Nice piece on Neil (Fairclough). Adam mention.
TALCvids @talcvids 4h4 hours ago
“Adam Lambert is a fantastic vocalist" > Neil Fairclough: Former Altrincham music teacher plays with rock royalty www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/11714973.Former_Altrincham_music_teacher_plays_with_rock_royalty/?ref=twtrec …
Former Altrincham music teacher plays with rock royaltyFirst published Friday 9 January 2015 in News
by Rick Bowen
FOR 15 years Neil Fairclough taught guitar and bass guitar at The Music Place in Altrincham but on New Years Eve millions saw him play with rock icons Queen on BBC 1.
“We had to get the timing right for the midnight celebrations,” he said, admitting to enjoying champagne when the viewers were watching the fireworks.
Neil’s luck changed in 2010 when Brian May came to perform in Weekend Wogan, a radio show where he played in the house band led by Elio Pace. Brian invited them to perform in Proms in the Park.
“I was ecstatic. I still can’t believe it,” he said.
Then came Las Vegas and world tours. Last Year, in Madison Square Gardens, Neil (45) played a small solo, Nevermore.
“You forget the crowds because you are concentrating. I wear ear monitors. I can hear them but you focus on your own little world.
“It can be nerve racking but Brian May and Roger Taylor are lovely and very funny. When they play they don’t just go through the motions, they put everything into it.
“Adam Lambert is a fantastic vocalist. Spike Edney on keyboards and Roger’s son, Rufus on percussion complete the line up.
He praises the backstage staff.
“They are the ones who make it happen. Whatever the problem, they will solve it.”
He loves Bohemian Rhapsody but with so many to choose from, his favourites are a toss between The Prophets Song and Millionaire Waltz.
As part of an upcoming British and European tour, he will appear in the Queen + Adam Lambert show at the Manchester Arena on January 21. “My friends and family are going,” he said, excitedly.
“I’ll miss my wife and little boys aged six and three when I’m away.
He also misses the Music Place. “It feels like family.”
* Tickets for the concert are available from ticketmaster.co.uk.