The Angels' "Symphony of Angels": Weekender Package
Spitfire Music
19 January 2010

Day 1 Melbourne to Adelaide (Saturday 17 April, 2010)

Meet at the Group Check-in Counter Melbourne Airport at 7.00am prior to Virgin Blue Flight DJ213 which departs Melbourne at 8.05am and arrives Adelaide at 9.00am. On arrival proceed to the lower ground floor.

Local Coach Company Premier Stateliner will provide the transfer to the city based hotel. After check in the day is free for personal shopping or sightseeing.

A pass for the Adelaide Zoo is included. The zoo is within walking distance of the hotel.

Adelaide Zoo is home to two Giant Pandas - Wang Wang and Funi who arrived in Adelaide in December 2009 direct from China. We can access their multi million dollar enclosure for a close up and personal experience.

This evening the Angels Concert is at the Adelaide Festival Centre - again walking distance from the hotel. 8pm start. We have A Reserve Seats. With the band originating from Adelaide, there couldn't be a more appropriate city for this one off event.

The Festival Theatre in Adelaide will see the Symphony of Angels become a reality for one night only with the 30 piece Adelaide Art Orchestra. (meals own arrangements & cost)

Day 2 (B): Adelaide & Magill Estates (Sunday 18 April, 2010)

Breakfast included in the hotel. At 10.00am this morning our coach will meet us for a brief sightseeing tour of the city, North Adelaide and the Parklands which surround the CBD.

Then we head to the Penfolds Magill Estate Cellar Door which is nestled in the foothills of Adelaide.

The winery exudes the charm and character of its founders, whose pioneering spirit brought their family name into the homes of the Australian people more than 150 years ago and inspired the creation of Australia's greatest wine, Penfolds Grange, in the 1950s.

Penfolds has since grown into Australia's most famous wine and its home, Magill Estate, has evolved into a truly unique venue.

Our Historical Tour includes a tutored tasting of six Penfolds Wines in the Still House.

We return to the hotel to collect our bags and the rest of the group before the transfer from the Stamford Plaza (departs the hotel at 2.30pm) to connect with the Virgin Blue Flight DJ232 departing Adelaide at 4.10pm / Arriving Melbourne at 5.55pm (Breakfast in the hotel/Lunch own arrangements & cost).

For more information log onto: http://www.spitfiremusic.com.au/soa/weekender/

The Angels announce "Symphony With The Angels"
Spitfire Music
17 December 2009

Symphony of Angels – April 2010

The Angels with The Adelaide Art Orchestra At Festival Theatre

Since the original and most revered Angels line-up reformed in early 2008, they have played over 100 live performances as part of their Reunited, Night Attack, By Request and Live tours as well as numerous festivals and events…

From the outset, the concept of blending The Angels brand of Australian Rock with classically trained musicians has inspired them to create something new and sophisticated. The band is proud to announce the Symphony Of Angels….

With the band originating from Adelaide, there couldn’t be a more appropriate city for this one off event. The Festival Theatre in Adelaide will see the Symphony of Angels become a reality for one night only on Saturday April 17th with the 30 piece Adelaide Art Orchestra.

For John and Rick Brewster this is a dream come true, their father Arthur Brewster Jones was a conductor for the Brewster Jones String Orchestra and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra as well as being the principal cellist from the mid 1940's to mid 1950's. In 1949 their grandfather, Hooper Brewster Jones, a concert pianist and composer of over 600 works including symphonies, died tragically backstage at the Adelaide Town Hall after his son Arthur had conducted him in the Symphony Orchestra.

Rob Pippan, one of Adelaide’s most respected musicians will be the event musical director. Rob was the co producer and musical director behind the ASO’s sell out concerts ‘ASO Plays Pink Floyd’ in 2006, ‘ASO Plays Queen’ in 2007 and co-producer of 2005’s ‘Zeppelin Flies Again’

“If you haven’t seen The Angels since they reformed then ‘Symphony Of Angels’ is the perfect opportunity to see the band performing their greatest hits in a prestigious venue in an expanded rock and orchestral format, with full concert sound and the biggest lineup ever assembled to back the group. The combination of The Angels, the Adelaide Art Orchestra and the Festival Theatre as a venue will provide a special coming home for the band and fans alike in what will be a truly memorable concert.” - Rob Pippan

"John and I grew up surrounded by classical music. Our father and both his parents were all classical musicians - performing, composing, teaching and conducting. These early influences have remained with us throughout our careers and we are at last about to realise our dream of one day performing our own music with an orchestra. It will add a whole new dimension to it.

It's a very exciting and challenging prospect and I hope the end result is agreeable to the ancestors if they're listening ... they're a hard bunch to please!

This one's for Dad, Gran and Bopo, I will definitely "make the melody sing"!” - Rick Brewster

“Rick and I have such a rich heritage of classical music through our family that when we come up with chord progressions and solos like 'Take A Long Line' I always thought that there was a classical element I was almost like Rick was playing the melodies on a violin. When we recorded Mr Damage we would hum orchestral parts to the song and thought it would be great to marry such a phonetic song with an orchestra. Bring it on!!” - John Brewster

This will be an event not to miss.

Tickets On Sale from all BASS outlets from Monday December 21st 2009.

Saturday 17th April at The Festival Theatre in Adelaide.

For more information log onto: www.spitfiremusic.com.au/soa

The Angels - Secret Xmas Gig on 24
Spitfire Music
7 October 2009

Tis the season to be jolly. The end of the year always has such a happy feel to it, celebrating the year that has just passed and the bundle of joy that is the holiday season is.

The Angels are doing a run of shows around the country this November and December, this will be your last chance to see the iconic line up of Brewster, Neeson, Brewster, Bailey and Bidstrup perform live for 2009 …

But for a limited number of people, it gets better…

Tuesday, November 17th will see The Angels, Spitfire Music, Triple M and Music Max give a limited number of people a very special Christmas present.  

A select group of lucky winners will get the chance to see The Angels perform an exclusive secret show in one of Sydney’s premier rock venues.   Which venue you ask? While we can’t tell you that without killing you, we can tell you that it is home to many a memorable rock show, the greatest rock acts both nationally and internationally have graced its stage, a venue which holds a lot of history within today’s rock scene. It’s large in reputation but compared to recent Angels shows, small in size. The lucky winners will get to be up close and personal with The Angels.  

Always dreamed of an Xmas with Angels? When you buy a ticket to ANY “Live” Tour show, you will be automatically entered into the draw and will stand a chance to win 1 of 50 double pass tickets to the Xmas With The Angels Show – It’s that easy! Be sure to watch Max and listen to Triple M for more details…  

Don't miss this opportunity to catch the Angels LIVE TOUR at the following venues http://shop.difrntworld.com/cat/371/Tickets  

Wed 25 Nov Davistown RSL, NSW

Thur 26 Nov Mounties, Mt.Pritchard NSW

Fri 27 Nov Newcastle Panthers, NSW

Sat 28 Nov Rooty Hill RSL, NSW

Wed 2 Dec Hallam Hotel, VIC

Thur 3 Dec York On Lilydale, VIC

Fri 4 Dec Westend Nightclub, VIC

Sat 5 Dec Village Green Hotel, VIC

Fri 11 Dec Vikings Erindale, ACT

Sat 12 Dec Waves Nightclub, NSW

Thur 17 Dec Caloundra RSL, QLD

Fri 18 Dec Mansfield Tavern, QLD

Sat 19 Dec Seagulls Club, QLD

Guitar Clinic With Rick Brewster
Spitfire Music
28 September 2009

Australian Guitar, Dream Music and Spitfire Music would like to offer you the opportunity to win a place at an exclusive guitar clinic with iconic rock guitarist Rick Brewster!

The clinic will be held on Saturday 28th November 2009 at Dream Music Belmore. To enter, simply fill in this form and tell us in 25 words or less why you would like to attend this clinic.

The entries are coming in fast so if you do wish to make it into the draw, sign up here now! http://www.spitfiremusic.com.au/axegrinders

By Request Winner – Ged’s Story Pt. 3
Spitfire Music
17 September 2009

Here we go again Angels fans, another week of insight into Ged’s Adventure with The Angels!



14th August


We woke up at 9am and thought about some sightseeing. We caught a tram to the Queen Victoria markets. Spent 4 hours going through the many unique market stalls. Can someone please tell me what the time is? Jumped on another tram and headed to Lygon street. Ness wanted to experience the world famous Lygon street. We walked past the Melbourne Museum and through the gardens. Did the walk of both sides of Lygon Street and decided to have dinner at one of the fine restaurants It was 5pm by now. We caught another tram back to the hotel. The city was packed with people. It was certainly Friday night and Melbourne was ready to rock. I knew we were.

Kat picked us up at 8pm and took us to Doncaster Shoppingtown Hotel. We went in the side entrance into the Angels dressing room. The band members were chilling before the show. Ness and I went and checked out the venue. I bought the usual, JD and a vodka and orange and found a good spot to see the bands. Skarlet Blue did another excellent show. I spoke to Ryan and Adrian after their show. Cool guys. I’m getting to know their songs. A quick smoke and it was time for The Angels.

The crowd went wild after The Angels hit the stage. “No Exit” was the entree. “Mr Damage” and my personal favourite, “Face the Day” were again awesome. Sucks like a space invader. In between songs Doc spoke of the passing of Les Paul today. A very sad day for music fans across the world. More ladies were allowed to come on stage during “Marseilles”. One lady was getting right into the grooving. Ness and I were taken backstage before the end of the concert for a special surprise. The dressing room had been decorated with streamers and posters. The Angels finished on stage and came into the room. Everyone cheered.

It was Chris Bailey Friday. Why? I think it’s just an excuse to have a party. Apparently it happens when they play a gig on a Friday. There was a cake with Chris Bailey Friday written on it. Chris is a bit of a comedian. With his Chris Bailey Angels and getting the job, he is one funny man. He’s the major rager on the 4 string mutha f*#ker. A top bloke, who has also played with Jimmy Barnes and Bon Scott.

Ness was approached by a female fan last night. She saw the access pass around her neck and said to Ness that she’ll be getting a root tonight. We told Buzz this after the show and he laughed. The Brewster Brothers go off when they are on stage. They are both excellent guitarists. John told me he doesn’t smoke anymore and showed me why. I’ve got to give up the cigs. Tonight was better than last night. The shows keep getting better. There was more conversation from Doc between songs, which makes for a good concert.

The Angels – “Live” (Nov/Dec)

Wed 25 Nov - Davistown RSL, NSW
Thur 26 Nov - Mounties, Mt.Pritchard NSW
Fri 27 Nov - Newcastle Panthers, NSW
Sat 28 Nov - Rooty Hill RSL. NSW
Wed 2 Dec - Hallam Hotel, VIC
Thur 3 Dec - York On Lilydale, VIC
Fri 4 Dec - Westend Nightclub, VIC
Sat 5 Dec - Village Green Hotel, VIC
Fri 11 Dec - Vikings Erindale, ACT
Sat 12 Dec - Waves Nightclub, NSW
Thur 17 Dec - Caloundra RSL, QLD
Fri 18 Dec - Mansfield Tavern, QLD
Sat 19 Dec - Seagulls Club, QLD

By Request Winner – Ged’s Story Pt. 2
Spitfire Music
8 September 2009

So as promised here is day 1 of Ged’s adventure. Enjoy!

13th August

I couldn’t sleep last night. The adrenaline is pumping through my veins. “ This is it folks…Over the top” I couldn’t f*#king wait. Ness and I were picked up at Melbourne airport after flying from Sydney by our lovely driver, Katrina. We were taken to our hotel in St Kilda and settled in.


Night came quick. Katrina picked us up again and drove us to the Chelsea Heights Hotel gig. We were given “Access All Areas” passes which were hung around our necks. Ben Turner, The Angels tour manager introduced himself and we met the rest of the road crew. They were very welcoming and are an awesome bunch of guys. A big shout out to Blicka, Athol, Alex, Chris…give me a call, Hendo, Dan and the others. Also to Luke and Clayton who we met in the crowd.


We were shown The Angels dressing room and back entrance to the stage and venue. There was a sign on the entrance door saying Angels only, no one else. We could go in and out this door anytime. Cool. I bought a JD and a vodka and checked out the merchandise. The Angels hoodies were too good to pass up so I got one.


Ness and I also met the band members, Doc, Buzz, Chris, John and Rick. All I could think of was “I’m so pleased to meet you, I’m so pleased to meet you, to have this opportunity” What a f*#king opportunity this was. Unbelievable. The support band, Skarlet Blue, who were on the Melbourne leg, were really good. “She’s a Mole” was a cool song. They really got the crowd pumped for the main event.


The lights went off, the intro music started. Cheers were coming from the sold out crowd. The guitars started cranking and No Exit was here. The classic songs kept coming. The boys were in fine form. “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face” again went off. The mandatory “No way, Get F*#ked, F*#k Off” chorus was sung loudly by the crowd. Ness and I watched from the left side on the floor for awhile. We decided to use our passes and go check them out from side of stage. It was unreal to be on stage with The Angels whilst they were performing. I looked into the crowd and could see nothing but fans packed to the back wall. During “Marseilles”, Doc pulled a few lucky ladies onto the stage. They had a bit of a dance and parted with a goodbye kiss. The 15 song set list was delivered with style.


It’s awesome to see the original band members working in harmony again. “Out Of The Blue” was an added bonus during the encore. Then it was time for the last song of the night, the almighty “Devil’s Gate” with John on harmonica and Doc and his double devil signs. What a concert.


After the show we went backstage to the dressing room. The band autographed some of my CD’s and I received The Angels autographed guitar. Fuck yeah. Doc told me that he doesn’t have a favourite Angels album, he loves them all. He likes to listen to Mozart and unwind. We hung around for awhile taking in the atmosphere. At 2am we were driven back to the hotel by Kat.

By Request Winner – Ged’s Story Pt.1
Spitfire Music
3 September 2009

Do you remember the competition you entered to vote for The Angels – By Request Tour? We here at Spitfire Music aren’t dodgy people, so instead of taking the trip to Melbourne ourselves John and Rick Brewster came into the office to pick out a winner from a list of those that chose the correct set list. The winner (Ged from Wollongong) had a blast and put on his writing cap and tell us about his adventure with The Angels.

3 Days on Tour with The Angels…..

I received a phone call from Cat Swinton, Publicist for The Angels. She told me I was the major prize winner for The Angels By Request Concert Series. There were over 7000 entries Australia wide to pick the set list of your favourite Angels songs for the tour. John Brewster picked a name out of a list of correct set lists and mine was chosen. What can I say? I’m the luckiest f*#ker ever! My wife, Vanessa and I were flown down to Melbourne for the last 3 shows of The Angels By Request Tour.


I’ve been an Angels fan for 25 years. The first time I saw The Angels was on the “Howling” tour at Wollongong Town Hall, Under 18’s gig. That was a concert I’ll never forget. The Angels were awesome. I remember Doc wearing multiple suits and disrobing throughout the gig. The tour posters at the time had Doc with his arm held high showing allegiance. Wearing my “Two Minute Warning” tour shirt and thrashing my mullet around that night was too good. I didn’t see the “Two Minute Warning” tour as I was 13 at the time, too young to get into Shelly’s.


Since that show I was hooked. I’ve seen The Angels many times since then. On the Guns n Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” tour At Sydney Entertainment Centre in 1989, the “Beyond Salvation” tour at Waves, where my girlfriend at the time, now my wife even kissed Bob Spencer’s bald head. Also on the “Red Back Fever” tour and the “Face To Face” Reunited tour last year to name a few. I f*#king love em. My mates and I also caught the Shelly’s gig on the 1^st of August. This was the gig closest to Wollongong so the boys and I could have a few JD’s and enjoy the show together before my rock n roll adventure with The Angels began.

The Angels are performing a series of shows in late November early December
Albert Music
1 September 2009

Finishing up 2009 on a major high, The Angels are planning a series of pub rock shows under the banner ‘Angels Live'. The dates, in late November early December 09, will be the last chance to see the guys play in this environment for sometime.

With a career spanning over 30 years, the band will play their classic hits along with a few other tunes that fans won't have heard at previous concerts. Rick, "With a large repertoire it's easy to forget about songs and looking at the list now I remember how much I used to enjoy playing these songs.  We used to open the show with 'Small Price to Pay' (what a great groove) ... and then there were songs like 'Underground' and 'Staring Voices', which brought out the best in Doc's theatrical approach. Planning to include some more of these lost gems in the new set should be nothing short of inspiring. No dubbing or backing tapes are used in The Angels live shows - what you see is what you get - hot, loud, real and rockin and LIVE! An unforgettable night for the fans.

The Angels merchandise and tickets online through Spitfire Music
Spitfire Music
25 August 2009

Spitfire Music  has some new improvements! Now you can buy all your Angels merchandise and tickets online through our brand new store.

Run out of money to buy that Angels shirt at the "By Request" concert series? Not to worry! We have some in our store.   

Check out all of The Angels Tickets and Merchandise here.

The Angels - "Live"
Spitfire Music
20 August 2009

Finishing up 2009 on a major high, The Angels are planning a series of pub rock shows under the banner ‘Angels Live’. The dates, in late November early December 09, will be the last chance to see the guys play in this environment for sometime.
 
With a career spanning over 30 years, the band will play all their classic hits along with a few other tunes that fans won’t have heard at previous concerts. Playing some different songs in the 'By Request' tour has been very stimulating and now planning to include some more of these lost gems in the new set and this should be nothing short of inspiring. No dubbing or backing tapes are used in The Angels live shows – what you see is what you get – hot, loud, real and rockin and LIVE! An unforgettable night for the fans.
 
Tour Dates
 
Wed 25 Nov - Davistown RSL, NSW
Thur 26 Nov - Mounties, Mt.Pritchard NSW
Fri 27 Nov - Newcastle Panthers, NSW
Sat 28 Nov - Rooty Hill RSL. NSW
Wed 2 Dec - Hallam Hotel, VIC
Thur 3 Dec - York On Lilydale, VIC
Fri 4 Dec - Westend Nightclub, VIC
Sat 5 Dec - Village Green Hotel, VIC
Fri 11 Dec - The Auditorium @ Vikings Erindale, ACT
Sat 12 Dec - Waves Nightclub, NSW
Thur 17 Dec - Caloundra RSL, QLD
Fri 18 Dec - Mansfield Tavern, QLD
Sat 19 Dec - Seagulls Club, QLD

Brewster Brothers Trio Tour Information September December 2009!
Paul Robert Burton
29 July 2009

Lots of good news to report for The Brewster Brothers Trio but here’s a summary of highlights so far for 2009 and also what’s to come.

The Brewster Brothers Trio released their definitive album ‘Wounded Healer’ in January 2009. They toured nationally through the first quarter of 2009 with many standing ovations, several sell out shows and an enormous response from radio. 

Here's some pictures of the Wounded Healer CD Launch The Vanguard Jan 09

Photos courtesy Timeline: http://gallery.me.com/brewsterbrotherstrio/100031

This year we have also played a number of great Festivals including:

Tamworth January 2009 – A great gig at “The Pub” with Bill Chambers and the Tamworth Town Hall “Life Line Fundraiser Concert” was huge. John’s first show after his heart attack, a fantastic gig with Ted Egan, Graeme Connors, Alan Caswell, Chad Morgan and many other great legends of Australian Country Music.

Bob King took some terrific photos of us at the gig just follow the link to our new online gallery.

Yep as you've guessed we are finally going high tech.             http://gallery.me.com/brewsterbrotherstrio/100017

Brunswick Music Festival March 2009 – A most enjoyable event in Melbourne a double whammy with The Brewster Brothers Trio & Broderick Smith. The gig was packed and we absolutely loved seeing Broderick perform. We rarely get to see other great acts, one of the many reasons why the festival circuit is so appealing.

John & Rick disappeared in early March with some other band they work with called “The Angels” (their music sounds ok, but I don’t really think they’ll get anywhere), freeing me up to play The Kiama Jazz Festival & Fairbridge Folk Festival in Western Australia. Doing my own thing with a wonderful guitarist I found called Andrew Toner.

Andrew played with the Brewsters in Tamworth and was so helpful that we have also hired him as a roadie, merch guy, guitar tech, sound man, resident IT expert and special guest.

These are also Bob Kings Pics from one of the Tamworth Shows at “The Pub” at the end we were joined by both the most amazing Andrew Toner on acoustic guitar and the most excellent Christian Marsh on harmonica.

http://gallery.me.com/brewsterbrotherstrio#100007

My good friend and singer from “Monsuier Camembert” Yaron Hallis has been running some private RSVP parties in Sydney. Yaron is a collector of the weird and unusual, check out his pad (Qirkz) and play “spot the musician”. The two guest guitarists playing with us are John’s son Sam & Andrew Toner……wooh what a night

http://gallery.me.com/brewsterbrotherstrio#100023

In May 2009 the Brewster Brothers Trio joined country singer Catherine Britt for some shows as special guests through May and June.  Catherine Britt is well known on the country circuit and after the success of the Brewster Brothers Trio in Tamworth it seemed like a logical fit. Great fun and we hope to do some more shows together in the future.

Through June & July John & Rick again disappeared with this other band they moonlight with called “The Angels”. It’s difficult to find good help these days, again freeing me up for The Snowy Mountains Of Music Festival and some regional shows with Andrew Toner & The Shuffle Kings Trio.

John has made an incredibly quick recovery from his heart attack last year and I am happy to report that he is more annoying than ever. Rick and I can’t believe it, he continually suggests low fat food options and he wants both of us watch our diets and to avoid stress. His good friend and golfing buddy Wilbur Wilde reckons Johns looking so good that he is considering a quintuple bypass himself.

Ok……so whats happening now.

 In the works is a live DVD of a brilliant performance at Sydney’s prestigious venue “The Basement” last year. Surprise guest Doc Neeson joined John, Rick, Spencer Tregloan and yours truly re-uniting four of the original members of the Moonshine Jug & String Band. Jim Conway & Clare O’meara also joined the festivities and a great live performance was captured for both The Brewster Brothers Trio & Moonshine Jug & String Band.

We are hoping to get this finished for John “Brewsters Big Birthday Bash at The Basement” on Sunday 8^th November, again featuring The Brewster Brothers Trio, Moonshine Jug & String Band and some special guests.

Aaahh   a live at the basement DVD The perfect gift for Christmas, I’ll have to get the guys to do a quick photo shoot in Santa Outfits or try and whip one up in photoshop.

Internet Stuff…………

 The new Brewsters Website is officially up www.brewsterbrothers.com

It has some more bells and whistles than before but here are a few things you can do. If you want to see all the pictures from shows then follow this link

http://gallery.me.com/brewsterbrotherstrio

If you want to check on gigs you can go to this page http://www.brewsterbrothers.com/BBT/Events.html

You can also select either Brewster Brothers Trio or Angels or Both (link underneath), then if you subsribe by clicking on the subscribe link(bottom left hand side) a separate calendar will be added to your copy of Microsoft outlook or Mac I’Cal. No need to miss another show again.

Or if you hate the “techo” stuff, then look at the gig list below:

Brewster Brothers Trio Tour Dates Sept – Dec 09

Queensland

Fri 4^th Sept 09
Brisbane-The Brisbane Jazz Club - www.brisbanejazzclub.com.au

Sat 5^th Sept 09
Eumundi-Full Moon Festival – Verriedale Hall  9.45-10.50pm - www.myspace.com/verrierdalefullmoondance

Sun 6^th Sept 09
Brisbane - Mudgeeraba-Wallaby Hotel (with Kevin Borich)

New South Wales

Fri 11^th September
Lizottes Central Coast - www.lizottes.com.au

Sat 12^th September
Lizottes Lambton - www.lizottes.com.au

Sun 13^th September
Private Function

Sat 26^th September
Private Function

Sat 3^rd October
Deniliquin Ute Muster - www.deniutemuster.com.au

South Australia

Fri 9^th October
Trinity Sessions Adelaide - www.myspace.com/trinitysessions

Sat 10^th October
TBC

Sun 11^th October
Beachouse Café Encounter Bay

New South Wales & ACT

Fri 16^th October
Private Function

Sun 18^th October
Bradford Hotel – Maitland - www.thebradford.com.au

Sat 24^th October
Chisholm Tavern – Canberra

Sun 25^th October
Sydney Blues Festival - www.sydneybluesfestival.com.au

Sat 31^st October
Private Function

Fri 6^th November
Clarendon Guest House – Katoomba - www.clarendonguesthouse.com.au

Sat 7^th November
Private Function

Sun 8^th November
The Basement - Sydney - www.thebasement.com.au

Perth

Fri 13^th November
Friends Perth - www.friendsrestaurant.com.au

Sat 14^th November
Bridgetown Blues Festival - www.bluesatbridgetown.com

Sun 15^th November
Bridgetown Blues Festival - www.bluesatbridgetown.com

For further media and information please contact:

Cat Swinton

Catalyst PR

catswinton@bigpond.com

Mobile: 0411333190

PO Box 1127

Because we are all too busy……………

Take care and we hope to see you at a show soon

Regards Paul Robert Burton

LET THE NIGHT ROLL ON!
THE ANGELS
29 July 2009

Are you ready for round 2 NSW? For those of you in Wyong, Penrith and Shellharbour there's a new study showing that to get 110% out of your weekend the best course of action is to go see The Angels - Live By Request!

This is your chance to see the set list that YOU the public have chosen for! Make sure you get down to one of the venues... actually... Why not go to all of them!?

Upcoming Shows

30 July 2009
Wyong Leagues Club
Kanwal, NSW, Australia
Tickets:
From the venue 02 4392 2799

31 July 2009
Penrith Panthers
Penrith, NSW, Australia
Tickets:
From the venue 1800-061-991
www.panthers.com.au

1 August 2009
Shellharbour Workers Club
Shellharbour, NSW, Australia
Tickets:
From the venue 02 4296 7155
www.shellys.com.au

7 August 2009
Twin Towns Services Club
Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Tickets:
From the venue 1800 014 014 www.twintowns.com.au

8 August 2009
Norths Leagues and Services Club
Brisbane North, QLD, Australia
Tickets: From the venue
07 3285 2733

A SPECIAL CONCERT FOR MICK COCKS
THE ANGELS
21 July 2009

SUPPORT ACT LIMITED PRESENTS:
"ONE OF THE BOYS"....
A CONCERT FOR MICK COCKS.
ROCK LEGENDS SUPPORT ONE OF THE BOYS!

Some of Australia's best known musicians have come together to support one of their own, Mick Cocks guitarist and founding member of the iconic Australian rock band Rose Tattoo.

Mick has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Many of Micks' peers have come together for a special benefit concert called 'One Of The Boys' – a concert for Mick Cocks that will be held at the Enmore Theatre Friday 24th July from 7pm.

Some of the artists confirmed for the show are Jimmy Barnes, You Am I, Ian Moss,Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets, The Radiators, Mark Gable (Choirboys), Phil Small, Dave Tice and Mark Evans (ex AC/DC), Steve Prestwich, Chris Turner,Lucy DeSoto and Shauna Jensen, Dee DeMarco plus a house super band featuring Randall Waller (Shania Twain Band - Guitar), Clayton Doley (Keyboards), Dario Bortolin (Bass), Paul DeMarco (Drums), Theo Katz (Drums) & Andy Thompson (Sax – Moving Pictures)

This very special rock music event is being presented by Support Act Limited the registered charity set up to assist members of the entertainment industry.

Tickets are available from Ticketek and the Enmore Theatre and are $49.90 + booking fee.
Book on-line on http://premier.ticketek.com.au/ or call 132 849.

PLEASE NOTE: All artists have donated their time and some have other engagements on the night so please be aware that some headline acts will be on stage early – EVENT STARTS AT 7PM.

We ask that you circulate this to as many people as possible to help make this event a memorable night for Mick.

THE ANGELS SELL OUT REVESBY
Spitfire Music
20 July 2009

In these economic times where the entertainment industry tends to suffer first with 1/2 full rooms, The Angels continue to sell out shows at the start of their By Request Tour. The Angels songs and line-up stand the test of time and they deliver the best rock n roll this country has to offer. The Angels give their all at these shows and it is the fans who chose the set list. From the minute Doc enters the stage the crowd is taken on the Angels journey through a repetoire of Australian Pub rock classics. A fast paced energetic performance from Doc, John, Rick, Chris and Buzz give the audience what they want - great rock music!

THE ANGELS - VOTE VOTE VOTE
Spitfire Music
9 June 2009

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

It's that time again! Here's the latest set list:

1. Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
2. Take A Long Line
3. Marseilles
4. After The Rain
5. No Secrets
6. Shadow Boxer
7. Dogs Are Talking
8. Coming Down
9. Mr Damage
10. I Ain't The One
11. We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place
12. Fashion And Fame
13. Be With You
14. Let The Night Roll On
15. Back Street Pickup

There are some clear favourites among the set but there are plenty close behind! Angels fans make your voice heard. You can vote as many times as you like up untill 15th of June. Is this the set you want to hear? Is it missing your favourite Angels song?

Head on over to www.theangelsbyrequest.com to vote for your ultimate Angels set!

THE ANGELS BY REQUEST - THE SET SO FAR
Spitfire Music
15 May 2009

We’re two weeks into the voting and the response has been overwhelming! There are some great prizes to be won, not to mention hearing the set list that you, the public, have voted for. Here is the set so far:

01. Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again
02. Marseilles
03. Take A Long Line
04. After The Rain
05. No Secrets
06. Shadow Boxer
07. Mr Damage
08. Dogs Are Talking
09. I Ain’t The One
10. Comin’ Down
11. We’ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place
12. Be With You
13. Fashion And Fame
14. Face The Day
15. Let The Night Roll On

Everyone has their own dream set from The Angels that they’ve been waiting to hear for years. So if there’s something missing from your ideal set list make sure you get in there and vote! If you’ve already voted get your friends, your family and anyone else that loves The Angels to vote!

Head to www.theangelsbyrequest.com to vote and to see the amazing prizes we have on offer.

THE ANGELS BY REQUEST
Spitfire Music
4 May 2009

Uptake has been amazing! Don't forget to vote and get in early for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

OK Angels fans this is your chance to win the ultimate experience with The Angels.

Go to: www.theangelsbyrequest.com and request your favourite 15 songs from a The Angels catalogue of over 150 songs. This is your chance to put your ultimate Angels set list together.

One lucky winner will receive:

• A trip to Melbourne for 2 people to attend the final three shows of the tour.

• Stand side of Stage while The Angels perform.

• The Complete Catalogue of The Angels

• The Angels T-Shirts and other related Merchandise

• The Angels Signed Guitar

And 5 x Runner Up Prizes

One winner from each state will win The Ultimate Angels Fan Pack

• The Complete Angels Catalogue

• The Angels T-Shirts and other related Merchandise

• The Angels Signed Guitar

• 2 x Tickets to show of choice

Log on now to get up close and personal with The Angels and hear your Angels favourites.

THE ANGELS BY REQUEST CONCERT SERIES
Spitfire Music
20 April 2009

Have you ever been to a gig and not heard the song you wanted to hear?
Now, it’s your turn to choose!

The Angels By Request Concert Series is a never before seen, fully interactive experience where you get to choose the set list you want to hear!

The Angels are synonymous with Aussie Pub Rock. Along with AC/DC, they were the pioneers in the Australian Hard Rock music scene; their reputation spanning over 30 years has shaped Australian pub culture.

Starting out as The Moonshine Jug & String band then the Keystone Angels they signed with Alberts Records and in April 1976 shot to stardom with the track ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again’. Over the course of their career they have released over 15 albums including Face to Face, No Exit, Dark Room, Night Attack, Two Minute Warning, Beyond Salvation & Howling and have one of the most extensive song catalogues in the Australian music industry. The Angels have written and released so many hit songs that it’s impossible to fit them all into one show! Over time some of these classics have been forgotten and not been played live for decades.

The Angels By Request gives the audience the unique experience of being able to choose the songs The Angels perform. By simply logging on to the website www.theangelsbyrequest.com the fans get to choose their favorite fifteen songs from the entire Angels catalogue. Their votes along with thousands of others from around Australia will be tallied up and the top songs chosen will comprise The Ultimate Angels Set List.

And it only gets better… the one lucky winner that chooses the correct set list will win the Ultimate Angels Fan Pack:

- The Winner will be flown to Melbourne and attend the final three shows of the tour.
- Travel to the show with the band
- Stand side of Stage while Angels perform.
- Complete Angels Catalogue
- The Angels T-Shirts and other related Merchandise
- The Angels Signed Gibson Guitar

Mr. Damage Presents - The Angels By Request is a must see event for all Angels fans.

Get up close and personal with The Angels at these venues:

July 16 Parramatta Leagues Club
July 17 Campbelltown RSL
July 18 Revesby Workers Club
July 23 Metro City Perth
July 24 The Governor Hindmarsh Adelaide
July 25 The Governor Hindmarsh Adelaide
July 30 Wyong Leagues Club
July 31 Penrith Panthers
August 1 Shellharbour Workers Wollongong
August 7 Twin Towns Tweed Heads
August 8 Norths Leagues Club Brisbane
August 9 Boardwalk Tavern Hope Island
August 13 Chelsea Heights Hotel
August 14 Doncaster Shoppingtown Hotel
August 15 Ferntree Gully Hotel

AUSTRALIAN MONSTERS OF ROCK
Enmore Theatre
12 April 2009

The Angels with Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets and Vandolls at the Enmore Theatre on 25 April, the show starts at 6pm and ticket cost $71.80.

THE ANGELS MAX SESSIONS IN THE SAND
Spitfire Music
12 March 2009

The Angels are currently rocking out in Nth Queensland with night are night of packed out shows.... For all of you unlucky enough not to be there we want you to have a chance to see The Angels play live!!!

MAX will be replaying The Angels performance at the St Kilda Festival in February, on MAX SESSIONS IN THE SAND last Friday the 7th of March.... Music Max will replay the concert on:

Thursday 12th March 2pm

Thursday 12th March 9.30pm

Sunday 15th March 12 noon

And for those of you that just cant wait you can see the band perform No Secrets now!!!

Make sure you tune in to see this amazing performance.

MAX Sessions In the Sand: The Angels
Max
4 March 2009

On Sunday 8th February St Kilda’s stunning foreshore will play host to a very special MAX Session in the Sand featuring the Angels. This very special Session will be the first full televised Angels performance in more than a decade. The free event kicks off at Sunset and is open to all members of the public.

Anyone with familiar with The Angels music and their history knows they are not only one of Australia’s greatest ever bands but one of its longest surviving. This performance at the heart of one of Australia’s premiere outdoor street festival promises to be a unique and intimate experience.

Australian TV Premiere
Saturday 7 March 7.30pm
Exclusive to MAX

Repeats
Sunday 8 March 9.30pm
Monday 9 March 1pm
Thursday 12 March 2pm
Thursday 12 March 9.30pm
Sunday 15 March 12noon

THE ANGELS
Spitfire Music
6 February 2009

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND.... THE ANGELS ANNOUNCE THEIR ‘FACE TO FACE TOUR” TO FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND!!
the angels

Due to overwhelming public demand The Angels are proud to announce they're hitting the road once again on the ‘Face to Face' Tour and heading to Far North Queensland. After selling out the entire run of ‘Face to Face' anniversary concerts earlier this year, and the huge success of the regional ‘Night Attack' tour The Angels will indulge their FNQ fans.

It has been an amazing reunion for The Angels in 2008 with rave reviews for their shows and most recently their song ‘No Secrets' being used in the Bonds television campaign for ‘Shapers' with Sara Murdoch. To top it off Doc Neeson, Rick Brewster & John Brewster were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on August 29th to a standing ovation from the industry and fellow songwriters.

On Saturday October 11th, SBS screened the no holds barred documentary - ‘No Way Get F*##*d, F*#k Off.' This fly on the wall film gave Angels fans unprecedented behind the scenes access to the band as they were preparing and touring the Face To Face Anniversary concerts.

Tickets are sale now, check with the venues or www.theangels.com.au for more information.

Doc commented, "We had such a good time on the 30th anniversary Face To Face Tour that I am looking forward to meeting our fans again and wondering how many generations of fans will actually be coming along this time. From the point of view of somebody who has been in the band since its conception, it is fascinating and exciting how the band still connects with people and it is just awesome to be on stage being part of that!”

Review:

Whilst the boys as are all of us, a bit older, a couple of kilos heavier, with less or greying hair, tonight was not a night of playing for the money, nor being a covers band of themselves. The reunion/ anniversary show was a celebration of a band that can still cut it with a combination of brilliant songs, musicianship and showmanship that in today's fickle music world of image over substance is sorely missed. Welcome back The Angels. Mark Liebelt DB Magazine

BREWSTER BROTHERS TRIO HEAD NORTH
Spitfire Music
5 February 2009

After packing houses across NSW, the Brewster Brothers Trio are heading north to Queensland. The guys had a great run through NSW visiting Tamworth, Sydney and the Central Coast leaving captivated audiences everywhere wanting more. Catch their breathtaking performances at the following venues:

Fri 6th Feb – Joe’s Waterhole, Eumundi
Sat 7th Feb – Runaway Bay Tavern, Runaway Bay

Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out!

Brewster Brothers Trio - WOUNDED HEALER ALBUM LAUNCH!
Spitfire Music
27 January 2009

Brewster Brothers Trio - WOUNDED HEALER ALBUM LAUNCH!

The Brewster Brothers Trio is halfway through their NSW leg of the tour. The guys are on the road playing tracks off their latest album “Wounded Healer”. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to see Rick and John Brewster accompanied by multi instrumentalist Paul Burton in their last NSW shows. You can catch them playing at:

The Brass Monkey, Cronulla
Thursday 29th Jan

The Vanguard, Newtown
Friday 30th Jan

Lizotte’s, Kincumber
Saturday 31st Jan

Tickets are selling fast so don’t miss out!

Brewster Brothers Trio - New Album!
Spitfire Music
21 January 2009

The Brewster Brothers Trio will release their definitive new album ‘ Wounded Healer ' in January 2009 having completed their successful ‘Night Attack' tour with The Angels.

Their first appearance will be at The Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2009 where they will perform six shows over the festival. The Trio will then tour NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to promote their new album.

‘Wounded Healer' is aptly named, and comes at a particularly interesting time, as John recovers from quintuple heart bypass surgery after suffering a heart attack whilst on the Queensland leg of The Angels tour. John is making an incredibly quick recovery and brings a new vigor and enlightened outlook to his music. ‘ Wounded Healer ' was recorded at the famous Whitehouse Studios in Bowral, NSW.

Recent Interview with John Brewster.

“We absolutely love the sound of The Brewster Brothers Trio and joining forces with Paul Robert Burton has had a big impact on both our live shows and repertoire. ‘Wounded Healer' is to us the definitive Brewster Brothers. We have re-worked, re-arranged and re-recorded our favourite tunes from our back catalogue as well as some new songs. Both Rick & I love our first album ‘Shadows Fall' and ‘Live at Port Fairy' , but we really wanted to capture what we are doing now as we feel it is really special. We have, I think, seven new versions of our most popular live tunes and four previously unreleased tracks including a great rendition of one of our old Angels' classics, ‘Face the Day' . Rick has penned the title track ‘Wounded Healer' and also a personal favourite of mine, ‘In A Heartbeat' . This song strikes a big chord with me as it is about how suddenly in life things can just change, and only about a week after finishing it I had a heart attack and we were all left wondering if I would even be able to perform it......talk about baring your all in song.......it's all too spooky sometimes.”

‘ Wounded Healer' will be available through MGM, all good record stores and at:

www.brewsterbrothers.com

See the Brewster Brothers Trio perform at the following venues:-

Tamworth Country Music Festival

January 17 Lifeline Concert - Tamworth Town Hall - 7pm

January 18 Good Companions – Tamworth - 7pm

January 19 The Pub – Tamworth - 7pm

January 20 North Tamworth Bowling Club - 3pm

January 21 The Pub – Tamworth - 9pm

January 23 Northern Star – Hamilton (Newcastle) - 10pm

January 25 The Clarendon – Katoomba - 8.30pm

January 29 Brass Monkey – Cronulla - 8.30pm

January 30 The Vanguard – Newtown - 9pm

January 31 Lizottes – Central Coast - 9pm

February 6 Joe's Waterhole – Eumundi Queensland - 8pm

February 7 Runaway Bay Tavern – Gold Coast QLD - 8pm

February 11 Beachouse Café – Victor Harbor, SA - 8pm

February 12 Norwood Hotel – Adelaide, SA - 8.30pm

February 14 New Capers – Melbourne - 8.30pm

February 15 Ruby's Lounge – Melbourne - 9pm

Brewsters News January 2009
Cat Swinton
17 January 2009

John and Rick commence their first run for 2009 at Tamworth Country Music Festival. These are the first shows since John's heart attack and he is fighting fit and ready to play. Their new album Wounded Healer is about to be released and is available from shows. It will be offered for sale online after release in late January.

Hope you can catch one of the following shows:

January

Tamworth Country Music Festival

January 17 Lifeline Concert Tamworth Town Hall

January 18 Good Companions

January 19 The Pub with Bill Chambers

January 20 North Tamworth Bowling Club

January 21 The Pub & North Tamworth Bowling Club

January 23 Northern Star – Hamilton (Newcastle)

January 25 The Clarendon – Katoomba

January 29 Brass Monkey – Cronulla

January 30 The Vanguard – Newtown

January 31 Lizottes – Central Coast

February

February 6 Joe’s Waterhole – Eumundi Queensland

Feburary 7 Festival of Beers – Queensland

February 11 Beachouse Café – Victor Harbour

February 12 Norwood Hotel – South Australia

February 14 New Capers – Melbourne
Feburary 15 Ruby’s Lounge – Melbourne

www.brewsterbrothers.com

John Brewster
Cat Swinton
24 December 2008

Thank you for your support during 2008 - it has been a huge year and we look forward to seeing you in 2009!

The Brewster Brothers Trio are set to release their new album ‘Wounded Healer’ in January 2009.

‘Wounded Healer’ is aptly named, and comes at a particularly interesting time, as John recovers from quintuple heart bi pass surgery after suffering a heart attack whilst on the Queensland leg of The Angels ‘Night Attack’ tour. John has made an incredibly quick recovery and brings a new vigor and enlightened outlook to his music.

Their first appearance will be at The Tamworth Country Music Festival, January 17 – 21st. They will perform six shows over the festival, then head to NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

Recent Interview with John Brewster.

“We absolutely love the sound of The Brewster Brothers Trio and joining forces with Paul Robert Burton has had a big impact on both our live shows and repertoire. Wounded Healer is to us the definitive Brewster Brothers.

Rick has penned the title track, and also a personal favourite of mine “In A Heartbeat”. This song strikes a big chord with me as it is all about how suddenly in life things can just change in a heartbeat and only about a week after finishing it I had a heart attack and we were all left wondering if I would even be able to perform it……talk about baring your all in song…….it’s all too spooky sometimes.”

‘Wounded Healer’ will be available through MGM, all good record stores and at: www.brewsterbrothers.com

See the Brewster Brothers perform at the following venues:

Tamworth Country Music Festival

January 17 Lifeline Concert Tamworth Town Hall

January 18 Good Companions

January 19 The Pub with Bill Chambers

January 20 North Tamworth Bowling Club

January 21 The Pub & North Tamworth Bowling Club

January 23 Northern Star – Hamilton (Newcastle)

January 25 The Clarendon – Katoomba

January 29 Brass Monkey – Cronulla

January 30 The Vanguard – Newtown

January 31 Lizottes – Central Coast

February 6 Joe’s Waterhole – Eumundi Queensland

Feburary 7 Festival of Beers – Queensland

February 11 Beachouse Café – Victor Harbour

February 12 Norwood Hotel – South Australia

February 14 New Capers – Melbourne

Feburary 15 Ruby’s Lounge – Melbourne

The Angels – Night Attack Tour
The Tweed Shire Echo
20 November 2008

After selling out the entire run of Face to Face anniversary concerts earlier this year, The Angels, with support act Hell City Glamours, will perform for one night only in the Stardust Room at Seagulls. It has been an amazing reunion for The Angels in 2008 with rave reviews for their shows, their song No Secrets being used in the Bonds television campaign for ‘Shapers’ with Sara Murdoch, and to top it off Doc Neeson, Rick Brewster and John Brewster were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on August 29 to a standing ovation from the industry and fellow songwriters. Doc commented, ‘We had such a good time on the 30th anniversary Face To Face Tour that I am looking forward to meeting our fans again and wondering how many generations of fans will actually be coming along this time. From the point of view of somebody who has been in the band since its conception, it is fascinating and exciting how the band still connects with people and it is just awesome to be on stage being part of that!’ he said.

Get a dose of great Aussie rock with The Angels, supported by the Hell City Glamours, on the Night Attack Tour, live in the Stardust Room at Seagulls on Saturday November 22 at 8.30pm.

Adelaide International Guitar Festival 29 November - 7 December
Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup
11 November 2008

Biography

Adelaide born Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup began his involvement with the Australian music industry as a 14 year old drummer in the now legendary Fahrenheit 451. From 1976 to ’81 he was a member of The Angels where he played drums on the band’s first four albums and toured Australia, Europe and the USA and co wrote and co produced the chart topping hit No Secrets.

In 1981 he left The Angels and was in demand as a session player, playing drums, and percussion and /or keyboards and guitar on many hit records including Mondo Rock’s Chemistry, Australian Crawl’s Reckless, Richard Clapton’s’ Solidarity, Cold Chisel’s 20th Century and Jimmy Barnes’ No second prize. He also produced and/or engineered many tracks for young bands including The Hoodoo Gurus, INXS, The Riptides and The Numbers and in 1982 co-founded Aussie rock “supergroup” The Party Boys. Around this time he also began writing, recording and producing film music with composer Cameron Allan and some of the films he worked on included Heatwave, Hoodwink, Midnight Spares and Darkroom.

Buzz was a music consultant and actors coach as well as a musician on Starstruck and other film and TV work included associate music producer for the ABC TV series Sweet and Sour and composer, music producer and musician for the award winning Greetings from Wollongong and Tenderhooks. To date Buzz has produced over 50 albums, some of his most successful being the debut releases from Nathan Cavaleri, Diana Anaid and GANGgajang. He also managed these artists, and in 1999 became manager for Australian Indigenous entertainer Jimmy Little.

Buzz has guided Jimmys’ career ever since including the co production of his ABC album “Down the Road” and organising and accompanying Jimmy on tours to USA, Europe and Singapore to appear at WOMAD concerts. Buzz has now ventured into event management with the JLF Rock the Foundation concerts and the Bon Scott Celebration concerts held in Perth in 2007/8. Buzz is Music Director for AC/DC: We Salute You.

The Angels
Brad Newsome
11 November 2008

It's no simple task to set out a coherent chronology of the Angels, given the band seems to have had a Night of the Long Knives every 12 months or so for the past three decades.

As always, though, the folks behind Max Masters are up to the task, clearly charting the group's journey from folksy Adelaide jug band to the peerless, pub-filling juggernaut they became.

Almost all the members of the band's various incarnations are interviewed, reminiscing about the good times and talking frankly about their many fallings out down the years. Essential viewing for Oz rock fans.

Type : Music
Channel : MAX
Date : Tuesday November 11
Time : 9:30 PM

The Angels reunited
The Cairns Post
7 October 2008

Legendary Aussie band The Angels have reunited their original lineup for a massive new Australia tour.

It was a decade ago that seminal Australian rock band The Angels decided to call it a day.

Their charismatic frontman, Doc Neeson, was involved in a horrific car accident that prevented him from performing for several years but after rehabilitation he went on to form Doc Neeson's Angels.

The rest of the band continued to perform as The Angels Band.

In August 2007 tensions boiled over between the two parties and the The Angels court case was splashed across newspapers throughout Australia.

Now, after months of mediation the former band mates have decided to reunite and to the delight of music lovers everywhere, reform as the original line-up of Doc Neeson (Lead Vocals), John Brewster (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), Rick Brewster (lead guitar), Chris Bailey (bass) and Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup (drums).

Due to overwhelming public demand The Angels are proud to announce they're hitting the road once again on the "Night Attack Tour".

After selling out the entire run of ‘Face to Face' anniversary concerts earlier this year, The Angels will bring their tour to Cairns in March 2009 with the bands most successful lineup yet!

It has been an amazing reunion for The Angels with rave reviews for their shows and most recently their song 'No Secrets' being used in the Bonds television campaign for ‘Shapers' with Sara Murdoch.

To top it off Doc Neeson, Rick Brewster & John Brewster were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on August 29th to a standing ovation from the industry and fellow songwriters.

On Saturday October 11th, SBS will screen the no holds barred documentary - 'No Way Get F*##*d, F*#k Off.'

This fly on the wall film gives Angels fans unprecedented behind the scenes access to the band as they were preparing and touring the Face To Face Anniversary concerts.

If this wasn't enough, Max will be airing MAX Masters: The Angels, towards the end of the year - make sure you tune in to these must see television events.

Doc commented, "We had such a good time on the 30th anniversary Face To Face Tour that I am looking forward to meeting our fans again and wondering how many generations of fans will actually be coming along this time!"

THE ANGELS ANNOUNCE THEIR NIGHT ATTACK TOUR!
Mark Liebelt, DB Magazine
10 September 2008

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND…. THE ANGELS ANNOUNCE THEIR ‘NIGHT ATTACK TOUR’!!

Due to overwhelming public demand The Angels are proud to announce they’re hitting the road once again on the ‘Night Attack Tour’.

After selling out the entire run of ‘Face to Face’ anniversary concerts earlier this year, The Angels with support act Hell City Glamours will tour Australia throughout October, November and December.

The Night Attack Tour will include four very special shows with Sydney, Melbourne & Adelaide getting a once in a lifetime chance to witness two of Australia’s legendary bands, The Angels and Rose Tattoo take the stage together. This can only be described as the must see rock event of the year.

It has been an amazing reunion for The Angels in 2008 with rave reviews for their shows and most recently their song ‘No Secrets’ being used in the Bonds television campaign for ‘Shapers’ with Sara Murdoch. To top it off Doc Neeson, Rick Brewster & John Brewster were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame on August 29th to a standing ovation from the industry and fellow songwriters.

On Saturday October 11th, SBS will screen the no holds barred documentary – ‘No Way Get F*##*d, F*#k Off.’ This fly on the wall film gives Angels fans unprecedented behind the scenes access to the band as they were preparing and touring the Face To Face Anniversary concerts.

If this wasn’t enough, Max will be airing MAX Masters: The Angels, towards the end of the year… make sure you tune in to these must see television events.

Tickets go on sale on September the 15th, check with the venues or www. theangels. com. au for more information.

Doc commented, “We had such a good time on the 30th anniversary Face To Face Tour that I am looking forward to meeting our fans again and wondering how many generations of fans will actually be coming along this time.
From the point of view of somebody who has been in the band since its conception, it is fascinating and exciting how the band still connects with people and it is just awesome to be on stage being part of that!”

Angry Anderson remarked, “Rose Tattoo and The Angels have a relationship that goes back to our Alberts days when we were stable mates, recording in the same studios with the same producers. This relationship continued thru the 80’s and 90’s with sell out tours together.
Value for money - this is as good as it gets in Aussie pub rock!”

Review:

Whilst the boys as are all of us, a bit older, a couple of kilos heavier, with less or greying hair, tonight was not a night of playing for the money, nor being a covers band of themselves. The reunion/ anniversary show was a celebration of a band that can still cut it with a combination of brilliant songs, musicianship and showmanship that in today's fickle music world of image over substance is sorely missed. Welcome back The Angels.

See The Angels on the ‘Night Attack’ Tour at these venues:

October Wednesday 15th Coffs Harbour Ex Services
October Thursday 16th Club Forster
October Friday 17th Port Macquarie Panthers
October Saturday 18th A Day on the Green (Mudgee)
October Saturday 25th Westdale Festival (WA)
October Friday 31st Revesby Workers Club
November Saturday 1st Selinas with Rose Tattoo
November Wednesday 5th Barwon Heads Hotel
November Thursday 6th Traralgon Inferno Nightclub
November Friday 7th Forum Melbourne with Rose Tattoo
November Saturday 8th Forum Melbourne with Rose Tattoo
November Thursday 20th Caloundra RSL
November Friday 21st Brisbane Mansfield Tavern
November Saturday 22nd Gold Coast Seagulls
November Sunday 23rd Toowoomba Rumours Nightclub
November Thursday 27th Mildura Settlers Hotel
November Friday 28th Thebarton Theatre with Rose Tattoo
November Saturday 29th Robe Festival (SA)
December Thursday 4th Croxton Park Hotel
December Friday 5th Frankston Pier Hotel
December Saturday 6th A Day on the Green (Yarra Valley)
December Sunday 7th Doncaster Shoppingtown

Songwriters Hall of Fame induction of Brewster - Neeson - Brewster
Australian Songwriters Association
9 September 2008

John Brewster, Doc Neeson and Rick Brewster of iconic Australian rock band The Angels were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in Sydney. The songwriting team were inducted for songs such as Marseilles, Coming Down, After The Rain, Take a Long Line, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and No Exit.

"You spend years driving down the highways swapping lyrics, coming up with chords, riffs and melodies in rented houses and hotel rooms and then you realise that some of your songs have left a positive imprint on people's lives," said John Brewster.

The band have recently completed their sold out Face to Face tour of Australia

Brewster - Neeson - Brewster inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Courier Mail
20 August 2008

There’s a Hall of Fame, now in it’s third decade, which has a lot of street cred in the Australian music industry but is not glamourous enough for the TV stations to broadcast.

The Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame will hold it’s presentation dinner next in Sydney Thursday night at which the trio credited with most of The Angels’ hits Doc Neeson, John Brewster and Rick Brewster, better referred to on their album sleeves as Brewster / Neeson / Brewster, will be inducted for their body of work.

Among the tunes they pieced together are Marseilles, Take a Long Line, Am I Ever Gonna See You Face Again and Shadow Boxer.
They’ve just come off a sell-out tour and it’s likely they’ll return for a finale in November so it’s quite a big year for the iconic Australian rock band.

Their Finest Hour - Greatest Hits
SonyBMG
22 July 2008

This is simply The Angels greatest hits package - remastered and with bonus material including 'Who Rings The Bell', an Angels hit that was never released on a studio album.

Their Finest Hour - Greatest Hits
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
Comin' Down
I Ain't The One
After The Rain
Love Takes Care
Straightjacket
Take A Long Line
Be With You
Marseilles
Shadow Boxer
No Exit
Waiting For The World
Can't Shake It
Out Of The Blue
Mr Damage
Open That Door
Who Rings The Bell (Studio)
Whitest Lady
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (Original Single)

Release Date: 2 August 2008

Catalogue: 88697336862

This Is It Folks... Over The Top
SonyBMG
22 July 2008

This Is It Folks... Over The Top
Recorded 13th September, 1979 at La Trobe University in Melbourne, this DVD shows The Angels at their best. A greatest hits live DVD with a bonus CD... there is nothing better!

Release Date: 2 August 2008

Catalogue: 88697335912

THE ANGELS RECEIVE A HUGE HOMETOWN WELCOME!
Mr Damage Management
20 July 2008

Doc & the Brewsters home town Adelaide welcomed The Angels with open arms, applause and cheers on Friday and Saturday night. A really amazing crowd, singing every song and ranging in ages from 10 to 70. The Angels had one of the best shows of the tour and the energy in the room was fantastic. Doc and the band met with the fans after the show and received the much deserved praise from everyone. The Angels continue to sell out shows around the country and are definitely back and on a major roll.

The Queensland Leg of The Angels tour is now totally sold out and tickets for the remaining 3 Angels shows in NSW are selling EXTREMELY quickly.... make sure you get in fast to avoid disappointment.

31st July Wyong Leagues Club NSW
1st August Waves Nightclub W'gong NSW
2nd August Panthers Newcastle NSW

The Angels and No Exit
SonyBMG
19 July 2008

The Angels 'Angels' album launched the band as instant live favourites! With their most anthematic song 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again' The Angels became instant rock gods.

This release has been re-mastered from the original source tapes and features the award winning artwork in a digipak format along with an 8 page booklet and bonus rare and live recordings.

The Angels
Take Me Home
You're A Lady Now
Goin' Down
Shelter From The Rain
Can't Get Lucky
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
You Got Me Runnin'
High On You
Hot Lucy
Dreambuilder
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (Original Single)
Round We Go (Original Single)
Waiting For You
You Won't Find The Answer
No Lies
Going Home (Live)

Release Date: 19 July 2008

Catalogue: 88697335892

By the time The Angels originally released 'No Exit', their reputation as a great live band was well known. This album showcases the power that the band had in their live shows.

This relese has been re-mastered from the original source tapes and features the award wining artwork in a digipack format along with an 8 page booklet and 6 bonus live recordings.

No Exit
Waiting For The World
After Dark
Save Me
Shadow Boxer
No Exit
Can't Shake It
Out Of The Blue
Dawn Is Breaking
Mr Damage
Ivory Stairs
Waiting For The World (Live At La Trobe)
Save Me (Live At La Trobe)
Shadow Boxer (Live At La Trobe)
No Exit (Live At La Trobe)
Out Of The Blue (Live At La Trobe)
Ivory Stairs (Live At La Trobe)

Release Date: 19 July 2008

Catalogue: 88697335882

Win The Angels tickets!
Max
11 July 2008

Closes : 13/07/2008 11:59:00 PM

The Angels have returned with their first tour since they officially split up more then a decade ago. To celebrate their reunion, MAX is giving you a chance to see The Angels LIVE. For your chance to win, simply tell us: Which member of The Angels is your angel and Why?

There are 4 double passes available to each of the concerts.

THE ANGELS REUNITE & SELL OUT SHOWS IN SYDNEY & MELBOURNE
Mr Damage Management
29 June 2008

The Angels launched their national Face To Face tour at the Golden Stave Fundraiser last Friday to a massive reaction from the music industry. When The Angels hit the stage the audience rushed to the front and the ‘mosh pit’ went crazy.

Their performance was nothing short of brilliant and industry magnates were all blown away, raving ‘how great it was to see them back!’

The first week of the tour starts in Sydney with all three shows now sold out and another two sell out shows in Melbourne.
Due to popular demand, more gigs have been added to the tour which will be posted on The Angels websiteThe Angels and gig guides nationally. Fans are now fighting for tickets as shows sell out on a daily basis in Queensland & South Australia.

The classic line-up is the most loved combination of The Angels - Brewster/Neeson/ Brewster/Bailey/Bidstrup.

The Face To Face reunion tour is proving to be a resounding success and the band are pumped ready to give their fans the best of The Angels!

The Angels live shows have always been a force to be reckoned and The Angels are set to blitz Australia again with the reunion celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Face To Face Album.

Don’t miss these incredible shows….

FACE TO FACE ANNIVERSARY TOUR

JUNE
27th - Golden Stave Charity Luncheon, Hordern Pavilion

JULY
3rd Souths Junior Leagues Club- Syd NSW SOLD OUT
4th Blacktown RSL- Syd NSW SOLD OUT
5th Revesby Workers Club- Syd NSW SOLD OUT
9th Hallam Hotel- Hallam VIC
10th Ferntree Gully Hotel- Melb VIC
11th Doncaster Shopping Town Hotel- Melb VIC SOLD OUT
12th Chelsea Hotel- Melb VIC SOLD OUT
13th Chelsea Hotel Melb VIC
18th Governor Hindmarsh- Ade SA
19th Governor Hindmarsh- Ade SA
24th Caloundra RSL- Sunshine Coast QLD
25th Southport RSL- Gold Coast QLD
26th North Leagues and Services Club- Bris QLD
31st Wyong Leagues Club- Central Coast NSW

AUGUST
1st Waves- Wollongong NSW
2nd Panthers- Newcastle NSW

The Angels rehearsing for reunion tour
Kathy McCabe
25 June 2008

THE Angels are rehearsing for a reunion tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough Face To Face record after years of facing off in court.

At the same Alexandria studios yesterday, Richard Clapton and his band went through their paces for his 35th anniversary concert this weekend.

Jimmy Barnes kicks off his national Out In The Blue tour in Canberra tomorrow, Spy V Spy are in town this weekend, and Boom Crash Opera and Ian Moss are back on the road in the next couple of weeks.

Doc Neeson wins battle of the band

The pioneers of Australian pub rock and their progeny are uniting original fans and the curious at a venue near you.

The Angels have spent eight years talking through their lawyers, but when Doc Neeson and the line-up responsible for the classic Face To Face record were in mediation earlier this year, it seemed easier to reunite than continue the legal fight.

Neeson, John and Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey and Buzz Bidstrup are saying the right things but any reunion is a fragile thing.

To reduce the potential for recrimination or confusion, the band decided to rehearse hits such as Take A Long Line, Marseilles and I Ain't The One as they were originally recorded.

"There's an unwritten law that you leave the baggage at the door. It was almost like divorced couples remarrying; it was intense," Rick Brewster said of the rehearsals.

"But it's terrific to have a buzz for the band out there and the same buzz is within the band."

Neeson agreed there had been some tension, but the prospect of playing together again to celebrate the Face To Face anniversary record and DVD releases won out over ego and pride.

"I remember walking in from the first rehearsal and Rick asked how nervous I was. I said 'Probably about the same as you'," Neeson said.

"I haven't played with Chris or Buzz since 1981."

The Angels perform their first official concert of the tour on Friday at the annual Golden Stave music industry charity lunch in Sydney.

There will be a not-so- secret warm-up gig at the Davistown RSL, on the Central Coast, tonight.

Watch The Angels Perform On The Footy Show!
SonyBMG
13 June 2008

This Saturday June 14 show your love for The Angels when they re-release their legendary album 'Face To Face' packed with new gems and also grab their 'Tour EP 2008' including the previously unreleased track 'Open The Door'. To top that you can catch them performing 'Take A Long Line' on The Footy Show on Thursday June 19 at 9.30pm!

Tour EP 2008
SonyBMG
13 June 2008

The Angels are back! The 'Tour EP' was originally released in 1978, but is now available on CD for the first time with previously unreleased track 'Open The Door'. The tour kicks off June 27th with the original line up and over the top antics of '78.

Track Listing

1. Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again (Live At La Trobe)
2. Who Rings The Bell (Live Version)
3. Comin' Down (Live 78)
4. Open That Door

Release Date: 14 June 2008

Catalogue: 88697334772

Face To Face
SonyBMG
13 June 2008

'Face to Face' was originally released in August 1978 after which it spent 79 weeks in the Australian charts. The album included numerous Australian rock clasics such as 'Straightjacket', 'Take a Long Line', 'Marseilles' and 'Comin' Down'.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this legendary release, 'Face to Face' has been re-mastered from the original source tapes and features award wining artwork, an 8 page booklet and 5 bonus live recordings.

Track Listing

1. Straightjacket
2. After The Rain
3. Love Takes Care
4. Take A Long Line
5. Marseilles
6. Live It Up
7. Be With You
8. Outcast
9. I Ain't The One
10. Comin' Down
11. Straightjacket (Live At La Trobe)
12. After The Rain (Live At La Trobe)
13. Marseilles (Live At La Trobe)
14. Be With You (Live At La Trobe)
15. Comin' Down (Live At La Trobe)

Release Date: 14 June 2008

Catalogue: 88697323162

Win A Gibson Guitar!
Max
5 June 2008

Closes : 25 June 2008

The Angels have returned with their first tour since they officially split up more then a decade ago. To celebrate their reunion, MAX is giving you a chance to win a massive prize pack that includes a Gibson guitar and a chance to see The Angels LIVE. Fourteen runners up will also win a copy of The Angels CD "Face to Face" and a double pass to see The Angels LIVE.

Prize

The Major Prize consists of:
· Gibson Guitar – Les Paul
· Copy of "Face to Face" CD
· Double pass to an Angels concert
· Meet the band experience at the concert of your choice, watch the band soundcheck!

How to Win

To win all you have to do is video yourself pulling off your best air guitar moves to the soundtrack of The Angels song “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again”. The winner will be decided by The Angels themselves.

Send us the video in any one of the following ways:
· Attach file as any commonly used video format and send via email to: theangels@maxtv.com.au
· Upload video to YouTube and send the link via email to theangels@maxtv.com.au
· Send footage on VHS, DVD or CD with video file via post to The Angels Competition, MAX Promotions, GPO Box 2692, Sydney, NSW, 2001

In your response be sure to include your contact details and which of the following concerts you would like to attend:
· Thursday July 3rd Souths Junior Leagues Club, Sydney
· Friday July 4th Blacktown RSL, Sydney
· Saturday July 5th Revesby Workers Club, Sydney
· Wednesday July 9th Hallam Hotel Hallam VIC
· Thursday July 10th Ferntree Gully Hotel Melbourne VIC
· Friday July 11th Doncaster Shopping Town Hotel- Melbourne VIC
· Saturday July 12th Chelsea Heights Hotel Melbourne VIC
· Friday July 18th Governor Hindmarsh- Adelaide SA
· Thursday July 24th Caloundra RSL Sunshine Coast QLD
· Friday July 25th Southport RSL Gold Coast QLD
· Saturday July 26th Norths Leagues and Services Club Brisbane QLD
· Thursday July 31st Wyong Leagues Club Central Coast NSW
· Friday August 1st Waves Wollongong NSW
· Saturday August 2nd Wyong Leagues Club Central Coast NSW

Angels Armistice For 30th Anniversary Tour
Iain Shedden
4 June 2008

THE Angels buried hatchets yesterday and, for the first time in a while, no one got hurt.

After years of legal disputes about who owned the rights to the name of one of Australia's most lauded rock bands, yesterday the five members of the Angels who shot to fame in the late 1970s re-united to prepare for a national tour.

It was the first time singer Doc Neeson, guitarists John and Rick Brewster, bassist Chris Bailey and drummer Buzz Bidstrup had been in the same room since 1981.

The band are touring to mark the re-release and 30th anniversary of their landmark album Face to Face.

As they came face to face at a Sydney rehearsal studio yesterday, Neeson was prepared to forget the issues that caused him to bring legal action against his former colleagues.

"We've been through a few legal ructions and we've decided to put that behind us and concentrate on the music," he said.

The dispute began eight years ago after Neeson was involved in a serious car accident. Since then, both Neeson and the Brewster brothers have toured using variants on the Angels name. Now, after a judge advised them to find a solution to their legal issues, they have.

"We got tired of arguing, sending letters back and forth, so we got smart about it and left the issues outside the door," said Rick Brewster.

The band will be playing their best known songs, such as Am I Ever Going To See Your Face Again? and No Secrets alongside other material from the Face to Face album.

"If today's rehearsal is anything like how we're going to work together that's fantastic," Neeson said.

The Angels Announce Reunion Tour
Max
20 May 2008

Aussie rock legends The Angels have reunited for the 30th anniversary Face To Face Tour!

It was ten years ago that The Angels called it quits, after the horrific car accident of their charismatic frontman, Doc Neeson. After being out of action for several years, Neeson formed a new band, Doc Neeson's Angels, and the rest of the band performed as The Angels Band. Last August, tensions rose between the two groups and spilled over into court. At long last, all rifts have been mended and the full original lineup are back together.

The Angels' live show has always been the stuff of legend. From their famous Whisky shows in LA with Guns ‘N Roses to the ‘riotous’ free concert on the Sydney Opera House steps on New Year’s Eve in 1979, these guys have built a fierce rock reputation.

To celebrate this historical moment, this July the band are re-releasing their Face To Face album and The Angels ‘08 Tour EP featuring the previously unreleased song Open That Door, a live version of Who Rings the Bell plus exclusive bonus tracks. Not long after fans can expect re-mastered versions of No Exit, The Angels and Their Finest Hour plus This is it Folks, the DVD of The Angels infamous 1979 concert at La Trobe University.

Angels Will See Your Face Again
28 April 2008

Legends of the Australian rock scene, The Angels, will play at Blacktown RSL Club as part of heir upcoming reunion tour.

The original lineup of Doc Neeson, John Brewster, Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey and Graham Bidstrup will take to the club's stage on Friday, July 4.

It was a decade ago that The Angels decided to call it a day.

Neeson was involved in a horrific car accident that prevented him from performing for several years.

But after several years of rehabilitation, he went on to form Doc Neeson's Angels, while the rest of the band went on to perform as The Angels Band.

Tensions boiled over and in August 2007 details of The Angels' court case was splashed across newspapers around the country.

Finally, after months of mediation, the former band mates decided to re-form.

When they hit the road, it will be to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their Face To Face album.

The 20-date run will see them revisit the venues that helped make them a household name.

The Angels have more than earned their place in the ARIA Hall of Fame (members since 1998) and the partnership of Neeson/Brewster/Brewster is responsible for some of the most well-oiled Aussie rock songs of all time, including Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Marseilles, After The Rain, No Exit, Take A Long Line, Comin' Down and Shadow Boxer.

Of the reunion, Neeson said he looked forward to stepping out once again.

``Who would have thought it?'' he said. ``After all these bitter years, we would look like sharing the same stage again together. I'm excited about the idea. I guess it's proof of my belief that music crosses all frontiers. The tour is going to be a blast.''

Tickets for the show are available from Blacktown RSL.

No More Shadow Boxing, The Angels Are Reuniting
Kathy McCabe
18 April 2008

FOR almost a decade, the members of The Angels wondered if they would ever see their frontman Doc Neeson's face again.

After eight years of separation and regular legal stoushes over the rights to use their name, Neeson and his bandmates have decided to reunite.

Neeson left The Angels in 2000 after a near-fatal car accident which almost ended his performance career.

The remaining members of the classic Angels line-up - John and Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey and Buzz Bidstrup - continued to perform the hits under a few different monikers which included their trademark.

When Neeson recovered sufficiently to tour, he formed the band Doc Neeson's Angels and the legal battle over the title began in 2004.

The charismatic frontman lodged an injunction in the NSW Supreme Court in August last year to stop his former bandmates promoting themselves under the original appellation.

Both parties agreed to mediation and after finally sitting in a room together after several years of "estrangement", decided to get the old band back together.

The Angels Bury The Hatchet And Hit The Pub Circuit
Darren Cartwright
18 April 2008

Iconic Aussie pub band The Angels are back after frontman Doc Neeson and the remaining four original members resolved their differences.

The band, whose biggest hit is Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? , has not performed in its entirety for eight years after Doc Neeson left The Angels (John and Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey and Buzz Bidstrup) and then subsequently struggled health wise following a car accident.

A bitter legal battle erupted between Doc and the four original members in 2004 over the name of the band.

The Brewster brothers, Buzz and Chris formed The Original Angels band, while Doc, when his heath picked-up, started Doc Neeson's Angels, which performed at the second Countdown Spectacular last year.

However, John Brewster told 4KQ that there has never been bitterness between Doc and the remaining members and the only difficulties were over who owned the name and how it was used.

He said the band has had different members throughout the years, but the original line-up was clearly the most successful.

``This was the best line-up we ever had,'' John said.

``There actually really never was a war between us except when we weren't together.

``There was a legal kind of battling going on....but there was no hatred going on between individuals.''

The Angels will re-release its most successful album Face to Face which was in the charts for 76 weeks in 1978.

Tour dates:

JUNE
27th - Golden Stave Charity Luncheon, Hordern Pavilion

JULY
3: Souths Junior Leagues Club, NSW
4: Blacktown RSL, NSW
5: Revesby Workers Club, NSW
9: Hallam Hotel, Vic
10: Ferntree Gully Hotel, Vic
11: Doncaster Shopping Town Hotel, Vic
12: Chelsea Hotel, Vic
18: Governor Hindmarsh, SA
19: Governor Hindmarsh, SA
24: Caloundra RSL, Qld
25: Southport RSL, Qld
26: North Leagues and Services Club, Qld
31: Wyong Leagues Club, NSW

AUGUST
1: Waves, NSW
2: Panthers, NSW

The Angels Reform After Long Name Rights Battle
Jesse Perez
18 April 2008

Iconic Australian rock group The Angels have put aside years of legal battles, and a confusing period where there were two versions of the band, and have decided to reform as their original line up.

After singer Doc Neeson left the group in 2000 after a horific car accident which nearly ended his career, the remaining members continued to perform under several monikers which incorporated their original 'Angels' name.

Neeson later went on to front Red Phoenix, and later, Doc Neeson's Angels - and at the time was involved in several legal battles, some reaching the Supreme Court, with his former band mates over usage of the name.

But recently, both sides have had meetings, and agreed to get the old band back together, and will be touring in July.

It is not known yet if the group will be releasing new material, or if the group will be touring only.

Hell Freezes Over Again, The Angels Reunite
Paul Cashmere
17 April 2008

After more than a decade, one of the bitterest separations in Australian rock ever has been resolved. Doc Neeson will return to The Angels.

The classic line-up of Neeson on lead vocals with John Brewster (Rhythm Guitar, b/v), Rick Brewster (Lead guitar), Chris Bailey (Bass,) and Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup (Drums) will headline the 30th Anniversary Golden Stave Foundation Charity Luncheon at the Hordern in Sydney on June 27th.

The Angels will then head out around the country for the Face to Face Anniversary tour.

To coincide with the reunion and tour, Albert Productions will re-issue a remastered edition of the classic 'Face To Face' album, which is also having a 30th Anniversary this year.

'Face To Face' featured The Angels classics 'Take A Long Line', 'Shadow Boxer', 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again', 'Coming Down', 'After The Rain' and 'Marseilles'.

In recent years, the band has been in a constant state of legal battles with lead singer Neeson who was suing them over the use of the name.

FACE TO FACE ANNIVERSARY TOUR

JUNE
27th - Golden Stave Charity Luncheon, Hordern Pavilion

JULY
3rd - Souths Junior Leagues Club - Syd NSW
4th - Blacktown RSL - Syd NSW
5th - Revesby Workers Club - Syd NSW
9th - Hallam Hotel- Hallam VIC
10th - Ferntree Gully Hotel - Melb VIC
11th - Doncaster Shopping Town Hotel - Melb VIC
13th - Chelsea Hotel- Melb VIC
18th - Governor Hindmarshv- Ade SA
19th - Governor Hindmarshv- Ade SA
24th - Caloundra RSL - Sunshine Coast QLD
25th - Southport RSL - Gold Coast QLD
26th - North Leagues and Services Club - Bris QLD
31st - Wyong Leagues Club - Central Coast NSW

AUGUST
1st- Waves - Wollongong NSW
2nd- Panthers - Newcastle NSW

Bon Scott Immortalised In Bronze
ABC
22 February 2008

Present at partial unveiling were Graham "Buzz" Bidstrup, Fremantle Dockers coach, Mark Harvey, and Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri. (ABC: David Petale)

* Map: Fremantle 6160

A bronze statue of the former lead singer of rock band AC/DC will be erected at Fremantle's fishing boat harbour.

Bon Scott grew up in the Western Australian port city after emigrating from Scotland in 1952.

He became AC/DC's lead singer in 1974.

Scott died of alcohol poisoning in London in 1980.

For years, fans and former band mates have been pushing for a public memorial and a statue of Scott was partially unveiled in Fremantle this morning.

It will be fully revealed to the public at a concert on Sunday.

Bon Scott Statue - Unveiling Gig
15 January 2008

Australia’s greatest hard rock extravaganza will be held at the Claremont showgrounds on Sunday 24 February at 3pm. A Classic line-up of Australian hard rock legends including Rose Tattoo, The Original Angels Band, Noiseworks, Dave Hole and The Screaming Jets will support The Party Boys all star line up playing all of the Bon Scott era AC/DC classics and their own hits. Come witness this hard rock celebration and of course the unveiling of the statue of the legend !!

Playing in The Party Boys will be former Status Quo bass guitarist Alan Lancaster and former Status Quo drummer John Coghan, Australia’s two greatest rock guitarists Kevin Borich and Randall Waller, Angels’ drummer Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup, original AC/DC lead singer, Dave Evans, Mondo Rock bass player, Paul Christie, and original AC/DC bass player Mark Evans. Angry Anderson, Jon Stevens and Dave Gleeson will also be singing with The Party Boys.

Rock N Roll Heaven
15 December 2007

All Rock 'n' Roll Heaven bands play for 40 to 45 minutes each as follows in order of appearance:-

The Radiators

Choirboys (featuring frontman and songwriter Mark Gable)

GANGgajang

The Screaming Jets

The Party Boys featuring Kevin Borich, Alan Lancaster (Status Quo), Randall Waller (Shania Twain Band), Paul Christie (Mondo Rock)

The Angels Band featuring John Brewster, Rick Brewster, Chris Bailey and Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup

Rose Tattoo

Rock star awarded military honours
Australian Defence Force
30 October 2007

The Angels' frontman Doc Neeson was presented with two military medals in Baghdad while touring across the Middle East as part of a morale-boosting concert series for Australian troops known as 'Tour de Force.'

Before becoming a professional musician, Doc was called on for National Service in 1968.

Originally posted to the 3rd Battalion The Royal Australia Regiment, Doc later transferred to the Education Corps to become a teacher. He was promoted to Sergeant and later left the service to sing and study for a double honours degree in drama and film production.

Although it's taken a while for the medals to be awarded, Doc was ecstatic they could be presented 'in the field' by the commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, Major General Mark Evans.

Doc Neeson said: "This has been really overwhelming. As Major General Evans pinned the medals on I was surrounded by the current generation of soldiers and they are not only brave and highly intelligent but they are good human beings.

"For me singing is more than getting the notes out, it's about releasing emotions and right now I feel like I could burst with patriotic pride," he said.

Doc Neeson was awarded the National Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.

They will sit alongside his Australian Services Medal, awarded in 1999 for peace keeping work 1947-1975 with a Papua New Guinea clasp.

The Aria Hall of Fame winner will wear his new medals during the remaining performances of his Tour De Force concerts for Australian troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Headquarters for the Middle East Area of Operations supports operations for both Operation CATALYST, the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq, and Operation SLIPPER.

Rock star awarded military honours
Australian Defence Force
28 October 2007

Doc Neeson with Major General Mark Evans, the Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, along with staff from the Australian Headquarters in Baghdad, after receiving two medals recognising his previous service in the Australian Army.

Australian music legend Doc Neeson gets the Aussies based at Camp Victory in Baghdad singing and dancing during the Tour de Force concert held on Sunday, 28 October.

Major General Mark Evans, the Commander of Australian forces in the Middle East, presents Doc Neeson with two medals recognising his previous service in the Australian Army.

Doc Neeson signs an Angels CD for a long term fan of his music, Squadron Leader Shane Hellmann.

What The Doc Ordered
The Advertiser
4 September 2007

A STRONG cup of black tea was just what the doctor ordered for The Angels frontman Doc Neeson yesterday morning.

Recovering from the night before – the Countdown Spectacular 2 – Doc says the Adelaide audience was very vocal during that song, namely Am I Ever Going to See Your Face Again. "The Angels didn't invent that chant, as we call it," he says.

"We got the biggest response (to the song) in Melbourne and Adelaide in terms of enthusiasm."

Doc also reveals meeting The Motels' Martha Davis, who travelled from the U.S. for the Countdown tour, had been a career highlight. "There's a fan in all of us," he says. "She was very friendly and supportive . . . the tour mother."

As for former Page 3 girl Samantha Fox, who has reportedly been less than media-friendly interstate, Doc describes her as a "real trooper".

Samantha, who had a one-hit wonder with Touch Me in the late '80s, has been suffering from a throat infection, he says.

"Samantha keeps a lot to herself."

Angel Back From The Brink, With A Little Help From His Friends
31 August 2007

Australian rock icon Doc Neeson is back on the road with his new band, Doc Neeson's Angels. And this time he's doing it with the friends who saw him through a difficult period in his life, when he contemplated taking his own life.

Neeson, former Angel's member Jim Hilbun and one time Baby Animals guitarist Dave Leslie, dropped into the ABC's Newcastle studios earlier this month as the Countdown Spectacular 2 concert rolled into town. During the interview the Irish-born Neeson spoke about his 1999 car accident that caused a lot of "physical and emotional" damage.

"I was thinking of doing a Brian Jones a couple of times," Neeson said, referring to the tragic demise of the Rolling Stones guitarist who was found dead in 1969.

When the chips are down you find who your friends really are. . .it's been a really positive thing in the long run, but it's a hell of a way to learn the lesson

"It was just not really wanting to die but I did want the pain to stop - incredibly constant intense pain."

Neeson said he decided against suicide after considering the effect such a futile act would have on his family.

"I think the thing that pulled me through was thinking about . . . my two sons, brilliant guys, and I love them," he said.

"I thought well that's a useless legacy to leave to your children, when things get tough you just, you know, top yourself."

Neeson also talked about a "few very good friends" who would call around or who stayed in contact during the difficult period. At this point in the interview he slaps his mates Jim Hilbun and Dave Leslie on the back.

"I guess I learned the value of friendship and relationships," he said. "When the chips are down you find who your friends really are. But that was good, it's been a really positive thing in the long run, but it's a hell of a way to learn the lesson."

For more information about how Dave Leslie and Jim Hilbun helped get Doc Neeson back on the road, see the Related Audio links that accompany this story.

The accident

Neeson recalls the accident from 1999 that left him with crippling pain.

"I was at a tollgate on the M4 (freeway in Sydney), I was living in the Blue Mountains at the time, I'd just come back from a rehearsal with John Farnham's band to go with the troops up to East Timor, and I was feeling great," he said.

"A car in front of me braked really hard, so I braked hard, and the truck behind didn't brake at all, so I got this bad whiplash injury and some spinal damage that made it very difficult for me to walk for the first few years."

Many music fans firmly believe that Australian rock has never exceeded the heights of the pub rock scene in the 70s and early 80s . . . and no one rocked harder than the Angels

Neeson's back specialist, an Angel's fan, delivered the bad news to the performer who is known for his very physical live performances.

"(He) told me 'I know how you perform, and I'm sorry to break the news to you Doc, but if you don't stop you're going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, so consider yourself retired,'" he said.

Since then members of The Angels have split into two camps, and have fought legal battles over the right to tour as The Angels. At this point, there is the Original Angels band, minus Doc Neeson, and Doc Neeson's Angels, with whom Doc Neeson is touring and has just finished an album called Acoustic Sessions.

Many music fans firmly believe that Australian rock has never exceeded the heights of the "pub rock" scene in the 70s and early 80s. Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Mental as Anything, INXS and many others wore a path up and down the east coast as they toured relentlessly. But no one rocked harder than the Angels.

Their original incarnation was the Moonshine Jug and String Band, formed when the members met at university. Drama student, Bernard Neeson, who had been performing as Doc Talbot, joined brothers John and Rick Brewster and friends. In 1974 they changed their name to the Keystone Angels, and in 1976 relocated from Adelaide to Sydney.

That year was the start of a roller coaster of success for the band, with the release of their first, and now iconic single, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again. It became an Australian pub-rock anthem with a notorious chorus and answerback from the audience. During the band's 1979 New Year's Eve concert from the steps of the Sydney Opera House, a crowd riot led to Doc Neeson and Chris Bailey being hit in the head by flying bottles, requiring stitches.

During a tour of the United States the band was forced to adopt the name Angel City, but after a dozen or so albums, and having won a permanent place as one of the legendary Aussie rock bands, a car accident in 1999 finally led to the demise of the original line-up.

Fallen Angel
Peter Wilmoth
3 June 2007

Doc Neeson: "I defined myself in some ways by what I did, so when what I did was taken away, I was lost..."

"She keeps no, she keeps no, she keeps no secrets from you"

IT'S 1980. There's a tall, rangy man with intense, slightly maniacal blue eyes waving a white scarf from side to side and then splaying his fingers from two outstretched hands. Between two immobile guitarists in sunglasses, he's like an outsize-Pierrot, climbing the scaffolding on the stage at a time when blousey white shirts, black leather pants, building site chic and a bit of German expressionism would take an Aussie pop star a long way.

That was then. It seems 1000 years ago for Doc Neeson, one-time lead singer with the Angels. For the past seven years, Neeson has virtually disappeared from view, which felt strange because Neeson was famous for his work ethic, for 25 years frenetically working the pubs and clubs of Australia.

Neeson has spent seven years suffering daily pain from spinal and other injuries and later depression after a car accident in 1999. The accident threatened to destroy him, slowly. It damaged his body, then his mind. One day he was leaping around a stage, the most physical of performers; the next he could barely walk to the bathroom.

But Neeson found a way forward, and now it's the beginning of his long journey back. He's about to participate in the Countdown Spectacular 2 in August and will release two albums in the next few months. If not for his own courage and persistence, the support of a close friend and his love for his two sons, it's a comeback Neeson says he would never have achieved.

He walks in to tell his story. Wearing all black, he's a big man, folding himself into a chair in the office of his Sydney touring company. While the rest of us are allowed to age normally, familiarity with the famous tends to freeze an image of their young selves into your brain — in his case, the pale Irish face with a thicket of raven hair and slightly menacing blue eyes which served him so well as a punk hero — so it's just fleetingly and illogically surprising to meet Doc Neeson with all the wear and tear of middle age. But considering what he's been through, he's in remarkable shape.

Bernard "Doc" Neeson was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, "in the Chinese Year of The Dog", he says (he declined to specify a date but it's probably 1946). His father spent 22 years in the British army so Neeson's family lived variously in Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Austria and England — he remembers he and his two younger brothers writing "Dear Daddy, We love you" on an envelope and placing two and six inside — before emigrating to Adelaide as a boy. In 1968 Neeson became a reluctant soldier himself, conscripted into the Australian army and serving for two years as a sergeant. His father told him he would support his decision to become a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War. "I thought it was a huge bore," Neeson says of the army. "I didn't want to go and kill innocent people. They knew I was a recovering Catholic so they got ministers from every denomination to come and speak to me, saying 'Why won't you go up there and do your duty?'. With some joy, I said to the padres: 'The fifth commandment said Thou shall not kill. I didn't see any bracket saying But it's OK in Vietnam.' "

Studying drama and English at university in Adelaide, Neeson joined the Keystone Angels with the Brewster brothers, John and Rick. They became the Angels, whose wide-eyed New Wave aesthetic and power chord rock anthems came to perfectly suit the times. They had a string of big hits — Take A Long Line, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, No Secrets — and took an energetic live show around the country.

It was the complete rock life, Neeson says, of "women, drugs and alcohol", and endless motel rooms. "The routine was to be woken up by someone yelling 'Doris, have you got the towels?' and you'd only gone to bed a few hours before, then you'd drive four-six hours, go to sound check, do the show, your adrenaline takes you right up, the lights go out, you have to come down some way, and sometimes it's by doing something a bit crazy."

Sometimes that bordered on rock'n'roll cliche. One night on tour with the Baby Animals, the Angels emptied lead singer Suze DeMarchi's room and "re-created" it in the car park outside, bedside tables, lamps, everything. "The manager came out screaming 'What are you guys doing? I'll call the cops!'," Neeson says. "Our manager said, 'It's a little game, we'll pay for any damage', not that there was any. We let off steam like that."

Before the Angels became a headline act, they toured as the support act for Chuck Berry (as the Keystone Angels in 1974), Meatloaf, David Bowie in 1978 and the Kinks and Cheap Trick in 1980. "It's funny living in your own fantasy," he says. On tour, Neeson saw different sides of the human character. "Bowie was so giving," he says. "He insisted we be called 'special guests' rather than the support act. He said we could have his lights and did we want to borrow his guitars? He showed how to treat a support band."

When the Angels' van containing all their equipment was stolen in Chicago, Rick Nielsen — the guy with the bow tie in Cheap Trick, the band the Angels were supporting — heard the news on the radio, piled some guitars into a car and drove 140 kilometres to their aid. After the Angels were mistakenly given Meatloaf's larger dressing room and asked by the stadium's manager to move, Meatloaf said: "These are great guys. If you throw them out there's no show." AC/DC recommended them to their record label Alberts, which resulted in a three-album deal. "This is the good side of the business," Neeson says.

But not all acts were as generous. When the Angels toured the US with the Kinks, frontman Ray Davies was, Neeson says, "very paranoid, wouldn't say hello". "He didn't like that we were getting so much attention." Neeson says Davies got so upset he asked the roadies to place tape on the stage to indicate the boundaries for the energetic Neeson's stage wanderings, and instructed him not to go out into the audience.

When Neeson's band continued to blow the main act away, Davies sacked them off the tour. "I was distraught," Neeson says. "That's when I discovered Cold Turkey bourbon."

The Angels kept touring long after their hot moment was over. Then, in 1999, with the band in their 26th year, Neeson's luck ran out. On December 1, a few days before a scheduled concert in Dili Neeson had organised to support the Australian troops stationed in East Timor — with Kylie Minogue and John Farnham also on the bill — Neeson stopped his car at a tollgate in Sydney on his way home to the Blue Mountains. While cars jostled for position in various lanes, a truck ploughed into him from behind. "It was the loudest crash I've ever heard, this huge crashing, crunching sound," he says.

I thought I was OK, but the next day I ached — my back, legs, neck." His doctor sent him to get X-rays and to a back specialist. His right shoulder was dislocated and he sustained considerable neck and spinal injuries. "He said, 'You've had a really bad injury here. I'm going to need to see you frequently.' " Neeson told him about the concert. "I don't think you'll be able to make that."

For Neeson, with his father's military background, it was the show of a lifetime. So, pumped up with anti-inflammatory drugs to manage the pain, he flew to Dili and did the show, even experiencing the unlikely sight of Kylie Minogue chanting the famous "No way, get f---ed, f--- off", which crowds for years had answered when Neeson sang Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again. He told the troops he knew what it was like to have your father away for Christmas. "I was very proud to be doing it," Neeson says. General Peter Cosgrove thanked him from the stage, telling the troops "he used to be one of us".

But the high didn't last long. On his return his specialist said his back was getting worse and said: "I'm sorry to give you the bad news but consider yourself retired, or you'll be in a wheelchair the rest of your life". "I was in shock," Neeson says. "Now I can understand how people feel when they've been told they have a terminal disease."

Neeson's condition deteriorated to the point where he was virtually confined to bed for three years, hardly able to walk. "It was just miserable. I felt pain every day … The pain can be exhausting. Your body's not at ease at all."

Having been such a physical performer made it harder. "Compare that (jumping around a stage) with having trouble getting from my room across the hallway to the bathroom, which was like a trek of 1000 miles." A big part of his life had been ripped away from him. "I defined myself in some ways by what I did, so when what I did was taken away, I was lost and I guess that's when the depression hit."

Neeson remembers terrible days when "I would crack up and start crying, without knowing why". Some days were so bad he considered taking his own life. "Probably a couple of times I looked at the swimming pool and thought I'd do a Brian Jones (the Rolling Stones guitarist who in 1969 was found dead in his pool). Then I looked at my two sons and thought, 'No, there's more to life'."

His love for his boys saved him. "I didn't see that much other inspiration around," he says. "It wasn't that I wanted to die, I just wanted to stop the pain and the hopelessness."

Neeson and his first wife had divorced when Daniel was six and Kieran was four. A second five-year marriage ended in divorce in the mid-1990s. Daniel, 23, now lives in London "trying to find his path" and Kieran, 21, lives in Sydney with his mother.

Neeson knew that if his injury prevented him from performing, he had to have an alternative plan. "Had I ended up in a wheelchair I would have done a Jeff St John (the singer who performed in the '70s and '80s in a wheelchair) and kept going."

The other plan was to go back to study. Neeson enrolled at Western Sydney TAFE college to study technical production, with a view to working as a music producer. He took a train from the Blue Mountains to the city, but his injuries meant that sitting on the train for the 45-minute trip, and then in the lecture theatre, was too painful. After six months he quit.

The other members of the Angels were, he says, unsupportive. He says he received emails from them urging him to go on tour. "I thought 'Hang on, are we musical brothers here?' We'd spent 25 years together. I thought there'd be at least 'I'm sorry you can't keep going with us'."

Neeson had remained on friendly terms with his second wife who mentioned a friend who had a spare room in her apartment. The friend was Anne Souter, daughter of journalist and Fairfax historian Gavin Souter. In 1997, Neeson moved in with her. She took care of "just about everything", cooking for him, looking after mail and phone calls; she was his rock. Neeson credits her with saving his life. "If she hadn't been there to care for me during the first few years after my accident I don't think I would have survived."

HE SAYS that while in the depths of despair, he learned the value of true friendship. "I had friends I didn't know I had in the industry," he says. "I thought they were acquaintances." People such as Mushroom boss Michael Gudinski, who sent Neeson messages of support. "I was a bit surprised — in our early days we had a lot more in common but we'd drifted apart."

Then, a few months ago, Gudinski approached Neeson. "In his very Melbourne way he said, 'Doc, I've got something you might be interested in'." He mentioned the Countdown Spectacular 2, the follow-up to last year's successful stage show featuring performers who'd appeared on the television program in the '70s and '80s. "I was very excited to know I was going to be part of it."

Later this year Neeson will release an album of his songs performed as part of Liberation's acoustic series (James Reyne, Mark Seymour and the Reel's Dave Mason have done one) and early next year will release an album of new songs with his band Doc Neeson's Angels (not the line-up currently playing as the Angels).

He's excited to be back on tour for the Countdown shows and goes to the gym four times a week to get fit enough to perform. It's an emotional time for him. "I'm relieved, I'm proud, I'm grateful. It's been a long time since I've been able to enjoy music."

The life and times of Doc Neeson

• Emigrates from Ireland to Adelaide as a boy
• Conscripted into Australian Army in 1968, serves for two years
• In November 1970, brothers Rick and John Brewster form the Moonshine Jug and String Band. In 1971, Neeson joins
• In 1974, name changed to the Keystone Angels
• In 1975, on the recommendation of Bon Scott and Malcolm Young from AC/DC, the band is offered a recording deal with the Albert label. The Angels' first single, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, is released in April 1976
• In 2004, he forms the band Doc Neeson's Angels
• In 2007, prepares for a comeback at the Countdown Spectacular

Doc Neeson's Angels will tour Australia as part of the Countdown Spectacular 2, which plays Rod Laver Arena on August 30.

Local Council Backs Rocker Status Plans
Hamish Fitzsimmons
24 May 2007

KERRY O'BRIEN: Statues in public places are usually reserved for former prime ministers and ill fated explorers, not hard-living heavy rock singers, even if they do become great national exports.

But in the west, in Fremantle, a proposal for a statue of the former AC/DC singer, Bon Scott, has the backing of his friends and the local council.

Scott died from alcohol poisoning in 1980 and his grave outside Fremantle draws thousands of visitors a year.

His friends say Scott's contribution to the arts demands something like a statue and the Fremantle council can see the tourism potential of the plan.

GRAHAM "BUZZ" BIDSTRUP, THE ANGLES: Bon's lyrics the way he delivered them, all that. And it's so succinct and it's true and it's real.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Though he died 27 years ago, his legacy lives on. Nowhere more than in his adopted home town of Fremantle.

So much so that the city has just launched a project to celebrate his life in art, with calls for submissions from around the world. But for now the only way fans can pay homage to Bon Scott is to visit his grave site three kilometres from Fremantle's centre.

AC/DC FAN: That one's for you and one for the boys. And this one is in memory of loss and absent friends.

PETER TAGLIAFERRE, FREMANTLE MAYOR: His grave site is now one of the most visited destinations in Western Australia. If we have the seventh fleet come here and there's 6,000 people on board or 7,000 you'll basically have 99 per cent of those will go and visit that grave site.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The Scott family migrated from Scotland and arrived in Fremantle when Bon was 10. He grew up in the rough and tumble of the port town. A troubled childhood led to stints in juvenile detention and a series of dead end jobs, but the one stabilising factor in his life was music.

Bon Scott with life long friend and former bandmate Vince Lovegrove dreamt this passion would take them places.

VINCE LOVEGROVE, FORMER MANAGER OF AC/DC: He was a loving guy, he was a really loving guy but there was something about him that was impish, there was a bit of larrikin about him.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Bon finally escaped the musical confines of Perth joining Angus and Malcolm Young's AC/DC in 1974 which stormed the international rock scene.

BON SCOTT: It's been excellent. All the gigs we've done have been received better than we expected and some of them, at least more than half have been incredible. At least like back home.

VINCE LOVEGROVE: He was certainly no saint and that's something that we should never forget here. He was a flawed character like us all.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: But Bon Scott's legendary lifestyle caught up with him and he died in London in 1980 after an all night bender.

GRAHAM "BUZZ" BIDSTRUP: Some people say that he had said that he, you know, that he's probably not going to hang around. That's probably why he lived his life the way he did. I wish he'd been a bit more careful.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Despite his unsavoury end, Bon Scott's fans still flock to Fremantle to see where his story began.

Darren Collins and his daughter Molly made the trip from Victoria and would like to see a more significant tribute to one of rock's great frontmen.

DARREN COLLINS, AC/DC FAN: If they can do it for horses and greyhounds why not for a rock'n'roll singer, you know.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: Along with the art exhibition, there's a plan for a cast iron commemoration of Bon Scott. Leading the campaign for a permanent statue of the singer is Buzz Bidstrup, a drummer for the band The Angels and a close friend of the singer's.

GRAHAM "BUZZ" BIDSTRUP: I think it's just important that Australians recognise more than explorers and ex prime ministers and people like that in statues.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The proposal for a statue and a park to house it in has the backing of the local council which is all too aware of the tourism potential of the project.

PETER TAGLIAFERRE: It's not just about it being good for business. It will be good for branding of what makes Fremantle different to most other places.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: But before the metal is even cast there's scepticism about the idea of a memorial for a dead rock star. It doesn't sit well with those who still cherish the idea of rock'n'roll as rebellion.

VINCE LOVEGROVE: If anybody in the rock'n'roll industry in Australia deserves one he does, but do we need one for rock'n'roll music? Who knows. That's a very good question.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: His friends think Bon Scott's contribution to the arts outweigh any questions about his lifestyle.

VINCE LOVEGROVE: Rock 'n' roll still today as always has never been seen by the mainstream of our arbiters of art to be legitimate art.

HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: To raise money for the statue Buzz Bidstrup staged a concert bringing together contemporaries and friends of Bon Scott.

If the project goes ahead, it will be the first monument to a rock star in Australia and one of the few in the world. While the old rockers go through their paces in memory of their friend, some think Bon Scott would be the first one to find the whole idea somewhat absurd.

VINCE LOVEGROVE: Bon wasn't a statue man and he would be the first one to thumb his nose at a statue of anyone let alone himself.

AC/DC FAN: Thank you very much again for coming. We'll see you next year for the unveiling of the statue.

KERRY O'BRIEN: There are some pretty ordinary statues around the world. Hamish Fitzsimmons reporting.

Countdown Spectacular 2
The Frontier Touring Company
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

Countdown 2
Liberation Music
14 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