Milton Keynes Musicians Remembering Milton Keynes Musicians

Sunday 20th September 2009

PLEASE SEND US YOUR PICS AND VIDEOS OF THE DAY TO info@bobtribute.co.uk

£550.00 Raised

THE DAY

While last years event was dedicated to our friend and colleague Paul Steer, this years event was dedicated to all former Milton Keynes musicians and their followers. A few people seemed to think we were being a bit optimistic opening at 12.30 an hour before people usually wander down to Woughton, however this was to be no ordinary Woughton Sunday lunchtime. From 9.30am the team of helpers started piling in: Paul Haslin who had kindly arranged for the loan of equipment from Marshalls and pestered Phil Millichamp into loaning us a fantastic drumkit from Yamaha. Rock Hard Music  had donated an acoustic guitar and a crate of BOB beer to raffle off.

The Woughton Staff including Lynn turned up to ensure the stage was exactly where we needed it and to make sure that the bar ran smoothly despite an expected busy day.

Us chappies from Spaced Out were there to greet our next set of arrivals Maz Hopkins who had kindly already started collecting money on behalf of the fund and purchased various party bits and pieces to give the day the celebration feel. Martin Crane and Linda Corlett  arrived shortly after. Both had been working hard on promoting the gig and were responsible for the fantastic write-ups in the local press as well as organising the legendary Spaced Out interview with Alba Madriz from CRMK. In addition both had spent endless time creating posters and distributing to anywhere in Milton Keynes that would have them while creating the amazing backdrop that adourned the stage throughout the day.

Next to arrive was Pete stage manager who did a magnificent job of marshalling the bands on and off and ensuring that the day went to plan. Colin Saunders turned up in his trademark hat and coloured show and did the day proud as compere with everybody being able to relate to the stories he had to tell.

The music kicked off at exactly 12.30 with Strange Fashion  all the way from South London taking to the stage in front of around 100ish people. By the time they finished up there must have been at least double this. A fantastic set was performed by Lee Bates and co which really set the mood for the day, which included a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and an amazing guitar solo by Mr Ed (i'm Scary) The Shred.

Next to take the stage was the reformation of Bedside Manor. Who put their years of not playing with each other to perform a rock set that saw the ever increasing Woughton crowd roar with approval. Slightly worrying was Jools using all the same lines he does for Spaced Out, however he managed to save enough for later in the day.

Mad Mods and Englishmen were up next and signalled the day really getting into full swing. With amazing covers from the likes of The Who, Jam it was easy to see why this band are talked up as one of the best covers bands around.

Southside Jimmy came on to give the audience their take on modern classics that only a true Scot could sing. Killers, Snow Patrol, Foo Fighters and The Charlatans brought the day right up tom date.

A band that needed no introduction The Peartree Bridge Family. Following a stylophone issue, the band came on to a packed Woughton crowd and quickly summed up the mood off the day, with Rob declaring his and the bands support for The Bend Over Backwards Tribute.

Next to take the stage was.... us Spaced Out. I think I can speak for the rest of the band when I say we were truly humbled to be in the presence of a fantastic Woughton crowd let alone the amazing bands that had lined up to make it quite possibly the best possible line up of covers bands that  Milton Keynes had ever gotten together. What made the day even more special was no band trying to out do anybody. Everybody turned up with one motivation which was to do the best they possibly could to put on a performance our former peers would be proud of.

Finally to finish the day was the return of Emperor. Featuring Martin Crane and last minute addition of our own Dex, the band got down to finish the day in style with rock classics that nobody could fail to enjoy. Despite having to use stand in guitarists Ronnie, Bill and Paul showed there undoubted class and put on a performance to end a perfect day.

We can not say a big enough Thank You to all those that helped, played and got involved and made the day the success it was. We will keep you posted on how we put to good use the money raised, however as with last year it will go to helping promote young talented musicians to ensure that Milton Keynes continues to rock.

Next years event has already been booked and is scheduled to take place on Sunday 5th September 2010.

On a sad note Pete who did the fantastic job of Stage Managing the day has since passed away suddenly. Pete was one of the most positive mid 20's chap I had ever met who did not have a bad word to say about anybody. He will be sorely missed by all that new him and our thoughts are with his family.