In 1973, the Tyneside band Geordie scored a top 10 UK hit with a stomping rocker called All Because Of You.
When they appeared on Top Of The Pops to perform the song, their lead singer Brian Johnson memorably wore a Newcastle United shirt with a red number 9 on the back.
Seven years later, Dunston-born Johnson was to find fame and fortune after being headhunted by Australian rock giants AC/DC to replace their original singer Bon Scott who had died.
And now Geordie, a band who enjoyed success in their own right in the 1970s, are reforming.
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They first got together in December 1972. In the early years of the decade, Geordie recorded albums at one of London’s most famous recording suites, Red Bus Studios, and toured widely, performing All Because Of You and their other chart hits Can You Do It and Electric Lady.
The band were no strangers to television, appearing regularly on Tyne Tees Television music show the Geordie Scene and racking up 15 appearances on BBC1’s Top of The Pops.
Now with a new line-up, original band members Tom Hill, on bass, and Brian Gibson, on drums, are joined by lead vocalist Mark Wright and lead guitarist Steve Dawson.
Tom said: “Brian and I wanted to get back together, and a friend of ours who is an agent showed a lot of interest in us.’’
New boy Mark Wright added: “Joining Geordie is a privilege and an honour. They are a band I have always admired. It's great for me to get on stage and show everyone what it’s all about.’’
In January last year, Mark performed with Geordie when they headlined the Great British Rock & Blues Festival at Skegness, playing to a crowd of 4,000.
The band's plans were put on hold during the pandemic, but now they are looking forward to heading back out on the road.
Geordie are appearing at the following venues: Northern Kin Festival, Castle Park, County Durham, September 17; John Bonham Festival, Palace Theatre, Redditch, Worcestershire, September 25; Grosvenor 21 Rock Club, Chester, October 9; Winter Storm Festival, Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland, November 26 and 27.
Follow Geordie on Facebook.
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