News Diary
15/11/05 Two 'new' venues in the last few days. Friday we had the great pleasure of playing at the relatively new Spectrum Blues Clubin Keighley. A full-house gave us a very warm reception, and finished with a standing ovation and four encores. We were on top form, and the audience really got the best out of us. We always seem to play better when they are crammed in and close up. Congratulations to Michael and his crew for getting the vibe just right. A stand-out gig at a stand-out venue. We underestimated the number of CDs we would sell, and unfortunately ran out. Anybody at the gig who would like to order one through the site can have it at the gig price of £10: just pay the full price, and we'll include the £2 refund with the CD.
Saturday saw us at Cleethorpes Blues of The Month Club. Everybody was a little apprehensive, as this was the first time for the club, band and audience at this new venue, after four years at the previous place, where the regulars virtually had their own seats. We needn't have worried, as the large audience were very appreciative, even though some of the band were a bit ragged. Prior to the gig we did an interview at the front of the stage for a local TV channel, which may have had a few people wondering what we were up to. We might be able to put a video clip of this gig on the website once our webmeister has figured out how to open the CD case. Mick in a bout of wreckless abandon, thought it was a good idea to drink nearly a whole bottle of wine and 5 pints of beer. Yes he did have trouble seeing where the drums were, and holding the right number of sticks. Any more of the "John McVie" and he's OUT! Sunday we played at The Old Brown Jug in Newcastle Under Lyme. Normally a jazz venue, but they make an exception for us. Packed house, with lots of younger members in the audience. We did two storming sets and finished over-time, as usual! Back to Stoke Talke to wind-down. John had forgiven Mick for letting the band down so spectacularly in Cleethorpes, and bought him a big cookie at the gas station. Martin and Phil were allowed Minirolls, as they hadn't misbehaved.
05/12/05 Maybe it really was blues gig of the year! Great night to full-house at Crawley Blues Club. We managed to trip the power twice, even without all the stage lights on. A minor nuisance one minute into the opening number. The crowd now think this is part of our act, as exactly the same thing happened last time we were there. Once we ironed the problems out, we all had a truly wonderful night. A great audience enjoyed a great performance, taken to some new highs by the supreme harp playing of Wilf Taylor. We just closed our eyes and relished the interplay. Some exuberant comments from members of the audience, like "thought I'd died and gone to blues heaven" Says it all. Thanks to everyone for being such a delightful audience, and as ever, to visionary Tony Molloy for bringing it together.
27/01/06 (updated 7th Feb)Not a great start to the year. John was admitted to hospital on Tues 10th Jan with suspected brain tumour. The only signs of this prior was slight pins and needles sensation on one side of his face, and in his arm.
After CT scan and MRI scans he was transferred from Brighton to Haywards Heath Neurological Unit, where an invasive biopsy was carried out on Tuesday 17th. On 25th Jan analysis results unfortunately confirmed he had a rare type of high grade aggressive malignant tumour in his Thalamus. The statistical survival rate for this condition is poor, with only 35% getting to two years. Without treatment, the statistcal average survival period is 6 to 8 weeks. However, he is currently strong and whilst physically weaker and understandably a bit devastated by the news, remains recognisably 'John' with the same sense of humour, and is now back at home for time being.
He and his family has been greatly supported and encouraged by the generous love and good wishes expressed in so many cards and messages from so many friends, aquaintances, fellow music lovers and people who have come to know him through the bands performances.
We have innevitably been obliged to cancel forseeable gigs, including Liverpool Citadel, which we were greatly looking forward to. The treatment plan will be discussed in the next few days, with radio and chemo starting as soon as possible. Depending on the start time and its degree of debilitating side-effects, there is a remote possibility that we may play one or two March dates before the chemo really kicks in, after which there will be a ten to 12 week treatment programme and subsequent rest period.
Please keep an eye on the Gigs page for indications as to which way it's going. In the meantime, John sends his love and appreciation, and hopes to be playing again as soon as circumstances allow.
04/03/06 Thanks again to everyone who has sent cards and messagaes, books and weird stuff to John. He is currently in week 5 of chemo, and will start 6 weeks of redio on 13th March. Whilst the drugs have left him weak and tired, he has been to a couple of rehearsals with the band, and the good news is he can still play! Though there has been some impairment of his muscles and co-ordination, this is confined to the right side of his body. The upshot of this is that the band have decided as of today at least, to definitely play the low key gigs at The Snowdrop in Lewes on Sat 25th March, and Chiddingly Six Bells, on Sunday 9th April. They are also planning to play Crawley Blues Club on Sat 13th May, augmented as before, with the one and only Wilf Taylor on blues-harp.
25/03/06 Important!!! Sorry, last minute decision by all concerned, not least medical staff, is that it is strictly not safe for John to play for the next four weeks. To save frustrating band and audience alike, we have taken the wise and unilateral decision to cancel all gigs UNTIL Saturday 15th May at Crawley Blues Club.
19/04/06 Our first official "drummer" joke has emerged today following John's illness. John has lost the hearing in his righr hand side. "Lost hearing on right hand side is OK ...that's where the drummer is!" Michael from Keighley Blues Club. With just 6 days of radio to go, John is very, very weak. We hope this is the treatment, as he is recieving the maximum dose. As before, thanks to the many people who have mailed with messages of support.
01/05/06 John has finished his radiotherapy, but has been left vey weak by the treatment. We have taken the decision to cancel all gigs until further notice. Once John has started to gain strength and has had the opportunity to play a little, we will start to plan the gigs for the rest of the year. Thanks again to everyone for their best wishes and support
15/07/06 John sadly passed away yesterday morning. After finishing his radiotherapy, he started to recover his strength slowly and despite a couple of setbacks, we got together in the studio 3 times during June.
Although John didn't have the strength to stand during the rehearsals, his hands and voice could still deliver the passion and feeling that made him so loved by everyone who came across him.
The four of us had a great time in the studio and i believe we all appreciated what a special time it was for us. Although we loved playing in front of audiences, we would (and did !) play in empty venues for the enjoyment of playing with John.
Unfortunately John then had a series of setbacks during the last week. Our thoughts are now with Hilary, Ollie and Jo.
16/07/06 John's family have asked that if anyone would like to make a donation in memory of John, that they donate to the Martlets Hospice who have been so supportive of John over the last few months.
21/10/06 Mick, Phil and Martin have decided to carry on playing and are currently auditioning for new members of the elevators. We are currently looking for a vocalist and possibly another musician to join Phil. (Mick and Martin being a rhythm section which does not qualify as musicians).
We are also going through various live recordings from the last couple of years in order to put together a live album in memory of John. More news soon
27/01/2007 We are pleased to announce that Fran Galpin and Paul Rawson have now joined the Elevators and we plan to begin gigging in March. More to follow shortly.
We are not able to access our mailing lists currently (they may be lost for eternity) so, if you would like to be added to the new, very exclusive mailing list please go to the mailing list page here
17/02/2007 Well, the gigs have started. Fran and Paul have almost got those other three ready, so we are playing a low key, private party in Feb and then being unleashed on an unexpected public in March. Many thanks for the messages of support that we have received over the last few months.
Wanderin' Wilf Taylor, that master of the harp and damn fine gentleman that we have had the pleasure of playing with on a number of occasions, has announced that he is running the London Marathon in memory of John. He has set up a sponsorship page here with all donations going to the Martletts.
The mastering of the live CD is now complete (with thanks to Kev at the Essele Beat Company).We are now working on the artwork and hope to have it in production shortly. Again, all profit from the CD will go to the Martletts.
