ELP IN HIGH VOLTAGE SHOCKER
PROG ROCK’S FINEST HOUR
High Voltage Festival Report
ELP in Japan 1972 with Repertoire's Chris Welch
On a hot dry weekend, thousands of fans trekked to Victoria Park in London’s East End and enjoyed one of the best ever UK festivals. Veterans of many a past mud spattered rock battle ground revelled in the superb music, excellent viewing, food and drink and a fun packed fairground.
While top bands blasted away on three stages, there were plenty of other attractions, notably the Ace Café, a marquee with its own DJ and a ‘live’ stage featuring hot blues acts such as guitarist Stephen Dale Petit with guest ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor and solo singer Sasha. Even more fascinating was the unexpected sight of the late Ronnie Lane’s blue and silver LMS mobile studio. (The iconic airstream van is now owned by Pretty Things manager Mark St.John, who bought it in 1983).
ROCK STARS
Amidst the hordes of fans from all over the world, including Germany and the USA, were many music biz folk. Inside the VIP area we spotted Rick Wakeman, who revealed he is planning a tour with old Yes mate Jon Anderson in the Autumn. We also bumped into Scot singer Fish, watching his old band Marillion in action.
Jerry Ewing, founder of Classic Rock magazine that sponsored High Voltage was also on hand to reveal that the festival had been such a big success, it will be repeated next year.
On the Sunday session that Repertoire attended we were delighted to see old mates the Quireboys on the main stage, followed by UFO blasting through their best loved number ‘Doctor Doctor’. Bachman, Turner Overdrive and blues man Joe Bonamassa provided more afternoon entertainment, hotly pursued by Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott singing with his current outfit Down’n’Outz. Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople fame appeared with Joe, clad in his trademark dark glasses and bringing a touch of rock star chutzpah. (It has since been alleged that there was a ‘fracas’ on stage when the power was cut to prevent Hunter singing another song and causing the show to over run. He is supposed to have whacked the offending crew member with his guitar in frustration, although we didn’t witness this rock’n'roll moment).
WISHBONE ASH
On the Prog Rock stage we caught Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash with drummer Dave Wagstaff powering up the band. Old mate Ted Turner was a surprise guest and the Ash cheerfully roared through a selection from their ‘Argus’ album and such numbers as ‘Leaf And Stream’ and ‘The Warrior’.
Recalled Martin Turner: “The last time we did an open air gig in London was at the Oval in 1972.” (As we recall that show as sponsored by Melody Maker and also featured ELP). Wishbone Ash was followed on stage by legendary guitarist Steve Hackett, who was spotted driving to the gig on an electric golf buggy he proclaimed was ‘better than an E-Type Jag.’
Steve drew an enthusiastic crowd and played brilliantly before giving way to Magnum led by Tony Clarkin and heavy rock godz Uriah Heep, the latter performing songs from their 1972 ‘Demons & Wizards’ album.
ARGENT
Argent performed together for the first time in many moons, with Rod on keyboards, Russ Ballard (guitar and vocals), Jim Rodford (bass) and Bob Henrit on drums. They stomped through old faves ‘Keep On Rolling’, ‘It’s Only Money’, ‘Liar’ (a hit for Three Dog Night), the pounding ‘Hold Your Head Up’ and ‘God Gave Rock’n’Roll To You’ (a 1992 hit for Kiss).
Reminding the crowd of Argent’s ancestry Rod also introduced ‘She’s Not There’ , a 1964 hit for his former group The Zombies. Few bands at High Voltage had quite so many hits at their disposal.
Marillion who followed Argent on the prog stage, played with earnest intensity to a devoted crowd who cheered to them to the echo, although they lacked a bit of the Fishy magic of former days.
ELP’S GRAND RETURN
One of rock’s most dynamic, and exciting groups, it was wonderful to behold ELP closing the festival with a block busting set. Fans packed around the main stage waited with bated breath and weren’t disappointed. As darkness fell around 9 p.m the huge video screens displayed pin sharp images of Keith Emerson, Greg Lake and Carl Palmer tearing into their opening salvo ‘Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends.’
As spotlights swirled over the trio, Greg took up position as vocalist, bassist and guitarist extraordinaire, clad in a stylish gold waist coat and singing with all his old clarity and authority. Carl took centre stage, all in white and in command of a double bass drum kit and forest of cymbals.
Keith, the ultimate keyboard wizard took charge of his mighty array of instruments including a vintage Moog synthesiser, and seemed very happy to be back in the saddle with a band that has created so much innovative music.
ELP always understands an audience’s need to be entertained. Hence mixing ballads such as ‘Lucky Man’ and ‘Take A Pebble’ with blasting instrumentals and moments of outrageous showmanship. Once more Keith shamelessly capered across the stage with his synth stick spurting showers of sparks before returning to the piano for breath taking keyboard pyrotechnics. ‘The Barbarian’ from the band’s 1970 debut and ‘Bitches Crystal’ from ‘Tarkus’ (1971), were simply stunning.
With Carl smashing into his mighty gong and executing high speed snare drum rolls, the trio moved into a higher gear. As they climaxed with ‘Pictures At An Exhibition’ we were left hoping for a full ELP tour. It’s one show that must never end.
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 in Showtime Live Reviews.
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