Latest news with #Lemmy
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Second Burslem do for Motörhead frontman Lemmy
Weeks after hundreds flocked to see the unveiling of a statue of Motörhead frontman Lemmy in his hometown, organisers have decided to stage a second Encore will take place in the shadow of the statue on 3 August in Market Place in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, now nicknamed Lemmy Andy Edwards said the cast bronze memorial, which contains some of the legendary singer's ashes, had since been visited by fans from across to keep momentum for those fans, he said: "You've got to give them something when people travel those kind of distances. Referring to the unveiling on 9 May, which marked 10 years since Lemmy's death, he said: "We put the flag in the ground with the statue. "We want to see Burslem come back to life in the way that it was on that Friday."Somebody's gotta do it, and it does need to keep that momentum up." Lemmy Encore will take place from 14:00-18:00 BST, with live music, food vans, retro clothing and used record stalls and a motorbike rock band Falling Doves will perform later in the day at Grumpys in nearby Longport. Mr Edwards said plans to convert the Grade II listed Queens Theatre in Burslem into a venue as part Lemmy's legacy were "gaining more and more traction".He said the council were "keen" on the Kilmister Halls proposal, which would incorporate a recording studio, cafe and museum."It's going to be a community facility," he added. "Music school, musical instrument library, and breathe life back into the city, not just Burs-Lemmy." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Metro
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
I'm a former night owl who now loves waking up at 5am
I wake up most days at 5.30am. I throw on some clothes as silently as I can, being careful not to disturb my partner. I fill our cat Arthur's food bowl, then gaze out of the kitchen window into the garden as the kettle boils for tea, watching robins and great tits get their breakfast at our bird feeders. Next, it's puzzle time with ITV's Good Morning Britain starting in the background. I begin with Wordle, then the New York Times' Spelling Bee, Strands, Connections and Letter Boxed, then Worldle, Metro's Word Wheel and The Times' Polygon and Concise Crossword. Puzzles (hopefully) completed, I go for a walk, maybe taking in a beautiful local park, perhaps admiring some wonderful architecture and street art I see every day, but never tire of, while playing another game: Trying to identify breeds of dogs on their dawn walks. I love the peace, quiet and sense of space I can only enjoy early in the morning. After almost nine years of living with a talkative partner, when we both also work from home, this solo routine has become precious 'me time'. Back home, half an hour later, I crack on with admin, emails or start work early. I've ticked all this off by 8am. I never used to be like this. If you'd told me a year ago this would be my daily routine, I'd have laughed in your face. In fact, I built my career on being a night owl. I became a music journalist in the mid-90s at the height of Britpop. My job dictated I carouse around London into the early hours at gig afterparties, as that's where I got my scoops. Being up late came naturally, and I relished stalking the nightlife underbellies of Soho or Camden Town, landing stories. In the 2000s, I began working in radio music news. I once went straight to an early shift at BBC 6 Music, having stayed out all night with much-missed Motorhead frontman Lemmy at a burlesque club. I immediately went on air to read my bulletin – and my exclusive story. I worked on Fleet Street showbiz news into the 2010s, and late-night parties were fertile hunting grounds for celebrity gossip. Even recently, being a night owl was very much part of my identity. A couple of years ago, I posted a picture on Instagram at 9am after I'd been to the doctor's and it prompted one of my oldest friends to ask if I'd been diagnosed with something horrible. Otherwise, why would I accept an appointment that early? Fast forward to now: I am writing this at 6:30am, having been up since 5am. So what changed? Last November, a disc in my spine prolapsed and trapped a nerve, causing horrific pain. The kind of agony that makes you pass out or throw up. Some nights, I couldn't sleep at all and retreated to the sofa so as not to wake my partner. If I dropped off, I'd often wake in the early hours in misery as the painkillers wore off and I couldn't get back to sleep. I've had chronic back problems for years, but this was a different level. Ultrasound steroid spinal injections coupled with physio and exercise, however, have helped hugely, and the pain is back to a manageable level. But I'm still waking up about three hours earlier than I used to. Previously, I'd get up at 8:30am for my 30-step commute from my bedroom to the living room, before starting work at 9am. On weekends, I was never up before 10am. Lack of sleep aside (I still go to bed at the same time around midnight), I do enjoy my new morning routine and love feeling like I've stolen a march on my day. I don't regret not waking up earlier for years though – I need as much beauty sleep as I can get – and my late-night film-loving partner remains unconvinced about dawn rising. Apparently, people fall into two 'chronotypes' – early birds or night owls – which dictate our circadian rhythms. Research has found we're genetically programmed to either favour going to bed at a reasonable time, then waking with the lark to seize the day, or prefer staying up into the early hours and dragging ourselves reluctantly from our pit in time for brunch. I was always in the latter camp. But along with discovering I was 89% Irish, 7% Scottish and only 4% English (I'm adopted, so this was new information), a DNA test surprisingly revealed that I was destined to be a morning person all along. And I've discovered there are measurable upsides to my newfound identity as a lark. More Trending The mental and physical health benefits of my morning walk are obvious, as I feel great afterwards. Solving puzzles is also believed to sharpen logic and have the same calming effect as meditation, something I've never been able to do. Plus, I'm getting more work done. So I've finally come to terms with the fact that I am now an early riser and am not hating it half as much as I thought I would. View More » After years of being a night owl, I've changed my mind – perhaps the early bird really does catch the worm. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I wasn't having my needs met so hired an escort – I'm one too MORE: I saw a poster in the library and finally felt happy MORE: I never expected my one-night stand to pursue me after our casual fling Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Daily Record
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hawkwind to headline Back Doune the Rabbit Hole as they replace The Fratellis
The legendary space rock group have been announced as the Saturday night headliners on the Back Doune the Rabbit Hole (BDTRH) music festival, after The Fratellis pulled out. The iconic English rock band Hawkwind has been confirmed as the Saturday night headliners for the Back Doune the Rabbit Hole (BDTRH) music festival, stepping in to replace The Fratellis who had to pull out from their planned performance. As pioneers of space rock, Hawkwind is set to captivate festival-goers at the revamped event near Stirling. In a statement released by the BDTRH organisers, they expressed their excitement, saying: "We're thrilled to announce that the legendary Hawkwind will headline the Saturday night of Back Doune the Rabbit Hole 2025. "One of the greatest live bands around, Hawkwind are known for their immersive, mind-bending shows. Get ready to be completely transported with a set that's guaranteed to be out of this world." "They join our final line up alongside some fantastic new additions including The Sherlocks, Clearwater Creedence Revival, Ohasis and The Complete Stone Roses. "The countdown is officially on! We couldn't be more excited for what's coming to Cardross Estate this August." However, not all news was positive as they noted changes to the lineup, adding: "Unfortunately, due to scheduling and logistical conflicts, Dodgy and The Feeling will no longer be joining us this year but we hope to welcome them back in the future." Widely regarded as trailblazers in the space rock genre, Hawkwind stands out even among contemporaries such as Pink Floyd, UFO, and Parliament. Over the years, Hawkwind has seen various members come and go, including the legendary Motorhead frontman Lemmy at one point in their storied history. However, only the leader, singer, guitarist and founding member, Dave Brock, remains from Hawkwind's original lineup since its inception in 1969. Earlier this month, Glaswegian rockers The Fratellis withdrew from their top billing due to a dispute regarding an unpaid deposit. BDTRH has undergone an overhaul after previous operators – called Doune the Rabbit Hole – collapsed into liquidation amid a storm over unpaid musicians and contractors. Steering the course for BDTRH are the new faces at the helm: businessman Brian Harkin, with Colin Black and Paul Aspey of Rock Asset Management. The team behind BDTRH has pointed to a third-party promoter for the disruption. This promoter, Wannasee Ltd, is amidst proceedings to liquidate. A representative for Wannasee Ltd earlier this month clarified the situation, saying: "To clarify, Wannasee Ltd has never held a shareholding or directorship in Back Doune the Rabbit Hole, nor has it ever had any ownership of the event. "Wannasee Ltd is now in the process of entering liquidation following wider industry challenges affecting its own portfolio of events. "We wish the team at Back Doune Ltd every success in delivering what we're sure will be a fantastic festival this summer." BDTRH is scheduled to take place atthe Cardross Estate, Port of Menteith, near Stirling, from August 1-3. Among the roster of acts expected to grace the reinvigorated festival is Liverpool's indie darling, The Zutons, set to close out the Sunday night festivities. Marc Almond of Soft Cell fame is slated to take center stage on Friday evening, ensuring a star-studded kick-off to the weekend's events. Scouting for Girls, the Bay City Rollers, The Skids and Newton Faulkner are also set to take the stage.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather for city's centenary parade
Persistent rain did not dampen the spirits of hundreds of people who turned out for a parade to mark a city's centenary. Hundreds gathered on the streets of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, to watch the People's Parade - the centrepiece of ongoing 100th birthday celebrations. The procession, featuring huge puppets, live music and dancing, began at 13:00 BST with about 1,000 participants marching for 1.5 miles (2.4km) from College Road to finish at Hanley Park. Speaking before, organiser Susan Clarke, from Stoke Creates, said: "It really is going to knock everyone's socks off." "We don't tell the world enough how good we are at doing stuff and how creative and imaginative we are. "Take us seriously, stop putting us down because there's no reason to do that now." More than 350 artists worked with 70 groups across the city on the procession - with the puppets including a representation of Burslem-born Lemmy from Motörhead, a giant clock and a 16ft-high (4.4m) figure which can interact with onlookers. Costume maker Holly Johnson made 100 cupcake costumes that were worn by pupils from Angela Beardmore School of Dance. She said: "I've been told I could go to other cities and I could maybe do better, but we love Stoke so much that we want to help build the community here and we just wanted to keep help building the arts here." Dave Lovatt, from Cat & Mouse Theatre Group, said his job was to get the crowd "roused up and excited" by sharing stories of local heroes on a megaphone, including Sir Stanley Matthews, Robbie Williams and athlete Jazmin Sawyers. Children from Year 7 at Haywood Academy worked with artist Emily Andrews to create a replica of the city's incinerator, with an invented creature protruding from it that is part fox, part axolotl. The children fed litter, picked along the route, to the "foxalotl" and recycling it afterwards. "I grew up in Stoke, it's a big part of my life and a big part of who I am," Ms Andrews said. The six towns, which were granted city status by King George V on 5 June 1925, marked the first official Stoke-on-Trent Day on Thursday. Celebrations culminate on Saturday with Party in the Park at Hanley Park, with performances from local musicians and street food stalls. A Lancaster Bomber flew over it just after 15:00 BST, approaching from Stoke-on-Trent College and continuing to the city centre. The city's Lord Mayor Steve Watkins called it a "spectacular moment", symbolising the city's wartime contribution and "longstanding history of service and resilience". A free street party with eight hours of dance music is also taking place on Piccadilly, Hanley, on Saturday from 14:00 to 23:00. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Events to celebrate city's 100th anniversary Free music festival announced for city's centenary 'You can't find better people than Stokies' Stoke-on-Trent Centenary
Perth Now
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kim Wilde locked out of hotel room naked
Kim Wilde got locked out of her hotel room naked following a boozy "knees-up". The veteran pop star, 64, has been sober for a decade but she used to enjoy alcohol-soaked nights out following her shows at the height of her career in the 1980s and she's revealed one night ended in humiliation after she found herself trapped in a hotel corridor without any clothes on and she had to walk down to reception in the nude to ask for help. She told The Times newspaper: "I haven't drunk alcohol for a decade, so post-show hedonism levels won't be at Eighties or Nineties levels. I once ended up naked in a hotel corridor after a big knees-up: I snuck out of my room in the night and the door shut behind me. "I had to slink down to the lobby to ask for a spare key, which was mortifying." The confession comes after Kim revealed late Motorhead frontman Lemmy once tried to get her drunk on vodka in his dressing room. Kim met the late heavy metal legend - who died from prostate cancer along with cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure at the age of 70 in 2015 - at the start of her career and notorious boozer kept topping up her cup in a bid to get her tipsy before Kim's chaperone dragged her away. Kim - who launched her pop career in 1981 at the age of 20 following the release of 'Kids in America' - explained to The Big Issue magazine: "I was very lucky. "Both of the record companies that I worked for at the time got me travelling. "When I was travelling, that's when I needed looking after. And they were always there. So, I was, sort of, chaperoned, I would say, very wisely and with a lot of fun. "There was one time where I was in a dressing room with Lemmy from Motörhead, oh God. And he was trying to get me drunk on vodka. He poured it into a plastic cup so you couldn't see how much was in there. "My chaperone, or the lady that works at the record company, Moira, she dragged me out. She wouldn't let me. But he was an absolute sweetheart really." Kim insists the support of the team that was around her throughout her career put her in a "really good" place in terms of finances. The ''Never Trust a Stranger' hitmaker explained: "I'd tell my younger self you need to surround yourself as much as possible with people who you can trust. "I would say, always trust your instincts about people who you're working with, and ask lots of questions. "I was very fortunate in that I've always worked with people who I trust implicitly, and that has made a huge difference to the quality of my life, not just personally, but, you know, financially. It's given me a lot of security. "I would say that on the whole, I've had a really positive experience, and it's put me in a really good place."
