We’ll meet again

Arriving in Stockholm on Sunday 16th March brought a chilling reminder of how touring was brought to an end on 12th March 2020, the day after we played Cirkus. The Swedish government was totally absorbed with making decisions about whether people could meet at all and, if so, how many people were allowed to be together. The numbers added up to a total ban on public gatherings. Appropriately we flew home on Friday 13th, cutting short a touring year that looked to be as busy as 2019. The rest, as they say, is history and let’s hope this particular history doesn’t repeat itself.

Things are very different now and audiences are keen to show their appreciation for live bands, making our job all the more enjoyable. Also we live in a world in which the microscopic enemy is nothing like as threatening as the dictators who casually wipe out humans in their quest to grab some more land. Against this background we are surely the escapism that people seek to take their mind off the persistent news reports that focus on the worse side of human beings. I have a lot of faith in humanity and am lucky to see people at their best, a privilege that is not afforded to all. My touring world is again expanding as more countries appear on our date sheet. The words “Sold Out” appear more frequently than ever before and the crowd is hungry for a party. As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary I pause to think about all those from within the music industry who are no longer with us, including not just musicians but also record companies, technicians, engineers, producers and the rest. What would they think if they could see Smokie in 2025? Personally I have technology to thank for my opportunity to become part of this great band. In the 1970s bands were mostly comprised of guitarists, bass players and drummers, but the 80s called for an extra layer of sounds and the door kindly opened for myself, the keyboard player. We went from being a luxury addition to an essential part of the sound, mimicking those rich string parts that, at one time, could only be produced by an orchestra.

I am looking at another busy touring year as well as another potentially busy one in 2026, so no reason to think about slowing down just yet. If I had a crystal ball I would like to take a peek at 2030 but I think it might just tell me what I already know, that The Earth is still spinning and Smokie are still touring. The answer will be revealed soon enough.