Countdown Spectacular 2
Is On The Way
17 May 2007
The Countdown Years will go alive for a second time when
The Countdown Spectacular 2 hits the stages of Australia in August.
The 2007 tour will once again feature a plethora of
classics from Australia's most influential music television program Countdown.
The line-up for Countdown Spectacular 2 will feature Rick
Springfield, Martha Davis of The Motels, Doug Fieger Of The Knack, Katrina
Leskanich formerly of Katrina & The Waves, Plastic Bertrand, Les McKeown
formerly of The Bay City Rollers, Richard Gower of Racey, David Paton of Pilot,
Robin Scott alias 'M', Samantha Fox, Graham Bonnet, Birtles Shorrock Gobles
(founding members of Little River Band), Richard Clapton, Kate Ceberano (I'm
Talking), Supernaut (reforming especially), The Radiators, Sharon O'Neill, John
Schumann of Redgum, Dave Mason of The Reels, Ignatius Jones of Jimmy & The Boys,
Paul Gray of Wa Wa Nee and Doc Neeson's Angels.
The show will be hosted by John Paul Young and Ian 'Molly'
Meldrum, with voice-over from Gavin Wood.
Tickets go on sale May 14th.
By Paul Cashmere
Countdown Spectacular 2
14 May 2007
We know you've been
waiting for this one and if possible it's even more exciting than last year!
That's right, it's time to pull out the leg-warmers, polish up the platforms and
pump out the hair gel. In 2007 the Countdown Spectacular will feature not only
Australian favourites but we're flying in a stack of international stars!
The Countdown
Spectacular 2 concert tour will feature: Rick Springfield, Martha
Davis of The Motels, Doug Fieger Of The Knack, Katrina Leskanich formerly of
Katrina & The Waves, Plastic Bertrand, Les McKeown formerly of The Bay City
Rollers, Richard Gower of Racey, David Paton of Pilot, Robin Scott alias 'M',
Samantha Fox and Graham Bonnet.
Our
international stars will be joined by a veritable host of Australian Countdown
favorites: BSG (founding members of Little River Band), Richard
Clapton, Kate Ceberano (I'm Talking), Supernaut (reforming especially), The
Radiators, Sharon O'Neill, John Schumann of Redgum, Dave Mason of The Reels,
Ignatius Jones of Jimmy & The Boys, Paul Gray of Wa Wa Nee and the rockin' Doc
Neeson's Angels.
Of course Molly will
be back on board this year and we are delighted to announce that John Paul Young
will return to the Countdown Spectacular to perform and co-host with Molly. And
of course Countdown would not be Countdown without the voice of Gavin Wood. Plus
expect the return of The Countdown Dancers who - rumour has it - are already
working on some even more exciting routines.
TOUR DATES:*
Sat 18 Aug - Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Tue 21 Aug - Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Fri 24 Aug - Acer Arena, Sydney
Thu 30 Aug - Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park
Sun 2 Sep - Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Wed 5 Sep - Burswood Dome, Perth
Countdown 2
2 May 2007
Frontier
Touring has firmed up for its "Countdown Spectacular 2" Rick Springfield, Martha
Davis of The Motels, Doug Fieger Of The Knack, Katrina Leskanich formerly of
Katrina & The Waves, Plastic Bertrand, Les McKeown formerly of The Bay City
Rollers, Richard Gower of Racey, David Paton of Pilot, Robin Scott alias 'M',
Samantha Fox and Graham Bonnet.
The Australian
contingent includes Birtles Shorrock Gobles (founding members of Little River
Band), Richard Clapton, Kate Ceberano (I'm Talking), Supernaut (reforming
especially), The Radiators, Sharon O'Neill, John Schumann of Redgum, Dave Mason
of The Reels, Ignatius Jones of Jimmy & The Boys, Paul Gray of Wa Wa Nee and Doc
Neeson's Angels.
Molly Meldrum
will co-host with John Paul Young, with a return of the show's voice Gavin Wood
and the Countdown dancers.
Saturday 18
August Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Tuesday 21
August Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Friday 24
August Acer Arena - Sydney
Tuesday 28
August Derwent Entertainment Centre - Hobart
Thursday 30
August Rod Laver Arena - Melbourne
Sunday 2
September Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Wednesday 5
September Burswood Dome - Perth
By Liberation
Music
SONYBMG,
ALBERTS, SIGN DEAL
5 May 2006
SonyBMG and J. Albert
& Son Pty Ltd have signed a deal for Australia and NZ effective from June.
Albert Productions, the recording division of the 120 year old independent music
publishing company J. Albert & Son - is home to AC/DC, Dallas Crane and UK bands
Breed 77 and The Answer. Its back catalogue takes in the Easybeats, Rose Tattoo,
the Angels, Choirboys, Stevie Wright and Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs.
The new licensing
deal with SonyBMG Australia will see Alberts' back catalogue, digital content
and future CD and DVD releases issued through SonyBMG Music Australia and New
Zealand. It will also bring the AC/DC catalogue under the same label banner
internationally for the first time.
Denis Handlin AM,
Chairman & CEO of SonyBMG Australia & New Zealand, said: "Alberts' contribution
to Australian music cannot be overstated. We are absolutely delighted to strike
this new licence partnership for Australia and New Zealand. "David Albert and
Fifa Riccobono have exciting plans for continuing local artist signings going
forward. We can see great opportunities to enhance sales of Albertís releases
through traditional and digital channels."
On signing the new
label deal Alberts' MD David Albert and Executive Director Fifa Riccobono said:
"The agreement with Sony BMG comes at an exciting time for the company with a
revitalised period of acquisition, artist signings as well as the international
exploitation of great new rock acts from both the UK and Australian labels.
Alberts is currently associated with Sony BMG internationally through the AC/DC
recording catalogue. The local label signing is another opportunity to build on
this successful partnership."
Liberation
Records re-issues The Angels
albums
7 November 2005
Liberation
Records has re-issue The Angels albums with bonus tracks like Dark Room, Night
Attack, Watch The Red in 2005.
Libration
Records will re-issue Live At Narrara, Howling, Beyond Salvation, Red Back
Fever, Left Hand Drive, Skin & Bone, Two Minute Warning in 2006.
Jet, Doc To Caribbean
9 February 2005
Two Aussie acts have been enjoying the sunshine in the Caribbean. Jet were
writing in Barbados and start recording in LA this month. Doc Neeson and his
band are working with US producer Terry Manning at the legendary Compass Point
Studios in Nassau. Local resident, actor Sean "the best Bond" Connery dropped in
to hang.
Doc Neeson's Angels
13 May 2004
Australia's legendary rock'n'roll frontman is back to see your face again. Rock it hard with The Angels,
this over 18's concert is part of the "Gonna See Your Face Again" tour. Dont miss it!
ORGANISED BY: Club Nova
START DATE: 22 May 2004
FINISH DATE: 22 May 2004
TIME: 8pm
COST: $25
LOCATION: Panthers, Cnr King & Union Sts, Newcastle
CONTACT: Manager
TELEPHONE: (02) 4926 2700
Doc Neeson's Angels - Doc Neeson is back on the road
3 May 2004
One of this country's most loved and respected
rock showmen, Doc Neeson is back on the road with his newly formed band Doc Neeson's Angels.
Few people who lived in Australia through the halcyon rock days of the eighties will not have the memory of Neeson~s huge frame,
unique voice and manic stage antics indelibly etched in their mind. As frontman of The Angels, Neeson rode a massive wave of
popularity which saw the band release numerous chart-topping albums and singles and achieve huge success both here and overseas.
The new band combines ace players from The Angels, Dragon and The Ranch and delivers all the old Angels hits together with some
fresh surprises, but in the style the fans remember - live, loud and rocking.
Doc Neeson's Angels, touring Tasmania in May.
See Hear Do
27 April 2004
See...
See Lake Macquarie at its best in a striking new photography book and multimedia pack produced by Lake Macquarie City Council. The
book, Lake Macquarie Reflections of Our City, features photographs by Paul Foley. There is also a CD Rom, DVD and greeting cards
available. The book retails for $24.95 and the CD Rom and DVD are $9.95, available from the council, libraries, the art gallery or
visitor information centre.
Hear...
Legendary rocker Doc Neeson from The Angels is back on the road for his 'Gunna See Your Face Again' tour. Doc's new band, aptly
titled ‘Doc Neeson's Angels', will perform at Newcastle Panthers on Saturday, May 22. Doc is joined on stage by Jim Hilburn, Alan
Mansfield, Peter Northcote and Peter Clarke. Tickets from the venue.
Do...
Attention chocolate lovers! The Ivanhoe Wines Chocolate Festival is on over the weekend of May 8 and 9 at Pokolbin. Thousands join
in the annual festival at the Ivanhoe Wines cellar door to taste the wines and sample some of the delights from retailers like
Lindt, Darrell Lea, Brumby's bakery, Hunter Valley Chocolate Co and New Zealand Ice Cream. Entertainment includes helicopter
rides, live music and children's activities. The festival runs from 10.30am to 4pm both days and is free. Ph 4998 7325 for
details.
Doc Neeson's Angels Gigs
22 April 2004
6 May - Orange
13 May - Bathurst
20 May - Lismore
22 May - Newcastle
27 May - Davenport
28 May - Launceston
29 May - Hobart
By Jim Jilbun
Doc Gigs
26 February 2004
13 March - Shellharbour
19 March - Tamworth
20 March - Sawtelle
26 March - Dubbo
27 March - Griffith
By Jim Hilbun
The Angels Box set
13 February 2004
Alberts are set to release a box set of The Angels catalogue mid 2004. It
includes the ground breaking, chart topping, Face to Face album, and its follow
up No Exit, as well as the rare self - titled debut album. Also included will be
a bonus CD featuring out-takes of The Angels
classics and previously unreleased material from 1976 -79.
A live concert, filmed and recorded at Latrobe University Melbourne in 1979,
will also be released in mid 2004 as a 5.1 DVD. This long
awaited, incredible film of the original lineup of The Angels performing at
their absolute peak, will also contain rare footage, photographs and interviews
with the band.
Doc Neeson
starts a low key comeback
19 December 2003
Former Angels frontman Doc Neeson is back in the saddle
after laying low for the last few years following severe injuries from a car
crash four years ago.
One week before he went to Dilli to perform for the Australian Troops four years
ago, Doc's car was rear-ended by a truck. Neeson still performed for the troops
under a lot of pain and upon his return became a regular patient trying to
overcome chronic back and neck pain as well as blurred vision.
Doc has now signed a new management deal with Stephen White Entertainment and
put a band together for the road. "We have quietly gone about putting a band
together over the last 3 months and have done two low key shows in Northern NSW"
says White. "Last weekend the band performed a couple of sell out shows in
Darwin where the energy and excitement that came back from the audience was
nothing short of sensational. Doc is without a doubt one of the greatest front
men this country has ever produced and he is performing like he has found a
second life, which in retrospect, I guess he has."
The new Neeson line-up features some familiar faces and will head back to the
studio shortly. "The band has been rehearsing for 8 weeks" White adds. "We will
have enough new material for an album to be recorded early in the new-year. We
will begin to tour nationally in the first quarter or 2004. Jim Hilbun from the
Angels is in the band on bass and we have added two members from Dragon - Alan
Mansfield (keyboards) and Peter Northcote (guitar). On drums we have Peter
Clarke who toured the world with Keith Urban's band The Ranch for 12 years. The
new rhythm guitar player is Doc's new song writing partner and friend David Lowy
who has already written four great songs with Doc. Doc brought another four with
him to rehearsals and the rest of the band are also writing."
Neeson performed down the Queensland Coast last week with shows in Cairns,
Airlie Beach, Bundaberg and Bridie Island.
PRESS RELEASE
17 December 2003
Stephen White Entertainment
Stephen White Entertainment
proudly announces signing Aussie rock music legend's new band - Doc Neeson's
Angels.
Stephen White Entertainment proudly announces the addition of Doc Neeson's
Angels to his management stable of artists.
It has been almost 4 years since
Doc took the stage in Dili to perform at a Christmas Show for our troops. The
event was a nationally televised special that Doc not only instigated but that
had the support and interest of the entire nation. The cream of Australia's
music talent flew in for the event and under extremely difficult conditions they
all presented a memorable and historic show watched live on television by
millions of Australians at home.
Only one week prior to leaving for
the concert Doc suffered severe injuries when a truck rear-ended his car at full
speed at a Toll Booth on a Sydney Expressway. Somehow Doc continued his mission
for the troops. Despite collapsing while performing for small groups of soldiers
on duty in remote areas he was able to muster up the strength to fulfil his goal
and deliver an amazing set of Angels anthems at the show in Dili which included
a memorable version of "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again" which had to be
censored from the broadcast due to the enthusiastic and very loud response from
the combined armed forces of "No Way - Get * - * Off!"
This was the last show Doc Neeson
performed for the next 4 years. Those 4 years were filled with hospital visits,
chronic back and neck pain, tests, physio and were completely blurred with pain
killers - the only way for Doc to get through each day. On top of this
incredible bad luck episode Doc was unable to do what he had always done -
perform - which meant no income. Doc hit rock bottom on every level during this
period and recently said suicide entered his mind.
Now, 4 years later, Doc is back
and working with his new outfit - Doc Neeson's Angels.
Stephen White said, "I am thrilled
to see Doc back and working. We have been mates since the ANGELS first worked
for me in 1975. I have been close to him over the last 4 years and in fact was
assisting him with his efforts on the Dili concert prior to the accident. What
he went through over the last 4 years was truly a living hell and I am proud of
the way he has fought back through periods of intolerable pain and suffering.
There were times that I did not expect him to recover."
"We have quietly gone about
putting a band together over the last 3 months and have done 2 low key shows in
Northern NSW. Last weekend the band performed a couple of sell out shows in
Darwin where the energy and excitement that came back from the audience was
nothing short of sensational. Doc is without a doubt one of the greatest front
men this country has ever produced and he is performing like he has found a
second life, which in retrospect, I guess he has."
"The band has been rehearsing for
8 weeks. We will have enough new material for an album to be recorded early in
the new-year. We will begin to tour nationally in the first quarter or 2004. Jim
Hilbun from the Angels is in the band on bass and we have added 2 members from
Dragon - Alan Mansfield (keyboards) and Peter Northcote (guitar). On drums we
have Peter Clarke who toured the world with Keith Urban's band The Ranch for 12
years. The new rhythm guitar player is Doc's new song writing partner and friend
David Lowy who has already written 4 great songs with Doc. Doc brought another 4
with him to rehearsals and the rest of the band are also writing."
"As a fan of Australian rock music
I can only tell you one thing.... Doc Neeson's Angels are one of best
rock'n'roll line-ups of all time. The band not only proudly delivers Doc's
musical history but it has given Doc a renewed energy and focus to move forward
on his own terms - his way."
Doc Neeson is definitely GONNA SEE
YOUR FACE AGAIN with the hottest rock band in the land - Doc Neeson's Angels -
an Australian Super Group with an amazing history and future.
THE DOC
STORY - DEC 2003
15 December 2003
Stephen White Entertainment
AUSTRALIAN ROCK MUSIC ICON DOC NEESON IS BACK TO SEE YOUR
FACE AGAIN
After 4 years of pure hell and debilitating pain as a result of a near fatal car
smash that caused severe whiplash and serious nerve damage to his neck and
spine, Doc Neeson has announced a handful of shows for December that will herald
the return to live performances for one of this country's most loved and
respected rock showmen.
Over the last 28 years Neeson's 6'4" frame has captivated and enthralled rock
music crowds all over the world. His unique voice and stage antics are tattooed
into the memory of all true rock fans. His passionate performances, stage
presence and ability to engage an audience of 1,000 or 50,000 are still the
benchmark for so many who try to aspire to rock star status, but there is only
one Doc Neeson, and few can get close to his magic. Doc Neeson is a consummate
performer in every sense of the word. There is nothing that he will not attempt
on stage to please his fans. His passion to deliver memorable shows is what Doc
Neeson is all about and now he is finally in a position to take audiences into
the palm of his hands yet again.
It was the week before flying out to Dili to entertain the troops at a special
concert he had initiated with a Stella line up of Australian talent in December
1999 that Doc's car was rammed from behind by a truck while he stopped to pay a
freeway toll. He managed to get through the week in Dili pumped up with
painkillers that enabled him to deliver one of the highlight
performances of the show for the troops.
The following 3 years were filled with pain, illness, hospital stays and the
rehabilitation of a severe neck and back injury. The hardest part was his
inability to do what he had always done - perform. His life was changed in a
split second and it has taken up until now for Doc to be able to perform.
However, there were some changes that Doc needed to make. He had plenty of time
to evaluate all things that were past and future and he decided he needed to
move forward and not go back. It was this decision that has given birth to Doc
Neeson's Angels.
Doc said "After the events of the last few years I needed to change and I needed
to follow my heart on every level if I was to get excited about the future. The
fact that the years after the accident had been so bad and I was aware that I
had hit rock bottom on every level possible made it obvious to me that if things
were to change I had to position myself to be excited and focused on whatever it
was that I decided to do."
" I love performing and song writing and I appreciate my history in this
business. It is a history that has given me a loyal and true fan base. I have
to, and want to, recognise this relationship I've had with the fans for almost
30 years now and I want to go out and thank them for their support over the
years."
Doc added, "So I decided to form a new band that will be known as Doc Neeson's
Angels. Obviously the show will feature mostly classic songs from The Angels
repertoire but this change of line up allows me to maintain my desire and
enthusiasm to move forward musically."
"I want to create new music that may or may not fall into what many may perceive
as the traditional Angels sound. Having said that, the first new song we have
come up with for the new line-up is a great riff driven rocker. I love it!"
"I am now completely free to have a go and venture into new territory and have
the audiences tell me what they think of the new ideas. But let me assure you
that anyone who comes along to the shows will get a complete fill of Angels
songs - live, loud and rockin. I just want to get out on stage again and answer
the question that has been hurting me over the last 4 years. That question is
"Am I ever Gonna See Your Face Again?"
"I can tell you at times during these last 4 years that I truly felt I would
never see the faces in a crowd sprawled out in front of me again, let alone hear
the audience respond to that famous question. Now we are in rehearsal and
getting ready to hit the road. The vibe is great and it gives me great pleasure
to announce the line-up of Doc Neeson's Angels."
"On bass guitar is my old partner from The Angels - Jim Hilbun. Jim was with the
band for about 20 years and is a great asset to this new line up in terms of
vocals and song writing skills. For me it will be very comforting looking across
the stage and seeing Jim there with me."
"We have added keyboards to this line-up and my invitation was accepted by Alan
Mansfield from the legendary band Dragon. Alan was with Dragon for many years.
He started with them as their producer and was responsible for producing their
classic reunion hit "Rain" in 1982. He joined the band after that track was
recorded. Alan is originally from the East Coast of the USA and also has a
history playing in bands and writing material with Pat Benetar and Robert
Palmer. He also has toured the world with UB40 in the 90's.
"Another Dragon member from the bands later line-ups has also joined us on
guitar. Peter Northcote is not only one of Sydney's most in demand session
players but he is also one of the most exciting rock players I have ever come
across. A good friend of mine David Lowy will be playing guitar also. David and
I met when I sang a couple of songs at a charity event. He invited me to sing a
few songs with his band The Rockets and from that he has been instrumental in
assisting me to focus on making this band a reality. It was David who I co wrote
the band's first new song with."
"The last member to join the band after a bit of a search for the right man for
this job is our new drummer Peter Clarke. Peter was Keith Urban's drummer for 12
years in the highly acclaimed 3-piece outfit The Ranch. The Ranch toured America
extensively for many years until Keith decided to go solo. The Ranch were
managed by the same management as The Police and anyone who knows their music
will appreciate that the engine room in my new band is rock solid with Pete in
the hot seat."
Doc added, "I know many people will want to know why I have decided to put a new
band together. Let me go on record now as saying that I treasure the memories
from my years with The Angels, the Brewster brothers and the various members
that were in that band with me. The original line up of musicians is actually
working around Australia now and I wish the guys the very best. I needed to move
on and create a band structure that had some room to move and that could be
adventurous with no baggage or expectations to live up to or be driven by. Life
is short and you only live once. So I
hope people will respect my need to be true to myself. I hope everyone will come
out and support my new band because I can assure you we will be giving it 110%
every night."
In closing Doc said "It is a fact that I was involved in the creation of most of
the Angels material. This material is a part of me and these songs will always
remain in my shows. In short, I needed to move on from the original Angels line
up so that I could be true to myself on a creative level. I have been able to
assemble some of the great musicians of this country who all have their own
story and it is this combination and talent pool that I want to be involved with
for the future."
So there you have it. Doc Neeson is back with an air of excitement and
enthusiasm that is going to put many smiles on many dials. Known and respected
as one of the great front men of rock, Doc and his band of legendary musicians
are ready to see your faces again.
THIS IS IT FOLKS.................OVER THE TOP!
GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN TOUR - DECEMBER DATES
Wednesday 17 Cairns, QLD - Brothers Leagues Club
Thursday 18 Airlie Beach, QLD - Whitsundays Sailing Club
Friday 19 Bundaberg, QLD - Across The Waves Sports Club
Saturday 20 Bribie Island, QLD - Bribie Island Hotel
Doc Gigs
26 February 2004
13 March - Shellharbour
19 March - Tamworth
20 March - Sawtelle
26 March - Dubbo
27 March - Griffith
By Jim Hilbun
Calling All Angels
23 February 2004
The dispute over the Angels’ name gets more complicated. We’ve
reported earlier on singer Doc Neeson and bassist Jim Hilbun working under the
name Doc Neeson’s Angels while a group featuring original members John and Rick
Brewster, Chris Bailey and Buzz Bidstrup works as the Angels Band. Now former
drummer and manager Brett Eccles has stepped into the picture with an injunction
which says that neither act should use the name. Meanwhile, Alberts are planning
an Angels box set mid 2004. It includes the hit albums "Face To Face" and "No
Exit", their rare self - titled debut album, and a bonus CD featuring out-takes
of Angels classics and previously unreleased material from 1976 -79.
Fight over band name
15 February 2004
MEMBERS of legendary Australian
rock group The Angels are embroiled in a legal battle over ownership of the
band's name.
The dispute stems from the fact
that The Angels, whose hits include No Secrets and Shadow Boxer, have been
through many line-up changes since forming in the mid-'70s.
Sydney music agency Harbour has three Angels-related acts
on its books: The Angels (on ice while lawyers argue); The Angels Band; and Doc
Neeson's Angels.
The latter band includes Doc Neeson, the "face" of the
Angels, and one-time Angels bassist Jim Hilbun.
The Angels Band features drummer Buzz Bidstrup, bassist
Chris Bailey and the Brewster brothers, John and Rick – the backbone of what
many fans consider the classic Angels line-up.
Bailey said former Angels drummer and manager Brent Eccles
was unwilling to let anyone use the name The Angels.
"Brent seems to have his nose out of joint, so he slapped
an injunction on us. "We received an e-mail to say that, as far as he was
concerned, the band was over. It's a shame."
Eccles, who runs an entertainment agency in Auckland,
said: "I don't want to get into a public debate."
He said he would love to play with The Angels again.
Neeson's manager, Steve White, declined to comment on the
naming dispute.
Bailey said relations between most members remained
cordial as lawyers tried to solve the dispute.
"There's no tension. We'd love to have Doc with us," he
said.
By Peter Holmes
The Angels get boxed
14 February 2004
Angels fans are in for a mid-year retro treat with a boxed
set and DVD of the band on the way.
In mid 2004, Alberts will release an Angels boxed set featuring the rare debut
album as well as their break-through 'Face to Face' and 'No Exit' releases.
A forth disc will feature rare outtakes and previously unreleased material from
1976-1979.
Around the same time, a live concert filmed in 1979 at Latrobe University in
Melbourne will be released on DVD. It features the original line-up, as well as
interviews with the band.
The Angels Band featuring the Brewster Brothers, Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey
will perform a few more shows next months.
The original line-up will play two shows at the Bridge hotel in Rozelle on March
5 and 6.
The setlist for the Angels Band includes many of their classics like 'Take a
Long Line', 'Shadowboxer', 'Marseilles', 'Comin' Down', 'After the Rain', 'Be
With You', 'Mr. Damage', 'I Ain't The One', 'Face The Day', 'Devils Gate' and
'Marseilles'. All of those songs were written by Brewster/Neeson/Brewster. 'No
Secrets', written by Buzz and Doc, is also part of the show.
By Paul Cashmere
The Angels Box set
13 February 2004
Alberts are set to release a box set of The Angels catalogue mid 2004. It
includes the ground breaking, chart topping, Face to Face album, and its follow
up No Exit, as well as the rare self - titled debut album. Also included will be
a bonus CD featuring out-takes of The Angels
classics and previously unreleased material from 1976 -79.
A live concert, filmed and recorded at Latrobe University Melbourne in 1979,
will also be released in mid 2004 as a 5.1 DVD. This long
awaited, incredible film of the original lineup of The Angels performing at
their absolute peak, will also contain rare footage, photographs and
interviews with the band. This is a must for anyone who missed seeing the
original band, or who wants to relive the experience in their home
theatre.
Doc Neeson
starts a low key comeback
19 December 2003
Former Angels frontman Doc Neeson is back in the saddle
after laying low for the last few years following severe injuries from a car
crash four years ago.
One week before he went to Dilli to perform for the Australian Troops four years
ago, Doc's car was rear-ended by a truck. Neeson still performed for the troops
under a lot of pain and upon his return became a regular patient trying to
overcome chronic back and neck pain as well as blurred vision.
Doc has now signed a new management deal with Stephen White Entertainment and
put a band together for the road. "We have quietly gone about putting a band
together over the last 3 months and have done two low key shows in Northern NSW"
says White. "Last weekend the band performed a couple of sell out shows in
Darwin where the energy and excitement that came back from the audience was
nothing short of sensational. Doc is without a doubt one of the greatest front
men this country has ever produced and he is performing like he has found a
second life, which in retrospect, I guess he has."
The new Neeson line-up features some familiar faces and will head back to the
studio shortly. "The band has been rehearsing for 8 weeks" White adds. "We will
have enough new material for an album to be recorded early in the new-year. We
will begin to tour nationally in the first quarter or 2004. Jim Hilbun from the
Angels is in the band on bass and we have added two members from Dragon - Alan
Mansfield (keyboards) and Peter Northcote (guitar). On drums we have Peter
Clarke who toured the world with Keith Urban's band The Ranch for 12 years. The
new rhythm guitar player is Doc's new song writing partner and friend David Lowy
who has already written four great songs with Doc. Doc brought another four with
him to rehearsals and the rest of the band are also writing."
Neeson performed down the Queensland Coast last week with shows in Cairns,
Airlie Beach, Bundaberg and Bridie Island.
While Neeson has been playing the Queensland coast with his Angels, the Brewster
Brothers have also been on the road with former Angels members Chris Bailey and
Buzz Bidstrup and performing as The Angels Band.
The Brewster line-up is also playing a lot of old Angels favourites including
'Take a Long Line', 'Shadowboxer', 'Marseilles', 'Comin' Down On Me', 'After the
Rain', 'Be With You', 'Mr Damage', 'I Ain't The One', 'Face The Day' and
'Marseilles' all written by Brewster/Neeson/Brewster and 'No Secrets', written
by Buzz and Doc.
The Angels Band have just finished a series of dates in Sydney with Rose Tattoo.
by Paul Cashmere
PRESS RELEASE
17 December 2003
Stephen White Entertainment
Stephen White Entertainment
proudly announces signing Aussie rock music legend's new band - Doc Neeson's
Angels.
Stephen White Entertainment proudly announces the addition of Doc Neeson's
Angels to his management stable of artists.
It has been almost 4 years since
Doc took the stage in Dili to perform at a Christmas Show for our troops. The
event was a nationally televised special that Doc not only instigated but that
had the support and interest of the entire nation. The cream of Australia's
music talent flew in for the event and under extremely difficult conditions they
all presented a memorable and historic show watched live on television by
millions of Australians at home.
Only one week prior to leaving for
the concert Doc suffered severe injuries when a truck rear-ended his car at full
speed at a Toll Booth on a Sydney Expressway. Somehow Doc continued his mission
for the troops. Despite collapsing while performing for small groups of soldiers
on duty in remote areas he was able to muster up the strength to fulfil his goal
and deliver an amazing set of Angels anthems at the show in Dili which included
a memorable version of "Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again" which had to be
censored from the broadcast due to the enthusiastic and very loud response from
the combined armed forces of "No Way - Get * - * Off!"
This was the last show Doc Neeson
performed for the next 4 years. Those 4 years were filled with hospital visits,
chronic back and neck pain, tests, physio and were completely blurred with pain
killers - the only way for Doc to get through each day. On top of this
incredible bad luck episode Doc was unable to do what he had always done -
perform - which meant no income. Doc hit rock bottom on every level during this
period and recently said suicide entered his mind.
Now, 4 years later, Doc is back
and working with his new outfit - Doc Neeson's Angels.
Stephen White said, "I am thrilled
to see Doc back and working. We have been mates since the ANGELS first worked
for me in 1975. I have been close to him over the last 4 years and in fact was
assisting him with his efforts on the Dili concert prior to the accident. What
he went through over the last 4 years was truly a living hell and I am proud of
the way he has fought back through periods of intolerable pain and suffering.
There were times that I did not expect him to recover."
"We have quietly gone about
putting a band together over the last 3 months and have done 2 low key shows in
Northern NSW. Last weekend the band performed a couple of sell out shows in
Darwin where the energy and excitement that came back from the audience was
nothing short of sensational. Doc is without a doubt one of the greatest front
men this country has ever produced and he is performing like he has found a
second life, which in retrospect, I guess he has."
"The band has been rehearsing for
8 weeks. We will have enough new material for an album to be recorded early in
the new-year. We will begin to tour nationally in the first quarter or 2004. Jim
Hilbun from the Angels is in the band on bass and we have added 2 members from
Dragon - Alan Mansfield (keyboards) and Peter Northcote (guitar). On drums we
have Peter Clarke who toured the world with Keith Urban's band The Ranch for 12
years. The new rhythm guitar player is Doc's new song writing partner and friend
David Lowy who has already written 4 great songs with Doc. Doc brought another 4
with him to rehearsals and the rest of the band are also writing."
"As a fan of Australian rock music
I can only tell you one thing.... Doc Neeson's Angels are one of best
rock'n'roll line-ups of all time. The band not only proudly delivers Doc's
musical history but it has given Doc a renewed energy and focus to move forward
on his own terms - his way."
Doc Neeson is definitely GONNA SEE
YOUR FACE AGAIN with the hottest rock band in the land - Doc Neeson's Angels -
an Australian Super Group with an amazing history and future.
By
Stephen White Entertainment
THE DOC
STORY - DEC 2003
15 December 2003
Stephen White Entertainment
AUSTRALIAN ROCK MUSIC ICON DOC NEESON IS BACK TO SEE YOUR
FACE AGAIN
After 4 years of pure hell and debilitating pain as a result of a near fatal car
smash that caused severe whiplash and serious nerve damage to his neck and
spine, Doc Neeson has announced a handful of shows for December that will herald
the return to live performances for one of this country's most loved and
respected rock showmen.
Over the last 28 years Neeson's 6'4" frame has captivated and enthralled rock
music crowds all over the world. His unique voice and stage antics are tattooed
into the memory of all true rock fans. His passionate performances, stage
presence and ability to engage an audience of 1,000 or 50,000 are still the
benchmark for so many who try to aspire to rock star status, but there is only
one Doc Neeson, and few can get close to his magic. Doc Neeson is a consummate
performer in every sense of the word. There is nothing that he will not attempt
on stage to please his fans. His passion to deliver memorable shows is what Doc
Neeson is all about and now he is finally in a position to take audiences into
the palm of his hands yet again.
It was the week before flying out to Dili to entertain the troops at a special
concert he had initiated with a Stella line up of Australian talent in December
1999 that Doc's car was rammed from behind by a truck while he stopped to pay a
freeway toll. He managed to get through the week in Dili pumped up with
painkillers that enabled him to deliver one of the highlight
performances of the show for the troops.
The following 3 years were filled with pain, illness, hospital stays and the
rehabilitation of a severe neck and back injury. The hardest part was his
inability to do what he had always done - perform. His life was changed in a
split second and it has taken up until now for Doc to be able to perform.
However, there were some changes that Doc needed to make. He had plenty of time
to evaluate all things that were past and future and he decided he needed to
move forward and not go back. It was this decision that has given birth to Doc
Neeson's Angels.
Doc said "After the events of the last few years I needed to change and I needed
to follow my heart on every level if I was to get excited about the future. The
fact that the years after the accident had been so bad and I was aware that I
had hit rock bottom on every level possible made it obvious to me that if things
were to change I had to position myself to be excited and focused on whatever it
was that I decided to do."
" I love performing and song writing and I appreciate my history in this
business. It is a history that has given me a loyal and true fan base. I have
to, and want to, recognise this relationship I've had with the fans for almost
30 years now and I want to go out and thank them for their support over the
years."
Doc added, "So I decided to form a new band that will be known as Doc Neeson's
Angels. Obviously the show will feature mostly classic songs from The Angels
repertoire but this change of line up allows me to maintain my desire and
enthusiasm to move forward musically."
"I want to create new music that may or may not fall into what many may perceive
as the traditional Angels sound. Having said that, the first new song we have
come up with for the new line-up is a great riff driven rocker. I love it!"
"I am now completely free to have a go and venture into new territory and have
the audiences tell me what they think of the new ideas. But let me assure you
that anyone who comes along to the shows will get a complete fill of Angels
songs - live, loud and rockin. I just want to get out on stage again and answer
the question that has been hurting me over the last 4 years. That question is
"Am I ever Gonna See Your Face Again?"
"I can tell you at times during these last 4 years that I truly felt I would
never see the faces in a crowd sprawled out in front of me again, let alone hear
the audience respond to that famous question. Now we are in rehearsal and
getting ready to hit the road. The vibe is great and it gives me great pleasure
to announce the line-up of Doc Neeson's Angels."
"On bass guitar is my old partner from The Angels - Jim Hilbun. Jim was with the
band for about 20 years and is a great asset to this new line up in terms of
vocals and song writing skills. For me it will be very comforting looking across
the stage and seeing Jim there with me."
"We have added keyboards to this line-up and my invitation was accepted by Alan
Mansfield from the legendary band Dragon. Alan was with Dragon for many years.
He started with them as their producer and was responsible for producing their
classic reunion hit "Rain" in 1982. He joined the band after that track was
recorded. Alan is originally from the East Coast of the USA and also has a
history playing in bands and writing material with Pat Benetar and Robert
Palmer. He also has toured the world with UB40 in the 90's.
"Another Dragon member from the bands later line-ups has also joined us on
guitar. Peter Northcote is not only one of Sydney's most in demand session
players but he is also one of the most exciting rock players I have ever come
across. A good friend of mine David Lowy will be playing guitar also. David and
I met when I sang a couple of songs at a charity event. He invited me to sing a
few songs with his band The Rockets and from that he has been instrumental in
assisting me to focus on making this band a reality. It was David who I co wrote
the band's first new song with."
"The last member to join the band after a bit of a search for the right man for
this job is our new drummer Peter Clarke. Peter was Keith Urban's drummer for 12
years in the highly acclaimed 3-piece outfit The Ranch. The Ranch toured America
extensively for many years until Keith decided to go solo. The Ranch were
managed by the same management as The Police and anyone who knows their music
will appreciate that the engine room in my new band is rock solid with Pete in
the hot seat."
Doc added, "I know many people will want to know why I have decided to put a new
band together. Let me go on record now as saying that I treasure the memories
from my years with The Angels, the Brewster brothers and the various members
that were in that band with me. The original line up of musicians is actually
working around Australia now and I wish the guys the very best. I needed to move
on and create a band structure that had some room to move and that could be
adventurous with no baggage or expectations to live up to or be driven by. Life
is short and you only live once. So I
hope people will respect my need to be true to myself. I hope everyone will come
out and support my new band because I can assure you we will be giving it 110%
every night."
In closing Doc said "It is a fact that I was involved in the creation of most of
the Angels material. This material is a part of me and these songs will always
remain in my shows. In short, I needed to move on from the original Angels line
up so that I could be true to myself on a creative level. I have been able to
assemble some of the great musicians of this country who all have their own
story and it is this combination and talent pool that I want to be involved with
for the future."
So there you have it. Doc Neeson is back with an air of excitement and
enthusiasm that is going to put many smiles on many dials. Known and respected
as one of the great front men of rock, Doc and his band of legendary musicians
are ready to see your faces again.
THIS IS IT FOLKS.................OVER THE TOP!
GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN TOUR - DECEMBER DATES
Wednesday 17 Cairns, QLD - Brothers Leagues Club
Thursday 18 Airlie Beach, QLD - Whitsundays Sailing Club
Friday 19 Bundaberg, QLD - Across The Waves Sports Club
Saturday 20 Bribie Island, QLD - Bribie Island Hotel
DOC NEESON'S ANGELS
Tour Dates
15 December 2003
DOC'S COMEBACK
15 December 2003
One of Australia's most revered rock showmen, Doc Neeson, is coming out of retirement to do a handful of
shows this month, including one at Cairns Brothers Leagues Club on Wednesday the 17th (with support band Ceremony). The 6 foot 4
inch Neeson, whose unique voice and stage antics are tattooed into the memory of all true blue rock fans, decided to hang up his
microphone after suffering a near fatal car crash a few years ago that caused serious damage to his neck and spine. The Irish
immigrant will be reuniting with former bandmate Jim Hilbun in Doc Neeson's Angels. The band also contains former Dragon members,
Allan Mansfield and Peter Northcote, David Lowy (Rockets) and Peter Clarke (The Ranch).
Tickets from the Bros at 4 053 1053 or on-line at
www.brotherscairns.com.au
DOC NEESON'S ANGELS
Wednesday 17 Cairns, QLD - Brothers Leagues Club
Thursday 18 Airlie Beach, QLD - Whitsundays Sailing Club
Friday 19 Bundaberg, QLD - Across The Waves Sports Club
Saturday 20 Bribie Island, QLD - Bribie Island Hotel
By Tony Hillier
DOC NEESON'S ANGELS
12 December 2003
JUST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED The
Angels, once ranked alongside Midnight Oil, Rose Tattoo and AC/DC as one of
Australia's most powerful live acts, lost their primary lure when lead singer
Doc Neeson resigned in 2001 following a bad car accident. But after three years
of pain as a result of the near fatal smash that caused severe whiplash and
serious nerve damage to his neck and spine, the good Doc is back with his own
personalised version of the band that established him in the upper echelon of
the Oz rock ranks. "After the events of the last few years I needed to change
and I needed to follow my heart on every level if I was to get excited about the
future," says Neeson.
Doc Neeson's Angels, locked in
for Brothers Leagues Club next Wednesday (December 17), includes one of the
Doc's bandmates in The Angels, Jim Hilbun, along with former members of Dragon
(Allan Mansfield & Peter Northcote), The Ranch (Peter Clarke) and Rockets (David
Lowy). Fans of yore expecting nothing but regurgitated Angels' songs may be
disappointed. The new material still contains Doc's fine vocals, but Neeson has
described it as "rock with influences from David Bowie and Peter Gabriel".
Doc Neeson co-formed the
original Angels with the Brewster brothers, Rick and John, in Adelaide back in
1970. They started off with harmonicas, a washboard and banjos as the Moonshine
String and Jug Band. In 1974 they changed their named to The Keystone Angels and
shortened it to The Angels in 1976. The Angels' first single "Am I Ever Gonna
See Your Face Again" became an Oz rock anthem, and by 1979, they were the
highest paid band in Australia.
On New Year's Eve that year,
they played to their biggest audience ever, 100,000 people, on the steps of the
Sydney Opera House. The Angels had 16 Top 40 hits in their day including "Shadow
Boxer", "No Secrets" and a cover of the Eric Burdon classic "We Gotta Get Out Of
This Place" but their fan base were album buyers. From 1979 to 1990, every
Angels album went Top 10. Beyond Salvation in 1990 went to #1. Support band at
Brothers, Brisbane 4 piece Ceremony will be celebrating the launch of a new
album.
By Tony Hillier
The Complete Sessions
1980-1983
9 May 2002
Shock Records issued The Complete Sessions 1980-1983 box set in June 2002.
It includes re-issued of "Dark Room", "Night Attack" and "Watch The Red"
(double CD set). All three CD's have bonus tracks. "The Blow" is the band
studio jamming, the original master tapes and contains 5 unreleased songs.
DARK ROOM (9 bonus tracks)
BONUS TRACKS
1. Back On You
2. Alexander (early take)
3. Hot Shit
4. Hard Sell
5. Staring Voices
6. I'm Scared (live)
7. Face The Day (single edit)
8. Public Enemy
9. Into The Heat
NIGHT ATTACK (9 bonus tracks)
BONUS TRACKS
1. Casablanca
2. Small Talk
3. Back On You
4. Chaplin's Drum
5. Fashion & Fame (live)
6. Talk About You (live)
7. Dad Dream (live)
8. Angel (live)
9. Devil's Gate (live)
WATCH THE RED (5 bonus tracks)
BONUS TRACKS
1. Breakdown
2. Take It On The Run
3. Say What
4. Live Lady Live #2
5. Let Me In
THE BLOW
1. Don't Wanna Be No More
2. Never Know My Name
3. How Long Can I?
4. Name Dropping
5. The Zoo
6. Bow Bow
7. Where Doc
8. Electric Drill (Don't Do It Honey)
9. Stay Away
Doc's New Song
23 April 2002
If anyone is interested in hearing one of Doc
Neeson's new songs then they should get onto Triple M in Sydney or Today
FM. As of the 22/4/02 they both have a copy of a new song titled, "Gallipoli's
Children", along with a number of other radio stations. No need to expand
on what the song is about as the title says it all.
Let the night roll on.
Gav
Doc Neeson New Sound
17 March 2002 Keep your ears open for Doc Neeson new material.
Angels fans will be shocked with the new sound, but you have to move ahead.
The new material still contains Doc's fine vocals, he hopes to have the
songs released soon.
As Doc descriptive it "rock with influences
from David Bowie and Peter Gabriel". There are definite techno sounds,
but it is not a dramatic move away from anything he has done in the past.
Andrew Denton's Musical
Challenge 2
March 2002
The Undercover Review
The rules of this game are quiet simple. Ask
well known acts to perform songs totally opposite to their own style. The
results range from interesting to downright hilarious.
Of the international acts Stabbing Westward
sing The Carpenters "Top Of The World" and actually do the song justice
as a guitar acoustic piece. Canada's Barenaked Ladies give Prince a whole
new dimension with their jazzed up version of "When Doves Cry". Willie
Nelson doing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is quiet haunting. Nelson
had never heard the song before Andrew Denton rocked up at his hotel room
with a lyric sheet and asked him to perform it. The result is the first
attempt by Willie after hearing the songs only minutes before.
Some of the songs are a crack-up. Country singer
Adam Brand attempts Wheatus' "Teenage Dirtbag" and what the hell were they
thinking when they asked The Wiggles to sing "Walk On The Wild Side"? The
Superjesus actually pull off "Can't Stop The Music" in a rock format and
Something For Kate bring credibility to Christina Aguilera's "Genie In
A Bottle".
But Human Nature doing AC/DC's "TNT" ... ouch!
And Scandal'us on "Smells Like Teen Spirit" ...gong!
Spiderbait's "Jive Talking" is fun, Doc Neeson
sounds like he's having just a little bit too much fun with Sheena Easton's
"9 to 5 Morning Train" and Killing Heidi really do fit Kiss "I Was Made
For Loving You" quiet well. The Living End toning it down for Bread's "Baby
I'm A Want You" works and Paul Kelly's "Little Red Corvette" is an absolutely
brilliant performance that I'm sure even Prince would be proud to hear.
All proceeds go to a good cause. It's all in
the name of charity. Volume 1 raised over $400,000 for Mission Australia
and children's hospitals across Australia. Christmas is coming. Think of
this one as a Great Christmas gift if you can't inspire yourself to shout
yourself a copy for your own CD player.
by Hector The Rock Dog
Track Listing
1. Powderfinger
- Sorrow
2. Killing
Heidi - I Was Made for Lovin' You
3. Alex
Lloyd - Mysterious Ways
4. Barenaked
Ladies - When Doves Cry
5. Gina
Jeffries - Kryptonite
6. The
Superjesus - You Can't Stop the Music
7. Something
for Kate - Genie in A Bottle
8. Paul
Kelly - Little Red Corvette
9. David
Campbell - Weir
10. The Living End
- Baby I'm A Want You
11. Human Nature -
T.N.T.
12. Scandal'us - Smells
Like Teen Spirit
13. Spiderbait - Jive
Talkin'
14. Neil Finn - Sexual
Healing
15. Adam Brand - Teenage
Dirtbag
16. Lash - Wouldn't
it Be Nice
17. Stabbing Westward
- Top of the World
18. Diesel - Sometimes
When We Touch
19. Bodyjar - I'll
Never Fall in Love Again
20. Zed - Una Paloma
Blanca
21. The Cruel Sea
- Loving You
22. Josh Joplin -
Eye of the Tiger
23. The Wiggles -
Walk On the Wild Side
24. John Paul Young
- Are You Gonna Go My Way
25. Mental as Anything
- Smoke On the Water
26. The Angels - Morning
Train (9 to 5)
27. Kerry-Anne Kennerley
- Dirty Deeds
28. Richard Clapton
- I'm Like A Bird
29. Willie Nelson
- Smells Like Teen Spirit
Label : Sony
ENTECH AWARDS DINNER
5 February 2002 The awards night is on February 5th at The Metro
in George St, Sydney - and is an industry event not to be missed. Sip a
quiet pre-dinner drink in the lounge. You are gonna need it to keep up
with the veritable who’s who on stage and the after-show party. The night
launches with the siren sounds of Anastasia (not the one with the leather
jeans), while entrée is served. Then, on with the awards MC’d by
Donté Deone… and as usual I’m sure there will be someone furious
about loosing. But we’ll keep going with the awards in spite of it while
you munch into the main course, prepared by the very talented team at Prudence
Catering. Over dinner you will be delighted by the acoustic musical interludes
performed by Craig Calhoun and an un-plugged Doc Neeson. True! Finish with
desert/coffee in the dining area and then chill out or dance the night
away at the after show ENTECH Awards Lounge in the reinvented Metro lobby
until 3:00am , with Craig Calhoun (Bass, Vocals) and the Brothers
of Oz. The lineup will feature:
Mark Williams - Vocals
Brendan St. Ledger - Keys
Ross Middleton - Sax, Vocals
Rex Goh - Guitar, Vocals
Con Settineri - Drums
and Anastasia – Vocals
The guys have promised a smooth start and a
hot climax!
How to book dinner tickets:
1) If you have not yet registered for the show,
dinner ticket ordering can be done on your ENTECH Registration form here
2) If you have already registered (or you are
an ENTECH Exhibitor), and want to add dinner tickets, use this special
"Dinner Only" Registration form.
3) We can fax/mail you a form. Phone us on +61
2 9890 2111 to arrange it!
No way, get lost, depart
...
22 January 2002 The times sure have changed for Doc Neeson,
former lead singer of heavy-hitting pub rock legends The Angels. Fans of
The Angels will know the band's classic tune Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face
Again? which, whenever played in pubs, was usually greeted with the audience
response: "No way, get f . . .ed, f . . . off!"
But not on Sunday, when Doc performed the song
at the Blue Mountains Bushfire Benefit concert at Glenbrook Park. At first,
the largely church-going Blue Mountains community gathered for the event
declined to sing anything, least of all the obscene chorus.
Doc ordered everyone to come closer, even suggesting
to some mothers to toss their children to someone else and get down to
the mosh-pit where they belonged. He soon had the joint jumping – well,
sort of.
The fund-raiser was organised by the Glenbrook
branch of Rotary.
B y
Sydney Daily Telegraph Online
The Angels Roll On
24 December 2001
The Angels inform us that recent reports of
their demise are exaggerated. The Angels plan to roll on, with Brent Eccles
still very much part of the action, both as drummer and manager. It all
stemmed from an article in women's magazine in which Doc Neeson seemed
to have announced his departure from the band, as a result of injuries
suffered in a car accident a while ago. There's no question that the Angels
had been sitting back waiting to see what Doc's prognosis was. Although
Doc said he wasn't going on in that article, even that isn't a certainty.
The Angels are in fact just as they were before all this started, still
very much together, and still trying to be patient and respectful about
their singer's future.
Angels
Break-up
23 November 2001
It's the end of an Australian
rock era... The Angels have broken up. Bass player Jim Hilbun told Undercover
News that the announcement of the resignation of lead singer Doc Neeson
in a women's magazine came as a complete surprise. Also surprising is that
Doc's unusual resignation from the band didn't get followed up by tradition
music media. No-one picked up on the fact that The Angels had broken up
until now.
Jim says their was an
attempt to keep the band going and at one point he was going to step into
the spotlight and take over the vocal duties but now it has all just whimpered
out. Doc quit the band after a car accident left him in poor mental and
psychical health. Considering the legacy the band has left behind, it's
a shame they went out with a whimper, not a bang. Their are no plans for
a farewell tour.
Thousands flock to Open Day Open Night
3 February 2001
The annual Australian War Memorial / ANZAC Parade Open Day Open Night has been
hailed an outstanding success, with 25,000 people turning up on Saturday to
enjoy the fun and excitement of Open Day Open Night. The highlight of the day,
the Tour of Duty - Encore! Concert featuring James Blundell, Gina Jeffreys, Doc
Neeson and the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, attracted 7,000
people.
The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Steve Gower,
said the success of Open Day Open Night was due to the hard work of staff and
the many volunteer groups and performers who contributed to the day.
"By coming to the Open Day Open Night activities people were
able to explore Australia's military history and discover a very different side
of the Australian War Memorial and ANZAC Parade. The outstanding success of this
year's event illustrates the continuing interest in Australia's military history
and in commemoration", he said.
Open Day Open Night was staged jointly by the Australian War
Memorial and the National Capital Authority.
Australian War Memorial
Open Day / Night
3 February 2001
From 2pm until 9pm on Saturday 3 February the
Australian War Memorial and Anzac Parade will come alive with a wide range
of exciting activities for all the family reminding us of the impact war has had on the development of
Australia. Highlights will include displays by re-enactment groups, a parade
of military and historic vehicles, and a range of aerial displays including
the RAAF Roulettes and a flight of New Zealand SkyHawks. End the day with
a stunning open air evening concert featuring a number of performers from
the Tour of Duty concert held in Dili, East Timor in 1999.
Don't miss Open Day-Open
Night at Anzac Parade and War Memorial
2 February 2001
This year's Open Day-Open
Night involving Canberra's famous Anzac Parade and the Australian War Memorial
is shaping as the best ever.
On Saturday, February
3, thousands are expected to flock to the area to enjoy the free,
action-packed family
program on offer.
The grand parade on Anzac
Parade at 2pm will see marching brass and pipe bands, re-enactment groups,
the Australian Light Horse and a mass display of military, classic, vintage
and veteran cars.
Activities continue on
Anzac Parade until 6pm and a highlight will feature flypasts by a variety
of military aircraft including New Zealand Skyhawks and the aerobatic Roulettes.
Veterans will give visitors
detailed explanations of the many memorials located along Anzac Parade
and the New Zealand High Commission will present plans for the new memorial
which will open at the southern end of Anzac Parade in April.
There is also a busy program
of activities at the Australian War Memorial from 9am - 9pm. These include:
historic arms displays
film documentaries
Anzac music
live gallery interpretations
sculpture garden tours
The day will end at 7.00pm
with a free open-air concert starring Gina Jeffries, James Blundell and
Doc Neeson (from The Angels).
Organisers describe it
as a re-run of the popular Tour of Duty Concert staged for Australian troops
in East Timor.
The annual event is jointly
organised by the National Capital Authority and the Australian War Memorial.
Contact:
Jeremy Lasek at National
Capital Authority 0401 711943 or
Marylou Pooley at Australian
War Memorial 6243 4392
By The Australian War Memorial
The Third Dinner
3 March 2000
What omens of disaster presaged our Third Dinner! The room was obviously becoming too small as guests invited ad hoc by Tony and
unbeknownst to Richard began to appear. The air conditioner failed to deliver
the promised Himalayan temperatures and one of the windows refused to open. Doc Neeson was temporarily incommunicado and Tony was running late. The second
room, booked until 7:45 for our cocktails, became unavailable. Sy Barry's artworks had failed to arrive
from New York. Glenn Ford's injured eye prevented his completing Sy's birthday
card. The Dalai Lama's photo was looking askance at Lee Falk's portrait in the
corner and we were all set for a really rotten evening.
But what a magnificent evening we had! It all came
together, by George! and the joint was jumping.
I can't say that I remember or saw everything but here are
some vignettes of a truly memorable evening.
Warren Dickson from Canberra must have been the happiest
man there. His devotion to our hero and his extensive collection make him an
indispensable member of our happy band. Warren was
seated next to Jim Shepherd, whom he had
never met personally, and oh my God!, why was there no tape recorder under the
table?
Phillip Johnston, also from Canberra, had written to Jim
Shepherd as a youngster and now enjoyed the opportunity of talking with our
favourite publisher. Phillip's contribution to our Club in his yet short
membership has already made him a legend.
René White won the excellent
Felmang drawing and his exultant yell of joy
brought the noisy throng on Friday night in King Street, Newtown, to a momentary
halt.
And Doc Neeson. Well, what the hell can we say about
Doc? A guest speaker who doesn't speak much can be a bit of a worry... unless
he sings... and has everyone else singing... and clapping and table thumping...
and is accompanied by one of Australia's other greatest rock'n'roll voices
(Skinny of The Poor) and a brilliant guitarist called Jason... and
even brings the Tibetan staff to a standstill.
He sang Buddy Holly, he sang The Ballad of
The Phantom, specially composed for the evening... it was a winner... and
had all the guests joining in the jungle beat chorus with gusto. He sang a song
from the Christmas concert for Aussie INTERFET troops in East Timor... one sung
after the television cameras were turned off. (Travis, aren't you glad you
didn't leave for Canberra before all this?)
Indeed, Doc had a better time we think than anyone else
and has expressed a desire to join us at future functions as an ordinary
member. Done!
And who won the print so graciously donated by Dietmar?
Why, our own Dr Di Dio's name came out of the rice canister. And who was more
deserving, you may ask? Well, I'm too bitter about the result to answer
impartially, I'm afraid.
The various bottles of wine from
Deep Woods Estate and
Langmeil Winery were gleefully and randomly
disbursed and I do not believe that anyone left The Flavour of Tibet
empty handed.
It really was a great night, dominated by the constant hum
of happy conversation, imbued throughout with the camaraderie and selfless
generosity which is becoming the hallmark of our ever growing and worldwide
Club.
Can we top this one? Hell, we won't even try. But we
will be aiming to be just as good, and just as different!
Place: Flavour of Tibet (Himalayan
cuisine), 127 King St, Newtown
Guest Speaker: Doc Neeson, lead singer of the
legendary Aussie rock band The Angels.
Rockers have role in Timor
14 October 1999
WETERAN Australian rocker Doc
Neeson wants to stage a Christmas show in East Timor to cheer up our troops. The
Angels' singer is calling on the big names d in Australian music to back his
plain.
Neeson said Christmas will be
particularly tough for Diggers. I feel compelled to do what can," he said.
“I am calling upon my colleagues to
help me make sure our young men and
women in East Timor know
that we are with them in spirit and prayer every
day and that they will not
be alone at Christmas.”
By Clinton
Porteous
Rock
down to Skin and Bone
4 November 1998
It will be a night of classic
hard rock to rival even the recent sold out show by Screaming Jets at the
Newcastle Workers Club.
A double bill featuring
The Angels and Rose Tattoo, at the Newcastle Workers Club on August 6,
will shake the foundations at the Workers Club.
THE ANGELS front man Doc
Neeson said the group was enjoying a great response to its latest album
SKIN & BONE. Neeson said the album, which hearkened back to the days
of FACE TO FACE, proved that audiences were returning to rock music in
droves.
'One of the reasons we're
calling the album SKIN & BONE is because it's back to basics,' he said.
During a month-long promotional trip in May, the group played the whole
album as its set, with old favourites brought out for the encore.
'In a way I'm proud of
the band because I think it's a pretty ballsy move to go out and do a whole
set,' he said.
'If anything the problem
is that we've got 12 albums to choose from and can't fit every song into
one set.'
The Angels will be on
the road with Rose Tattoo for the first time with bass player Ian Rilen
who quit the band in 1977.
Rose Tattoo will release
ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE, a single recorded in 1981 but never released, with
a Greatest Hits compilation NICE BOYS DON'T PLAY ROCK AND ROLL.
Tatts' front man Angry
Anderson said the return of Rilen would complete the original band lineup,
except for original drummer Dallas Royal who died in 1989.
Anderson said he regarded
Rilen as one of the best bass players in the country. 'It's like the first
time you hear the tyrannosaurus rex howl in Jurassic Park,' he said.
'He's got all that low
sting in it, but it's almost like you expect it to go into this blood-curdling
shriek, but it never actually gets there.'
It will be Rose Tattoo's
first re-union since it was asked to support GUNS 'N' ROSES at Eastern
Creek in 1993. By TE
The
many stages of The Angels
4 November 1998
'Hello, Doc Neeson speaking'
the voice growls down the telephone line. My heart skips a beat and I flash
back to a time in the late 1980s when Neeson fixed his steely blue gaze
on me in the front row at the Workers Club, pointed both fingers to his
eyes and asked me to refrain from the flash photography.
It was the middle of the
HOWLING tour. I've still got the photos at home somewhere. Everyone's got
an Angels story to tell, and with almost 20 years under the band's collective
belt, its likely to vary according to which version of The Angels fits
your age bracket.
That's the beauty of Friday
night's show at the Newcastle Workers Club. It will be a three-hour show,
in three sets with short breaks in between, in chronological order. 'The
first set we play is like when we were a beginning band, and the drum kit
is on the same level as the rest of the band, and we're all huddled up
together like a band on a small stage,' Neeson explains.'As the show develops
so does the production and the drum kit goes up onto a drum riser.'
With digitally remastered
versions of both the LIVELINE double CD and The Angels' LIVE AT NARARA
video to promote, the band is in 'retrospective' mode. 'It opens with me
playing bass,' Neeson continues. 'I used to be the bass player in the band
when we were a four-piece - and then Jim Hilbun (bass and saxophone) comes
on stage pretty quickly, so we can get some good bass playing (laughs).
'And then it goes right
through the LIVELINE sort of material to SKIN & BONE which we put out
last year, so it's right up to date.'
For the band it's a chance
to play a lot of older material for the first time together in years. 'We've
got about 12 studio albums and any number of EPs and things like that,
so it just gives us a chance to play a lot of our material,' Neeson said. 'In
fact we had to go and learn a lot of it again, because we haven't played it for
a long time, so to us a lot of the material is fresh as though they were just
new songs.' By Anthony Scully
Angels
for Maitland
4 November 1998
The Angels were prompt to capitalise on their Hall Of Fame
award at last week's ARIAs, announcing
a celebration tour immediately.
The group rolls into Maitland
City Bowling Club on Wednesday, November 18, followed by gigs at Taree
and Toronto Workers Club, before returning to Cessnock Supporters Club
on Saturday, November 21.
The ARIA HALL OF FAME induction was
awarded last week in honour of the band's gold and platinum record status, and
milestones including the NEWCASTLE EARTHQUAKE CONCERT, NARARA 83 and the CONCERT
OF THE DECADE at the Meyer Music Bowl in 1985.
By TE
12th Annual
ARIA Awards
20th
October 1998 HIGHEST SELLING
SINGLE:
PRISONER OF SOCIETY - THE LIVING END
HIGHEST SELLING ALBUM:
SAVAGE GARDEN - SAVAGE GARDEN
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM:
MY OWN SWEET TIME - SHANLEY DEL
BEST DANCE ARTIST
RELEASE:
WHITE TREBLE BLACK BASS - SGT. SLICK
BEST COVER ART:
UNIT - THE SHITS/BEN ELY
BEST VIDEO:
NOW UNTIL THE BREAK OF DAY - CHRISTINE ANU & DAVE HODSON WITH ROYCE DOHERLY,
DIRECTOR BAZ LURMAN
BEST ENGINEER OF THE
YEAR:
MAGOO
BEST PRODUCER OF THE
YEAR:
UNIT - MAGOO/REGURGITATOR
BEST INDEPENDENT
RELEASE:
ETERNAL NIGHTCAP - THE WHITLAMS
BEST POP RELEASE:
LEFT OF THE MIDDLE - NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST SINGLE:
TORN - NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST DEBUT
SINGLE:
TORN - NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST ALBUM:
LEFT OF THE MIDDLE - NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST DEBUT ALBUM:
UNIT - REGURGITATOR
HALL OF FAME:
MASTERS APPRENTICES, THE ANGELS
BEST GROUP:
THE WHITLAMS
BEST NEW TALENT:
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST ADULT CONTEMPRARY ALBUM:
LOOKING FOR BUTTER BOY - ARCHIE ROACH
BEST ALTERNATIVE RELEASE:
UNIT - REGURGITATOR
BEST FOLK WORLD RELEASE:
FISHERMAN'S DAUGHTER - KAVISHA MAZELLA
BEST IDIGENOUS RELEASE:
LOOKING FOR BUTTER BOY - ARCHIE ROACH
BEST COMEDY RELEASE:
UNPLUGGED - GOOD NEWS WEEK - PAUL McDERMOTT
BEST CHILDREN'S ALBUM:
TOOT! TOOT! - THE WIGGLES
BEST JAZZ ALBUM:
THE FUTURE IN TODAY - CHAPLIN/TINKLER/REX/LAMBIE
BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM:
HANDEL ARIAS YVONNE KENNY/PAUL DYER &
THE AUSTRALIAN BRANDBURG ORCHESTRA
BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK
ALBUM:
THE BOY FROM OZ - ORIGINAL CAST RECORDING
BEST ROCK RELEASE:
SUMO - THE SUPERJESUS
OUTSTANDING
ACHIEVEMENT:
SAVAGE GARDEN
BEST FEMALE ARTIST:
NATALIE IMBRUGLIA
BEST MALE ARTIST:
PAUL KELLY
SONG OF THE YEAR:
NO APHRODISIAC - THE WHITLAMS (TIM FREEDMAN/GLEN DORMAN/MATT FORD)
Angels
keen on Tatts Tour
29 July 1998
When The Angels heard that
Rose Tattoo were getting back together and the chance to play support was
offered, Doc Neeson said the band jumped at the chance.
The gig at the Newcastle
Workers Club on Thursday, August 6, was going be a chance to show off The
Angels' latest album, SKIN & BONE,
in front of a hard rock audience.
The CD is a return to
the classic Angels formula of bass, guitars and drums, circa 1979 and FACE
TO FACE, but with the production values of
HOWLING.
'I think you'll find it has probably got that rawness and honesty but with
head space,' Neeson said.
It's a testament to enduring
nature of classic hard rock that 20 years after they made their names The Angels
and Rose Tattoo continue to have an audience.
By TE
The Angels Caught In The Act
29 July 1998
We've been over the top
for a long time now. Ever since the Keystone Angels emerged from Adelaide back
in the mid-'70s. Music Editor, MIKE GEE, takes coffee with a reborn Angel, Jim
Hilbun.
Sitting in that famous old rock'n'roll haunt, the Sebel Townhouse, a
few weeks ago with The Angels bass player, Jim Hilbun, the past did that old
flashback trick, and the future seemed to rush forward at the same time. In a
year marred by tragedy, further industry unease and a
throw-mud-at-walls-and-see-what-sticks mentality, music remarkably took some
brave steps forward. And it also re-embraced its past - not that it could really
escape it.
The Angels, as lean, mean and voracious a bunch of rockers as
this country ever produced, first of all took it out semi-unplugged as the
fabulous Lounge Lizards sharing the stage with fellow long-servers Angry
Anderson and Ross Wilson. From coast-to-coast up into the hinterlands, to the
far North-West of WA and the top end ... and they sold out show after show after
show.
That began the process of the comeback: not that they never really left. But
let's call it one. Then they announced they'd gone indie and signed with Shock
Records who were effusively delighted to have them on board. One listen to the
new single, Caught In the Night - written by Hilbun, was enough to
understand why.
Here was The Angels of old reincarnated; that glorious, raw, rock'n'roll beast,
still lithe and feral, clapping that thunder round a song that had all the
dynamics and potency that defined the very best of their vintage material.
Now they're plugged in and rolling with the horribly overlooked The Screaming
Jets and the similarly talented and rocked Horsehead on The Barbed Wire Ball.
And this is no ordinary line-up; this is THE line-up: the legendary Doc Neeson
on vocals, the twin axe attack of the Brewster boys, Rick and John, Jim holding
down that tight but fluid bottom end, and the master skinsman (there are few
better in the business), Brent Eccles. The 1982-89 crew that really did take it
over the top for nearly a decade.
Hilbun's a gentlemen; thoughtful, intelligent, considerate and a musical
connoisseur who might be found playing jazz, the classics, blues, world or
metal. He defines both Cobain and Buckley - the great tragedies of recent times
- as the young masters. But he's also a died in the wool rocker who loves
nothing better than to strap it on and put it down with The Angels - now that
"problems" within the band that led to his departure are just very distant
memories.
"Look, I wouldn't be doing this if those problems hadn't been resolved," he
says. "But people change over time. And I think we've all changed and developed.
I wouldn't have wasted their time or mine unless I thought it could really work,
it was fun and it was going somewhere. I am genuinely happy to be back in the
band. It sounds corny but it's never been better.
"You wait until you hear the new album. It's great. I love it. I can listen to
it over and over again and go 'yeah, this is good'. Why? Because everybody wants
it again. You could feel it when we went into the studios. I could feel it when
I returned and started playing with them again. That spirit is there and
everybody is more open to ideas and trying different approaches.
"The Shock deal was also important. That was like a new beginning. But in a way
it's like we were returning to somewhere where we belong. It's strange but The
Angels have always been a little off-the-centre, never quite mainstream. And
Shock are genuinely excited to have us - and it's been a while since we've felt
that."
Hilbun also recognises the great tradition that comes with The Angels, the
tradition of Australian rock born and bred in the pubs and clubs, of sweating it
out day in day out for years on end, earning the right to record, to take it out
there and overseas. It's a tradition now mostly lost in the economics of the
music industry which have seen venue after venue close as DJs offer owners a
bigger return on a smaller outlay with virtually none of the inherent problems
of presenting live music.
What they forgot was that the fans of The Angels aged with the band and are
rabid now as they were 20 years ago when they bust out of Adelaide with what
would become their anthem Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again. And they
failed to figure those fans were raising their kids on albums like Face To
Face, No Exit, Night Attack, Dark Exit, Watch The Red, Two Minute Warning
and The Howling to name just some of their vintage smash and grabs.
Albums not only brimful of great rock motifs and buzzing guitars, but of great
pop songs and a suburban reality. Of course, they weren't all perfect. The
Angels like any other band who've survived two decades had their fair share of
stiffs. But, to their credit, they remained Australian, rock solid, and proud of
it. A distinctive voice in a sometimes indistinct melange. And their best was
exceptional.
"I think that's reflected at the gigs, " Hilbun says. "The old fans are still
there but there are just as many young kids down the front - and best of all,
they know all the words to all the songs."
That says it all really. Rock'n'roll doesn't get much better. The tradition
continues.
By By Mike Gee
Angels In The Night
9 October 1997
Well, well, well. So The Angels
have signed to Shock, the old bastards. Hot on the double knee jump with twist
and jackhammer rhythm thunder comes their brand new revisitation to their old
turf: classic rock. The Angels, punters, are back. Caught In the Night is the
best slab of Angelism in ages; hell, it even got the old kneecaps creaking here
at the News desk. Doc Neeson sounds like he means it, the bottom end is as tough
as a Doc Marten that's been sitting in the sun for a month, the Brewster boys
turn up the watts and before you know it, you're flashing back to those vintage
days of anthem after anthem - Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (with that
famous refrain), Coming Down, Take A Long Line, After The Rain, Shadow Boxer, No
Secrets, Face The Day, Marseilles.
We remember, in particular, an early Angels gig at the Charles Hotel in Perth
sometime in '78, just after the seminal Face To Face was released. The room held
800, 900 at a push, they crammed 1500 in, there were another 600 outside. The
only space was the standing place. The Angels hit a stage that would have been
small for a trio yet alone a quintet. Doc - white shirt, black pants - was
rubbery figure on heat, the place erupted, the sweat drenched right through the
skin, as the crowd rose you rose - as they fell you fell. T'was some kind of
night, some of kind of ritual, some kind of animal. Rock. Pub rock - born and
bred of the hundreds of pig pen, sticky carpeted, dingy holes with shit
acoustics, of slogging it out for months on end back and forth, up and down the
seaboards. It was part of tradition and part of learning the craft.
Unfortunately, time, economics and cultural change have diminished the circuit,
and the possibilities. the Angels stand as a reminder of what once was and could
be - and they represent what it takes to last. To fight ignorance, radio
stupidity, the fickle nature of fad and style, and to believe that you have what
it takes: despite a bunch of know-alls trying to tell you that you don't.
So they're back - and that's a great thing. First the single, next the album -
which by all accounts is a ball-tearer and has some wise old men of the industry
sitting up in surprise, and a tour, The Barbed Wire Ball, which kicks off on
November 17 with another band who've come to understand the nature of fighting
to exist and the utter tone deafness of radio programmers, The Screaming Jets.
What a show. The Jets also grew the hard way on the circuit and they've always
cut it live better than many. Put 'em together and the sparks are gonna fly.
Could be some damn fine jam sessions too!!! By Mike Gee
Shook Inks The Angels
1 October 1997
In the "strange
bedfellows department, Shook have inked the Angels a long term worldwide deal.
The announcement was mad on Tuesday at a press conference at Sydney's Metro
Theatre by Shook managing directors David Williams and Andrew McGee. A single,
'Caught In The Night' is released on October 13, with an album out February. "I
think the Angels in 1997 are a relevant force in Australian music", say
Williams. Added Angels drummer and manager Brent Eccles, "We have been talking
to Andrew and David for quite some and were ultimately convinced by their
genuine enthusiasm for the band and project. We know we had a great record
coming, and naturally we wanted to be sure it got the best possible shot. also
it's great to be in the same company as Frenzal Rhomb!" Shock is the Angels
fourth label, after Albert, Sony and Mushroom.
By Christie Eliezer
City gears for top
shows
1 April 1997
If live
entertainment is high on your list of fun then sit back and take the ride of
your life as we take a look at who will perform in Darwin during the next month.
Anzac
Day sees rock legends The Angels perform on the lawns at the MGM Grand Casino as
part of the Lounge Lizard Tour.
The
Lounge Lizard Tour is an acoustic tour during which The Angels perform as
backing band for singers. Doc Neeson, Angry Anderson and Ross Wilson.
Also
performing on Anzac Day Is the Cosmic Psychos.
The
Cosmic Psychos will perform at the Time Nightclub as part of a national tour to
promote its album Ten Years And A Million Beers.
Energy
plays a big part in the group's performance of loud and fast, hard-core rock
which has seen the group become hugely successful in Britain and New York.
By
WRSTY REID
Mugs Make Their Showing For The Archibald
10 March 1997
Will the 1997 Archibald Prize take its cue from this year's Gay and Lesbian
Mardi Gras and feature the thankfully inimitable Pauline Hanson? Will John
Howard get his artistic blooding? These answers and more will be revealed this
week when the last of an estimated 400 entries for the coveted and often
controversial $35,000 art prize flood into the Art Gallery of NSW.
Although there has been no sighting of a Hanson homage yet, portraits of the
playwright David Williamson, The Cruel Sea!s Tex Perkins, the poet Les Murray,
the Sydney Dance Company's Janet Vernon, the artist John Olsen and the art
dealer Ray Hughes are rumoured to be on their way.
Jules Francois Archibald, The Bulletin's co-founder, created Ausu-,dia's most
prestigious art prize in 1919 for the best portrait painted by an Australian,
"preferably of some man or woman distinguished in the arts, letters, science or
politics". For the past two years, though, self-portraits have scooped the pool:
Bill Robinson in 1995 with his Self Portrait with Stunned Mullet and Wendy
Sharpe last year with SelfPortrait as Diana of Erskineville.
Alongside the now familiar subjects of artists by fellow artists, dealers by
their artists and artists' self-portraits, it has become almost de rigueur to
hang a business bod or pop star.
Artist Sno (real name David) Brewer will drop off his portrait of Doc (real name
Bernard) Neeson, lead singer for Australian rock band The Angels, at the
gallery's basement on Thursday.
This is Brewer's second attempt at the Archibald Holy Grail. He entered last
year with a portrait of the painter Robert Dickerson, which was hung in the
well-regarded Salon des Refuses (Rejects' Salon).
Brewer contacted Neeson through a friends Angels Website on the Internet.
'I haven't known Doc for long at all," said Brewer, "except that I have been
watching The Angels since the70s. He asked me the same thing, why did I want to
paint him, and I said "because you are still around, Dod. He deserves more
recognition than he gets."
The painted Neeson looks ethereal, younger,
almost an alien. 'It's because he is an expressiU-M-'St~ he is an artist,
totally a performer," Brewer said. Mn stage, he is in another world. That is
what I am trying to depict."
Today is Neeson's fourth and last sitting so that Brewer can put the finishing
touches to the canvas, making sure the light is right and doing a couple of
small adjustments to the mouth.
Brewer is also entering a painting of Kate Fischer. 'It's a conservative picture
compared to this [the Neeson portrait]. ICs another way of looking at Kate, more
about the thoughtful side than the physical."
The winners of this year's Archibald, Wynne, Sulman and Dobell art prizes will
be announced on March 2 1. By Helen Greenwood |