Alvin Lee Message & Discussion Board
Thanks for joining in the conversation!
Last concert????? No. That can't be. It should still be 1969, with plenty of gigs left. :-( Oh, dear. I've always supported Alvin's total prerogative about such stuff. It's just that... the mere thought of no more concerts from him at all, well, hurts. Suddenly I really do feel 60, sigh.
Do you really want to put much stock in a site that has been unrealiable and antagonistic toward Alvin?
Trust me, I've seen enough misinformation from "the dark side", to take any information or announcements made with a very big grain of salt. Anybody can cite anonymouse sources that are allegedly "Alvin's Management".
In fact, I just spoke with a high-placed source in Alvin's management who confirmed Alvin is contemplating shaving his head and seeking a second career in professional wrestling. OK, I made it up (at least I admit it) but see how easy it is to say any darn thing you want and add unnamed "management sources" to sound legitimate?
IF - and this is a big IF - Alvin is retiring from gigs, he will make the announcement officially, when the time is right, and on his own website.
But, let's just assume, just for a moment, Alvin is retiring from live performances. What's the big freaking deal? Many people retire for many different reasons. I'm not so very far from retirement myself. Some people who post on this board are retired. It happens if you live long enough.
None of us, excapt MAYBE Toni knows what is going on in Alvin's life, and he has always - always - been exceptionally protective of his privacy.
I imagine IF retirement is eminent Alvin would want to make his own statement.
If retirement is not eminent, I can't see that Alvin would be happy with somebody else posting the information for him.
Either way, Alvin can't be happy a webmaster that has been hateful toward him, is involved at all - again.
A rumour, not Alvin's own words. Even though he doesn't do many live performances these days, I think Alvin's got way too much stage poison in his musical veins to ever quit performing live.
Another rumour once said The Rolling Stones were about to do their last concerts.. back in the late 60's. That rumour has been updated every year since then.. 
Please stop posting links to that place Jeremy. In the future, I will remove them.
Background: That is the same website that announced that Alvin retired when JG joined TYAN. The same site that announced that Alvin would never tour again back in 2004 - two weeks before we announced his extensive UK gig.
So, after seeing this misinformation posted on this board, I got an e-mail from Evi. Simply put - what they wrote at that other site ain't true. Last gig this year - maybe. He never does more than 2 or 3 a year these days. Last gig? Nope. Not a chance.
And the most important thing to remember - no one except Alvin ever really knows what Alvin is going to do....and even he wings it.
I'm not putting any stock in any site about Alvin except this one, Don. If I ever visited "the Dark Side" it was several years ago when previously active on this board, but if so, nothing on it stuck with me, and apparently that's a good thing. Now that you mention it, I do vaguely recall it as an undesirable entity. I guess I shouldn't even have written the below post. It was a handful of lines late in the evening (in my time zone, anyway) after a very bad day. I was reacting off the top of my head to the mere thought and idea of Alvin stopping concerts, and as an aging hippie, expressed rueful nostalgia about 1969 and dismay about suddenly feeling old. Even so, the total nebulousness of the anonymous alleged "management" source did strike me as highly suspect. I'm too much of a journalist and academic for it not to have done. I also know enough about Alvin and his fundamental love of performing and his "winging it" to have felt disbelief. My post wasn't intended as a comprehensive commentary or a statement of giving credence. The latter would have been foolish and premature since we are right at the source here. I just couldn't resist a spontaneous "Oh no, what a dreadful thought! I feel old at the mere idea!" Thank Goddess I'm feeling a bit younger again today! ;-)
With a new CD coming out soon, I have a feeling there will be at least one more concert this year. New songs crave new live performances and Alvin need to feed a new geneation of fans with more real music.. 
Actually a bit surprised the CD wasn't released in time for the Raalte gig. Bet it would have sold a couple of thousand copies at the festival place alone, and what better way to promote a new CD than with a live act? Press releases, inviting music reporters, etc. Never understood how those record company guys think..
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Hi Les! That is what it was! You're right on, it was sheer delight.
I love reliving that weekend by looking through the scrapbook I put together for it, and I have the setlist framed and up. It was one of the best weekends I've ever had. Sure hope to see Alvin again one day, and all you great folks!!
Re: Last gig??? ABSOLUTELY NOT
Sigh. Okay, I looked at their review. What I find sad is that it was posted in a dishonest manner - making it seem as though Alvin invited them backstage etc...and most of all, posting Alvin's message to all of you as if it was intended for them. Sadly, that one bit will probably mean that we will share less of Alvin's comments in the future. Clearly, they know that the email I shared on this board was not intended for them.
But really guys, don't sweat it. They actually said nice things about Alvin & the show. If exaggerating a little makes them feel better, who really cares? Sad that they need to do it, but that's on them - not us.
Probably 1999 was the last time I will have got to see Mr. Lee.
So, I give up on wishing, hoping, waiting, wanting, etc.
Thanks for the memories & all the music.
I have plenty of memories.
Peace,
DLM
I think you misunderstood my point. Almost everybody retires eventually and usually people announce their own retirement. It's natural that most people will at some point decide to call it a day. True, we would miss Alvin, but life would go on, and as long as he is happy, I'll be happy for him when and if that day comes.
However, some people need to jump the gun and make these types of statements, best left to the individuals concerned, to make themselves seem important.
By the way, Les, I have seen Alvin many, many, times - I know what I'd be missing - heck, I am missing him - and missing him badly.
I'm from Brett Favre country. I've heard more BS about retirement than I care to remember! If Alvin retires from performing I'm sure we'll here it from him and not some second hand "i heard it from a source that Alvin's done" report. It really doesn't make sense that he would retire from performing if he's got an album coming out in August.(which I'm looking forward to purchasing) If he does, that's up to him. He's paid his dues. I don't think he's playing the States again and unless a money bomb explodes in my front yard I wont be seeing him across the pond. So the best thing I could hope for is a DVD....(hint, hint) 
But really guys, don't sweat it. They actually said nice things about Alvin & the show. If exaggerating a little makes them feel better, who really cares? Sad that they need to do it, but that's on them - not us.
That's really sad that Alvin may share less comments in the future. How frustrating. It's such an incredible treat when he does share.
Toni, I find that shocking. How do they have the nerve? How could they have so little self respect? I have heard of their dirty tricks before but now I see it with my own eyes. Appalling.
