LEO LYONS

The official website of
musician, songwriter and record producer
LEO LYONS

December 2009 - Newsletter

Ten Years After - Now

Hi everyone.

This year is Ten Years After’s 40th anniversary! It’s hard to believe, and very exciting to be touring again. We’re on the road more or less constantly this year in both Europe and the States.

Twelve months have almost gone by and I just realized that even with the best of intentions I’ve only posted a news bulletin once this year. I apologize for that. The truth is that I’ve been enjoying myself too much to set aside time to write about what’s going on. Now I’m home for the holidays and have a little time to reflect.

Most of you will know that 2009 was the fourtieth anniversary of Woodstock. TYA have had a full schedule of gigs all over Europe. We also played our first major tour of the States since 1975. ‘The Heroes Of Woodstock’ tour was a great success and we’ve been asked to do another one in 2010. We also made a trip to Chile. I have had lots of emails from South American fans so I hope we can return there soon.

It’s always a pleasure to meet so many of you at our shows and it’s an opportunity to hear what you think about the band and which songs you’d like us to play. We’ll do our best to follow your suggestions whenever possible.

The long-awaited DVD was finally released; although not the one originally intended. The Luxemburg DVD had to be shelved because of technical problems with the filming. The new DVD ‘Live From Fiesta City’ is a recording made at the town festival in Verviers, Belgium. There’s also some interview footage and photos. Many of you have said you’ve enjoyed this DVD so in 2010 we’ll release another one with new material and some of the old songs you’ve requested.

On a personal note ‘The Bass Centre, London’ have produced ‘The Leo Lyons Woodstock tribute bass’. I’m lucky to have one and I’ve been playing mine since March. Some of you will probably have seen it and thought it was my original 1962 Fender Jazz. The new bass is an accurate copy of my old road-worn treasure and it plays great. Check one out if you have a chance. Perhaps I could ask the company to donate one for a raffle.

2010 starts for TYA with some shows in Switzerland and we’re on the road with confirmed gigs running through to the end of the year. Check our website periodically for updates.

It’s been a great year and I’m having the time of my life! Thanks to all of you for your support.

Kind regards
Leo

www.myspace.com/leolyons and www.myspace.com/leolyonskick

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TEN YEARS AFTER - THE RECENT LIVE ALBUM
ROADWORKS
LEO LYONS - RIC LEE - CHICK CHURCHILL - JOE GOOCH

CLICK ON THE ALBUM COVER FOR DETAILS

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In Memory of Herb Staehr

I was saddened to hear that Herb Staehr, friend and author of the book
‘Alvin Lee and Ten Years After - A Visual History’ passed away on Saturday 12th January 2008.
Herb can be seen sitting in the audience, front row, on the cover of The Woodstock album
but of course that was not his first gig. He followed the band's career since the very beginning.
He was the band's historian. His book is the scrapbook we never kept for ourselves
and I will always treasure my copy.
In the past five years we’ve come to know him as a kind, intelligent and witty person.
He’s been a great supporter to all band members past and present.
We’ll all miss him but we won’t forget him. I know I’ll be looking out for him at the next gig.
With condolences to his family from all of us.
Leo Lyons

June 2007 - Newsletter

Hi everyone.

This year is Ten Years After’s 40th anniversary! It’s hard to believe, and very exciting to be touring again. We’re on the road more or less constantly this year in both Europe and the States.

Many US and Canadian fans ask why we don’t play more shows there. It’s a slow process but we are adding more dates Stateside. Keep an eye on the Ten Years After Tourdates page and spread the word!

Looking at our date sheet we’ll be bouncing backwards and forwards between countries and I hope we’ll be playing somewhere near you. Please stop by after the show and say Hello.

The most asked question is “Where’s the DVD?” It will be finished and ready for an end of year release. A new studio CD is also planned for release at the beginning of 2008. I know many people want it now but we have to fit studio time in around our touring commitments!

On a personal note, during my long career I’ve collected some very some desirable basses but it never occurred to me to have a bass built to my own specification until my son Tom, who’s also TYA’s guitar tech, suggested it. Tom’s already built two guitars for Joe and a bass for me but to celebrate our forty-year run I’ve commissioned him to build two special basses.

The first one ready is a 1954 P Bass style swamp ash body with a quilted maple top dyed red. The neck is a Tele bass style with a rosewood fingerboard. Warmoth supplied neck and body parts. The pickups are Nordstrand and the active eq is by East UK.

The bass looks great and plays like a dream. It’s a cross between my first Fender 1960 P bass and my 1962 Jazz bass. Three things are different. The finish quality is vastly superior, the fingerboard is faster and with the pickups and EQ it’s much more versatile in tonal range. Thanks to all involved for making it possible.

Thanks also to all of you for giving us your support.

Kind regards, Leo Lyons

www.myspace.com/leolyons and www.myspace.com/leolyonskick

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January 2007 - Newsletter

Hi everyone!
Thank you for supporting Ten Years After and for all your posts and emails. It’s a pleasure to be touring again and we look forward to meeting you at one of our shows.
2007 is the band's forty year anniversary and we intend to make it a memorable twelve months. There's a new CD planned and we will release the much requested DVD.
Our tour starts in Europe on January 12th and we expect to be on the road throughout 2007. We'll be visiting some new countries so keep an eye on the TYA website for new confirmed gigs.
Many people have asked me about the records I made some years ago with my band KICK. I've added some sound samples here on my site - just click on the link above!
Kind regards
Leo
www.myspace.com/leolyons and www.myspace.com/leolyonskick

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December 2006 - Newsletter

Hi Everybody
We're at the end of another year and I wonder how it’s gone so fast. TYA have been on tour it seems almost constantly with the occasional break here and there. I can't think of a country in Europe we haven't visited although I bet Chick Churchill knows of one or two.
This year we've played many gigs in the former Eastern Block and what a great reception the crowds gave us. Thanks for that!In the summer we flew backwards and forwards across the Atlantic playing three or four shows in the United States and then back to Europe for gigs there. Confirmed shows are already in for 2007 so keep an eye on the TYA Tourdates page for those.
Did you know the 2007 is the fortieth anniversary of Ten Years After? That means we have to do something special. Keep an eye out for that - we're working on it.
One thing’s for certain... we'll be playing lots of gigs in the New Year, starting off on January 11th in Germany. Check out the Tourdates page!
Thanks to all of you for your enthusiasm during 2006, and have a great 2007.
Kind regards
Leo
www,myspace.com/leolyons