Passing Show : A Tribute to Ronnie Lane

Did you ever hear of The Passing Show winding its way through the English Countryside in the summer of 1974, Clowns, Jugglers, Dancers and Rock Musicians, like some ancient caravan winding its way through the Sahara bringing amusement and entertainment to wandering nomads they came across - well so it was for Ronnie Lanes traveling revue ''Passing Show''.

The notion of a successful Rock Musician starting his solo career with a traveling circus is a little strange, what makes it even more bizarre is that Ronnie Lane had just left one of the worlds most successful live Rock Bands The Faces. It is a mark of the man's determination and romanticism that such a plan would be conceived and then constructed. Unlike his time in the Small Faces Ronnie's time in the Faces had been financially lucrative. Together with Kenney Jones, Ronnie Wood, Ian Mclagan and singer Rod Stewart, Ronnie was part of the one of the worlds most sort after rock bands filling Stadiums all over the world.

As well as being an accomplished musician Ronnie was also a very gifted songwriter co writing many of the Small Faces hits with Steve Marriott such as ''All or Nothing'', ''Tin Soldier'', ''Itchycoo Park'' and ''Green Circles''. He was also responsible for most of The Faces introspective outings such ''Ooh La la'', ''Debris'' and ''Gald and Sorry''. It was the desire to record and perform his own songs that led him to ultimately leave the Faces in the Spring of 1973. Ronnie is quoted in Uli Tweeker and Roland Schmits biography Happy Boys Happy as saying;

''We' ve been working together for eight years, and the whole thing seemed like a never ending story. Then one morning I woke up and asked myself why I went along with all these hectic Schedules. Then I thought of singing my own songs, and I drove around Ireland in my Land Rover and sang my songs in pubs, and had a lot of fun with that. And these experiences also made me realise that my song's weren't suitable for The Faces anymore, and that was when I split''

Happy Boys Happy Published by Sanctuary Publishing 1993

Ronnie had his heart set on softer more thoughtful music which was a little at odds with The Faces good time Rock an Roll stomps. With earnings from The Faces he set about building the pastoral life of his dreams he purchased a Farm called The Fish pool on the Welsh border near Shrewsbury and a mobile studio in which most of his solo work would be recorded. The studio was converted from a mobile home with the help of engineer Ron Nevison. Lane formed his band Slim Chance with eight talented musicians, the aim was to play acoustic and folk influenced music. They set to work on Ronnies first studio album ''Anymore for Anymore'' which was released in August 1974.

''Anymore for Anymore'' is a real gem of an album, full of lovely melodic songs that express Lanes quest for a simpler life. Songs such a ''Roll on Babe'' and the title track amble along like a summer stroll down a country lane. Then there's the interesting American Folk song Amelia Earhardt, musical hall inspired songs such as Bird in a Guilded Cage, not to mention the sophisticated pop of ''The Poacher'' which is still played frequently on the radio today. Unfortunately for all it's charm the album failed to sell well and wasn't even released in the US.

To promote the album Ronnie was set on getting the Passing Show on the road, having parted company with Faces manager Bill Gaff the management duties fell to Lanes brother inlaw Paul Lambert. Although the launch party for the first single 'How Come' took place on Clapham Common in a tent hired from circus owner Gerry Cottle, this was a great success and the carnival atmosphere suited Lanes new music to a tee.

Unfortunately Passing show would not live up to this fine start. As anyone who has organised even a touring holiday will know the potential for things to go wrong is high and there's no replacement for experience. Hence the omens weren't good when Paul Lambert was dispatched to London to check out the Vans and Tent that were being hired from retired Circus owner Wally Luckens. The equipment and vehicles were rather old and poorly maintained, they were to continually break down Then before the shows first show on 27 May 1974 in Marlow the folk musicians Gallagher and Lyle left, leaving Ronnie and the rest of his band Slim Chance in the lurch. Luckily support act Robbin Lucas and Drew McCullouch stepped in.

Despite some wonderful performances that were well received the show was not to last long. After only two months on the road Ronnie had to close the show and revert to touring the more conventional college circuit.

" I couldn't hold it up.....because I didn't have any more money. It was as simple as that. We were flogging everything in the end just to buy enough diesel to move the show...and I had to worry about the toilets and the firemen coming round and saying 'This aint right...''

Happy Boys Happy Published by Sanctuary Publishing 1993

Ronnie is often remembered as the warmest and most spiritual members of both The Small Faces and Faces. He was the one who in the late 60's along with his good friend Pete Townshend became a student of Sufism and the spiritual leader Meher Baba. He contributed many tracks including his song ''Evolution'' to the series of albums released by the Spiritual League in the UK. Perhaps this explains the idealism that led Ronnie to conceive and establish the traveling show. A way of creating a an oasis away from the metropolis where folk could meet and be entertained beneath a big top. This genuine and soulful nature is a rare commodity in an industry dictated by over blown ego's, perhaps this why such large number of 'stars' and fans gathered to pay homage to him at his recent tribute show at the Royal Albert Hall. If you check out the album ''Anymore for Aymore'' you'll get glimpse into the ''Passing Show'' and the artistes behind it, it will be well worth the journey

Thanks to John Hellier

For more information visit

www.wappingwharf.com

www.ronnielane.com