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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
 Posted - 28/07/2012 : 13:43:16
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I must admit I was worried about looking at the forum this morning after last nights 1000 drummers performed with what you guys may say.!
8 months ago I was put forward by my good pal and great drummer Ralph Salmins as the man to coordinate, audition, help design the drums and teach all the volunteer drummers but with a contract as thick as many books was sworn to secrecy on what we were doing and couldn't say anything.
Many forum members, drummers I knew and industry folk came along to the audition and were part of the opening and thank you so much for not saying anything on this forum up to now and given away my involvement.
Many of my drumming friends didn't even know I was doing it (even Yard look at the other olympic thread!!) As I was concerned it would break my contract.
I was really proud to have taught the drummers their part and a lot of long hours have gone into getting it looking and sounding good. I was also very lucky to be able to join my drum captains and Ralph, Paul Clarvis and Evelyn on the bell stage to witness the wonderful atmosphere something I didn't think I would have the time to do on the night as I had other jobs to do.
From there I had to run to the control room to talk to all the drummers in the ear LIVE and tell them what to play during the athletes parade (wow do I have some stories to tell about some countries!)
Quick change and mad dash (to the sound of the Arctic's) to reach the other end of the stadium to join in with Ralph, Paul, Evelyn and the boys for the finale.
I hope you enjoyed it and it was an honor to be asked and have such a big drumming presence at the biggest TV show in the world.
Danny Boyle is a star who really does love his music and It was an honor to work with Rick Smith from underworld
Thanks |
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thedrumcrew
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
8510 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 13:48:51
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| It was great and something you should be proud of |
Thinking of the future as others close there eyes and hope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKaJ4b0XYmI
Memories are some of lifes most wonderful treasures. |
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pat illingworth
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
687 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 14:01:22
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| Nice one Mike and Ralph and to all those involved....just watched the recording of the ceremony and it was a wonderful spectacle.... |
www.patillingworth.com |
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MarkMooch
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1411 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 15:45:52
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Awesome, what were those drums made from? How many drummers were there? Would be great if there was an article about it all on the main site.
I too also had a contract to do with the Olympics and was sworn to secrecy. Basically my band were a 'contingency' i.e. dep band for the bands on the olympic torch relay tour, should any of the billed bands have a problem doing the gig we'd step in. There was a little bit of money in it in terms of a retainer fee but we didn't get a gig. |
Drummer & Educator in N.E. England.
www.MarkRichardsonDrums.com
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beezerk
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
29225 Posts |
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Rudi
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
275 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 16:55:52
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It was REALLY impressive! I loved the way it supported the ceremony, and it was both visually and auditorily arresting. You should pat yourself on the back (at the correct tempo). Both you and all the drummers did a fantastic joh. A great achievement!
Rudi  |
<My Tiki snare - built on the two days course>
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 17:07:59
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quote:
Originally posted by beezerk
Brilliant stuff Mike, top job mate.
Am I right or wrong in thinking all the drummers were actually "drummers"?
60/40 in favor of drummers. Problem was we needed people to move so was looking for a good balance so both sides could help each other.
Drummers dont need to move so the known drummers who had good since of rhythm we could teach to play and the drummers would get the movement from the non drummers-i think it worked........And now we have enough 400 drummers out there! |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 17:09:10
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| Full interviews on how what and why we did will be coming up soon. |
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tuppster
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
9078 Posts |
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Rhythm and Blooze
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
4671 Posts |
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Brigham
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
7854 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 19:23:19
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Mike, that's something to tell the Grandkids. Brilliant job.
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Briglet uses:
Mapex 15th Anniversary Pro-M 22,10,12,14
Yamaha Stage Custom Advantage 22,12,13,16
Zildjian, Istanbul, Stagg |
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moosetication
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
12098 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 20:14:55
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quote:
Originally posted by mike dolbear
Full interviews on how what and why we did will be coming up soon.
Will look forward to that.
I think you could be forgiven for looking as smug as a smug person who's been asked to leave the Planet Smug for being too smug. The whole thing was brilliant, and you played a key role. How cool is that? |
"It's just a rest, no need to complicate it with monkeys." - sunshinehead
SITMS #31/582 (B'ham) #31/798 (M'cr) | The Blue Road | Jive Honey |
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irish_steve
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2875 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 20:53:26
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Mike, I'm super proud to just read your post, and be a tiny bit affiliated with you via this forum (we haven't met although I've been to a lot of events you have organised over the years)
Massive congratulations on a job well done, you are a legend and an inspiration to all of us.
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OriginalAnimal
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
19310 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 22:43:02
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Really well done Mike, they were a credit to you. and themselves for keeping going through the night
It was great to see Evelyn again as well |
I have no time to practice, I'm gigging. Leicester Drum Sniffers Anonymous. #17 of the 582 & 17 0f the 798 World Record Holders.
Jobeky, 2Box Drumit 5, Premier, Highwood/DM drums Paul Brook Snare, Matt Nolan cymbals, Silverstone Drum (seats) Thrones. Los Cabos drumsticks
Re Cycling drums is the future. |
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bERb
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2334 Posts |
Posted - 28/07/2012 : 23:26:54
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| Congrats Mike, the opening was fantastic. I've heard that the drummers around the stadium when the teams came in were actually just hitting painted plastic tubs. True ??. |
The Geordie contingency. I feel sorry for people who don't drink because when they get up in the morning that's as good as they're gonna feel all day!. dw, yammy x2 ,TD8, sabian,zildjian,paiste, protection racket.stella artois, red wine, gin & tonic (lots). |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 10:21:57
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quote:
Originally posted by bERb
Congrats Mike, the opening was fantastic. I've heard that the drummers around the stadium when the teams came in were actually just hitting painted plastic tubs. True ??.
There was a little bit more to it then that  I spent a lot of time with the props team getting the correct sound (pitched at 5 tones), having the correct sticks and straps so they didn't move and were in the perfect playing position.
Danny Boyle wanted to keep the drumming theme going throughout the ceremony and as we used the buckets in the industrial revolution section it only made since to carry on with them.
On another note could you imagine the sound of 1000 snare drums in that stadium  , we used 3 and they cut through the 1 million watt PA  |
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JKDrummerDude
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
269 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 16:21:02
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It was an amazing thing to do, hard work, but well worth it. Thanks for the coaching Mike, it was a privilige to work with you and Ralph, and all the others.
Pyro was pretty cool too... |
Yamaha Tour Custom 24, 12, 13, 16, 18, C&C Maple 22, 12,14,16 Yamaha DTXPress IV Special |
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Steevo114
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
361 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 16:22:10
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Very well done indeed Sir, -a pleasure to watch and listen, and congratulations on your involvement and participation in a truly monumental show.
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Perception is all |
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Cuban
Advanced Contributer
998 Posts |
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Captain Bubble
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
14790 Posts |
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Brody
Advanced Contributer
1325 Posts |
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ben
Active Contributer
United Kingdom
71 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 21:27:09
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Mike,
Thanks for an amazing experience, your passion and commitment made something really special,
all the best,
Ben |
www.myspace.com/thejohnnyparrytrio |
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Drum_of_Beer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
465 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2012 : 22:51:42
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Brilliant, simply brilliant. Well done indeed Mr D, you can be rightfully proud of what you achieved on that night.
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Really? What both feet? |
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Pete the drummer
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1387 Posts |
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Grahame B
Advanced Contributer
Saint Helena
14874 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2012 : 16:10:33
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| It's the only thing that's ever made me wish I lived near London. |
http://tinyurl.com/r38zpn
Tempus Fudgit ( censored )
"You won't get a refund from me no matter how hard you try."
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luke3030
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
12879 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2012 : 20:26:03
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| brilliant!!! |
WANTED: ANY GRETSCH RENOWN DRUMS/KITS IN SILVER OYSTER PEARL. |
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spaceman
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1288 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2012 : 21:03:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Grahame B
It's the only thing that's ever made me wish I lived near London.
 I lived there until 3 yrs ago and nothing like this ever happened!
VERY VERY WELL DONE MIKE, RALPH AND GOOD PEOPLE TRULY AWESOME!! |
60's Ludwigs - fun tubs!
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Dan Bear Taylor
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2012 : 22:14:38
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| Absolutely fantastic, made me proud to be British and brought a tear to the eye. I cant believe that people are knocking it. |
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bERb
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
2334 Posts |
Posted - 30/07/2012 : 23:10:58
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quote:
Originally posted by mike dolbear
quote:
Originally posted by bERb
Congrats Mike, the opening was fantastic. I've heard that the drummers around the stadium when the teams came in were actually just hitting painted plastic tubs. True ??.
There was a little bit more to it then that I spent a lot of time with the props team getting the correct sound (pitched at 5 tones), having the correct sticks and straps so they didn't move and were in the perfect playing position.
Danny Boyle wanted to keep the drumming theme going throughout the ceremony and as we used the buckets in the industrial revolution section it only made since to carry on with them.
On another note could you imagine the sound of 1000 snare drums in that stadium , we used 3 and they cut through the 1 million watt PA
Could this mean MD OBE ??!! |
The Geordie contingency. I feel sorry for people who don't drink because when they get up in the morning that's as good as they're gonna feel all day!. dw, yammy x2 ,TD8, sabian,zildjian,paiste, protection racket.stella artois, red wine, gin & tonic (lots). |
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roxyskinflint
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
286 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 14:04:39
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i was thinking to myself at the end of the show, "by hey those drummers have put a shift in" almost 3hours
What a fantastic show it was aswell, you should be very proud of what you have achieved |
What you talkin about Willis |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 20:43:18
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quote:
Originally posted by roxyskinflint
i was thinking to myself at the end of the show, "by hey those drummers have put a shift in" almost 3hours
What a fantastic show it was aswell, you should be very proud of what you have achieved
I am very proud of all the drummers who had to put up with me for the past 6 months, and yes it was a shift for them. During the athletes parade I was trying to find parts for them to rest and I was always telling them to try and play relaxed with no pressure in there arms. |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 20:44:45
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quote:
Originally posted by bERb
quote:
Originally posted by mike dolbear
quote:
Originally posted by bERb
Congrats Mike, the opening was fantastic. I've heard that the drummers around the stadium when the teams came in were actually just hitting painted plastic tubs. True ??.
There was a little bit more to it then that I spent a lot of time with the props team getting the correct sound (pitched at 5 tones), having the correct sticks and straps so they didn't move and were in the perfect playing position.
Danny Boyle wanted to keep the drumming theme going throughout the ceremony and as we used the buckets in the industrial revolution section it only made since to carry on with them.
On another note could you imagine the sound of 1000 snare drums in that stadium , we used 3 and they cut through the 1 million watt PA
Could this mean MD OBE ??!!
Yeh like thats going to happen but Danny should be given a knighthood |
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guy baillie
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
174 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 21:15:30
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The drumming was brilliant from start to finish. Loved it, as did my wife who is a non-drummer. She was fascinated by Evelyn Glennie, especially when I told her that Evelyn is profoundly deaf.
Amazing...... |
GuBa |
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RocKeR
New Contributer
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 00:43:51
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Mike,
As a non-drummer, I need to thank you for the impression and influence you had on me as an Pandamonium Drummer. First I hope I didn't annoy you too much! I was the 'Morris Dancer' in 51B, Group 28. I enjoyed every second of the rehearsals, and clocked you as a leading light from the very beginning. I've learned an awful lot since May, and it was a fantastic experience.
I will take what I've learnt back to my Morris side, where I may upgrade my one-handed off-beat Morris drumming to an even more impressive two-handed off-beat drumming!
Thank you!
//Graham
PS: is it too late to learn to drum with four limbs separately instead of just left-right at 46? |
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JGodsall
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
3777 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 00:52:43
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| Congrats to Mike and all those involved - a really fantastic achievement, and I too look forward to reading more about it. |
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OriginalAnimal
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
19310 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 08:36:36
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Could this mean MD OBE ??!!
[/quote]
Yeh like thats going to happen but Danny should be given a knighthood
[/quote]
I think Lord Dolbear of Drumshire has a nice ring to it!! |
I have no time to practice, I'm gigging. Leicester Drum Sniffers Anonymous. #17 of the 582 & 17 0f the 798 World Record Holders.
Jobeky, 2Box Drumit 5, Premier, Highwood/DM drums Paul Brook Snare, Matt Nolan cymbals, Silverstone Drum (seats) Thrones. Los Cabos drumsticks
Re Cycling drums is the future. |
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Paz_Drums
Very Active Contributer
United Kingdom
110 Posts |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 12:08:35
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quote:
Originally posted by RocKeR
Mike,
As a non-drummer, I need to thank you for the impression and influence you had on me as an Pandamonium Drummer. First I hope I didn't annoy you too much! I was the 'Morris Dancer' in 51B, Group 28. I enjoyed every second of the rehearsals, and clocked you as a leading light from the very beginning. I've learned an awful lot since May, and it was a fantastic experience.
I will take what I've learnt back to my Morris side, where I may upgrade my one-handed off-beat Morris drumming to an even more impressive two-handed off-beat drumming!
Thank you!
//Graham
PS: is it too late to learn to drum with four limbs separately instead of just left-right at 46?
Many thanks Graham you were all a joy to teach and if I need some morris dancing lesson's your 1st on my list |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 12:20:59
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quote:
Originally posted by OriginalAnimal
Could this mean MD OBE ??!!
Yeh like thats going to happen but Danny should be given a knighthood
[/quote]
I think Lord Dolbear of Drumshire has a nice ring to it!!
[/quote]
Just to have the respect from my fellow drummers is good enough for me...no really
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MacDB7
Excellent Contributer
United Kingdom
262 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 14:30:09
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it was absolutely awesome!
Well done to everyone involved!
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Jazz drummer
Mapex & Zildjian = the perfect combination!
http://soundcloud.com/calum-macleod |
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JimFarey
New Contributer
United Kingdom
13 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2012 : 14:39:00
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Ooh er, Mike, huge congratulations. I watched the whole thing and had no idea you'd been involved and were there.
Great job, you're right to be very proud.
:) |
Check out mine and Paul's method book Drumset for Beginners and more at http://www.jimfarey.com
Based in Nottingham, have car: will travel; have ears: can improvise; have eyes: can read!
Always for hire playing whackable things! |
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Th0mas25
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
8373 Posts |
Posted - 02/08/2012 : 22:07:17
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| Fantastic, well done Mike, that's a story to tell the grandchildren so to speak!! I thought the whole opening ceremony was incredible to watch, and I'm actually quite proud to be 'associated' in a small way to someone involved in it, I can only imagine what it was like to have been there! Again, very well done! |
http://bjornsdrums.webs.com/ |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 13:03:13
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quote:
Originally posted by Th0mas25
Fantastic, well done Mike, that's a story to tell the grandchildren so to speak!! I thought the whole opening ceremony was incredible to watch, and I'm actually quite proud to be 'associated' in a small way to someone involved in it, I can only imagine what it was like to have been there! Again, very well done!
Many thanks, yes it is something that I am very proud of and hopefully my family are proud off.
I took my Dad along to the dress rehearsals which was on the Wednesday before the show (with my wife and kids) as my parents really supported me when I was starting out, I nearly lost my Dad last year and it was great to be able to take him along to something on this scale and I know he was so proud, that meant a lot to me.
To be honest the night went so quick as I had so much running around to do that I am not sure if I really took on board at what we had done — that was 8 months of work (and stress!!) |
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empress ballroom
Advanced Contributer
987 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2012 : 19:17:08
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| Great job, sir, world class ! Makes one proud to be a Brit. |
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docadiddle
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1507 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 13:05:50
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Just back from hols but managed to watch the opening ceremony and I have to say it was just fantastic. Even better to discover that you had such a huge part in it, Mike. Many congratulations to you and your drummers; it didn't go unnoticed that they were at it non-stop for so long, must have been a few tired arms the following day.
And also to Danny Boyle, of course. I thought the whole ceremony was great but the best part for me (out of hundreds of excellent parts) was the actual lighting of the flame by the up and coming youngsters; the fact that it WASN'T Steve Redgrave was absolute genius and the quiet harmonies being sung in the background was just the most moving thing; close to tears, I was! (sniffle) Passing it onto the younger generation, Olympic legacy and all that.
My only comment (and not wanting to sound too negative about such a wonderful event) was that it didn't need 'Hey Jude' from Paul McCartney, living legend that he undoubtedly is. The show had already been pretty much perfect and the Arctic Monkeys were a brilliant choice.
Well done to all involved and it made me right proud to be British, so it did.
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A short distance along the long, hard road from novice to MayerWhiteism |
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mike dolbear
Administrator
1653 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 13:44:36
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Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words.
Added bonus is that I played on the song for the lighting of the caldron both live and in the studio and both the album and the single are now in the charts. |
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docadiddle
Advanced Contributer
United Kingdom
1507 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2012 : 22:37:22
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quote:
Originally posted by mike dolbear
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the kind words.
Added bonus is that I played on the song for the lighting of the caldron both live and in the studio and both the album and the single are now in the charts.
Is that the song I was referring to, Mike? The quiet one with the 'angelic' type singing? |
A short distance along the long, hard road from novice to MayerWhiteism |
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