Two Football Clubs in One Week Hello there, This is a first, doing a log at home (no pun intended). I'll run you through the week. MONDAY: Rehearse, we've already done 5 days playing Rick in. He was a bit knackered at the beginning, but by day three he was nutter again, cracking us all up as usual. Ricks Jokes of the day: What do you get if you stuff a sheep with Coca-Cola? ...a ram of coke Mr and Mrs Ginardon and their son Ray. (think about it) TUESDAY: Rehearse, then on to the bus for the seven hour trip to Newcastle. Our cloud has found us...leave Sussex in brilliant sunshine, arrive at hotel in pissing rain. We're here as the star guests to open the new Sunderland F.C. ground, named "The Stadium of Light" or Stadium of something rude, that rhymes with light according to the Newcastle fans. They're just jealous, I reckon, They both really want to move to Griffin Park, home of the greatest west London side in the Brentford area, the world famous Brentford F.C. One day I'll tell anyone that doesn't know what it's like to be a dedicated supporter of a crap team for 35 years ...OK,OK, I'll get me coat! WEDNESDAY: Sound check at the ground. Absolutely amazing, one of the best I've ever seen, 41,000 seats, all with an uninterrupted view of a superb pitch. Toot (our drum tech), went in goal and I stood on the penalty spot. Toot just said, "How did Southgate miss?" Back to the hotel, get ready for the helicopter, (Rock 'n Roll!) which is taking us to the Stadium of Light. It's a Linx, the fastest chopper in the world (again no pun intended, nudge nudge, har har) from the RAF, absolutely awesome machine. five minutes late, we land in the centre circle with 41,000 Sunderland fans on their feet applauding us, really brilliant feeling. We played "Rockin", "Fun, Fun, Fun", "Whatever you Want" and the Waltz, then drove round the perimeter of the pitch, it's kind of weird when you realise, just about everyone has a soft spot for Status Quo, again the reaction from the fans was fantastic, a really warm feeling... back on the bus, home for 3 am. Oh yeh... when we left (and I'm sure it was an anti climax) there was the small matter of a football match, Sunderland versus Domestos or Ajax or something... THURSDAY: Nuffink... except go out with Kathy and get totally shit-faced, Oh my God, tomorrows.. FRIDAY: ...and sound check! confirm my worst fears in the morning, I am a ZOMBIE. Ho-hum....meet up at David Walkers house at 2:30, Rick's with Laura, he doesn't look too good, said he had a dreadful night's sleep, not surprising really when you think that three months ago he was nearly dead, and now he's back on stage, (almost), if it were me, I would break with tradition and wear brown trousers instead of denim on my first day back. Get to Carrow Road, which, it has to be said, is a bit of a let down after the Stadium of Light, but what the heck, a gig's a gig. By now my brain is about 8 sizes too big for my head... which isn't helpful when, as we begin to soundcheck, Jeff's bass drum sounds like a Howitzer and is all I can really hear...it's a really dreadful sound, Rick and Francis are really struggling, 'cos if you're singing, monitoring is a lot more crucial, I don't really bother about it that much, but they're obviously having trouble, not so good for Rick's nerves. After the soundcheck..hotel and early night. SATURDAY: Up early, feel much better (what a surprise!) go to the pool and steam room, meet up with Andrew and Carolyn, his wife who has also come on the trip, have a lonely stomp around Naarch (I think that's how the locals pronounce it) and sample the Adnams beer. Go to the gig about 6.00 pm, ask Rick how he is, even worse basically, he hardly slept, but he says not to worry, "I'll be fine on the gig." He seems confident enough. Nobodys talking about how he feels but the atmosphere in the dressing room is noticeably different from normal, we're all talking for a start! ( only kidding folks). Pop down to have a look at Shaky and his new band, all I can remember is that the fact that his Jacket and trousers didn't quite go together, (saucer of milk for Mr Edwards), I don't go in for slagging off other artists, but all I will say is that if you've got a bad attitude with people, then you don't get what you want...nuff said. Anyway, 9:30pm and drooonne...in E, and we hit the stage, the crowd are fantastic, the gig looks great and you can almost touch the feeling, and the shout that goes up when Francis utters "What can I say? Rick Parfitt!" it rattles the whole stadium, we have the BEST fans. I must have asked Rick if he was OK about 15 times during the gig, and he just smiled and nodded every time, I really enjoyed the gig, a bit rough round the edges but that's the way I like it best, plus after three months off we were gagging to play. It was good doing "Rain" in the encore I thought. Rick was totally shagged afterwards, but was absolutely made up by you all. That's enough rambling from me, good to be back (Gary Glitter??). Thursday we're off to Denmark, and I promise to do New Yawk soon... (yeh yeh yeh...we believe you Rhino!) Lotsalove, PS I saw you Suzie Quo! Back to Tour Log Main Page