17th June 2019

Well, ‘hello to you all’.

After taking a long break from touring and spending time building a new space for my barn swallows, seven species of bats, and the c.1840 cider press, we at last got down to some work.

The Pretenders supporting Fleetwood Mac at Wembley Stadium, June 18, 2019. Photo Credit:@tealbassmusic

A new album was recorded after I had planted some seeds with Chrissie about getting together with James Walbourne to get some new songs written. As some of you may know, I have deferred from recording for a while. The reason was Chrissie had to make the albums she made. This new one had Stephen Street in the chair and that was a big plus for me. I completed my parts in four days. I guess my parts are a little ‘off the cuff’. I haven’t as yet heard the finished article (album).

Last year, on our way to a festival in Portugal a delayed flight gave me some time to talk with John Lydon at the bar of the airport lounge.

An ambush of drums.

John is an interesting guy and got more interesting as more drinks arrived because of a delayed flight. Like the ska band, the Specials at the Arroya Seco festival in Pasadena earlier in the year, John’s band Public Image were great. He showed his usual quick-witted presence and forceful vocal attack.

Sound check at Wembley Stadium.

This year we were asked to perform some shows in Europe with Fleetwood Mac.

I had seen them first at a tiny club called the Top Spot Club in Ross-on-Wye in 1968.

The first show there was with a blues band called Black Cat Bones. A few months later they had the band Chicken Shack in support.

 

The piano player in that band was Christine Perfect. That night she played the song ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ that was a recent release by Etta James. I stood no more that a few yards away as she sang and played the piano. She became Christine McVie after marrying John McVie bass player with Fleetwood Mac.

I was wearing a bib and brace outfit, like a man who paints the inside of your house. The outfit combined with the bowler hat made me look like a Clockwork Orange gang member... 

he he he he he he. (Photo credit: Justin Welch)

I got to play on the bill with Fleetwood Mac in 1970/’71 at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare in my band Karakorum. Over the years I have got to know Mick who is a wonderful gentleman.

Photo credit: Justin Welch

So…last night we played the first of our two Wembley Stadium shows.

The date, 16th of June. It was the 37th anniversary of my best friend, James Honeyman-Scott’s death.

With regard to my book and album,

I will finish my book this year and also try and complete my album.

There is no release date as yet. Between the conversion of my home, working on the latest Razorlight and Pretenders albums, and touring duties, time has been a bit pressing to put it mildly.

My room, the Tudor Suite at the Gore Hotel, London.

Much love from the Gore Hotel in London.

I can’t wait to get home on Saturday after our last festival show in Oslo.

Be good to yourselves.

M.D.C.