… Previously

24 January 2012

 

Live Acts (all time faves)

Not necessarily the best, but those I’ve loved and returned to. No Stones? Mainly because I was too young for anything other than a stadium gig and stadium gigs don’t tell the whole story – for another list maybe?

 

10cc

Surprising, perhaps, but they could really play and the shows were full of energy

 

Judas Priest

In their early days in small halls they made a fantastic din. Halford is a marvelous front man.

 

BB King

His set at Glastonbury 2011 was nostalgia stuff, but to see him play back when he could stand up was something very fine.

 

The Clash

Just a riot.

 

The Pretenders

Their college tour backing their first album was the ticket to have that year.

 

Peter Gabriel

Always consistently entertaining, innovative and passionate.

 

Fatboy Slim

There is no better night than a Fatboy night. Follows a formula, does it brilliantly.

 

Biffy Clyro

A level of intensity that it is hard to match.

 

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“Professor Madison.”

“I’m sorry, you’ll have to repeat that.”

“We need you to come with us.”

“Why?”

“Professor Madison, can we get you a glass of water, or make some tea.”

“No. Please tell me what you said again.”

“A man, who we believe to be your brother, Peter Madison, has been found dead. Although we believe him to be your brother we cannot confirm this until he has been identified. We understand you are Mr Madison’s next of kin.”

“It’s Pete, everyone called him Pete.”

“What happened? Tell me how?”

“I’m afraid, professor, and I’m truly sorry about this, we can’t give you any more information at this stage. We need you to come to with us, please.”

“How did you find me?”

“He had your card in his wallet. We were able to confirm that the deceased may be your brother.”

“I am his twin.”

“His twin.”

“Yes, his twin, born on the same day, shared the same womb, same cot, same bed. Not identical, dizygotic twins, just brothers really.” I was shouting.

“Professor, we realise how difficult this must be.”

“When did this happen. Was he in an accident.”

“Professor Madison we really can’t say, but we do need your help and it is important that you come with us, but we understand we will need to come with us.

“Why is he in here?”

“Here?”

“Yes. Here. In Oxford, Car factory, big school thing with spires, cloisters and smartarses like me. Where the fuck do you think I mean? I was shouting again.

“He’s not in Oxford, Professor. He’s in London.”

“So you’re asking me to come to London.”

“We’ll take you there and bring you back to Oxford. If you’re able to confirm that the deceased is your bother Peter…”

“Call him Pete for fuck’s sake. His name is Pete. Get it!”

“I’m sorry sir, We know this is very upsetting.”

I was holding onto the young constable.

“What the hell’s all …”, Sue stood at the door wrapping herself in her robe. “Oh, no what’s happened.”

“Pete. They won’t tell me”.

I let go. I held Sue. We cried, “Pete’s dead.” The only words that would come. Over and over.

To be continued …

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