Rory Gallagher achieved the level of success that I would have liked. Successful but largely unknown. I'm perfectly happy with the level of 'success' I've had, but the arrival of my first child made me aware that a regular income was my priority. Touring wasn't very lucrative and there was no royalty income for me either. That said, at 65, I'm still gigging regularly and also tour regularly with artists from the US, fitting it in with annual leave. I did a lot of work in Europe but haven't for a couple of years. Hopefully, there's a 3 week tour in Europe in January/February. I seem to garner a nice level of respect from people I respect and that has always been more important to me, I think. In some ways, getting the endorsement deal with Mesa is a form of 'making it', if it's a reflection of that respect (and I'm happy to think so!!). I'm not famous but I'm fine with that. I'm way too shy to have been able to cope with that anyway.

Use a Queen song then!! 😞

Class G? Specially done for ventriloquists, I presume.

Are there any combos where the amp stage is rack sized. You could flog the amp bit and install a power amp. Mesa certainly have done that in the past.

I have had instances where a Hi-Mass made a huge difference to volume and sustain, and instances where it hasn't seemed to make any difference whatsoever. YMMV. Ultimately, we all have our own perceptions. Whether they're founded on scientific evidence or not, do we really care? We play what we play and we hear what we hear. If we're happy with our choices then that's all that matters. Maybe Barney Kessel was dying to use an Explorer or Flying V.

Perfectly true. I wonder if the Red Special will still be in the May family 32 years after Sir Brian has passed?

In fairness, I wouldn't say "nobody wants them". Spot on for the rest though. 😞

I do find it mildly amusing the Sir Brian says it's all too painful and that Freddie's possessions are being sold to the highest bidder. Since Freddie's death, he has sanctioned the use of Queens music for such things as detergent adverts.

Very fortunate to be a Rotosound endorsee, which is enormously helpful and for which I am very grateful.

Really interesting. Thank you.

I honestly thought you were going to say you were amazed to find the back of the bass was concave.

My number 1 bass (the '66). I bought it at a time when headless basses were the thing and it had languished in the shop for ages. As soon as I picked it up it was like pulling on a sock, it just felt right. It always has. It doesn't go to gigs much these days (too valuable) but it's the one material possession I won't ever part with, in life. Just to add, I bought it around 1983.

Will they find Jamerson's in the same hands?

I bought a loom only recently.

It would be interesting to know what any shortfall is. Maybe the model can be tweaked, such that supporting members can place adverts but there is a more modest charge for general membership, with maybe a little more restriction on what lurkers can view?

Stolen? Might that be more likely for any current owner to keep quiet?8

I understand that if you stand on Portsmouth Guildhall steps and rattle some keys, it will find you.

Am I being incredibly dense here? What is the difference between using a power amp and an external pre-amp and using an amp with one built in?

Nine Below Zero - Live at the Marquee Rory Gallagher - Live in Europe (especially, although Irish Tour '74 ain't half bad). SAHB a whole host of others.