November 20, 2024

Focus on Ramblin’ Man Fairs thru the Lens

A small, amazing selection of Our Mistress of the Lens Harpic’s photos from Ramblin’ Man Fairs at Mote Park, Maidstone, Kent, England 2016 and 2018.

American Scott Gorham has been in Thin Lizzy in one form or another since 1974. When he first joined, Gorham and fellow Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson created their famous dual guitar attack. On the showing at Ramblin’ Man, Gorham showed how his enthusiasm and ability had not diminished, which has been beautifully caught here by Our Mistress of the Lens. Thin Lizzy soon after this event morphed full time into Black Star Riders. After two more albums, Scott Gorham left Black Star Riders to contemplate his future. Hopefully we might see him back performing with a new version of Thin Lizzy.

Ricky Warwick from Northern Ireland carries the Thin Lizzy / Black Star Riders Flag with pride. His performance in front of the Ramblin’ Man hordes was never less than commanding, holding the audience in the palm of his hand through out. Taking over the role of front man in Thin Lizzy from the great Phil Lynott would be daunting for anybody, but Ricky Warwick did an admirable job. In this photo Ricky stares down the audience as Scott Gorham rocks up a storm behind him.

Doug Aldrich is an American guitarist who rose to fame through the ranks of Whitesnake and Dio. I always thought he was rather limited in his roles in these bands, but now in the Dead Daisies he is at last unfettered by structures. As is perfectly shown here as he gets down’n’dirty at the front of the stage at Ramblin’ Man, machine gunning the crowd as he shreds his guitar. Beautifully caught in action by Our Mistress Of The Lens.

A great up close shot of John Corabi from the camera of our Mistress of the Lens, Harpic. This is a real action shot depicting the Dead Daisies for what they are—one of the most exciting live bands around. The Dead Daisies lineup may change dramaticallym (Glenn Hughes is currently handling lead vocals and the bass work. This is 2022!), but they always blow up a storm.

Ramblin’ Man full line up for 2016.

John Corabi, one of the really wild men of Rock, shows off in front of the Ramblin’ Man crowds singing for the Dead Daisies. He’s much more suited as a Dead Daisy than a Motley Crue.

A great shot of Captain Dave Brock of the Spaceship Hawkwind. Dave Brock has led Hawkwind for over 50 years and there is no sign of the spaceship braking any day soon. Hawkwind treated the Ramblin’ Man crowd to a great set of old and new classics.

Joey Tempest of Europe. On this day at Ramblin’ Man, Europe were on fire, drawing a huge reaction from the crowd. Joey Tempest, as can be seen here, was enjoying himself and oozing confidence. Of course, it all led to a Final Countdown. But there was many good hard rockin’ songs played in their set. Harpic was drawn like a moth to the flame and the other members of Europe were never bothered by the lens all the time Joey was on stage.

Pat McManus flew over from Ireland that morning to play for us at Ramblin’ Man. One of the most rumbustious sets of the weekend. The trio of the Pat McManus Band were almost telepathic in their knowledge of each other on stage.

Pat McManus may not be recognized as one of the greatest guitarists from the Emerald Isle, but I assure you he is up there with the likes of Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore. The Mistress of the Lens has caught him here getting all twiddly at the high end of the neck. Great Action.

In 2018 Mott The Hoople ‘74’ headlined the Ramblin’ Man Saturday Night with a rip roaring set of seventies glam metal, going down a barnstorm with the crowds. Mott The Hoople 74 are Ian Hunter and Ariel Bender (Luther Grosvenor) center stage. Morgan Fisher off camera, probably popped off for a glass of Champers. Supported by Ian Hunter’s regular backing band, the Rant Band. A fearsome combination.

Purchase Prints of Harpic Bryant’s Stunning Photography Here

Ramblin’ Man 2016 was blessed with many fine front men, none finer than Danny Bowes of Thunder. What a voice this man has. You can almost hear the emotion caught by the Mistress of the Lens.

Luke Morley of Thunder is a fine lead guitarist who is always great to see commanding and patrolling his stage. Caught here in midflight roaring out another solo. A classic rock’n’roll photo.

Procul Harem always brought so much pomp and circumstance to everything they did. Has there ever been a more British Band? Here they are caught headlining the Prog/Rock Stage at Ramblin’ Man with a performance worthy of cinemascope, captured by our Mistress of the Lens in a Whiter Shade of Pale.

The Old Mott the Hoople partnership revived. In the seventies they used to fight each other on stage for the spotlight, but by 2018, things were a little more restrained, replaced by more of a natural respect which they have for each other. Whatever, the two create so much energy on stage it’s a joy to behold.

Harpic Our Mistress of the Lens caught in the thick of the action at stage front, taking a shot of Hawkwind. Perfectly poised for that diamond shot.

Mick Box and Bernie Shaw of Uriah Heep have been playing and working together now for more than thirty years. The creativity that pours forth from the pair is easy to see. Captured here as they work the crowd at Ramblin’ Man by our Mistress of the Lens.

Purchase Prints of Harpic Bryant’s Stunning Photography Here

Walter Trout. No fish jokes please. Tore down a hole in the Ramblin’ Man 2016 Blues Stage. One of the great blues guitarists of his era. Here he is caught in mid-musical ecstasy hitting that note. The Mistress of the Lens caught pure blues magic in a snap of her Lens.

Walter Trout is not only one of the most respected blues guitarists, but also a famous raconteur caught here in mid Big Fish Story. On seeing Walter Trout you are never sure which you want to hear most, his stories or his guitar playing.

Walter Trout Band’s drummer Michael Leasure. Leasure by name, but not by nature. Otherwise he would be called Michael Furious. He is the engine room for the band. His drumming style is energetic and heavy, played with exacting precision. As you can see from this amazing close up, it gets hot’ n’ sweaty in that engine room.

The Line Up for Ramblin’ Man Fair 2018.

For more photos from Harpic, Our Mistress of the Lens, please look up https://harpix.smugmug.com/

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Click here to read an in-depth report on the 2015 Ramblin’ Man Fair headlined by the Scorpions from one who was there

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