Rockpalast

Undeterred by the modest commercial sucess of the "See Me" album, Ronnie Lane put together a band for club gigs in and around London. For several months in early 1980 Ronnie and his Mates, as the band was called, appeared all over the UK and even managed a TV appearance for the legendary German music series Rockpalast. (March 19, 1980).

Ronnie and his Mates consisted of Ronnie Lane (vocals, guitar), Ian Stewart (piano), Henry McCullough (guitar, mandolin, vocals), Slim Chance's Charlie Hart (accordion, piano and vocals), all-round bass player Chrissie Stewart (bass), Bruce Rowland (drums), and father and son Ray and George Carless on saxophones. Once again a matter of who's who in British music.

On the Rockpalast stage the band played a loose and relaxed set, consisting of a lot of Lane originals and a selection of cover songs, among which Fats Domino's 'I'm Ready' and Chuck Berry's 'You Never Can Tell'. Stu's trademark boogie-woogie piano is all over the place, and this is a rather unique opportunity to hear (and see!) the man at work. Stu looks comfortable, and unflappable as always.