AN AUDIENCE WITH MANZANERA . . .

Phil Manzanera is one of the UK’s best-known musicians and record producers, having shot to prominence in the early ‘70’s as the lead guitarist with the seminal band, Roxy Music. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s leading guitarists and is in much demand both as a performer and record producer. In 2019 Roxy Music were inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame playing live at the ceremony.

As a writer, producer and solo artist, Phil Manzanera has worked with many of the luminaries of modern music, such as Steve Winwood, David Gilmour, John Cale, Godley and Creme, Nico (Velvet Underground) and John Wetton (King Crimson, Asia). He has co-written material with many artists, including Brian Eno, Tim Finn, Robert Wyatt and David Gilmour. Manzanera co-wrote Pink Floyd’s single ‘One Slip’ from their 1988 ‘Momentary Lapse of Reason’ album. In the world of Rock en Español Manzanera has also produced seminal albums for Draco Rosa, Enrique Bunbury, Héoes del Silencio Aterciopelados, Paralamas and fFto Paez.

His state of the art Gallery Studios, now also a post production studio for films, in West London. Artists that have recorded there include Robert Wyatt, Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Hot Chip, David Gilmour, Annie Lennox, Paul Weller, Kevin Ayers and Chrissie Hynde.

The Rock And Roll Hall of Famer has written his acclaimed memoir, titled Revolución To Roxy, and he was with us at The CAT Club to talk about the book and his extraordinary life. Phil will also brought along his guitar . . .

In the interviewer’s chair was Jason Barnard who ensured that a splendid time was by all.

This event took place on 13th June 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.

Happy Trails.

ALADDIN SANE – DAVID BOWIE with special guest Suzi Ronson.

On 5th July 2017, The CAT Club's featured album was Bowie's 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.' Our special guest that day was the band's drummer, Woody Woodmansey. We've wanted to present the follow up record to Ziggy Stardust, the truly wonderful 'Aladdin Sane' for some time now but never seemed to get it together. Until a certain memoir was recently published . . .

Suzi Fussey was working in a Beckenham hair salon in the early seventies when Mrs Jones came in for her weekly shampoo and set. After being introduced to her son David and his wife Angie, Suzi finds herself at the Bowies’ bohemian apartment and is soon embroiled in their raucous world.

Having crafted his iconic Ziggy Stardust hairstyle, Suzi becomes the only working woman in David’s touring party and joins the Spiders from Mars as they perform around the globe. Amid the costume blunders, parties and groupies she meets her husband-to-be, Mick Ronson, and together they traverse the absurdities of life in show business, falling in with the likes of Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan and Lou Reed along the way.

Dazzling and intimate, ‘Me and Mr Jones’ provides not only a unique perspective on one of the most beguiling stars of our time but also a world on the cusp of cultural transformation, charting the highs and lows of life as one of the only women in the room as it happened.

We were delighted that Suzi Ronson joined us to talk about her life with both David Bowie and Mick Ronson and, of course, about 'Aladdin Sane.’

In the interviewer’s chair for the very first time was Amanda Cook who ensured that a splendid time was by all.

This event took place on 6th June 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.

Happy Trails.

SIMPLE MINDS – NEW GOLD DREAM (81-82-83-84) with special guest Derek Forbes.

“Ecstatic” is a good word. 'New Gold Dream' remains a bewitching, mystic work. Following five albums of often magnificent abstraction, Simple Minds located the sweet spot between art and pop, shadow and light, trance and melody. The lead single from the album, 'Promised You a Miracle,' became their first hit. They were on their way.

We were delighted to welcome DEREK FORBES, the legend known for those iconic spine-rattling bass riffs which we recognise in numerous Simple Minds' songs (many of which he also wrote and co-wrote). The Ivor Novello award winner talked about the classic 'New Gold Dream' album as well as his acclaimed autobiography, 'A Very Simple Mind: On Tour’ and much besides. He also brought his bass and guitar which was a special treat.

Jason Barnard in the interviewer’s chair and a splendid time was had by all.

This event took place on 23rd May 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.

Happy Trails.