A tribute to Shelley Lazar

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Incorrigible… Irreverent… we had hoped Indestructible - but definitely… IRREPLACEABLE.

The Beloved Ticket Queen - A woman with the rudest mouth (loved by all) and the purest heart - A heart big enough to embrace the entire music business - and beyond.

The ultimate professional – with care and principles - who managed to wrap a blanket of FUN around everyone she met.

Her kindness and generosity was simply in her soul - there every day of her life - and given with love.

A ground breaker – who came from the Bill Graham School – and followed his lead to be the biggest and the best. She also led the way for other women to follow - courageous and determined. There could be no better role model.

Shelley had an inner glow – that lit up every space with her spirit – and made every day a better day!

We’ve had the honour and privilege of working with her for decades.

A super business woman - brilliant mind - but with a gentle delivery that never failed to seal the deal. There were many phases in her life – including as a head mistress.

In fact there was nothing she couldn’t do if she put her mind to it.

Treasuring so many miles on our tour bus - filled with Shelley’s stories and laughter – never a dull moment.

We only wish she had written the book - but in all honesty many stories couldn’t be written down!

She knew everyone – and was universally adored.

Quite simply we loved her. Like everyone else – we are finding it almost impossible to believe – and coming to terms with a loss as great as this - will take a long time.

She will remain in our hearts for all time – and every day there will be something that will remind us of her. We will be grateful for that – and the many pictures and memories we will hold on to. Our hearts and thoughts are with her family and her amazing SLO Team who will continue to honour her legacy.

The saddest day – for the entire Marshall Arts Family.

Cher announces first Belfast show in over 15 years

The legendary CHER has today confirmed she’s adding a Belfast date to her Here We Go Again World Tour - her first live show in the city in over 15 years will take place at the SSE Arena on 3 November. The multi-talented Oscar, Emmy and GRAMMY Award-winning icon, is already scheduled to play Dublin’s 3Arena on Friday 1 November.

Tickets for the Belfast Show will go on sale on Friday 5 April at 9AM.

Cher, who holds the UK Record for the biggest selling single of all time by a female artist for Believe, will treat audiences to an array of hits from her huge repertoire as well as new songs from the Dancing Queen album – Cher’s tribute to the music of ABBA – which is out now.

Following the recent global success and rave reviews for Cher’s role in the Mamma Mia 2 – Here We Go Again film, the multi-award winning singer, actress and show-stopping performer will be sure to thrill her fans when she arrives here later this year.

Launching her career in the 1960s as part of Sonny & Cher, the iconic superstar made unprecedented strides in what had long been a male-dominated industry and continues to reign supreme as one of the world's greatest entertainers. A worldwide superstar for more than five decades, Cher has sold more than 100 million records and conquered more challenges than a handful of other talents combined – recording, concerts, film, Broadway acting, television and directing. In 2018, Cher returned to the big screen with a stunning performance in the mega-hit film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again followed by the release of her new album inspired by the movie, Dancing Queen.

Elton John doubles capacity of Montreux show

Previously announced Montreux Jazz Festival dates consolidated to one larger venue on Saturday 29th June due to phenomenal demand.

Extra tickets on sale tomorrow at 12pm CET.

Elton John today announces that due to phenomenal demand he will be upscaling the venue for his Montreux Jazz Festival shows to the Stade de la Saussaz. He will now be playing one night at the 15,000 capacity Stade de la Saussaz on Saturday 29th June, as opposed to the previously announced two nights at 4,000 capacity Auditorium Stravinski on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th June. The change of date and venue will allow almost double the amount of his fans to attend the show.

Tickets previously purchased for Sunday 30th June will be valid for Saturday 29th at Stade de la Saussaz. Fans should contact their ticket vendor for further details. Additional tickets for Saturday 29th June are on general sale from midday tomorrow.

The show will be the first time Elton has played Montreux Jazz Festival and the show on 29th June at Stade de al Saussaz will be by far the grandest show the festival has ever seen. This show forms part of the acclaimed ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour, Elton’s final global tour which has been attracting rave reviews since starting in the US in September 2018.

The ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour was announced at Gotham Hall, New York in January 2018. The first 76 dates sold out immediately after going on general sale, confirming that the farewell tour will be some of, if not the, hottest gig tickets of the next three years.

“The road to retirement has never looked or sounded so good.” Billboard

“Played with the passion and love of music of a young artist just starting out. Only he can mix it with the showmanship of 50 years of being one of music’s greatest entertainers. Combine those elements and you have a show that you will never forget..” Forbes

Having kicked off in the U.S. in September of last year to a hail of critical acclaim, the ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour will consist of more than 300 shows across five continents, hitting North America, Europe, Asia, South America and Australasia before reaching its conclusion in 2021. These dates mark the superstar’s last-ever tour and the end of half a century on the road for one of pop culture’s most enduring performers, who was last year named as the most successful male solo artist in Billboard Hot 100 chart history, having logged 67 entries, including nine No. 1s and 27 Top 10s.

Over the course of his three-year FAREWELL YELLOW BRICK ROAD worldwide tour, Elton John will visit five continents and play over 300 concerts around the world. Please visit EltonJohn.com often for new concert announcements.

Paul McCartney adds second Las Vegas show due to popular demand

Due to overwhelming demand for tickets to his previously announced June 29 show, Paul McCartney has confirmed a second night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas to take place Friday, June 28. Tickets for the newly added show will be on sale to the public on Monday, March 18 at 10 a.m.

The June 28 Las Vegas show is the latest addition to the U.S. leg of Paul's “Freshen Up” Tour, his first extended stateside run since the “One On One” tour that played to some two million fans around the world. “Freshen Up” kicked off following the release of Paul's No. 1 charting album, Egypt Station, released September 7, 2018 on Capitol Records to stellar reviews. Rolling Stone raved, “Macca keeps adding new gems to his songbook, with nothing to prove except he’s the only genius who can do this…And, oh yeah — in his spare time, he happens to still be the greatest live performer on Earth,” while Entertainment Weekly described the album as “the still-vital life force of a superstar who has been there and everywhere and is glad just to be here now.”

The Paul McCartney live experience is everything any music lover could ever want from a show: nearly three hours nightly of the greatest moments from the last 50+ years of music, dozens of songs from Paul’s solo, Wings, and of course, The Beatles catalogues that have formed the soundtracks of our lives.

Herbie Hancock announces Australia and New Zealand dates for 2019

Photo: Douglas Kirkland

Herbie Hancock will be returning to Australia and New Zealand this June – performing shows in Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Wellington joined by guitarist Lionel Loueke, James Genus on bass and Vinnie Colaiuta, drums.

Tickets for the Perth, Brisbane and Canberra concerts will go on sale at 12pm Friday, March 15.

A tribute to Gerry Stickells

It was with great sadness that we learned that Gerry Stickells, the legendary production manager, passed away yesterday.

He was a great character, larger than life, who blazed a trail for so many others to follow and had an amazing collection of Hawaiian shirts, so was very easy to locate in any crowd.

Famous for being able to arrange a ‘party’ at the drop of a hat, those who shared those experiences will remember a lot of fun and laughter!

But when it came down to business he was very serious!

Gerry could improvise in any situation and changed many things about the way production happened and this industry is the richer for it.

From his early days with Hendrix, through a myriad of other great Artistes, his reputation was immense. We sincerely hope that he was aware of the recent success of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, as he was such a big part of Queen’s journey. He put together the memorable tribute to Freddie Mercury at Wembley, just one of his many major achievements.

He opened the door to production in South America, and certainly helped to establish ‘Rock in Rio’ and many events in other markets.

He had real wisdom, and I personally learnt a great deal from him when we were working and travelling together on the Paul McCartney worldwide tours.

Amongst the many shows we did together Red Square, Moscow stands out. To my knowledge, still the only rock show ever to be presented in the Square.

Equally remarkable was staging Paul’s shows at the Coliseum in Rome. Firstly, inside the Coliseum to a few hundred people then followed by the outside presentation with 500,000 people seeing this amazing show.

The picture above is a personal favourite from that night. We were happily watching Paul’s performance together and sharing a special moment. This was in May 2003. It was very soon after that he was diagnosed with a brain tumour – and his long fight began.

It is a very sad day in the music industry, each one of us at Marshall Arts realises that this is the loss of a giant.

We are grateful for many fond memories and after such a long battle we hope that he is at peace.

The end of an era.

Barrie Marshall

Sarah Darling announces final guests for Wonderland shows in London & Manchester

Country singer-songwriter Sarah Darling starts her UK tour next week, and she has just announced guest Gary Quinn will join her in Manchester.

Northern Irishman Gary Quinn has become one of British country music’s more established performers. A five time British Country Music Association Awards winner, his fans include Kristina Bush of Sugarland who called Gary “wonderful”.

Sarah Darling will be previewing songs from upcoming album ‘Wonderland’ as she tours the UK, her home-away-from-home.

Sarah said, “I’m so excited to be returning to the UK to share my new music. Doubly excited since many of the tracks on ‘Wonderland’ are “made in the UK” with UK co-writers and producers! Britain has a special place in my heart, and the audiences have always been so warm and welcoming.”

Sarah Darling March 2019:

Wednesday 13 Mar - London, Bush Hall w/ guest Liv Austen

Saturday 16 March - Manchester, Deaf Institute w/guests Lauren Oakes & Gary Quinn

Herbie Hancock returns to London this November

Photo: Douglas Kirkland

The USA’s most talked-about conductor and orchestra meet a giant of jazz when Herbie Hancock and the LA Philharmonic, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, visits the Barbican on Tuesday 19 November.

Tickets go on sale March 5 at 10AM.

No classical music-lover needs to be told about Gustavo Dudamel, and what he represents: just as every jazz fan knows Herbie Hancock. Tonight, two artists whose careers have been defined by an open-minded willingness to collaborate – and communicate – perform live with the LA Phil.

‘You never stop learning, you never stop improving, if you keep your mind open’ says Hancock – words that could have come straight out of the mouth of Gustavo Dudamel. But as ever with Dudamel’s collaborative projects, there’s more going on here than a one-night stand. He’s chosen to open the concert with music by two innovative figures in contemporary Latin American classical music before Hancock and his quartet join the LA Phil for a full-length set.