GasTank

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.

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

[1] Auslander, Philip (2006). Performing glam rock: gender and theatricality in popular music. University of Michigan Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-472-06868-5.

[2] Roy Wood, Rick Wakeman And His Band - California Man (GasTank Ep 6) on YouTube

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