Gastank is an English television show that aired from 1982–1983 in the United Kingdom on Channel 4. Hosted by former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman,[1] along with keyboardist Tony Ashton, the show featured a mix of interviews with 1970s musicians and impromptu performances where the guest artist would join Wakeman and his house band in playing re-arranged versions of their classic songs or entirely new pieces, created for the show. The format was very informal with the setting likened to a bar, where Wakeman would interview the guest over a drink or two, followed by their performance, in front of a small studio audience, sitting in groups at tables. Wakeman would frequently cite the show as an opportunity for musicians from different bands to get the opportunity to work together. During its run, the show featured guests as diverse as Ian Paice, Andy Fairweather Low, John Entwistle, Godley and Creme, Eric Burdon, Phil Lynott and Steve Hackett.
The house band for the show was Rick Wakeman (keyboards), Tony Ashton (keyboards & vocals), Chas Cronk (bass, episodes 1-3, 5 & 6), Jerome Rimson (bass, episodes 1-4), Tony Fernandez (drums).
As of August 2020, all full episodes and selected individual performances are available on YouTube.
Episodes
Episode 1
Guests.
- Rick Parfitt
- The Cimarons
- Eric Burdon & Alvin Lee
Music.
- Rick Parfitt: Little Lady
- Rick Parfitt: Rain
- Rick Wakeman: Catherine Howard
- The Cimarons: He Give Up To I
- Tony Ashton: Cigarettes!
- Eric Burdon & Alvin Lee: Heart Attack
- Eric Burdon & Alvin Lee: Trying To Get Back To You
- Eric Burdon & Alvin Lee: Rock and Roll Medley
Interviews.
- Rick Parfitt
- Eric Burdon
Episode 2
Guests.
Music.
- Tony Ashton: Aeroplane
- Andy Fairweather Low: Man Smart, Woman Smarter
- Andy Fairweather Low, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme: Wide Eyed and Legless, In the Midnight Hour
- Ronnie Scott: Gerrard Street
- Rick Wakeman: Catherine Parr
- Maggie Bell: Blackpool's First Twist Victim
- Maggie Bell: Crazy
Interviews.
- Kevin Godley & Lol Creme
- Andy Fairweather Low
- Ronnie Scott
Episode 3
Guests.
- Phil Lynott & John Sykes
- Donovan
- Chris Farlowe & Alvin Lee
- Rick Parfitt
- Ian Paice
Music.
- Tony Ashton: TV Set
- Phil Lynott & John Sykes: Growing Up
- Phil Lynott & John Sykes: The Man's A Fool
- Rick Wakeman & Tony Ashton: Keyboard Ad-lib
- Donovan: Mellow Yellow
- Donovan: Lalena
- Chris Farlowe & Alvin Lee: Staring Outta Windows
- Chris Farlowe & Alvin Lee: Stormy Monday Blues
- Chris Farlowe, Alvin Lee, Rick Parfitt, Ian Paice: Lucille
Interviews.
- Chris Farlowe
Episode 4
Guests.
- Steve Harley
- The Strawbs
- John Entwistle
- Rick Parfitt
- Ian Paice
Music.
- Steve Harley: Mr. Soft
- The Strawbs: The Hangman and the Papist
- John Entwistle: Twist and Shout
- Rick Wakeman: Elgin Mansions
- Tony Ashton: It's Weird
- John Entwistle & Steve Harley: Go America
Interviews.
- Steve Harley
- Dave Cousins (The Strawbs)
- John Entwistle
Episode 5
Guests.
Music.
- Alvin Lee: I May Be Wrong
- Alvin Lee: Tell Me Baby
- Ian Paice & Howie Casey: Resurrection Shuffle
- Ian Paice & Howie Casey: Possibly
- Suzi Quatro & Steve Hackett: My Babe
- Suzi Quatro & Steve Hackett: CC Rider
- Suzi Quatro & Steve Hackett: Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller
Interviews.
- Alvin Lee
- Ian Paice
- Suzi Quatro
Episode 6
Guests.
- Roy Wood
- Frankie Miller
- Howie Casey
- The Cimarons
- Steve Hackett
Music.
- Roy Wood: California Man[2]
- Roy Wood: Down To Zero
- Rick Wakeman: Gone But Not Forgotten
- Frankie Miller & Howie Casey: He'll Have To Go
- The Cimarons: My Soul Wants To Be With Jah
- Steve Hackett: Camino Royale (Hackett To Pieces)
- Steve Hackett: Hackett's Boogie
Interviews.
- Roy Wood
- Steve Hackett
References
- ^ Auslander, Philip (2006). Performing glam rock: gender and theatricality in popular music. University of Michigan Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-472-06868-5.
- ^ Roy Wood, Rick Wakeman And His Band - California Man (GasTank Ep 6) on YouTube
This page was last edited on 11 November 2023, at 17:43