Goodbye Chas

Chas Hodges, legendary session musician and half of easily the greatest pub rock combo ever, has died aged 74 after a battle with oesophageal cancer. In his long musical career Chas performed with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent, played alongside Ritchie Blackmore as part of Joe Meek's house band, The Outlaws, and guested on a variety of artists' studio sessions (most famously on the much sampled Labi Siffre tune I Got The, which also featured the other half of Chas'n'Dave, Dave Peacock, before they joined forces).

Over the course of their 40+ year career as Chas'n'Dave the duo had over eight UK Top 40 hits, hosted a variety TV show set in an East End pub, made drinking Courage beers more appetising, sound-tracked Alf Garnett, played Glastonbury, introduced the word "gertcha" into the common lexicon and definitely seemed to be having a lot of fun along the way. All that and they ensured that "rabbit" has a special connotation to those of us of a certain age too.

Whilst I never got to see Chas'n'Dave perform live they did once make an impromptu appearance in my old local pub, stopping in for a quick beer on their way to a gig in the next town. Sat at a table, joined by drummer Mick Burt, they supped a pint in the Lounge Bar (looking very much at home) whilst we shy blokes in the Public Bar craned our necks to steal fanboy glances.

RIP Chas Hodges

Gosport Waterfront Festival 2011

The Gosport Waterfront Festival, an three day musical shindig held annually in the town's Walpole Park, starts tomorrow night. In previous years the line-up has tended toward a mix of local bands, cover acts and and artists who were big on the scene several years ago (but have fallen off the radar somewhat) and this year is no exception (well, if it ain't broke, etc). However, owing to rising costs, a cut in funding and a lack of full sponsorship, the organisers have had to charge an entrance fee for the first time; entrance to the festival site will now set you back £1 per night. 

Once again the Friday night is made up of predominantly local acts, including Wedgewood Rooms Showcase finalists Melodramas and local Punk outfit Night of Treason. Local rockers Superfly and South Coast Pink Floyd specialists Perfect Alibi warm things up on the Saturday before headliner Chas Hodges (as in Chas & Dave) gets a chorus of Gertcha, Rabbit and such out of the punters. The fun draws to a close on Sunday when Toploader (yeah, I couldn't believe it either) get Gosport dancing in the moonlight (sorry).

Full details of the line-up, including set times, can be found on the event's website.