Clive Langer, guitarist for the renowned Liverpool band Deaf School (and Madness producer), sent Madness Central his thoughts on the recent Shark Trek tribute to Eric Shark, Deaf School’s recently passed vocalist and friend. Suggs and Lee of Madness were asked to join the festivities; here’s what Clive had to share:
It’s a week ago since I awoke in the Hope Street Hotel and proceeded to Ye Crack for a bloody whatever and tried to gather my thoughts and take in what had happened the day before. I felt happy and exhausted. I then realized that I’d been on the Everyman stage for 7 hours the day before, 4 rehearsing and 3 hours doing 2 performances.
It was a very special show for a special man. It was a tribute to Eric Shark, one of Deaf School’s 3 singers who sadly died in January. To make the show into a fitting tribute, we asked a couple of our friends if they would sing one or two of his songs, they all agreed and we found ourselves as a 13 piece outfit for the first time since 1974. Not only did Suggs and Lee agree, but we also had Kevin Rowland, Ian Broudie and Pete Whiley on board.
Although chaotic everything worked out amazingly well. It was only the afternoon of the show that we had our whole entourage together but at showtime that didn’t matter or notice,and doing 2 shows in one night gave everyone a second chance, and they all took it!
The first show was brilliant and we all (band+audience) knew something special was going on,but we couldn’t have imagined what was gonna happen next….As soon as we hit the stage for the second show with Suggs walking on to do Eric’s old intro monologue, the place erupted and luckily the roof didn’t come down. By now our special guests had sussed out that Enrico and Bette were not gonna be out shone and everyone pulled out all their stops with creative, competitive + fun performances that went down a storm. A couple of times I just stopped playing and watched the crowd and singers interact in a frenzy of dancing, kicking, arm waving, singingalonging and blissful joy!! I realized at this point that it didn’t really make any difference whether I was playing or not, the night’s wheels were in motion and the momentum was bigger than all of us.
Eric would have been very happy, his presence was with us throughout the day, and both shows. It was great to have his family, the band, guests and audience in the same place to celebrate the man and his incredible contribution to Deaf School, as a friend and an artist.
Love was in the air
All the best Cliff a.k.a Clive Langer
