The Jacaranda's 60th Anniversary Gig

 

Sunday 26^th August 2018. The Jacaranda's 60^th anniversary Birthday Weekend.

Once the venue of The Beatles, The Jacaranda is a legendary club in Liverpool and The La's founding member Mike Badger asked me if I'd perform with my band The Coralaines and of course I said yes– it's a great privilege and honour.

Mike is DJ'ing and we are sharing the bill with Krank Williams and Keith Thompson.

The day of the gig, I arrive with a stomach full of knives. I've never felt nerves like this since I was 17 but at the soundcheck we nail it and I'm happy with sound.

We eat Thai food then go back to the club and Leigh takes some shots of us. 

I must have a tall drink before we go onstage but Meike and Elaine persuade me to have a small one instead. They are right. It takes a little edge off without blunting me too much.

The other artists perform and then we are on. 

Leigh films some of our performance. On later viewing, I see that it's solid. I'm really pleased. It's great when rehearsals pay off. She also got a shot of Mike smiling at our performance with genuine pleasure. 

During the song 'Red Lipstick' Meike surprises me by kissing me wearing heavy red lipstick on her lips. I struggle to keep a straight face. 

We end the set with an encore, genuine applause and cheering (Liverpool audiences are brutally honest) and Mike Badger shouting over the mic "Ladies and Gentleman -Original Rock and Roll in 2018!!! Come on!!" 

I get back to Elaine's with the equipment and she offers to let me stay over with her and Leigh but I need familiar surroundings. It's 3 am when the cab pulls up at the front of my home.

Pip is away so the house is empty apart from my cat Jasper. As soon as I'm inside the door he's all over me slobbering with affection purring like a motorcycle. I'm woken at 6am by him wanting to go outside. I fall back asleep until midday. I look in the mirror before I shower and Meike's red lipstick is still on my face.