June 2, 2015

 

 

Ever graceful and amazing,

Joan started off the show.

‘We are the world’, she sang out,

as our tears began to flow.

 

‘Shake me, wake me’, sang The Tops,

followed by ‘That same old song’,

and the audience responded, as

‘Sugar pie, honey-bunch’ came along.

 

Billy Ocean’s ‘Caribbean Queen’,

was sure to hit the right note.

This ever popular ‘Lover boy’,

sure got a cheering vote.

 

Black Sabbath came on next,

with ‘Children of the grave’,

and on hearing ‘Paranoid’;

rapturous applause, the crowd gave.

 

‘Love somebody’ sang out Rick;

his fans too, played their part,

when the intro began

for another hit;  ‘State of the heart’.

 

REO, with ‘Can’t fight the feeling’,

then took up their slot.

Fans rolled with the changes;

this speed-wagon’s wheel’s – red hot.

 

Then Crosby, Stills & Nash

took ‘Southern Cross’ off the floor.

And their ‘Teach the children well’,

naturally saw emotions soar.

 

‘You’ve got another thing comin’,

set Judas Priest’s spot off right.

‘The Green Manalishi’ followed,

but no wild world tonight!

 

Bryan Adams’ ‘Summer of 69’,

as expected, went down a storm.

He finished with ‘Cut’s like a knife;

and as ever, was on form.

 

‘California Girls’ and ‘Good Vibrations’

got the Beach Boy’s on their way.

‘Wouldn’t it be nice’, they sang next,

before ending with ‘Surfin USA’.

 

Never ‘Out of touch’, Hall and Oates,

sounded ever sweeter;

before ending their slot,

with another hit; ‘Maneater’.

 

‘Don’t you forget about me?

threatened ‘Simple Minds’.

With Jim firmly at the helm,

the promised miracle, one finds.

 

The Pretenders ‘Message of Love’,

saw Crissie at her best.

‘Stop your sobbing’, she begged,

before putting ‘chain gang’ to the test.

 

Patti Labelle’s ‘Over a rainbow’,

brought reverence to the stage,

and her ‘Imagine’ and ‘Forever Young’,

certainly hit the right page.

 

Santana’s ‘Open Invitation’,

extended to the flock;

saw them as one, in brotherhood,

just like back in old Woodstock.

 

Ashford and Simpson joined with Teddy

to ‘reach out and touch somebody’s hand’.

As fans responded immediately,

by the thousand, to their command.

 

Each artist performed for love,

and by determination, was led.

Their message loud and clear;

That all children of the world – be fed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A moment to reflect on,

was Kool and the Gang with ‘Cherish’

The reason for the night being;

not to let these children perish.

 

After her ‘Holiday’ Madonna,

got back ‘into the groove’.

‘Love makes the world go round’,

once more, she sure did prove.

 

Eric played everyone’s favourite, ‘Layla’,

to rapturous, heartfelt applause.

After beginning with his ‘White Room’;

never more apt than for this cause.

 

From a ‘stairway to heaven’,

Phil joined Plant, Jones, & Page.

With a ‘whole lotta love’ on show,

the night had come of age.

 

The great Tina Turner at her best,

joined Mick; a message, strong to tell.

The Thompson Twins with ‘Hold me now’,

as ever, went down well.

 

Every ‘American Girl’, loves Tom Petty,

as well as ‘Rebel’s’ throughout the land.

Each one found it worth ‘the waiting’,

and in appreciation, raised a hand.

 

We all need a ‘Sugar mountain’,

when feeling ‘Helpless’, and out of touch.

Neil Young taught us ‘Nothing is perfect’,

and we said, thank you very much.

 

We all know a ‘Heartbreak City’,

with memories, we care not to revive.

But easing us back into the zone,

along came The Cars, with ‘Drive’.

 

Then needing a bit of vitality,

when heavy-booted with life’s slog,

along came Kenny with ‘Foot-loose’,

to rid us of that ground-day hog!

 

Never finding it ‘Lonely at the Top’,

the fittest guy, on stage did swagger.

We ‘miss you’, like you miss us too,

when you go to ground, Mick Jagger.

 

 ‘A view to a kill’ and then ‘The reflex’,

sang Duran Duran with Simon le Bon,

finishing aptly with  ‘Save A Prayer’

now the night was all but gone.

 

Bob Dylan with Keith and Ronnie,

saw an audience who grinned:

Two rolling stones he’d found,

when he was blowing in the wind.

 

Each artist performed for love,

and by determination, was led.

Their message loud and clear:

That all children of the world – be fed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 29, 2015

 

 

Ingredients there,

so fundamental.

In simple terms

so pure and gentle.

 

Yet overlooked

by the western mental,

is the staple diet

of the continental.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Such energy:

Such united power.

Joyous petals open,

as we come into flower.

 

The build up, the climax,

the thrill of meeting.

Each a tale to tell;

a love that’s never fleeting.

 

And when all together,

so happy are we.

Anything can happen;

we can part the sea.

 

Strengths and faults on show;

part of each others DNA.

No hiding place is there;

each will have their say.

 

A solid sounding board,

when truth so real;

guaranteed to get us back,

on a more even keel.

 

 

May 28, 2015

 

 

The brainchild of Bob,

who with his Rats, let us know,

they didn’t much like Mondays,

but knew how to organise a show.

 

‘Rebel, Rebel’ sang out David,

and also ‘Heroes’ from the heart.

And proving we won’t be fooled again,

The Who, their wisdom did impart.

 

‘Rocking all over the world’

were Quo, at their very best,

and walls came tumbling down, when

Style Council came on, and impressed. 

 

Midge Ure played a big part;

dancing with tears in his eyes,

along with his band, Ultravox;

their fans all mesmerised.

 

Elton begged, ‘Don’t let

the sun go down on me’.

Whilst Paul sang his rendition

of his hit song ‘Let it be’.

 

Spandau Ballet came on next

with ‘Only when you leave’,

which touched the hearts of many,

who in life, have had to grieve.

 

‘Is this the world we created’?

asked Freddie with Brian May:

More poignant, than ever,

now Freddie’s gone away.

 

Elvis Costello did inspire,

with ‘All you need is love’,

and Nik Kershaw solved ‘the riddle’,

and also sang, ‘Wouldn’t it be good’.

 

BB King let us know

why he sings the blues,

but now won’t open the door,

as his fight for life, did sadly lose.

 

Sade begged the question;

‘Why can’t we live together?

Whilst Phil’s ‘Against all odds’,

expressed love in stormy weather.

 

Sting sang his song ‘Roxanne’,

and with Phil, ‘Every breathe you take’,

and Adam Ant with Vive le rock,

did his appearance make.

 

Next came Howard Jones,

who sang ‘Hide and Seek’,

then Bryan and ‘Slave to love’,

with his voice so soft and sleek.

 

Paul Young knows we cry,

everytime he goes away,

but that’s the way love is,

now his hat has gone astray.

 

U2’S ‘Sunday bloody Sunday’

didn’t disappoint their fans.

The appearance of Bono,

guaranteed a show of hands.

 

Dire Straits ‘Money for nothing’,

also joy did bring,

and the audience went crazy,

for their ‘Sultans of swing’.

 

Each artist performed for love,

and by determination, was led.

Their message loud and clear:

That all children of the world – be fed. 

 

 

May 23, 2015

 

 

Freddie bounced with his dreamers,

singing ‘You were made for me’,

Now, alas, no longer with us,

but back then, fit as a flea.

 

He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother;

one of The Hollies biggest hits.

‘Here I go again’ and ‘Bus Stop’,

also thrilled us all to bits.

 

‘No milk today,

my love has gone away’

sang Herman with his Hermits;

so cute, when in their day.

 

‘I’m not in love’ insisted 10cc,

as they wallowed in minestrone.

Their uniqueness had us hooked;

their ‘food’ song, no old baloney.

 

‘You’re a lady’, was the making,

of Peter Skellern, when luck turned.

From church organist to pop star;

his journey was well earned.

 

‘I saw the lamp-light from your

window’, sang new band, ‘Sad Café’.

It was a massive hit,

and set them on their way.

 

Pearl may have been a singer,

but soulful Elkie was the best.

Our own grown Prestwich lass,

put all others to the test.

 

Tony brought us The Hacienda;

crazy days, for sure.

What a talent to be recognized;

his loss, a pain hard to endure.

 

The onward march of local bands,

through the eighties led,

with the advent of The Stone Roses,

and the fantastic Simply Red.

 

The Smith’s, with front man, Morrissey:

Well, what can be said?

Original music from the heart:

Their fan base, wide, did spread.

 

It took decades of trying, before

hard graft and fortune, did collide.

Now the world is ever grateful, that

Elbow threw those curtains wide.

 

And no list would be complete

on this wonder-wall of fame,

without those warring brothers;

two crowns, for sure, Oasis claim !

 

From Bury to Staylbridge,

from Ancoats to Trafford Park.

So many bands successful;

So many singers made their mark.

 

From Wythenshawe to Hume,

from Irlam to Cheetham Hill:

The best music came from Manchester,

and probably always will. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 20, 2015

 

 

Tune into Tony

LIVE 

every Wednesday 

for  another

great show

this week 

featuring  the return

of Bryan & Phil.

Tony will be reading

FTLOM – part 1  

and 

Vikki will be reading

FTLOM part 2)

Tony will also read an extract from  

FTLOM part 3

11.am – 1pm. (UK time)

with repeats

all week

at the 

usual times.

Tune in or miss out. 

May 18, 2015

 

 

I know he,

who knows not me:

Lost is the bell

for liberty.

 

She and he

appear as one,

on camera film,

when selfies done.

 

It is the way,

it is today.

‘Happy snapping’,

no chance to say nay.

 

Arms flung round necks,

and big bear hugs,

then click and flash,

those captured mugs.

 

I know not he,

nor he knows me,

but what the hell,

just smile with glee

 

No use today,

just a scribbled name,

begged for, to some

honoured Dame.  

 

Now stars assaulted

in daylight,

without respect;

powerless to fight.

 

I know he,

who knows not me,

but now no difference,

can there be.

 

No escape;

nowhere to go.

All privacy lost;

a bitter blow.

 

I promise you,

she knows not me,

The photo not,

what it seems to be!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The climb so steep,

as if to Everest’s shelf.

Each step, a journey

in itself,

 

as familiar memories

flood the mind,

when we recall good times,

as we unwind.

 

All relived, as if

just only heard;

Old fables told,

word for word.

 

Well maybe some,

exaggerated,

just a little

now we elated,

 

as fire and passion,

from the heart,

revived the battery,

with a jump start.

 

But the reality,

now truth be faced,

to discover one,

is so outpaced.

 

And not as fit

as other climbers,

who’ve headed off,

and left old timers,

 

to arrive there

at their steady pace,

like losers in

a marathon race,

 

when all the leaders

wait in vain,

to greet the stragglers;

half dead with pain,

 

who staggered in

dishevelled and windswept,

on all fours,

with eyes that wept.

 

But, oh the view,

when at the top.

A breath to catch;

heart beats clip-clop.

 

The quest achieved,

to reach Peel Tower:

Cometh the man,

cometh the hour.

 

And the descent,

such a thrill,

on reaching the bottom

of Holcombe Hill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 12, 2015

 

 

The things she wanted

before she died:

Like artex ceilings replaced,

as ‘good taste’ they belied!

 

The things she insisted

she wanted right:

Like colour co-ordination,

though subtle, not bright!

 

The things she flung out,

to make a fresh start:

The six lawn mowers he kept;

the silly old fart!

 

The things she embraced,

now she lived as one:

How wonderful the world,

now she was ninety one!

 

 

 

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