Searchers Snippets – Out And About With Frank Allen
I was recently invited by two of my oldest friends Susie Mathis (the Paper Dolls, Boom Radio etc) and actress Sue Johnston (Brookside, Royle Family, Downton Abbey etc) to join them at one of the Coldplay concerts at Wembley Stadium, where they were playing an astonishing 10 shows there with an audience of 85,000 at each one. This of course was the new Wembley which I had not been to since we played the original stadium in 1989 for two days as a part of Cliff Richard`s 30th anniversary concerts.
Not being a Coldplay follower I had to swot up on their songs, hits like Yellow, Viva La Vida, Fix You and others. It was an amazing night with the most incredible light show.
After the concert we headed back to my place where they were staying as my houseguests and managed to catch the last couple of hours at my local, the Smugglers Cove. The Irish singer was still in full flight and the atmosphere was addictive. Sue and Susie loved the place and Sue was asked to stand behind the bar for a picture pulling a pint which pleased the manager Pat enormously, earning me lots of brownie points.
I have always kept in touch with John Semark, our ex-back line roadie who was with us for around 25 years from being a 19 year old who never actually knew what a roadie did when he took on the job until we first tried to retire in 2019. Occasionally I will make the trip down to Ramsgate where he lives with his partner Laura. Amazingly they are now grandparents.
From time to time John visits with me and Laura loves to join us when she can, especially if there is a chance of taking in a West End show. A year or so ago we saw Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, the story of the Motown stars The Temptations. A really good night’s entertainment packed with their hits.
This time round we got tickets for Moulin Rouge which is an interesting concept taking an old subject, the iconic Parisian cabaret venue at the turn of the century, but using current pop songs to carry the story forward.
John and Laura absolutely loved it. It wasn`t totally my cup of tea but the staging was superb and I certainly enjoyed the evening. And as is the routine with me I also took them to the Smugglers Cove where we surprisingly (NOT) drank way too much.
I have briefly touched on news of an event in Liverpool which is in fact a very simple affair at The Cavern where John and I are to be presented with custom made guitars by the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.
I must explain that it is not a public event and doesn’t involve any kind of musical performance so I won’t be suggesting that you make your way there for the presentation. It is in fact a photo opportunity for the foundation and I assume that the resulting pictures will make some newspapers either nationally or even internationally. To be honest I don’t have any details and so I can’t tell you much more than that
Obviously after it has taken place (the proposed date is October 10th) I will tell you all about it and hopefully have some photos to show you. It will be in the afternoon at The Cavern and I understand that Mike McCartney (Sir Paul`s brother) will be in charge of the handover.
