That's Why I am Here Now!

Castlemaine's Theatre Royal is a classic venue. [Photo: Og Bear]

"At my 14th birthday in 1969 my older brother's best friend gave me a John Mayall record album called Looking Back with Room To Move on it. He told me, 'it may not mean much now, but one day it will change your life.' And that's why I am here now in 2010, 41 years later".

John smiled saying "that is a good story".

There he was at the Theatre Royal, John Mayall as he had always been, working the room out front, selling the merchandise, talking to people, having his photo taken.

The show started with Broderick Smith, Chris Wilson & Andy Baylor. [Photo: Og Bear]

Inside the show had already started with Chris Wilson and a real surprise, Andy Baylor. I love Andy Baylor; he is a legend.

Two years ago at the Apollo Bay Music Festival he was the only act that Mr Merles and myself went to see twice.

Chris was in fine form, almost a bit cheeky, and you could sense that he was really enjoying the tour with Mayall.

For the last few songs he pulled up Broderick Smith and the duel was really on with both of them on harp sparring away.

I felt as though the $62 I had paid for the ticket was well on the way to being reimbursed.

During the break I caught up with a few old friends and made a few new ones. It was good to be back in Castlemaine .

New band in hand, John Mayall was here to deliver the goods. [Photo: Og Bear]

The main show started and I sensed the laid back, take it as you come style that Mayall lead the show with hadn't changed since the 1960s.

In his 70s John Mayall still seems to have the same vitality that made him a legend in the 1960s. [Photo: Og Bear]

Rocky Athas on guitar with John Mayall at the Theatre Royal, Castlemaine. [Photo: Og Bear]

Greg Rzab on the bass. [Photo: Og Bear]

It was almost as though he and the band were still playing their first gig in the high school gym. No egos, no self indulgence, not just all the old hits.

But this was not the Blues Breakers; they had disbanded in 2008, this was his new band he had brought to Australia for the tour. The band consists of Rocky Athas on guitar, Greg Rzab on bass, Jay Davenport on drums and Tom Canning keyboards.

It was just a nice selection from the 57 albums he has made over the last 50 years. The whole thing just cruised, surmounting a 15 minute rendition of Room To Move where every member of the band got to have their moment.

Towards the end of the show a mosh pit developed in the aisles. [Photo: Og Bear]

Encore, then it was all over Still was catching up with friends as we wound down from the show on the footpath outside the Royal.

Castlemaine would be the blues heart of Central Victoria, as proven by the turnout at the Theatre Royal. [Photo: Og Bear]

Exiting the Theatre Royal by a side door on wet balmy night. [Photo: Og Bear]

12:30am as a Headed back to the Badges; I was amazed as I realised that Mayall's one continuous set had gone for about 2½ hours. This man is in his 70s. He looks fit and he proves it.

Edward Badge, you nearly came with me, and you should have.

[Lord Og Bear OOC Ozlander]

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