A NIGHT FOR LONNIE DONEGAN

Mon. 3rd September 2018: London, Union Chapel

Finally. After way too long, we have a great follow up concert to the ‘Rock Island Line’ memorial concert for Lonnie Donegan back in 2004.

The late ‘King of Skiffle’ and ‘Godfather of British Rock n Roll’ whose hits include ‘Rock Island Line’, ‘Pick a Bale of Cotton’ and  ‘Jack of Diamonds’ - to name a few - inspired so many artists from The Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Van Morrison to even The White Stripes’ Jack White - names Lonnie as one of his major influences.

Billy Bragg’s latest hit book which is flying off the shelves – ‘Roots Radicals and Rockers: How Skiffle Changed The World’ - is centred around the importance Lonnie Donegan had in almost single headedly changing the British music industry from his first hit ‘Rock Island Line’ and creating the ‘teenager’.

Joining us for this this very special event will not only be Billy, but a host of other great names including but not limited to: Ralph McTell, Chas and Dave, The Jive Aces, Chas McDevitt, Chris Difford, Vince Eager, Deborah Bonham, along with Nora Guthrie, daughter of seminal American folk writer, Woody Guthrie - whose songs provided Lonnie with several hits – and The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra

All these wonderful guest artists will be backed by the surviving members of Lonnie’s band of the last 40 years and the night will be hosted by Lonnie’s sons, Peter and Anthony Donegan, as well as some special guest hosts including broadcaster & author, Mike Read.

All proceeds go to assisting Lonnie’s grandson get his ABA therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This one off special concert will take place at beautiful and evocative Union Chapel in Islington, London.

Tickets available at:

 https://www.unionchapel.org.uk/