From http://banchoryheadbangers.blogspot.com/
Yes, it truly was magnificent. Originally billed as his last ever gig - the final date on his Farewell Tour - although his health is holding up so well that he has now added another gig in London tonight and two in Guernsey, of all places, this week.
The band were, as usual, superb. The inimitable Norman Watt-Roy a real tour de force on bass and Blockhead Dylan Howe - son of Steve - rock solid on the drumkit. Wilko skated across the stage, bug-eyed, like a man possessed and certainly not looking like his days are numbered. This is the fourth or fifth time I've seen him - the first at Dingwall's in North London back in 1978 - and it was the best gig I've ever seen him play.
The set included a surprise version of Sam the Sham's Woolly Bully - I caught a bit of it on video here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaOx3-4cfDs&list=UUBDeleoM99bWx2-P6rMydgA
Back in the Night followed and I got most of that one - plus a little of She Does It Right - watch them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOgJySCtd5A&list=UUBDeleoM99bWx2-P6rMydgA
It was non-stop - barely a gap between songs - and no speeches or introductions. He had to do two encores and self-mockingly dried his eyes as he sang some of the lyrics that could have been interpreted as farewell words - e.g. "the train leaving the station". During Johnny B. Goode, the Bye, Bye, Bye chorus was accompanied by him waving to the audience - and we, in turn, all waved right back at him. No time for tears, but emotional nonetheless.
Here's a still of the band in action:
Wilko is often a blur as he slides across the stage, back and forward, and the following photo perhaps gives a flavour of this:
After the gig, Andy got us to pose outside - and we all waved Bye, Bye, Bye again:
A night to remember.
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