Paddy Raff starstruck after bumping into comedy hero Steve Coogan at The Mac
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Press and Journal
18 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Aberdeen band Pallas singer's Parkinson's diagnosis: 'I went a year wondering why my finger was curling'
Alan Reed isn't interested in feeling sorry for himself. On the contrary, this is a man who, when presented with an obstacle, views it as an advantage rather than a source of adversity. And that explains why he has talked about his recent Parkinson's diagnosis with such candour and clarity. Yes, he appreciates the downsides: the fact he can't drive is 'a scunner', while his decision to wear a single compression glove led some people to wonder whether he was a closet Michael Jackson fan. But he is still making music, working with friends, drawing up plans for the future….and one of them is a fundraising walk along the West Highland Way. He has arranged it with his wife, Anne, and they are striding out on September 12. As Alan said, in matter of fact fashion: 'I'm always wanted to do it. And now I'm going ahead – while I can.' As a lover of progressive rock music, Alan was a pivotal member of the renowned Aberdeen band Pallas for many years and has a wealth of stories about gigging. He and his bandmates supported all manner of high-profile groups from UFO to Uriah Heep and Nazareth to Steppenwolf, the creators of global hit Born to be Wild. They performed everywhere from the Glasgow Apollo to the Hammersmith Odeon on London and the Capitol and the Music Hall in the Granite City. Some of these concert appearances weren't without the occasional hazard of the type captured brilliantly in Rob Reiner's film This is Spinal Tap. Alan, for instance recalled one event, where: 'I came down [centre stage] with keyboards and drums on either side. There was a smoke machine that leaked oil over the stage and it ignited when we used pyrotechnics. 'Dek (the drummer) was frantically trying to signal to the crew that there was real fire on the stage (even while he was drumming). 'They got the message eventually and rushed on. But I was down the front completely oblivious to the danger!' The decades may have passed in a blur, but Alan is still in thrall to prog rock and is participating in a new festival Wha's Like Us in Glasgow in August. It's an opportunity for him to unite with one of his pals and enjoy a blast from the past. Because Euan Lowson will be appearing with his band Machinary and Reed has now confirmed he will join them for several Pallas songs at the event. These days, it's increasingly difficult for prog rock to command attention. Streaming services and digital radio stations tend to focus on short, sharp quirky songs. Most don't have the time or inclination to feature works lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, often with lengthy guitar solos and impenentrable lyrics. Yet that music was popular among millions of listeners in the 1970s and 1980s. And Alan is convinced that there's still a strong appetite for something a bit different. He told me: 'If, like us and many others, you like your rock music to go a bit beyond what's regarded as 'normal' and you want to experiment a bit, then that's prog. 'The bands are very different from each other. For example, you couldn't confuse Genesis with Yes or Pink Floyd, or Jethro Tull. They each came up with their own ideas of what they wanted to achieve in their music. 'I suppose that they all wanted to show off their technical skills, and use what technology was available to them. 'It's no surprise that Gabriel came out of Genesis, and that Ian Anderson did a sideline using drum machines and computers that sounded nothing like his day job in Tull. 'It's the same with our generation. You couldn't mistake us for Marillion or Twelfth Night or Solstice. 'We shared an ambition to show off our chops a bit, but I'm pleased we all found different ways of doing it. 'To this day I have no problem with people liking other bands rather than us. 'The heart likes what it does!' Obviously, Alan's situation has changed since he was told he had Parkinson's. Yet he is positive about what lies ahead. If it was a hammerblow, he has come to terms with it. In the longer term, he has read enough from the information supplied by his nurses to recognise his condition will deteriorate. But he is one of life's stubborn individuals. And, for as long as he is surrounded by his loved ones, negativity is not an option. He said: 'It was a bit of a shock to receive the news via a phone call (my consultant was about to go on holiday), but I think I surprised her by being relaxed about it. 'At least, I finally had a name for what I was suffering. I had gone more than a year wondering what was causing the fingers on my right hand to curl in the way they did. 'Handwriting was no longer to be trusted and I couldn't play guitar or bass. I haven't driven since September last year. It's a real scunner. 'I haven't got the shakes yet, but the DAT scan didn't lie. I have Parkinson's and the reality is that I don't know how much productive time I have left. 'I've had many a moment since to think back on that experience. And I'm still of the opinion that if I give up, I'm doomed. Doomed to end up like so many others – shuffling slowly towards the inevitable end. 'But I'm also very sympathetic to all those who have no choice but to continue as they are. Not as they once were. 'I have always wanted to do the West Highland Way since I was a kid. So I decided to do it as soon as possible – while I was still able. 'It's a personal thing. The fundraising side of it came later. My partner, Anne, suggested that I use my 'fame' – as it were – to fundraise on our journey. So here we are. 'I've set aside September 12-21 to do it. I have booked the accommodation, and I have lots of donations already, so there is no backing out now. 'There are four of us, my partner and I, plus Mark from my solo band and his partner. We will be joined for the last couple of days by some old mates of mine. 'And a few people have said they will join us for the start. 'So if you see us and want to say Hi, please do.' He's a man on a mission, bloody but unbowed, a king in his Pallas. And still rocking. Alan's fundraising page is on Justgiving.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Comedy Award: Here are the 14 most famous winners in the prize's 45 year history
Launched in 1981, the Edinburgh Comedy Award is presented to the comedy show judged to have been the best at the city's Festival Fringe and is widely recognised as the most prestigious comedy prize in the UK . Most famously known as the Perrier Award, over the years it's also been known as the awards and the and this year it's celebrating its 45th birthday. Originally it was just a single prize for the best show, but a Best Newcomer category was added in 1992, followed by a Panel Prize (now the Victoria Wood Award) four years later - for acts who have made a special contribution to the Fringe Festival. Last year the main prize was won by Amy Gledhill, while Joe Kent-Walters took home the prize for Best Newcomer for his monstrous comic creation Frankie Monroe. Meanwhile, the Panel Prize went to A Show for Rob Copeland - whose free show at the Banshee Labyrinth saw some of the biggest queues of the Fringe. And this year's comedy champions will be crowned on Saturday, August 23. They will join a list of winners that includes some of the most biggest names in comedy. Here are the 14 most famous winners in the award's history. 1 . Cambridge Footlights The first ever winners of the award in 1981 were arguably the most famous. The Campbridge Footlights comedy troupe included Stephen Fry, High Laurie and Emma Thompson, all of whom went on to be huge television and film stars. The much-missed comedian Tony Slattery, Penny Dwyer and Paul Shearer completed the lineup. | Getty Images Photo Sales 2 . Frank Skinner Frank Skinner won the main award in 1991 and went on to form a double act with David Baddiel, presenting 'Fantasy Football League' and co-writing football anthem 'Three Lions'. | Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . Steve Coogan British comedy icon Steve Coogan won the award in 1993 in character as Paul and Pauline Calf - in a show that also starred future 'Fast Show' comedian John Thomson. Since then he's played Alan Patridge in a string of radio shows, television programmes and films, as well as building an impressive career on the big screen in movies like 'Philomena' and this year's 'The Penguin Lessons'. |Photo Sales 4 . Jenny Eclair One of the most recognisable faces on British television, Jenny Eclair's big break came when she became the first women to win the Perrier in 1995. | Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
Alan Titchmarsh hit by 'sudden realisation' as he addresses heartbreaking family losses
Alan Titchmarsh hit by 'sudden realisation' as he addresses heartbreaking family losses Alan Titchmarsh has been a staple on the small screen for decades, but, behind-the-scenes, the Gardeners' World icon has opened up on devastating losses in his personal life Alan Titchmarsh gave a rare glimpse into his family life (Image: Mark Cuthbert, UK Press via Getty Images) Alan Titchmarsh, the beloved television gardening expert, has discussed his experiences with bereavement, before opening up on saying a 'heartbreaking' farewell to his wife and daughters for his career. The presenter has spoken frankly about the devastating effect of losing both of his parents, revealing how their deaths brought about a life-changing realisation. During a heartfelt conversation with radio presenter James O'Brien on a 2023 edition of the Full Disclosure podcast, the much-loved gardener, now 75, discussed his family life. Recognised primarily for his horticultural knowledge on the BBC's Gardeners' World and the popular programme Ground Force, Alan revealed his mother's sense of achievement regarding his success prior to her passing in 2002. Alan Titchmarsh attends The RHS Chelsea Flower Show (Image:) He revealed: "Well, she she was proud of me in the end and that was nice to know, and the thing you realise, as soon as you've lost both your parents.." Taking a moment to explain the timeline, he recalled that his father passed away in 1986, whilst Alan was in his thirties, before his mother's death took place in the early 2000s, when the star was in his fifties. Alan continued: "You suddenly realise there's nobody to impress anymore, nobody to show off to, really, nobody to make proud of you, and I think that's a big realisation for anybody in any walk of life. "I think we all try and do right by our parents in a kind of reflected way, saying, 'Look, I did alright; you saw me right. You grounded me; you brought me up to achieve what I've achieved', and it's not just showing off to your parents. "It's feeling you want to give them some kind of vindication for your life and that they did right by...I was very aware of that when they went and I would still...I'd do something and I'd think, 'Oh, I must ring Alan opened up about the difficult period he endured whilst mourning his losses, acknowledging it was "hard", but revealed that sufficient time has now elapsed where he he doesn't "weep about it" anymore, choosing instead to "believe that they're looking down" on him. Alan Titchmarsh with wife Alison who he married in 1975 (Image: Dave) Alan also spoke about how he courageously made the jump into freelance work back in 1980. This bold move occurred when the gardening expert and his wife, Alison, were anticipating the arrival of their first child. He had recently left his position at Kew Gardens and ventured into journalism, feeling reluctant to remain settled in his magazine role. Speaking on Full Disclosure, Alan revealed: "I warned Alison that my income would probably halve in the first year." Article continues below However, he was taken aback when things unfolded quite differently: "But it doubled, totally unexpectedly." Currently writing for Gardeners' World Magazine, Alan also hinted at the inevitable time when he'll put down his pen for good, explaining he'll "stop" should he ever find it "impossible to find a current angle on it".
