JOHN ILLSLEY UK TOUR POSTPONED

[allen]

John has been forced to postpone his forthcoming Streets Of Heaven UK tour due to continuing problems with his right hand which have left him unable to play for sustained periods of time.

Following a series of injections to get him through his May dates, John had an operation to relieve Carpal Tunnel syndrome in his right hand at the end of May.

Although the operation was a success, his hand is still too swollen and bruised to play for any length of time. So, reluctantly and under medical advice, it has been decided to postpone the tour now to give enough notice for fans to cancel any arrangements they may have made.

John apologises to anyone who has been disappointed or inconvenienced and will reschedule the dates as soon as he is able.
(Source: MKNews)

http://video.uk.msn.com/watch/video/straits-of-heaven/2ir89jla

[sweetsurrender]

Thanks for the news. 

[Pottel]

yep, met him in front of the RAH, where he courteously signed my knopf ticket and was just being friendly. there i noticed his hand in some sort of a bandage, and when someone asked why he was not a special guest on stage he pointed to his hand and said that was why.

[dustyvalentino]

yep, met him in front of the RAH, where he courteously signed my knopf ticket and was just being friendly. there i noticed his hand in some sort of a bandage, and when someone asked why he was not a special guest on stage he pointed to his hand and said that was why.

And also because he wasn't invited.

[Slavi]

I hope John's hand will get better soon...
For the French friends....The concert in Les Baux is not cancelled and they will make it...

[dustyvalentino]

Hmm, OK, maybe I am too sceptical but it seems strange that he is well enough to play in France yesterday but not do these other days.

My guess is that the UK dates were in fact cancelled because ticket sales were in single figures.

Then we come to this.

 

Dear me, where to start? I was watching Alchemy last night and it was a reminder that John was an integral part of a wonderful band. But seeing him doing these crappy versions of Dire Straits classics is just sad.

He was the BASS player in Dire Straits. If he must play Dire Straits songs he should at least PLAY BASS. He could work with Marco Cavaglia (sorry about the spelling) or one of the many people out there who can copy MK's style perfectly, instead of doing this poor, poor imitation himself.

Sorry John, I know you are a lovely man and a legend, but you really need to step back and retain your dignity. Please.

[dmg]

Sorry, but I disagree; I like how John does the old numbers differently and puts his own stamp on them without trying to copy Mark like all the tribute bands do.  John is an artist in his own right and to just copy MK, or even worse, draught in someone to copy him would be like being another tribute band.  This way he is not stealing Mark's signature line's/riff's and putting his own on them.  Whether you like them or not is a personal thing but at least he's not just copying but putting some thought into his gigs and trying to come up with some new things.

[dustyvalentino]

Sorry, but I disagree; I like how John does the old numbers differently and puts his own stamp on them without trying to copy Mark like all the tribute bands do.  John is an artist in his own right and to just copy MK, or even worse, draught in someone to copy him would be like being another tribute band.  This way he is not stealing Mark's signature line's/riff's and putting his own on them.  Whether you like them or not is a personal thing but at least he's not just copying but putting some thought into his gigs and trying to come up with some new things.

Well of course I haven't seen JI live so I can't comment on the rest of the set, but the version of Money For Nothing that I posted doesn't display any new or original treatment, it's just a mediocre cover, it could be anybody in any pub. If he's going to just copy the originals he should at least get someone in who can play the guitar better so he can play the bass like he did on the originals.

[pjh3121]

Oh bugger, I was due to see him in Oxford on Thursday  

Thanks for the heads up, though, I had no idea.

[Camerado]

Hmm, OK, maybe I am too sceptical but it seems strange that he is well enough to play in France yesterday but not do these other days.

My guess is that the UK dates were in fact cancelled because ticket sales were in single figures.

I was thinking exactly the same! According Polly Wood's Myspace, they also planned a gig here in Amsterdam 15th june. Although that announcement, tickets never went on sale... 

[Slavi]

Well, we were there (me and Nelly) and John's hand is really bad injured. He can play but if he do that NOW it will be damaged more seriously. The information comes from Chris White and it was told me in a private conversation. The guys who organized the festival there also asked us the thank John that he didn't cancelled the French concert singing him Happy Bithday song ( his BD is soon) so we did it - all the audience...
 
We enjoyed the concert very much and also this big crowd of people. I thik the French audienace is very cool.

Sorry Matt...I think you are prejudiced ( with all my respect to your opinion of course   ).  I also can truly inderstand your devotion to Mark which could explain your reaction. I'm very devoted fan of Mark too. Listen him most of my time. 
 
But I think John and Chris kept this great DS sound alive during the whole concert.

I think also that John desreves more respect. Please, guys don't be rude...

Also Polly's site is not updated because Chris was busy to contact his moderator and it was decided in the last moment after John's consulting with his doctor.

[dustyvalentino]

Just giving my opinion Slavi, I don't think I was rude. In what way do you think I am prejudiced? 

[Slavi]

Just giving my opinion Slavi, I don't think I was rude. In what way do you think I am prejudiced?  

Maybe because you are used to think of John as a bass player only (being DS bass player for so many years).

Yeah...I miss Mark when I see John, Chris and Alan playing together...but I can accept MK's decision to play solo now and to ENJOY VERY MUCH the other band members who want to make it together again. We should respect them. The new John's songs sound great also and they played a lot of them.

[dustyvalentino]

Maybe because you are used to think of John as a bass player only.

Yeah...I miss Mark when I see John, Chris and Alan playing together...but I can accept MK's decision to play solo now and to ENJOY VERY MUCH the other band members who want to make it together again. We should respect them. The new John's songs sound great also and they played a lot of them.

Not at all, I have no proble with John playing guitar EXCEPT when he tries to copy MK's style, that to me is totally pointless.

Similiarly, I don't have any problem with him writing new songs and performing them, that is to be encourged.

My problem is with him playing guitar and (to a lesser extent) singing on old DS songs that he didn't play guitar on in the first place. Very poor versions, just my opinion but it is a genuine opinion and I think it is sad for someone like John to be lowering himself to this.

[Slavi]

Not at all, I have no proble with John playing guitar EXCEPT when he tries to copy MK's style, that to me is totally pointless.

OK...but I'm not sure if MK's songs could be played in other way ( I mean trying to not copy MK's style). I think they can't be played in different way because they're unique. So John also can't stop playing them on his concerts because most of the audience will be very disappointed. This is just a business may be and he have no other choice I think.