Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes, The Half Moon Putney - 26 Sep 2004

The Half Moon Putney

Band:
Albert Lee, git, p, voc
Gerry Hogan, steel guitar
Brian Hodgson, bass, backgr voc
Pete Wingfield, keys, voc
Peter Baron, drums, voc, backgr voc

Special guests:
The Crickets, git, dr, voc
Wayne Lee, key, voc

My brief review:

My first visit to the Halfmoon in 2004, many more should follow. Inside the pub area the walls are covered with photos of bands who played here. The gig took place in the backroom, Pete Wingfield was still with the band. I saw the band play at Chippenham the night before - also Albert with The Crickets and was surprised that the Crickets turned up at this place as well. They joined the band for some songs - an unexpected extra bonus. Also, Albert's son Wayne was there and joined the band for a great encore TEAR IT UP. I bought Albert's (then) new CD HEARTBREAK HILL which he kindly signed me later. Not only did Albert sign my CD, he also signed a photo for my brother Herbert who is disabled and can't go to gigs, nevertheless a great music lover.

The Half Moon Story:
The famous Halfmoon Putney is one of London's longest running, and most respected live music venues. Since the early sixties some of the biggest names in the music world have performed here; The Rolling Stones, The Who, U2, and many, many more.

It all began with the folk and blues sessions started by Gerry Lockran, Royd Rivers and Cliff Aungier in 1963. 'Folksville', as the sessions were called, featured new British and European artists alongside established American blues-men. These included pioneering blues duo Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, the influential blues artist Champion Jack Dupree and Arthur Crudup (Elvis Presley covered three of Crudup's songs). British acts included a young Ralph McTell, John Martyn, Bert Jansch and Roy Harper, all now legends of the folk world.

This exciting birth of a new kind of music venue, at a time of musical revolution in London led to many memorable nights in the venue. John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Alexis Korner, The Yardbirds - anyone who was anyone in the emerging blues scene made an appearance here and at other South London venues such as The Eel Pie club and The Crawdaddy.

As blues and folk thrived bringing the likes of Fairport Convention and Van Morrison, so other genres began to appear. From the psychedelia of The Bonzo Dogg Doo Dah Band and Bob Kerr's Whoopee Band; to sixties mod groups The Pretty Things and Nashville Teens; to early pub-rock acts like Dr Feelgood; the Halfmoon was the centre of not only the emerging music scenes but continued to host the big names.

It was never just a "passing through" venue. Residencies at the Halfmoon have included Elvis Costello and Steve Marriott of Small Faces fame. U2 played here four times during their first UK visit, which included their first ever sell-out gig. John Martyn returned decades after his first Halfmoon gigs to perform a week long residency, and both Tim Rose and Roy Harper did the same. Other memorable gigs at the Halfmoon include K D Lang's first UK appearance, Kate Bush's first ever public performance and a surprise appearance by Nick Cave.

The Halfmoon has always been synonymous with a certain local band The Rolling Stones, whose most recent visit was at a private event held at the Halfmoon in May, 2000. As well as performing as the band, individual members of the Stones have appeared here in various side-projects, and have also used the venue for rehearsal space.

As well as music, the Halfmoon has seen great comedy acts, including Billy Connolly, Harry Hill and Al Murray Pub Landlord.

While the Halfmoon is well known for its heritage, the story isn't over just yet. In fact the venue continues to host live music 7 days a week, whether it be the return of the Halfmoon's original folk acts or tomorrow's next big thing.
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Comment from the Half Moon:
Sunday 26th Sep 2004 - ALBERT LEE & HOGAN'S HEROES.

"Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes stopped by at the Halfmoon on the current leg of their European tour, to be joined by some very special surprise guests.
Buddy Holly's famous backing band The Crickets took to the stage for a few numbers including the classic 'That'll Be The Day'. The modern line up includes Holly's original drummer and bassist J.I. Allison and Joe B. Mauldin, and early Crickets lead guitarist Sonny Curtis who is also famed for writing the song 'I Fought The Law'. Lee and The Crickets have a long association, and he appears on The Crickets' new album 'The Crickets & Their Buddies'."