OES rehearsal and preparations

[wayaman]

Was (only) all backline then rushed packed and loaded into trucks and immediately send away to the next city (overnight transportation) to get there in time for the next days concert? While the stage/PA/lights could be dismantled and trucked away to next venue (leap frogging) ? Or did you all have redundant backline kits?

Thanks Chris

It is known DS had three stages moving around during the concert so when they were playing one city another stage with his lighting, sound etc was being set up in the next city adlnd another one was travelling to the next.

If that's not right, please Chris and/or Ed correct me.

[Chris W]

Usually the lights and sound stay with the band gear.
Yes, it takes days to build the stage and rigging. So they were leap frogged around, at least a few days ahead of the show.
This is pretty normal, even for the early 90's.

[Chris W]

Was (only) all backline then rushed packed and loaded into trucks and immediately send away to the next city (overnight transportation) to get there in time for the next days concert? While the stage/PA/lights could be dismantled and trucked away to next venue (leap frogging) ? Or did you all have redundant backline kits?

It was all one package. Lights, sound, band gear.

[YorkshirePudding]

Was (only) all backline then rushed packed and loaded into trucks and immediately send away to the next city (overnight transportation) to get there in time for the next days concert? While the stage/PA/lights could be dismantled and trucked away to next venue (leap frogging) ? Or did you all have redundant backline kits?

It was all one package. Lights, sound, band gear.

Hi Chris. New to posting on this forum, though been reading it for many years, so would like to thank you for coming in and taking the time to answer all the questions, it has been massively interesting. As a huge DS/MK fan it's sad to hear that your experience with the band was not the happiest.

You have alluded to sound issues caused by the design of the stage set for the OES tour, so I was wondering when you guys actually saw it all for the first time, whether you had any input into the design (I guess Mark/John must have done?), and how much time you had to resolve any problems at the production rehearsals? Whilst the stage looked quite cool, presumably the other band members must have had similar problems, particularly Guy who must have had his head quite close to your bass drum?

I saw a couple of shows on that tour and they were impressively loud - something I always remember is the sound (well, not just the sound, you actually felt them) of the drums on Calling Elvis at the Sheffield Arena, which seemed like they were literally shaking the place apart.

And speaking of CE - I'd be interested to know how the whole disappearing curtain opening came about? Having seen it live, I can confirm it was an amazing way to begin a concert. Obviously it needed a song that opened "with a bang" (as it were) to work properly. I guess the stage/lighting designer must have come up with the concept and then you adapted CE to fit? 

[Chris W]

I presume Mark and John signed off on the stage.
We set up on it a week or two (?) before the first show.
The main problem being that the drums were not the central engine room of the band, but up and away at the back, high up.
Yes, both Guy and Alan had loud drums at ear height, so perspex screens were built around the drums and percussion.

[YorkshirePudding]

I presume Mark and John signed off on the stage.
We set up on it a week or two (?) before the first show.
The main problem being that the drums were not the central engine room of the band, but up and away at the back, high up.
Yes, both Guy and Alan had loud drums at ear height, so perspex screens were built around the drums and percussion.

Thanks Chris. What was it like having a percussionist alongside you and did it change the way you played at all?

And ….last question…..you have said the OES tour wasn’t the happiest time for anyone, but what were the highlights of it? Were there any at all lol? Thinking any memorable shows/locations or experiences etc.

As a personal highlight, that extended live version of Tunnel of Love is easily my most favourite song - especially the guitar playout - and seeing you guys do it at Gateshead 92 was the best fifteen minutes of live music I have ever seen.

[Pottel]

Oh man, playing those Beatles-classics with an actual Beatle. What a dream come true, Chris!

In 91' or 92' (can't remember) I bought Trippin the Live Fantastic and it was a revelation to hear a combo of Paul bringing the Beatles live + the super amazing songs from (what I regard) as his brilliant solo album Flowers In The Dirt. Through various moves I lost the CD but I love digging it up on spotify. Flowers in the Dirt is full of tremendous songs.

same here! loved that album back then. TIME TO CHECK IT OUT AGAIN. thnx for the reminder...

[Chris W]

Danny was great. A nice person and an incredible percussionist. He definitely made my job easier.
Highlights? there were so many on McCartney, nothing on the DS tour could really match it.
Going to Australia for the first time? Driving ourselves around Italy on the final leg of the tour.

[Pottel]

Danny was great. A nice person and an incredible percussionist. He definitely made my job easier.
Highlights? there were so many on McCartney, nothing on the DS tour could really match it.
Going to Australia for the first time? Driving ourselves around Italy on the final leg of the tour.

the question was not to compare with the amazing macca, but what were the actual positive highlights on the OES tour?
we are now all well aware of what a drag a lot of it was. but surely SOME of it must have been good/fun/mindblowing etc..?

[diremania]

Danny was great. A nice person and an incredible percussionist. He definitely made my job easier.
Highlights? there were so many on McCartney, nothing on the DS tour could really match it.
Going to Australia for the first time? Driving ourselves around Italy on the final leg of the tour.

I wonder weather it already in the rehearsal was starting to become “depressing”? If you’d remember ? In that case, starring into a 12 month tour, must have been a nightmare..

[Chris W]

the question was not to compare with the amazing macca, but what were the actual positive highlights on the OES tour?

I understood the question.

I gave you my answer....
Touring in Italy, especially driving ourselves with Chris White and Paul Franklin in the car.
Mark and John were depressed in Australia because they didn't quite sell out as many shows as they had in 1985. I was having a great time. Walking through the Sydney streets from our hotel to the arena for the shows. Experiencing a different culture on the other side of the planet.

[Pottel]

the question was not to compare with the amazing macca, but what were the actual positive highlights on the OES tour?

I understood the question.

I gave you my answer....
Touring in Italy, especially driving ourselves with Chris White and Paul Franklin in the car.
Mark and John were depressed in Australia because they didn't quite sell out as many shows as they had in 1985. I was having a great time. Walking through the Sydney streets from our hotel to the arena for the shows. Experiencing a different culture on the other side of the planet.

i just wanted the nitty gritty details. thnx.

[Chris W]

The Summer 1992 leg was probably the most fun.
Lovely weather, huge crowds, big outdoor venues.
On the OES tour in general, I had played almost all the same cities and venues with McCartney two years earlier, so not very much was new.

[YorkshirePudding]

The Summer 1992 leg was probably the most fun.
Lovely weather, huge crowds, big outdoor venues.
On the OES tour in general, I had played almost all the same cities and venues with McCartney two years earlier, so not very much was new.

Thank Chris. To be fair, you had answered my original question but it’s also good to read some more detail.

I would imagine that for most musicians, working with a legend like Paul McCartney - especially playing Beatles songs with him - would be hard to top.

And having had a short time working somewhere where the thought of going in every day was just depressing I just hope it wasn’t quite so bad as that for you, or any of the band or crew working on the OES tour.

And thanks again for taking the time to give us your thoughts on these questions.

[qjamesfloyd]

Hi Chris. I am sure you just missed my question earlier in this thread. Just from a musicians point of view, how highly did you rate Mark's guitar playing ability from your vantage point?