Digger:
Not the first time around - I was a baby then I think, but
I've seen some footage of it.
Chris:
That's what it's based on and it's fast. They only do one or
two numbers each and then they're off stage again. We get
through 53 numbers in two and a half hours.
Digger:
Wow. That's a lot.
Chris:
It is but it's a good representation of rock and roll
because we change the mood as much as we can.
Digger:
No Elvis?
Chris:
No - we can't fit him in. I love the man, but we couldn't
fit his songs in.
Digger:
That's great that you've got so much good material in there.
So much that even Elvis can't be fitted in.
Chris:
We tried to do it but it didn't work. It's a different feel
and we needed a slap bass and we haven't got one so we
couldn't do him justice.
Digger:
And if you were going to do Elvis you'd have to do a few
numbers as well.
Chris:
If you're going to do Elvis you've got to be geared up for
it - you can't mess that about. You've got to do the thing properly.
We didn't feel it was good enough. So we really cover the
music as it was, instrumentals, rockers, ballads right
across the board.
Digger:
Are you getting younger people coming to see the show?
Chris:
Yes, all ages.
Digger:
Why do people love the fifties so much still?
Chris:
I often say on the stage "Hands up all those that were
there first time round." They all put their hands up
and I say "Don't worry about getting old, because if
you were any younger than you are you'd have missed that
magic time." If I could take you back I would, but the
nearest I can do to that is for you to come and see the show.
That's what we used to get on a Saturday night everywhere
you went. And these artists hit us with an avalanche of
music - there'd never been anything like it. It was all new
and we were rebelling from Victorian attitudes and the
aftermath of the war and we had a party. Suddenly we had a
music just for us, like they did later with punk and whatever
it is that the kids like now. We had our own music and it
was brilliant and the key thing was that the songs were
great and they're still great today. They really don't write
stuff like that anymore. I'm glad it was in my life.
Digger:
Are there any other shows planned?
Chris:
No, I've never worked so hard on a show in my life. I've put
my heart and soul into this one and seriously I don't think
I've got the energy to do another one.
Digger:
Ten years and still going strong - that's amazing, isn't it?
Chris:
Yes, we've had a lot of changes of cast but you can't help
that. Girls might have a boyfriend who doesn't like them
travelling all the time - you get that all the time with
people moving on. But the keyboard player is magic and I met him
in Denmark Street in 1967.
Digger:
Right in the heart of Tin Pan Alley?
Chris:
Yes, I used to record there a lot in the sixties and he was
coming to do a session on his piano. He came from Romford, I
came from Barkingside and we've been mates ever since and
he's been in and out of the shows through with me. Brian
Poole, Cliff Bennett - most of the bands. I've got about
fifty of them we have backed. We had a big show in the eighties
and that went well but this one is by far the best because
I've got great star names on it and it pulls more people in
than probably these other bands do. It's really rewarding.
Digger:
Chris, you've done really well and I'm looking forward to
seeing the show. I saw an Elvis show about three months ago
and, not having listened to Elvis for quite a while, the
catalogue of songs and the quality of the songs and the show
knocked me out. I just couldn't believe how good the music
was. And I'm sure your show is the same.
Chris:
They don't play the same beat all night at our show like
these modern ones do.
Digger:
No, those songs were creative and innovative and there was
so much new stuff going on. Thanks for talking with us about
the show, Chris, and I'm really looking forward to the show
and meeting you in January.
Chris:
Thanks so much Digger. I appreciate it.
