The Skatalites World Tour 1995 from Sun, 30-April-1995 to Sun, 07-May-1995 from Bourges to Toulouse.
It’s the fourth year I’m meeting the Skatalites. This year for the first time Lester Ska Sterling.
Bourges is a capital city in the middle of France. The Printemps Festival is the largest festival on the continent at that time. In the backstage of the festival I’ve seen Youssou N’Dour there is also Megadeth or MC Solaar, Daddy Yod or Junior Wells. Later we meet C.J. Chenier. The programm of only one day shows a lot of big names.
But most of all I listen to the conversations of The Skatalites. More details on my other blog.
The next day we stay in Bourges for a little open air show. More details on my other blog. After Bourges, there is Rennes on the list. This is the place, where Vin takes pictures of me as merchandiser. More pictures on my other blog. As far as I remember well, in the backstage are members of Billy Ze Kick, a band from Rennes I love (see Festival des pôtes). In Rennes is also a memory with birds. This town reminds me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Birds (wikipedia).
The trouble in Rennes for me: I load all the luggage but mine. Luckily the hotel-manager sent it back home to Switzerland. But in fact, I had not much to change anymore. No problem with the t-shirts, I have a lot (to sell). However, I manage this from Bordeaux, the next station on the tour.
We have three shows in Spain. I remember we almost have an accident with the van. One wheel explodes on the highway, but Ham the driver is fast in stopping the van. But it took hours to change the wheel. In Barcelona we have no time for soundcheck.
Members on the World Tour 1995
- Doreen Schaffer (vocals)
- Lloyd George Brevett (bass)
- Rolando Alphonso (tenor saxophone)
- Lester Sterling (alto saxophone)
- Lloyd Knibb (drums)
- Nathan Breedlove (trumpet)
- Will Clark (trombone)
- Bill Smith (keyboards)
- Devon James (guitar)
The full list of the tour members can be found here: Link to the members of the World Tour 1995.
In Madrid I have a day off as merchandiser. These two guys from Dr. Calypso take the job. I enjoy the show.
After Madrid we drive to the north-west of Spain. Near the industry capital Bilbao. A pretty little village at the border of the Atlantic ocean. I hear “Bizkaya” but after research on google maps it must be the village called Vizcaya.
This is the most spectacular flyer from the whole tour. I remember looking at it together with Roland Alphonso and he’s talking about the time with Don Drummond. The tears in his eyes tells a lot to me. He remembers so well and in brakes his heart when he’s thinking about that time.
In Toulouse is the final show for me for the moment. I have to go back to Switzerland to promote and manage another event with House Of Rhythm in Luzern.
Tour Schedule
The full list is on the Skatalites blog, here are only the dates, I’m working as merchandiser:
- Sunday, April 30th: Bourges (F), Printemps de Bourges festival (only for professionals after Clifton Chenier) (Link)
- Monday, May 1st: Bourges (F), Printemps de Bourges festival (free outdoor) (Link)
- Tuesday, May 2nd: Rennes (F), L’Espace, Rockambolesque (warm-up: La Famille Boost) (Link)
- Wednesday, May 3rd: Bordeaux (F), Krakatoa (plus: Sai Sai & Doudoud Cissoko) (Link)
- Thursday, May 4th: Barcelona (E), Zeleste (warm-up: Malarians)
- Friday, May 5th: Madrid (E), Revolver Club (warm-up: Dr. Calypso)
- Saturday, May 6th: Vizcaya (E), Sala Circuito (Mungia)
- Sunday, May 7th: Toulouse (F), Le Bikini
The whole story can be found on the Skatalites blog.
- Link to the full schedule of the World Tour 1995
T-shirts from the World Tour 1995
