It was a memorable evening on April 8th, 2004 when, after a long-time planning, a host of legends and younger players took to the Royal Albert Hall stage to pay homage to Ronnie Lane who’d succumbed to multiple sclerosis in 1997, aged only 51. The most lovable artist in rock ‘n’ roll, Ronnie was a founder member and one of the principal songwriters of both SMALL FACES and THE FACES whose tracks such as “All Or Nothing” and “Tin Soldier” became classics, as did his style of handling the bass. Less exposed but equally bright were the records that Plonk, as Lane was known, laid down with his own band, SLIM CHANCE, and one with Pete Townshend, yet that London concert saw pieces from all the eras of Ronnie’s career delivered by his friends and fans, including former colleagues, save for Rod Stewart and Ian McLagan. But while it took more than a year to put the show together, releasing its footage on DVD has taken much longer. Thankfully, the wait’s almost over.
Out in August, “Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert” has been in non-official circulation for about a decade, until Angel Air, after much negotiations, sorted it out for release as the label’s first-ever double DVD. Going to look and sound as glorious as it gets, that’s what’s inside the package (read the review):
Ronnie Lane Memorial Concert
1. I Can’t Make It – SMALL WORLD
2. I’ve Got Mine – SMALL WORLD
3. I’m Only Dreaming – SMALL WORLD
4. Don’t Burst My Bubble – SMALL WORLD
5. Every Little Bit Hurts – DEBORAH BONHAM BAND
6. Maybe I’m Amazed – DEBORAH BONHAM BAND
7. Rene – 17BLACK with Mollie Marriott
8. Lazy Sunday – 17BLACK with Mollie Marriott
9. Here Come The Nice – 17BLACK with Steve Diggle
10. Hey Girl – 17BLACK with Dennis Greaves
11. Whatcha Gonna Do About It – 17BLACK with Dennis Greaves
12. Mad John – Midge Ure
13. My Mind’s Eye – Midge Ure
14. Wham Bam Thankyou Mam – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
15. Done This One Before – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
16. Song Of A Baker – OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
17. Cat’s Melody – SLIM CHANCE
18. Kuschty Rye – SLIM CHANCE
19. Anniversary – SLIM CHANCE with Keith Smart
20. Anymore For Anymore – SLIM CHANCE with Chris Jagger
21. How Come – SLIM CHANCE with Chris Jagger
22. Flags And Banners – SLIM CHANCE with Sam Brown
23. Debris – SLIM CHANCE with Glen Matlock and Mick Jones
24. You’re So Rude – SLIM CHANCE with Glen Matlock and Mick Jones
25. Stone – SLIM CHANCE with Pete Townshend
26. Harvest Home – SLIM CHANCE
27. The Poacher – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller
28. Spiritual Babe – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller
29. Lad’s Got Money – SLIM CHANCE with Sam Brown
30. One For The Road – SLIM CHANCE
31. Ooh La La – SLIM CHANCE with Paul Weller and Ronnie Wood
32. Ogdens Nut Gone Flake – JONES GANG
33. Maggie May – JONES GANG
34. Gypsy Lane – JONES GANG
35. Itchycoo Park – JONES GANG
36. Afterglow – JONES GANG with Steve Ellis
37. If You Think You’re Groovy – JONES GANG with Sam Brown
38. Had Me A Real Good Time – JONES GANG with Ronnie Wood
39. Heart To Hang On To – JONES GANG with Pete Townshend and Sam Brown
40. Stay With Me – JONES GANG with Ronnie Wood
41. All Or Nothing – JONES GANG with Chris Farlowe
