MIDNIGHT ROCK

Rockin Dave Rocks up a storm!!

For a long time Rockin Dave has been inviting me to attend his Thursday rock and roll show, featuring, of course, himself and I never make it because if is my dart night.  But, last month, he had a bunch of tourists in for this Thursday night show and they liked it so much that they wanted to see it again before they left but it had to be on a Tuesday night.

Dave sent me a message and this time I was able to get there.  Not only did I attend but I brought along the Mrs and she was flabbergasted that I invited her out to a bar with me.  This is only the second time, the last time was a year ago when we visited the Golden Nile.  Twice in thirty years, that’s enough, I do not want to spoil her.  My problem now is she has become a Rockin Dave fan and wants to go again.

Personally, I think that Dave should perform at least twice a week instead of just once.  Lets face it, he is the draw to that bar and I was leased to see a few more dancers than the last time I was there.  If you have not seen this super piano player just go on you tube and search his name.  You will see the younger performer with a lot of hair and much thinner.  He was well known back when and had a lot of CD’s and videos.  In fact, he will sell you some if you ask.

For sure, you want to visit the Midnight Rock on a Thursday night, it is a treat and a welcome change from just watching listless, but sexy dancers in other bars.  Dave, please, add another night to your entertainment schedule.  You ain’t so old that you can’t hang it all out twice a week instead of one?

ROCK N ROLL

MIDNIGHT ROCK

Just when I had almost decided that each bar in Angeles was pretty much a clone of the others, I came across something different. I stumbled into Midnight Rock about 10:00 last Thursday night and found the ‘joint was a rolling and a rockin’, going round and round’ to quote Chuck Berry.

Rockin’ Dave Taylor, who owns/manages Midnight Rock, was pumping out rock and roll music on the piano with a flair and power that Jerry Lee Lewis would be proud of. The music from the 50s and early 60s that led the rock rebellion was so familiar, and Dave’s flamboyance on the keyboard so mesmerizing, I couldn’t get enough of it. I missed girls in their wide skirts and multi-layered petticoats, bobby sox and flat soled pink shoes jiving all round the place but I guess you can’t have everything in this life.

And if you should ever doubt Dave’s ability or his authenticity, don’t. Dave has toured with Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, B.B. King and the real Shakin’ Stevens as well as having a successful solo career. The man knows his stuff and puts on a great show every Thursday night from 8:00.

Get yourself down to Midnight Rock on Don Juico Avenue/Perimeter Road one Thursday and soak up the music from a kinder, gentler age. You won’t be sorry.

Review by Andy Smart, Nottingham Evening Post, 13 April

DAVE TAYLOR - A ROCKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY (Midnight CD 607)

If you like your rock & roll to be pure and unadulterated, this latest collection
from local boy Rockin' Dave Taylor is a joy. Beeston-born Taylor, a one-time Raleigh
apprentice, has been banging out rock and boogie woogie albums for more than three
decades, as well as performing all over the world.

This latest offering on his own Midnight Rock label features self-penned numbers and classics like Blueberry Hill, Choo Choo Ch Boogie and Giddy-up-a-ding-dong, all given Taylor's distinctive honky-
tonk piano treatment. Stand-outs include Dave's arrangement of Count Basie's Jumpin' at the Woodside, the Fleecie Moore rocker Caldonia, and an upbeat threatment of Mona Lisa, another oft-recorded song which gave Nat King Cole, Conway Twitty and Notts singer Shane Fenton (aka Alvin Stardust) varying degrees of success.

A Rocker's Guide to the Galaxy takes Taylor's album tally over the 20 mark and it is
another irrepressible selection of the Kent-based Rockabilly Hall of Famer.

Out now!

D

ave Taylor, has created a unique blend of Big Band Rock*n*Roll, Rhythm*n*Blues and Jump Jive rolled into one. During the early days of his career, Dave auditioned with Rock Island Line, then managed by Phil Bailey, and met with Crazy Cavan & the Rhythm Rockers to discuss joining their band - although, after due consideration, in 1972 Dave decided to form his own band, Little Dave & The Rhythm Band. Dave, at that time 15 years of age, knew nothing about running a band and it soon fell apart, but Dave went on to join a local professional band The Earthquakes, while working on the assembly line at Raleigh Industries in Nottingham, with fame nothing more than a dream. In 1975, Dave replied to an advertisement in the Melody Maker for an audition at the Adam & Eve, a well- known Rock*n*Roll venue in Homerton, in the east end of London. At the audition, Dave was snapped up by the then popular Rock*n*Roll group, the Hellraisers, who were in fact looking for a saxophone player! Having tried out a plethora of sax players, the band decided to give the job to Dave, and the very next day he found himself sailing out to Denmark to perform at the famous Hard Rock Café in Copenhagen.

Two years of hard touring followed and, as well as working with the likes of Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, B.B. King and Shakin’ Stevens, the following years consisted of tours throughout Europe and Scandinavia together with continuous session work. Dave has established the Midnight Rock record label and continues to produce recordings at his Midnight Rock Studio, taking time off to tour the world. Dave’s songs have been licensed to companies worldwide and appear on countless compilations, including promotional albums for Coca-Cola and the Co-Operative Bank, among others. In 2004, Dave was voted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, fast forward to 2008 and Dave is currently building a new recording studio facility on the Costa Blanca, Spain, where the Midnight Rock operations will be relocated in due course. As part of his show, Dave has parachuted to various venues with his Skyjivers parachute display team! So, for Rockin’ Dave Taylor, even the sky’s not the limit....

Cool Rock & Roll and Hot Curry

Fancy some Classic Rock piano and vocals with a tasty Curry and Rice to soak up the beer before venturing home to Her Indoors? At Midnight Rock on Don Juico Avenue both can be achieved from the comfort of your bar stool.

 Rockin Dave can do more things with a piano than Jerry Lee Lewis could ever imagine. Catch Dave in the mood to give it some welly and you will see a natural performer; fine pianist and awalking

encyclopedia of rock & roll in his natural environment. Dave likes a good crowd to play to and good crowds seem to like him. His cabaret girls are getting livelier these day and though they see Dave bashing the ivories every week on Thursday nights Dave can still surprise them a with a new trick or two. Off stage Dave is a touch reserved and always a gentleman. Dave has been in the Rock Business ever since it became a business as opposed to a teenage rebellion. In the  "entertainment" district of Angeles City a professional entertainer like Dave is as rare as rocking horse manure. A true gem.

On Wednesday, 26 Aug 09, I witnessed great entertainment at the Midnight Rock. I
saw first hand the piano playing and singing of "Rockin Dave" at this new Club that
was previously known as "Electric Blue". Dave had been open for a few days already
but on this particular night he had sort of a formal opening with the help of some
of other Club owners who provided an array of dancers that really livened the place
up. Represented were ladies from Emotions, Dr. Holm's, Stampede and Eruptions and
of course, the Midnight ladies themselves. The highlight of the evening though had
to be the show put on by the man himself - Rocking Dave. This is definitely
something different to look forward to and I do believe that Dave will develop a
good fan base and some loyal customers. I am hoping that he will perform about
every hour on the hour for fifteen minutes or so because he is the main attraction.
Yes, he has the ladies, the club is nice, the music is not loud, the prices are
reasonable, the dancers are energetic but he does need a few more to fill out the
bill. This is a club that will not be an overnight success but it will grow in
popularity over time. One can feel comfortable taking your girlfriend there and
even the Mrs just to see the antics of Dave on stage. One thing is for sure, the
Midnight Rock will continue to Rock on and Dave's piano will not be silenced. He
has too much talent to share with the patrons of his Club and his business will grow
accordingly. Everyone likes to look at the ladies, me included and there sure are
enough places in town to do that to your hearts content but there is always room for
a bit of show business as well, thank you, Dave, for providing that.

Take care Dave, see you soon,