12/2/98
Magical Mystery Tour '97' - Chapter 18
Hello Breadheads:
Well Breadheads, I guess I've procrastinated as long as I
could . It's just that to put the U.K. tour down in a few
short paragraphs is nearly impossible. What made it even more
special, aside from the great fans, was that my wife, Michele,
was able to come along with me. It was a wonderful experience
that we will never forget.
After
landing at Heathrow airport, we all boarded the 'magic bus'
which would be our land yacht for the next three weeks and
headed off to Liverpool. Yes, the home of the Beatles. In
fact, our first U.K. concert was at the Empire Theatre which
was also where the fab four frequently played and I don't
think it's changed a bit. Of course, we went to Matthews street
(a Beatlemaniac's dream) to check out the pubs and shops,
all seemingly like monuments to the four local mop tops who
made good. And of course after all that walking, we quenched
our thirst with the national drink. GUINNESS!! This ritual
was soon to be a habit as the tour progressed.
We then went on a short drive to Manchester. Yes, the home
of Oasis. We were given the same kind of warm welcome in Manchester
that we had received from the fans in Liverpool. Although
we had very little time there, we still managed to hit the
streets to check out the city and then ended the day with
a concert at the Apollo theatre for a great audience.
The
third day of the tour, the magic bus took us to Nottingham.
Yes, the home of Nottingham lace, Sherwood forest and Robin
Hood. And no, we did not meet the sherriff. Again, we were
unable to see much of of the city due to our tight schedule
but we did find, as in Liverpool and Manchester, a great audience
as well as some great local pubs where we refreshed ourselves
with a pint of Guiness. Ah yes, a meal in a bottle!
The
next morning, we once again boarded the magic bus and headed
for Bristol. Fortunately, we had a day off and were able to
spend a little more time there. Of course, my wife was delighted
to find a flea market close by and within minutes of our arrival
we were meandering the streets of Bristol, checking out the
wares being offered by the various venders. And you know,
all that walking kinda' made me thirsty. So later, we all
met at a local pub for a ....................... oh! never
mind.
Well,
we had a great night off and a great nights sleep and the
following morning, we had a great chance to see a great deal
more of Bristol than just a flea market or pub. It was a show
night and by the afternoon we were getting ready for our concert
that evening for another warm U.K. reception from our fans
in Bristol.
Bristol was the first of five in a row and next was London.
Yes, the home of Charles Dickens and "Scrooge". We stayed
in a wonderful hotel next door to Kensington palace but again
we had to depart the next morning so we were hard pressed
to see much of this fabulous city. The concert was at the
Labbatt's Apollo and was very well received by our London
fans. The last time I recall working there was with Linda
Ronstadt ........ ah! but that's another story.
After a short but jam packed 24 hours in London, it was time
to take the land yacht to Ipswich. Yes, the home of.................
hmmm. Let me think about that one. Anyway, Ipswich was a charming
town with a great old theatre, the Regent. Again, it was a
sound check, a show, a pint of Guinness at the hotel (as a
nightcap only) and then to bed.
The
magic bus left Ipswich very early the following morning for
a lenghty drive to the seaside community of Bournemouth, where
we performed for another warm U.K. audience. Unfortunately,
we were again limited to about 24 hours in beautiful Bournemouth.
First
Bristol then London then Ipswich then Bournemouth to Brentwood
(sounds like names for Santa's reindeer). Anyway, after another
warmly received concert on a very cold night, we loaded up
our land yacht for the long overnight drive to Edinburgh.
Three
Days Off!!! And, I couldn't think of a more beautiful or romantic
place to spend them. After an 8:00 a.m. arrival and a quick
breakfast, we all hit the streets. Though somewhat tired and
a bit rough around the edges, we were none the less enthused
about seeing as much as possible. Edinburgh castle, the most
dominant feature of the city, alone, took a full day to tour.
And of course, we went antique shopping, which made us very
thirsty. And then, we'd go to an antique pub for a pint of,
you know what.
Our time in Edinburgh culminated with a concert at the Playhouse
theatre for a wonderful audience and it provided a second
honeymoon for Michele and I. It was a truly unforgettable
experience we'll never forget.
Well, it was time for the magic bus to roll again. So we headed
down the coast through some of the most spectacular scenery
to our next engagement in Newcastle. Yes, the home of Newcastle
Brown Ale! Nothing against Guinness, I just thought a little
variety wouldn't hurt. Anyway, I remember playing at Newcastle
city hall on our very first Bread tour many years ago, and
this audience was just as receptive and enthusiastic.
Next
on the itinerary was Birmingham where we had a day off. And
within minutes, Michele and Vickie (Larry's wife) had ferretted
out another local antique flea market. Amazing! It's like
a sixth sense! Well anyway, we ended our rainy night off with
a Guinness and a cigar at the hotel bar.
The next morning, most of us were out trying to see as much
of Birmingham as we could before sound check that afternoon.
The time, again, went too quickly but after all, this was
a concert tour and we still had to perform that evening at
Symphony Hall. It was a new building with wonderful acoustics
and provided a wonderful audience as well.
It was now time to leave our land yacht and take a short flight
to the "Emerald Isle". Our first gig in Ireland was in Belfast
and since the cease fire, it's a changed city. You could sense
the optimism. We had a great discussion about this at the
famous 'Crown Bar' (est.1849) over a Guinness. Oh! And by
the way, we had a fantastic show that evening.
Then
it was on to party town, Dublin! Yes, the home of, you guessed
it, Guinness!! Though we were there for only 24 hours, this
was to be a highlight of our tour. What a city! Grafton street,
St. Stephen's green, Trinity university and so many people
it was a traffic jam of pedestrians. What energy! And the
Dublin audience showed it that evening with their enthusiastic
reception which included the entire bunch singing along with
us. It was really quite amazing! The last time that happened
was Manila.
Unfortunately,
we had to leave Dublin far too soon and fly back to England
for our last show of the tour in Sheffield. Yes, the home
of "The Full Monty" (you'll have to see the movie). It was
at this point I began to feel a bit meloncholy as I realized
we were nearing the end of our journey.
At
the crew dinner that evening before the show, I took a good
long look at the faces of all the people in our little circus
family that had helped to make this tour a once in a lifetime
experience. There was Ian, the skipper of the magic bus, and
Zee & Kirstie, our caterers, who fed us like royalty throughout
our travels and the rest of our U.K. crew who got the show
up and running everyday. I know I will miss them all but I
won't forget them ever.
We had another great Breadhead audience that night but this
show seemed special. It was not only our last concert in the
U.K. but the last concert of our twenty fifth anniversary
world tour. And the next morning, when we boarded the magic
bus for the last time, it really started to hit me. It was
all over and in a few hours I'd be back home in Burbank as
if it were all a fantastic Rip Van Winkle dream.
I
don't know what the future holds for Bread. So, I'd like to
take this opportunity to thank all the Bread fans all around
the world for there love and support over the last twenty
five years and to all those people who helped to make our
world tour such an unforgettable experience. We truly wish
you the Best from Bread. Thank you and have a Happy and Prosperous
New Year.
Sincerely:
Mike Botts
