Banned on the Run

Bob remains an absolute rock for Beatle Week. He seems to have always been here and the event wouldn't be anywhere near the same without him. Whether he plays solo, as a duo with Jon Keats or as a member of his excellent band 'Banned on the Run', it is always a case of satisfaction guaranteed. He doesn't try to look like Paul (hence the grey locks) but he does have Paul's doe eyes and the most amazing Paul solo years voice. My favourite anecdote is playing Wix a Bob original which he recorded as Abbey Road. It was the night of Paul's private party at the Cavern in May 2003 and Paul and Heather had just left. Wix was enjoying a hearty game of Tequila Slammers at the bar (which is his excuse I suppose) and I played him 'Let It Grow'/ I asked him which session it was because he played on it. Wix answered it wasn't him as he didn't join the band until '89 or so and that must have been record before he had joined Paul. I pressed him further and after three more spins he assured me he wasn't on that particular Paul sessions and he irrefutably knows his own playing style and it wasn't him. Bear in mind Wix is Paul's musical director. I then informed him it wasn't Paul at all but 'Our Bob'. He was hugely amused, embarassed and amazed that we had fooled him. He also called is a very typical Paul song. Never mind Wix, stay off the Tequila mate. He promised me not to tell anybody...

Bob as ever, is joined by brilliant musicians that make up Banned on the Run. Guitarist Gav who is a bit of a mocker, bought up on a diet of Kinks and Small Faces and vividly remembers the first song he ever learned to play on guitar at the age of four; Mull of Kintyre. Drummer Marcus also started playing at four and has played the Royal Festival Hall and Ronnie Scott's to name but a couple of famous venues. Matt is the whippersnapper of the group who excels on keyboards and Stu tried to live up to his surname; Toogood, on guitar. A great band - don't miss!

 

Bill Heckle