Many thanks to Keith Wolton our ticket competition winner for sending in this review of Saturday night’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Revolution. If you went along, why not share your experience with our readers too? Ed
Well, I was delighted when I found that I’d won tickets for this event in the VentnorBlog competition, who could I take along?
The Mrs regards this type of music as only suitable for ‘old fogies’ and No.1 son is more into Metallica and turned down the opportunity, so I called on trusty friend and fellow guardian of good musical taste, Ricardo.
We turned up at Ventnor Winter Gardens to find that we were representatives of the younger generation, and I’m 52!
We were able to sneak onto a table near the stage and really enjoyed the first half of the show, the TT’s performing rock n roll songs from the late 50s.
These guys had paid their dues, having been backing musicians for the likes of Gene Vincent, Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry, to name but a few. Their set started and finished with Chuck Berry numbers, ‘Roll over Beethoven’ and ‘Johnny B Goode’ and in between there was a great helping of rockers from the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Eddie Cochran and Gene Vincent.
This band sounded wonderful, with extended bass patterns, great lead guitar and a drummer that Ricardo classed as “cool”. As their set progressed, jivers hit the floor, there was even a twirling skirt – it was great to see the older generation still getting into live music and enjoying a dance.
After a short break, The Shakers played for the second half, covering the early to mid 60s, plenty of Beatles songs and offerings from fellow Mersey-beat artists.
The Shakers were a good tribute band, their sound was tight, but a little too loud (never thought I’d say that!) and I thought they were a bit too cheeky chappy.
Shortly after Ricardo left (he’d had enough) the dance floor started to fill up, the band relaxed and started to go down a storm, with all ages jigging around, even a couple of young kids trying to breakdance to ‘Eight days a week’. Their set finished with ‘Shaking all over’ by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.
All in all, a great night, I’d definitely recommend seeing the TT’s if you have the chance.
