MERRY CHRISTMAS

A merry Christmas to all my Blogger friends. It is fairly gloomy here in the U.K. so I thought I would post a photo taken by me in sunny Dubai a few weeks ago. Have a good one!!!

Gary Stockton -I Never Wanted To Say Goodbye

This song is by my great friend Gary Stockton and is Number One in the IAC chart. Play it, It's great!!!

Amazing Journey - The Premiere

                                             Me and Alan Rogan
                                             Roger and Heather
                                             Roger
                                             Paul Young

Well it's been a long time since I've posted on my Blog. Mainly because I have been busy and also because I have not had any news. But now I have.
Went to the premiere of Amazing Journey a film of the history of The Who. Arrived at six and stood outside watching a few celebs go in. Twiggy, The Zutons, Roger Daltrey and other celebs that the photographers were going mad for but I didn't know who they were.
Roger was with his wife Heather and I got a couple of good shots of him. Also got a photo of me with Alan Rogan, Petes guitar tech. I went up to him and said ' Hi Alan, can I have a photo?' to which he replied 'What Of?' Anyway I'm quite pleased with the result.
When we went to go in we went to the side entrance but were told we had to go through the front. This meant walking on the red carpet. As I strolled down past the paparrazi I heard someone shouting out ' Mark, Mark" I've made it I thought, they've recognised me. I turned round and there was Delbut. He was waiting for Pete to go in. I also saw Gary and Melissa inside as well as some actors and actresses. When we sat down I looked round and there was Rabbit right behind me. A couple of girls sat next to him and asked if they could shake his hand, so I said whilst you're at it and shook his hand. This just leaves Roger for me to meet to have collected the whole band.
The film was great and after, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame came on with Pete, Roger and two of the guys that made the film, for a question and answer session. Pete was on top form and had everyone laughing.
On the way out we were just twenty foot behind Pete who had a leather jacket on with a diamonte skull on the back, jeans with hole in and a man bag. He looked trendy for a guy of 62. He did say in the question and answer session that he had no plans in the pipeline and would see how things go. Roger said they were decompressing after the tour.
Mark Squires, Petes minder was with him and I walked up and said 'I don't suppose you remember me' and he genuinely did. Not bad considering it was a year ago that I had chatted with him. Saw Paul Young walking out after and I 'borrowed' a large cardboard publicity poster, which I took home. I will give it back one day, promise!!
So that's it.

Here Comes America is Number 10!!!!

An update on HCA. Gary has advised me that this track is now number ten in the IAC and Cashbox Magazine charts. Great stuff!!!

Mikeys Back!!

It was really good to see Mikey at The Smoke Room on Wednesday night. He was very well received by the audience (which included our Blogger friend Marietta) especially his new song Greenhouse. It was also nice to see Rene after so long. Hopefully Mikey will be doing more gigs which will increase his exposure, 'cos he deserves it. Nice one Mikey!

Here Comes America

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of week but have been busy.

Well, my friend Gary Stockton has woven his magic again. We collaborated on a song called "Here Comes America".

Gary performed the backing and vocals in California and I did my vocals in the U.K. Click the link button below to listen to it.

Ross Halfin

I have been a fan of Ross Halfins diary for ages. Ross is famous for his rock photography and travels extensively to shoot his subjects. I find his diary entertaining and he writes virtually daily. So when I saw him at the Teenage Cancer Trust show shooting The Who I thought I would take a few shots of him in action. You will find his website at www.rosshalfin.co.uk
Ross getting a shot of PT
Ross and his assistant Kazuyo
Ross and an attractive photographer
Checking the shot
I think he's seen me!!!

The Who at The Royal Albert Hall for The Teenage Cancer Trust

Pete

After spending hours over the past few weeks on ebay bidding for tickets I had given up on going to this gig. With some tickets going for £150 each I thought that morally people should not be making money out of a charity gig. On Saturday morning, just by chance, I went on the RAH website, keyed in for two tickets and lo and behold got two in the Choir section which is at the rear of the stage. So I thought I've seen the lads from the front numerous times so from the rear will make a difference. So off we went. Had a meal in a trendy restaurant before the gig and parked (for free) two hundred yards from the hall. Another great gig. Is there no stopping these guys? I'll post a few more photos later in the week. I have put these photos in so if you click on them you get a large version.

Pete and Rog at the end of the show.
Rabbit
Pete
Simon and Zak
The Who at The Roayal Albert Hall
Roger

Art Wood Musical Tribute (Part 2)

Geno Washington
Ronnie Wood
Gary Grainger (The Faces - co wrote Hot Legs with Rod Stewart)
The Jones Gang Singer Robert Hart (Bad Company) Rick Wills on Bass (Foreigner)
Mark Lamarr (British Entertainer/Comedian)
Luke Rayner (Leafhound)
Don Craine (The Downliners Sect)
Chris Hunt (lonnie Donnegan, Thunderclap Newman)
A few more photos from a great gig.

Art Wood Musical Tribute

Geno Washington and Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood
John Idan (Yardbirds) Ray Majors (Mott The Hoople) Guitarist from Leaf Hound
Kenney Jones
Mick Green Trio (Mick played in The Pirates)
Leaf Hound with singer Peter French ex Atomic Rooster and Cactus
The Downliners Sect



Went to a musical tribute charity gig in memory of Art Wood. Part of his obituary is below. Art died from Prostate cancer and all proceeds of the gig went to this charity. What a gig!! Five hours of music from some of the musicians who set the scene in the 60s and all for £17.50. Here are a few photos. I will Blog more later in the week.

Arthur Wood, singer and graphic artist: born London 7 July 1937; twice married (one son); died London 3 November 2006.

In the mid-Sixties, the mod favourites the Artwoods were tipped as the next big thing to follow the Yardbirds and the Animals. Formed by the vocalist Art Wood, the five-piece group regularly played on Eel Pie Island and at the 100 Club in London. They covered some great rhythm'n'blues material, released five singles, an EP and an album on Decca and even appeared on Ready, Steady, Go! However, they are better remembered now as the band for which Jon Lord played keyboards before launching Deep Purple.

Art Wood and his brother Ted also had an important influence on the career of Ronnie, the youngest Wood brother, who was also in a mod group, the Birds, and went on to join the Creation, the Jeff Beck Group and the Faces, and has been the Rolling Stones guitarist since 1975. In fact, the Faces evolved from a short-lived group called Quiet Melon which Art Wood formed in 1969. "Ron and the members of the Small Faces were between jobs at the time and completely skint," he recalled.

Myspace

I have one of my new compositions on one of my Myspace sites. It is called New Year, New Life.
No real reason for the title, although I probably named it due to it being early in the year when I commenced it.
Here is the link www.myspace.com/erniesson Hope you like it.

Rik Mayall & Me

Finally got round to meeting Rick Mayall. He's a very funny guy. I had two photos taken and then realised the camera was on the incorrect setting, hence the poor quality. When we posed for the first photo (the one here is the second) he said 'No snogging' which made me laugh. I have been a fan of Riks for years and have seen him in various shows over the years. He appeared in the film Drop Dead Fred and several comedy series. The most notable being Bottom and The Young Ones. I've just started reading his book 'The Rik Mayall, Bigger Than Hitler, Better Than Christ'.

Joogleberry Playhouse, Brighton

Went to Jooglebery Playhouse where my Brother (Daddy T) was supporting The Ska Toons with his Reggae rig (Duppytune) and what a good night it was. So here are a few photos of the night and a short video of my lovely Niece Laura dancing. I can't work out how to get the photo of my Brother the right way round!!!!

Long Time No Blog

It's been ages since my last post. Been busy doing this and that. The sad news is that my Mother died three days before Christmas. Her quality of life was not good in the year leading up to her death, so she is in a better place now.
Anyway, the show must go on as the saying goes. 2006 was a great year for many many reasons. I will have to wait and see if 2007 is better. Started off the year by going to three Pantomines, which is a British tradition around Christmas time. Jill used to be involved in the theatre and has dressed many Panto Dames in her time. My latest quest is to have my photo taken with the British comedian Rik Mayall, plans are well under way and this should happen by the end of the month.
I have no New Year resolutions, I never keep them so why bother!! But I do wish everyone that reads this Blog a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year and hope that 2007 is good for you. I've just got my Mothers funeral at the end of this week to deal with and then it will be full steam ahead. Here is a fun photo I took of Jill and Steph (Gary Stocktons lovely wife) at Disneyland.