RED DIAMOND
SATURDAY 20 JULY 2.45 PM LIVE ROCK 'N' ROLL
MICK HEWETT
Lead Guitar/ Vocals |
ANDY POULTON
Drums/ Vocals |
DANNY SMITH
Vocals/ Guitar |
JONNY LONGTHORNE
Alto Sax/ Vocals |
JACK OWENS
Guitar/ Vocals |
+ CHRIS CHRISTOFOROU - Bass/Guru . . .
"Dust off your dancing shoes - this is what we'll be playing!"
"Dust off your dancing shoes - this is what we'll be playing!"
TITLE
At the Hop Little Darlin' C'mon Everybody Summertime Blues Cut Across Shorty Honey Don't Folsom Prison Blues Rave On Not Fade Away Peggy Sue Surfin' USA Brown Eyed Handsome Man When My Little Girl is Smiling Jonny B Goode Blue Suede Shoes Hound Dog Run-around Sue Pretty Woman Twisting by the Pool How Long |
ORIGINAL ARTIST
Danny & the Juniors The Diamonds Eddie Cochran Eddie Cochran Eddie Cochran Carl Perkins/Beatles Johnny Cash Buddy Holly Buddy Holly Buddy Holly Beach Boys Chuck Berry Drifters Chuck Berry Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Dion & the Belmonts Roy Orbison Dire Straits Eagles |
LEAD VOCALIST
Danny & the Seniors The Red Diamonds Danny Danny Danny Jack Danny Mick Mick Danny Mick Mick Mick/Danny Andy Danny Danny Danny & the Seniors/Jonny Sax Danny Andy Mick, Danny & the Diamond Geezers |
Who are RED DIAMOND?
MICK HEWETT, LEAD GUITARIST Mick acquired his first guitar at the age of four but it has to be said that he didn’t manage to get a full set of six strings until his eighth birthday! Before that he used to “delight” his mother by “tuning” it with a pair of pliers until it sounded a bit like the latest Lonnie Donegan record. He still owns the guitar.....and the pliers!
From the beginning to the end of the sixties Mick ran a four-piece group called The Cheetahs, formed in the likeness of The Shadows but soon branched out into vocals as well!! By the end of the decade the band was frequently playing five nights a week all over London in dance venues, pubs and colleges, eventually becoming well known as an R&B specialist group that also played Stones, Beatles and Clapton. At one time they were effectively the house band at Queen Mary’s College in East London and were a regular fixture at “The Engineer’s Ball” playing on the same bill as artists such as Georgie Fame and various Trad Jazz bands that were popular at the time.
Then they all got married! And got jobs!
Mick never put his guitar down and, always keen to try different styles of music, eventually became enthralled with the classical guitar. In the mid-nineties Mick decided to “do it right” and was extremely fortunate to study with two of the best classical guitarists in the UK, Nicola Hall and Simon Dinnigan, obtaining his “Performer’s Certificate” from Trinity College, London.
In late 2011 Mick helped form the band, Red Diamond with the objective of performing at a local Jubilee celebration. The brief was to perform songs from every decade of the Queen’s reign. That was a great opportunity for him to get back to his roots and since then the band has gone from strength to strength, acquiring some new, permanent members and playing music as varied as the members’ profiles would suggest!
DANNY SMITH, LEAD SINGER It seems he has been singing for nearly as long as he can remember. At the age of 12 he went busking with his uncle Barry (if we’re honest we all have an uncle like that somewhere!) at the same time as he was singing in the choir at St. Clement Dane’s Church who even broadcast on the radio. However, at home he was fed a diet of rock ‘n roll from his dad’s record collection, an influence which lasts to this day. Surrounded by music – his mother sang in school productions – he always had his guitar and song book to hand (an early Kay he still owns). It wasn’t until he moved to Leighton Buzzard five years ago that he was inspired to play and sing with others in the church folk group (thanks to Ed Flach!) which led on to playing guitar and backing vocals with a local Elvis tribute band, “One Night With Elvis”.
More recently he was persuaded to join a band being put together for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations .... at a local street party. The band, Red Diamond, turned out well! So, Danny became a founder member of a band that continues to grow from strength to strength as well as singing with other local groups such as Onyx.
Danny really enjoys the friendships and relationships music has brought him and would list his main influences as: (in order of appearance) Elvis Presley; Buddy Holly; Eddie Cochran; Cliff Richard; Sam Cook; Jerry Lee Lewis; Lionel Richie and Michael Bublé.
JACK OWENS, RHYTHM GUITAR Jack is a recent convert to the band scene. He is mostly self-taught on guitar and. like many others, had originally played for personal enjoyment until a few years ago. Then, having received encouragement from a neighbour who is a member of a successful local band, he was persuaded to perform a few numbers under the name of the” Two J’s “ (John and Jack) After this first “public” appearance his enthusiasm grew and he was encouraged to contribute to a scratch band, formed to entertain at a local BBQ.
Following on from this he continued with the same musicians as rhythm guitarist and got a great deal of enjoyment as well as benefiting from their experience and musical guidance. This led on to a further more ambitious appearance, with an expanded line-up, under the banner of Red Diamond, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which lead on to the band being booked for other engagements.
The Red Diamond line-up has changed over the last year and the musical direction of the group has begun to distil into a distinctive style incorporating the differing influences and preferences of the individual members.
Jack prefers music with a melody base and many of the Sixties era songs fulfil this. He is, unsurprisingly, an aficionado of the Beatles as well as the bands that influenced them from the Fifties. Notwithstanding this he also enjoys most genres of subsequent decades (where there is a tune involved!) and finds the selections that the band currently plays broadly supports this. He is hugely enjoying the continued development of the band.
ANDY POULTON Andy began playing guitar at the tender age of 8. Progressing on to classical guitar until the age of 13 . It was then he picked the sticks and began playing the drums. Although continuing to pursue the guitar, Drums soon became his main instrument from then on. He studied at Saturday music school at Putteridge in Luton , playing mainly orchestral percussion . However , having been bought his first drum kit he soon began to spread his wings .
During his time in his school band he toured Berlin, Also aged 15 he played in the pit band for a semi-pro production of the Wizard of Oz and became a member of the Children's Music Theatre and spent 3 weeks at the Edinburgh Festival.
After leaving school he joined the Royal Air Force and soon found himself serving in Germany and his drumming skills were very much in demand. As member of the RAFG Command Voluntary band he played regular engagements sometime up to 80 per year. During this time he also played for a rock 'n' roll band, a Rock Function band, a Trad Jazz band and a very tongue in cheek German Oompah Band as well as teaching for the Service Children's School.
Back in the UK after 4 years overseas, he ended up in South Wales this time playing in a rock band, writing and performing original material. While in Wales he played for the Barry Town Band and RAF St Athan Military Band as well as the Spotlight Theatre group.
Moving a bit further across country found him this time playing dinner Jazz with a small trio. This band was augmented by a different front man or melody instrument and every gig, and even reached the dizzy heights of being the support act for Humphrey Littleton when he played in Berkhamsted.
After this he moved to Henlow and became a member of the Hitchin town band and also returned to one of his very early musical outlets the Vauxhall motors concert band. While with these bands another visit to Germany came along and also a trip, playing a concert at Disneyland Paris.
Now having settled in Luton for the last 17 years he has recently finished a 13 year run with a very successful rock covers band , and after taking almost a year out of playing is working on another rock covers project with an old school buddy and of course playing drums and occasionally Bass guitar for RED DIAMOND.
JONNY LANGTHORNE Saxophonist Jonny joined the band while still in his teens (just) having studied the clarinet, focussing on jazz. He then tried out one or two local concert bands but didn’t find musical fulfilment. Then one day he tried out with Red Diamond and for some numbers his expertise on the clarinet worked really well. But a rock band really needs a saxophone so, he was persuaded to add it to his repertoire and he just hasn’t looked back. He has added a whole new dimension to the band’s sound and not just his sax playing. he also adds a robust bass harmony to the vocals when not actually playing sax as well as taking the occasional vocal lead.
CHRIS CHRISTOFOROU, ELECTRIC BASS Chris has been a musician and composer for 43 years. He started his music career with his brother in the very early seventies assisted by UFO’s very first drummer Mickey Terroni, who joined their band and was a mentor to them.
Since the early days, Chris has played in many rock bands playing and writing original music. In the last fifteen years he had been a producer, managing and teaching young musicians and bands such as Sirenide & OTR. Within this time he has also been writing his own compositions and working with various vocalists on his music. His most recent project is writing a Gothic Musical for the stage. The story has been written and the songs are now in progress.
On another note, Chris decided in 1980 to become a full time professional artist and managed to run the two careers together. He has sold his artwork on an international level and he eventually sold many pieces at Christie’s and Sotheby’s Auctions. He is best known for his depictions of wildlife and portraiture, although for a living he started out painting and illustrating books and magazine.
MICK HEWETT, LEAD GUITARIST Mick acquired his first guitar at the age of four but it has to be said that he didn’t manage to get a full set of six strings until his eighth birthday! Before that he used to “delight” his mother by “tuning” it with a pair of pliers until it sounded a bit like the latest Lonnie Donegan record. He still owns the guitar.....and the pliers!
From the beginning to the end of the sixties Mick ran a four-piece group called The Cheetahs, formed in the likeness of The Shadows but soon branched out into vocals as well!! By the end of the decade the band was frequently playing five nights a week all over London in dance venues, pubs and colleges, eventually becoming well known as an R&B specialist group that also played Stones, Beatles and Clapton. At one time they were effectively the house band at Queen Mary’s College in East London and were a regular fixture at “The Engineer’s Ball” playing on the same bill as artists such as Georgie Fame and various Trad Jazz bands that were popular at the time.
Then they all got married! And got jobs!
Mick never put his guitar down and, always keen to try different styles of music, eventually became enthralled with the classical guitar. In the mid-nineties Mick decided to “do it right” and was extremely fortunate to study with two of the best classical guitarists in the UK, Nicola Hall and Simon Dinnigan, obtaining his “Performer’s Certificate” from Trinity College, London.
In late 2011 Mick helped form the band, Red Diamond with the objective of performing at a local Jubilee celebration. The brief was to perform songs from every decade of the Queen’s reign. That was a great opportunity for him to get back to his roots and since then the band has gone from strength to strength, acquiring some new, permanent members and playing music as varied as the members’ profiles would suggest!
DANNY SMITH, LEAD SINGER It seems he has been singing for nearly as long as he can remember. At the age of 12 he went busking with his uncle Barry (if we’re honest we all have an uncle like that somewhere!) at the same time as he was singing in the choir at St. Clement Dane’s Church who even broadcast on the radio. However, at home he was fed a diet of rock ‘n roll from his dad’s record collection, an influence which lasts to this day. Surrounded by music – his mother sang in school productions – he always had his guitar and song book to hand (an early Kay he still owns). It wasn’t until he moved to Leighton Buzzard five years ago that he was inspired to play and sing with others in the church folk group (thanks to Ed Flach!) which led on to playing guitar and backing vocals with a local Elvis tribute band, “One Night With Elvis”.
More recently he was persuaded to join a band being put together for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations .... at a local street party. The band, Red Diamond, turned out well! So, Danny became a founder member of a band that continues to grow from strength to strength as well as singing with other local groups such as Onyx.
Danny really enjoys the friendships and relationships music has brought him and would list his main influences as: (in order of appearance) Elvis Presley; Buddy Holly; Eddie Cochran; Cliff Richard; Sam Cook; Jerry Lee Lewis; Lionel Richie and Michael Bublé.
JACK OWENS, RHYTHM GUITAR Jack is a recent convert to the band scene. He is mostly self-taught on guitar and. like many others, had originally played for personal enjoyment until a few years ago. Then, having received encouragement from a neighbour who is a member of a successful local band, he was persuaded to perform a few numbers under the name of the” Two J’s “ (John and Jack) After this first “public” appearance his enthusiasm grew and he was encouraged to contribute to a scratch band, formed to entertain at a local BBQ.
Following on from this he continued with the same musicians as rhythm guitarist and got a great deal of enjoyment as well as benefiting from their experience and musical guidance. This led on to a further more ambitious appearance, with an expanded line-up, under the banner of Red Diamond, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which lead on to the band being booked for other engagements.
The Red Diamond line-up has changed over the last year and the musical direction of the group has begun to distil into a distinctive style incorporating the differing influences and preferences of the individual members.
Jack prefers music with a melody base and many of the Sixties era songs fulfil this. He is, unsurprisingly, an aficionado of the Beatles as well as the bands that influenced them from the Fifties. Notwithstanding this he also enjoys most genres of subsequent decades (where there is a tune involved!) and finds the selections that the band currently plays broadly supports this. He is hugely enjoying the continued development of the band.
ANDY POULTON Andy began playing guitar at the tender age of 8. Progressing on to classical guitar until the age of 13 . It was then he picked the sticks and began playing the drums. Although continuing to pursue the guitar, Drums soon became his main instrument from then on. He studied at Saturday music school at Putteridge in Luton , playing mainly orchestral percussion . However , having been bought his first drum kit he soon began to spread his wings .
During his time in his school band he toured Berlin, Also aged 15 he played in the pit band for a semi-pro production of the Wizard of Oz and became a member of the Children's Music Theatre and spent 3 weeks at the Edinburgh Festival.
After leaving school he joined the Royal Air Force and soon found himself serving in Germany and his drumming skills were very much in demand. As member of the RAFG Command Voluntary band he played regular engagements sometime up to 80 per year. During this time he also played for a rock 'n' roll band, a Rock Function band, a Trad Jazz band and a very tongue in cheek German Oompah Band as well as teaching for the Service Children's School.
Back in the UK after 4 years overseas, he ended up in South Wales this time playing in a rock band, writing and performing original material. While in Wales he played for the Barry Town Band and RAF St Athan Military Band as well as the Spotlight Theatre group.
Moving a bit further across country found him this time playing dinner Jazz with a small trio. This band was augmented by a different front man or melody instrument and every gig, and even reached the dizzy heights of being the support act for Humphrey Littleton when he played in Berkhamsted.
After this he moved to Henlow and became a member of the Hitchin town band and also returned to one of his very early musical outlets the Vauxhall motors concert band. While with these bands another visit to Germany came along and also a trip, playing a concert at Disneyland Paris.
Now having settled in Luton for the last 17 years he has recently finished a 13 year run with a very successful rock covers band , and after taking almost a year out of playing is working on another rock covers project with an old school buddy and of course playing drums and occasionally Bass guitar for RED DIAMOND.
JONNY LANGTHORNE Saxophonist Jonny joined the band while still in his teens (just) having studied the clarinet, focussing on jazz. He then tried out one or two local concert bands but didn’t find musical fulfilment. Then one day he tried out with Red Diamond and for some numbers his expertise on the clarinet worked really well. But a rock band really needs a saxophone so, he was persuaded to add it to his repertoire and he just hasn’t looked back. He has added a whole new dimension to the band’s sound and not just his sax playing. he also adds a robust bass harmony to the vocals when not actually playing sax as well as taking the occasional vocal lead.
CHRIS CHRISTOFOROU, ELECTRIC BASS Chris has been a musician and composer for 43 years. He started his music career with his brother in the very early seventies assisted by UFO’s very first drummer Mickey Terroni, who joined their band and was a mentor to them.
Since the early days, Chris has played in many rock bands playing and writing original music. In the last fifteen years he had been a producer, managing and teaching young musicians and bands such as Sirenide & OTR. Within this time he has also been writing his own compositions and working with various vocalists on his music. His most recent project is writing a Gothic Musical for the stage. The story has been written and the songs are now in progress.
On another note, Chris decided in 1980 to become a full time professional artist and managed to run the two careers together. He has sold his artwork on an international level and he eventually sold many pieces at Christie’s and Sotheby’s Auctions. He is best known for his depictions of wildlife and portraiture, although for a living he started out painting and illustrating books and magazine.