All the young Dudes
Songs for Tony Fenton
Vicar Street
14/05/15
This tribute gig was organized by a group of musicians and friends of the Late Tony Fenton from Today FM. I saw the ad on the webpage of one of my own favourite bands Delorentos, so I thought it might be enjoyable.
When I first arrived, there was a good crowd of people around, including some well-known faces of radio and music. I noticed the line-up advertised and was very impressed. It was pretty much the entire crème de la crème of Irish bands, singers, comedians and performers.
I was lucky enough to get into the venue in time to get a seat. It was packed to capacity by the time the gig got into full swing.
A video was shown at the beginning, featuring Tony over the years, doing what he did best as one of the finest and most popular DJ’s around the airwaves. It featured a little of the Shave or Dye campaigns associated with Today FM’s efforts for raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society. It included special moments such as when he got the audience at a charity gig to sing Just too good to be true and also interviews that would have been poignant in Tony’s career.
Ian Dempsey arrived onstage to introduce the show and things kicked off with Ham Sandwich doing a set. They did illuminate. It’s a catchy number with a cheerful beat and a feel good melody line. Lovely opener for the night!
Wallis Bird came on next and performed a classic from the seventies You’re so vain by Carlie Simon. She’s a fun character and knows how to draw the crowd in with her charisma. The large band backing her and providing accompaniment to quite a lot of the performances was made up of a mixed bunch of fab musicians who get together as a session band for events of this proportion. Directed by Gavin Glass, this small orchestra includes a sizable brass section, drums, Gavin on guitar, a violinist, bass and double bass, plus keyboards, amounting to about 10/12 pieces in all depending on the requirements.
Wallis did a great rendition of Aretha Franklyn’s Respect, which really got the audience on their feet and singing along.
The sax solo in this was delightful and performed by a young lady Alisson Reynolds, daughter of a well-known musician.
Joe O’Leary from Fred came onstage to perform a number, followed by Mick Flannery who sang a short set which featured In the Gutter plus Rainy night in Soho by The Pogues. This song is perfect for a night like this and the trumpet added that special something.
Ian Dempsey invited Billy from Aslan onstage to tell a few stories including how Tony on his shows referred to the band as The Lan and of course the main attraction Christy Dignam was in the house. Aslan made their entrance and did This is . This was followed their hit song, Crazy World. Seeing Aslan live for my first time, it was everything I expected it would be and more.
Adding to the fun was the introduction of Mario Rosenstock who came onstage as Michael (Tinker) Flatly. A dramatic River dance styled piece of music played by the band, lent a little authenticity to the scene. He glided across the stage with large sweeping arm movements similar to the Flamenco slash Gypsy slash Irish dancing, which defines The Lord of the Dance.
Someone from the orchestra threw a flute out to him, and as he reeled and pirouetted, Mario mimicked the well-known Lord of the dance moves. Everyone in the venue was laughing at his antics.
I enjoyed Mario, most especially when he showed his more genuine side and performed You’re just too good to be true, one of Tony’s favourites and a signature of his Shave or dye charity.
The audience joined in for the chorus and it was ‘the’ place to be on this memorable night!
Today FM’s Leanne Murphy, who would have worked closely with Tony came on to say a few words in tribute, and told how he was loved and missed so much by his colleagues at the station.
The Minutes
This band is always a pleasure to hear perform and this occasion was no different. First up was a Thin Lizzy number called The Rocker. They did the lively Cherry Bomb and the lead singer reflected how the band got quite a lot of air time thanks to Tony’s show.
Land Lovers, who are a fairly new band, performed a set. Tony’s niece is a member of the band playing drums. It was really special.
Gavin introduced each member of the session band, which was a nice addition and then he called Joe and Steve Wall from The Stunning onstage to do a couple of numbers. The lads did Bright and Shining Sun and Brewing up a storm.
Paul Harrington
Paul Harrington, popular musician and composer of Eurovision fame performed a lovely rendition Fire and Rain, which was superb and also Wichita Lineman.
Mundy got a cheerful reception as he came on to perform his popular song Oh my July. This was excellent and he got a little help from the audience for the chorus.
Dermott Whelan from the Dermott and Dave show did a stint. He monkeyed about as expected and got a lot of laughs, but he eventually played a parody with an acoustic guitar and honoured Tony’s memory as a colleague and friend.
Delorentos
This set was why I was there and it was worth waiting for. Delorentos are always a quality sound to hear and on this unique occasion they were on top form. They started with Show me love and followed with Petardu from their album Little Sparks.. This was preceded with a very heartfelt and emotional anecdote by singer/guitarist Kier who captured the hearts of everyone at this gig with his story of how he felt this song summed up a lot on a personal level for him. He and the band thanked Tony for playing their songs before they were signed and giving them his support since they formed back in 2005.
The lads did a Bruce Springsteen number which got the whole house hopping. Dancing in the dark is a song that everyone identifies with even if they aren’t a Boss fan. And Delorentos in conjunction with Podge from Ham Sandwich wowed with their interpretation.
Next up was a guy you have to love, Jerry Fish. He performed his most popular number True Friends and the crowd joined in. A beautiful trumpet solo lifted this song and the atmosphere was electric.
Wallis Bird returned to do Say a little prayer which suited her vocals well. She had everyone singing too.
Gavin Glass did a song himself Days roll by and I loved the guitar in this. The piano was excellent. The big band sound was wonderful and poignant lyrics I know you’re looking down on me left no one in doubt who he was singing this song for.
Yet another Boss song was performed Songs on the radio and after this Jack L performed All along the watchtower.
Tom Dunne, who previously worked on Today FM came on and told some enjoyable stories of his memories about Tony. Soon he did a couple of songs with his bandmates from Something Happens. Hello, Hello and Parachute were the most popular numbers from this band and I thoroughly enjoyed singing along with them for these.
BellX1
This exciting band performed a number called Flame, which is brilliant. Jerry Fish arrived back onstage along with members of his old band An emotional fish. They did an ideal song for a party; Celebrate.
Gavin called all the acts back onto the stage for a finale. And it was a cherry on the top of a perfect cake. Just as the show was wrapping up, Camille O’Sullivan arrived onstage to lead the whole venue for All the young Dudes. An encore of Heroes, the David Bowie classic was the last song of the night and when it was over, a spotlight was shone onto the screen at the back of the stage with the photo of Tony Fenton and the dates 1961-2015.
40,000 euro was raised from the gig for The Irish Cancer Society.
