A
gig
on Saturday 8th December. The event starts at 20:00.
Performing his classic hits in a very special live appearance
O'Neal was born in Natchez, Mississippi, but moved to Minneapolis when he was 20. He is an alumnus of Alcorn State University. He joined a group called'The Mystics' and played the local coverband circuit. O'Neal spent a short time in a group'Enterprise' before being recruited into Flyte Tyme, a band that included Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis and Monte Moir.Later signed by Prince to the Warner Bros. label with their name changed to The Time, a disagreement with Prince led to O'Neal leaving the band and being replaced as lead singer by Morris Day. Allmusic profiler John Floyd asserts that O'Neal was ousted for'looking'too black'', though the real reason was there wasn't enough money in it for O'Neal.O'Neal immediately formed a rock and roll band called Alexander and recorded a 12 single, 'Playroom,' for a Chicago-based independent label, followed by the release of'Attitude' on the Rich Records Label.Three years later, in 1984, O'Neal signed a deal with Clarence Avant's Tabu Records. He did some backing vocals for other artists on the same label, including The SOS Band and Cherrelle.
O'Neal released his eponymous debut album in 1985. It included three singles that reached the top twenty of the R&B Singles Chart. He also scored his first R&B top ten single with'Saturday Love', a duet with Cherrelle from her'High Priority' album from 1985. 'Saturday Love' song peaked at #2, and it also reached the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, peaking at #6.
In 1987, he released the album titled Hearsay. It yielded the #25 pop and #1 R&B single'Fake'. The song also peaked at #7 on the dance chart. The follow-up, 'Criticize', peaked at #4 R&B and #70 pop. It also peaked at #4 on the UK Singles Chart.
In 1993, his final album with the Tabu label, Love Makes No Sense, was released. It was the first album made without production from Jam and Lewis. In 1995, another greatest hits compilation, The Best of Alexander O'Neal, was released.In 1996, his first album with One World Records, Lovers Again, was released. In 2001, he released an album with Eagle Records, Saga of a Married Man. The album was produced by former Prince drummer, Bobby Z. In 2005, he recorded his first live album, Alexander O'Neal Live at Hammersmith Apollo. It is a collection of many of his songs from throughout his career.
plus LAMINATE RADIO (Blue Fontaine aka DJ Die, Gus Pirelli & Inja):
Shortly after meeting, Hughes and Kausman were to sow the seeds for what would later become Laminate Radio. It was at the world famous Glastonbury Festival that they realised the importance of the laminated back stage pass, 'your ticket to the promised land'.
Laminates were the currency and the wearers were kings of this exclusive kingdom. With a desire to bring unity to the party the two embarked on a mission to spread laminates to one and all, insuring everyone could be a VIP.Once back in Bristol they began to unearth a treasure chest of forgotten musical gems. With a wealth of classic boogie joints, there was only one thing to do spread the sound. The platform was a mythical radio station named Laminate Radio, broadcasting live from the record collections of Mr Blue Fontaine, and Mr Gus Pirelli.
The Show:
The Laminate Radio Road Show is currently touring the UK performing at Glastonbury Festival and exclusive gigs in and around the Capital. You can expect live action packed DJ sets from the duo incorporating singers, MCs and live keyboards. With a bag of red hot Laminate boogie, they're guaranteed to rock the house and move the people.
They are the SOUL TRAIN DJ's, through their love of the music. they have brought the Fatback Band to the UK not once but twice. We played Glastonbury in 2004 alongside Jazzy B, Rose Royce, Sister Sledge etc.
They have supported soul artistes Alexander O Neal, Gil Scott Heron, Edwin Starr, George McCrae, Heatwave, Imigination, Average White Band, Cymande, Pee Wee Ellis, Jeffrey Daniel, Light of the World to name but a few.
plus FEEL THE REEL SOUNDSYSTEM (Christophe, Pato, Andres): feat Joe Peng:
Feel the Real hit the Spiegletent! Andres Cerveco, Pato Banton and Christophe aka Feel The Real have established themselves as one of Bristol's premier party crews and spin a non stop selection of rare groove, disco and house. Bristols most loveable party collective will be dropping an extra special Xmas set in honour of Mr O'Neal.