Previously Appearing at Wickham was...
Tom Robinson & Band
Having entertained us in 2015, Tom Robinson returns to Wickham on Saturday 4th August. He shot to fame with the top 10 hit 2-4-6-8 Motorway and Glad To Be Gay.
A UK songwriter & broadcaster first known in the 1970s as a musician & LGBT activist, Tom and his band were also early supporters of Rock Against Racism & Amnesty International. Between 1975 & 2001 Tom released 19 albums with various bands, and had a solo hit with the song War Baby. He has also co-written songs with Elton John, Peter Gabriel & Dan Hartman. He has hosted programmes on all BBC national radio networks and won three Radio Academy awards. He currently presents shows on BBC Radio 6 Music and hosts the new music blog Fresh On The Net.
http://tomrobinson.bandcamp.com/
Recent Facebook Posts
Big thanks to Jeff Prestridge for this lovely, generous warmhearted review of our show at @PizzaExpress Holborn this week: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ closeupculture.com/2019/04/05/tom-robinson-live-music-review/
Great hearing 2-4-6-8 in the middle of the film Fisherman’s Friends.
Hopefully the 2019 tour will be going around the country ! Preferably Manchester ! I've seen the last 3 tours , but want more ! 👍😀😀
It was awesome!
Thanks Tom, that was an excellent show yesterday as expected
Great, accurate review. I thoroughly enjoyed the gig, fantastic set list and amazing support for this wonderful man.
An excellent resumé of an equally brilliant evening which reflects the strength of all the Band in difficult circumstances. Thanks for making it through Tom, you were quite simply, inspirational. RIP DK.
Still a fantastic crowd pleaser,brilliant back catalogue ,and a wonderful writer,pretty much the full package...God Bless his cotton socks👍
So that’s who was sitting next to me, scribbling away... Bravo to every word. Ixx
Love to all
“Generous”? I’d imagine “accurate” to be a more likely description! Tom is at his zenith, in every artistic respect.
Looking forward to seeing your gig in emsworth tom
Friday and Saturday are sold out for this week’s supper club gigs in London but there are still three tckets left for tomorrow (Thursday). We'll be playing songs from War Baby: Hope & Glory, Still Loving You and Only The Now, plus a set of TRB classics in memory of Danny Kustow. tomrobinson.com/gigs
With grateful acknowledgment to Tom Girard for the photo...
Have a great gig Tom,saw you in Liverpool last year,you were boss mate😊
Caitlin Clare
Good on the Friday night. My brother and nephew with me. Can’t wait! Wishing you all peace and love. Xxxxxxx
Really wish it was like the 1970s so I could hitch hike down the smoke from liddypol... Last time I watched you do war baby / still loving you was at the Southport theatre..... Have a great weekend Tom... Come back to Merseyside soon 😉
Heading home from Tamworth for this Thursday evening and greatly looking forward to it.
So looking forward to Saturday
Would be there like a shot if I lived in London x How about Truce love that song xx Play for Danny and remember back in the day PID x
Do Danny proud Tom
Only 3 tickets left for tomorrow. Friday and Saturday sold out.
Are you going to tour this Tom? We’d love to see it up in rural Scotland #cometoArgyll
Are you going to tour this Tom? We’d love to see it up in rural Scotland #cometoArgyll
You mean Hope and Glory
No Sector 27??
Tribute to Danny Kustow given at his funeral yesterday at Bushey Old Jewish Cemetery. [Photo by Kate De Ban at The 100 Club London, Nov 2017]
At age 16 I was in the grip of terminal depression - and my life was only saved by a visionary teacher and healer called George Lyward. Finchden Manor, the community he founded in Kent offered troubled teenagers like me a haven of respite - and gave me back my life at a time when all I'd wanted to do was throw it away.
Danny arrived there two years after me as a nervous 14 year old on the very day our most distinguished old boy - Alexis Korner (father of the British blues) - played an impromptu concert in Mr Lyward's study.
Danny found himself rubbing shoulders with 20 or 30 unkempt youths crowded into that oak-panelled sanctum, held spellbound by one man and a guitar. That evening, he later told me, gave him a first glimpse into the world of possibilities that music might have to offer.
Shy, yet sociable. Naive yet knowing. Danny soon made friends who to this day still remember him with warmth and affection. He was good at football, a natural at amateur dramatics, and quickly acquired a battered third hand electric guitar.
The apparition of Danny (with flowing locks and Jimi Hendrix headband) practising his Guitar Hero poses was a source of much merriment - because at that point he had yet to learn how to play the thing.
Older boys like myself who fancied ourselves as musicians, found ourselves constantly badgered to show him basic chords and riffs on the instrument. As anybody who has known Danny at any point in his life will remember - he was nothing if not persistent.
Fast forward 7 years - and with Finchden long behind us - the 21 year old Danny has heard that I'm forming a band in London. Luckily for me punk rock has just erupted - so the ability to sing in tune is strictly optional. Likewise the ability to play more than a few chords on the guitar. So it doesn't take much pestering for Danny to become a founder member of the modestly named Tom Robinson Band.
Then, after a first couple of gigs together, it slowly begins to dawn on me that Danny is not only a born performer but can actually play the guitar. And his playing isn't competent... It's outstanding. Within a few weeks we have recruited a teenage keyboard genius called Mark Ambler, a percussive human whirlwind inexplicably named The Dolphin, and a hit record follows 9 months later.
Over the next three years music fans around the world will be smitten by Danny's incendiary guitar solos and extraordinary stage presence. He soon earns recognition as one of the most gifted English guitarists of his generation. He also becomes known as a staunch supporter of Rock Against Racism, eventually playing to 80,000 people at their Carnival Against The Nazis in London's Victoria Park.
And yet... Be careful what you wish for. Our band's rapid rise to commercial success in 1977 soon brought unimaginable pressures and emotional stress for all four of us. None of us behaved well, least of all me.
And so, even as our collective career took flight, the band began falling apart. By the time TRB fizzled out two years later there was only Danny and me left - and even we weren't speaking to each other.
Like all of us Danny had his troubles, sometimes of his own making, but none the less painful for all that. He also had a big generous heart. Like any of us he had an ability to exasperate those who loved him... But he also had the (much rarer) lifelong ability to inspire that love... even among those he exasperated.
Four decades after making those early records with Mark, Dolphin and myself, Danny's legacy is still remembered with warmth and wonder. Over the last 36 hours there's been an outpouring of tributes to his achievements - and grief at his passing: from friends, fans and fellow musicians around the world, in their hundreds.
And, five decades after first encountering that nervous 14 year old full of hope and promise, I share the devastation of everyone in this room that he's no longer with us.
But let me finish with a tribute sent yesterday by a stranger whose life Danny never even knew he'd touched...
"I’ll remember him with a smile and one of those incredulous faces you pull every time you had the pleasure of hearing him play. As in: WHAT A TALENT!! HOW IS *THAT* EVEN POSSIBLE?? From the opening tsunami of Up Against the Wall to the delicate beauty of his solo on Too Good to be True... What a touch he had. Danny gave us all a love of music and encouraged each of us to pick up a guitar ourselves..."
Alexander Daniel Kustow may be gone, but he won't be forgotten for as long as any of us draw breath.
God Bless Him.
Tom Robinson
14 March 2019
![Tribute to Danny Kustow given at his funeral yesterday at Bushey Old Jewish Cemetery. [Photo by Kate De Ban at The 100 Club London, Nov 2017]
At age 16 I was in the grip of terminal depression - and my life was only saved by a visionary teacher and healer called George Lyward. Finchden Manor, the community he founded in Kent offered troubled teenagers like me a haven of respite - and gave me back my life at a time when all Id wanted to do was throw it away.
Danny arrived there two years after me as a nervous 14 year old on the very day our most distinguished old boy - Alexis Korner (father of the British blues) - played an impromptu concert in Mr Lywards study.
Danny found himself rubbing shoulders with 20 or 30 unkempt youths crowded into that oak-panelled sanctum, held spellbound by one man and a guitar. That evening, he later told me, gave him a first glimpse into the world of possibilities that music might have to offer.
Shy, yet sociable. Naive yet knowing. Danny soon made friends who to this day still remember him with warmth and affection. He was good at football, a natural at amateur dramatics, and quickly acquired a battered third hand electric guitar.
The apparition of Danny (with flowing locks and Jimi Hendrix headband) practising his Guitar Hero poses was a source of much merriment - because at that point he had yet to learn how to play the thing.
Older boys like myself who fancied ourselves as musicians, found ourselves constantly badgered to show him basic chords and riffs on the instrument. As anybody who has known Danny at any point in his life will remember - he was nothing if not persistent.
Fast forward 7 years - and with Finchden long behind us - the 21 year old Danny has heard that Im forming a band in London. Luckily for me punk rock has just erupted - so the ability to sing in tune is strictly optional. Likewise the ability to play more than a few chords on the guitar. So it doesnt take much pestering for Danny to become a founder member of the modestly named Tom Robinson Band.
Then, after a first couple of gigs together, it slowly begins to dawn on me that Danny is not only a born performer but can actually play the guitar. And his playing isnt competent... Its outstanding. Within a few weeks we have recruited a teenage keyboard genius called Mark Ambler, a percussive human whirlwind inexplicably named The Dolphin, and a hit record follows 9 months later.
Over the next three years music fans around the world will be smitten by Dannys incendiary guitar solos and extraordinary stage presence. He soon earns recognition as one of the most gifted English guitarists of his generation. He also becomes known as a staunch supporter of Rock Against Racism, eventually playing to 80,000 people at their Carnival Against The Nazis in Londons Victoria Park.
And yet... Be careful what you wish for. Our bands rapid rise to commercial success in 1977 soon brought unimaginable pressures and emotional stress for all four of us. None of us behaved well, least of all me.
And so, even as our collective career took flight, the band began falling apart. By the time TRB fizzled out two years later there was only Danny and me left - and even we werent speaking to each other.
Like all of us Danny had his troubles, sometimes of his own making, but none the less painful for all that. He also had a big generous heart. Like any of us he had an ability to exasperate those who loved him... But he also had the (much rarer) lifelong ability to inspire that love... even among those he exasperated.
Four decades after making those early records with Mark, Dolphin and myself, Dannys legacy is still remembered with warmth and wonder. Over the last 36 hours theres been an outpouring of tributes to his achievements - and grief at his passing: from friends, fans and fellow musicians around the world, in their hundreds.
And, five decades after first encountering that nervous 14 year old full of hope and promise, I share the devastation of everyone in this room that hes no longer with us.
But let me finish with a tribute sent yesterday by a stranger whose life Danny never even knew hed touched...
I’ll remember him with a smile and one of those incredulous faces you pull every time you had the pleasure of hearing him play. As in: WHAT A TALENT!! HOW IS *THAT* EVEN POSSIBLE?? From the opening tsunami of Up Against the Wall to the delicate beauty of his solo on Too Good to be True... What a touch he had. Danny gave us all a love of music and encouraged each of us to pick up a guitar ourselves...
Alexander Daniel Kustow may be gone, but he wont be forgotten for as long as any of us draw breath.
God Bless Him.
Tom Robinson
14 March 2019](https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/53781139_1146208458880825_3461266078867390464_o.jpg?_nc_cat=106&_nc_ht=scontent.xx&oh=0c50a386caac411da76584a97d4df1c8&oe=5D3E6D3F)
What a very moving and fitting tribute Tom. In my heart of hearts, I always felt that Danny was way up there with the likes of Paul Kossoff. He made playing guitar look so damn easy. What a fantastic legacy he has left behind. Rest in Peace Brother ❤️🎸
Great tribute Tom and I know it is truly heartfelt. I have interviewed you a few times over the years and told you of how much of an impact TRB had on me. It is so bad that Danny has gone and way too young but think about how many people he touched. That is the measure of the man because in the main it was so positive. Few people have that effect on others. Despite the sadness, I did find a time to smile remembering Danny impersonating Freddie Mercury. So, a toast to Danny Kustow a man who had a huge positive impact on my life and on the two occasions I met him I was struck by the fact that he was a really nice man.❤️
Danny's father, Bernard, was our avuncular, and well loved family doctor. Through him, we got to know the family. I have many stories, some quite naughty, I even did my level best to teach him to drive. I remember turning up at a kibbutz in Israel back in the 70's, and finding Danny strumming away at his guitar. We've been in close touch up until recently, when he was planning a trip up to Scotland to come and stay. We'll miss him so much. His heart was so warm, and it was always a pleasure to speak to him. Great tribute Tom.........thank you so much.
Danny touched my life as a teen and continued to make me smile through my many many ‘pause for thoughts’ throughout the years. He was the cool one, the funny one - the “I’d like to be like him” one. Sad times, happy memories - thank you Danny Kustow xxx
I saw the band first at The Golden Lion in Fulham then a couple of months later at the Marquee. Great band, and despite Toms modesty, all were impressive musicians when that wasn’t very fashionable.
Fantastic tribute Tom , great words. RIP Danny xx
Beautifully put Tom, an excellent album I still play often. So great to see him at the 100 club on the power in the darkness anniversary 2017. RIP a brilliant guitarist and great man.
Wonderful tribute Tom ... much love
Beautiful and heartbreaking Tom <3 Rest in Peace Danny <3
Lovely words Tom. Danny was a one off. A talent who played with a style that helped TRB fulfil their potential.. in the winter of 79.. and forever remembered..
A fabulous tribute. I still remember seeing you play in the 70s at Warwick University - a great gig.
Beautiful words Tom..Danny lived a quiet life in Bathford Bath and when I would visit him I would ask him to play my favourite song “War Baby” which he did on many occasions whilst reminiscing! Danny became reclusive not realising how much people loved him for who he was and his music ability! My mother who was his neighbour often looked in on him and fed and watered him, she misses him dearly! He will be sadly missed by me and my family!!xx Rest in Peace My Friend..xx
Great words right from the heart. A wonderfully warm, honest tribute.
An exquisite tribute, equal to the exquisite, soaring talent. Thank you for again putting into words, Tom, the raw emotion we feel. Rest In Peace, and thrill the heavens, Danny Kustow.
Well said. A great guitarist. I only had the pleasure of seeing TRB once, at the Marquee, but what a superb band.
Nice one mr robinson a brilliant tribute.
Such gorgeous words and gorgeous photo!! Cherish all the memories ❤️ They will guide you through. X
TRB - you , Danny et al. Changed lives and made our world a better place to be in. Power In The Darkness, RAR, Anti-Nazi League Carnival, Victoria Park, Hackney...so much more. As the poet said: " Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive and to be young was very Heaven." Cheerio Danny, a much loved and missed man x
To remember Danny, here's a picture I took of him and Tom at the Werchter Festival on Sunday 8th of July 1979 when Tom Robinson Band played there...
What a fantastic tribute Tom , to a guy who left his mark on us ‘impressionable youth’ who grew up inspired by people like yourself and Danny’s contribution to music and ‘thought provoking’ lyrics. Whatever happened in his life, he made that mark forever via soaring guitar ! RIP Danny
A fitting tribute indeed, a great guitarist and a better friend.
Can only agree great tribute . I saw Trb in concent a number of times and he was a excellent guitar player and had great stage presence
Fantastic tribute - RIP Danny .....
You can see the love between you both, what an awful loss.
I remember you being candid with that at your closed gig in Derry..Bless you Tom that those who need your wisdom should be inspired by your words,such a fine tribute..RIP Danny
