The Sweden Rock Festival remains at the No1 position regarding Summer Festivals. Not only does it mark the beginning of the summer (when you go there it's spring and when you leave it's summer) but it also is the highlight of the year. This year I walked the area with Philomena Lynott and it has never ever been more fun.To be honest - this festival was really different from every other festival I've been to. I don't have that many photos - but I have a head filled memories :-)
The Sweden Rock Festival of 2002 became Phil Lynott's.When Thin Lizzy-tribute band Thin Lipztick walked off stage on Thursday night I began to work... and it started right away. Wherever Philomena walked, Phil's fans came up to her, gave her a hug, shook her hands, took photos, asked for autographs and it never ended.
Not once did Philomena complain about it.
She gave her address to everyone who asked for it and invited them to visit her when they came to Dublin. Just as she did with me when I first met her nine years ago.
She's the most fantastic woman I have ever met.
Before we even started working I said I'll do anything as long as I get to see Hanoi Rocks play.
I never once thought Phyllis would actually see them too!!
But she did and she loved it.
She stood infront of the massive speakers and enjoyed the music, Doc Holliday, Ted Nugent and Hanoi Rocks among other bands. Look around and ask a 71-years old woman doing that!! I hope I'll be as vital as Philomena and that I never get too old to rock!
Andy McCoy turned out to be a friend of Phil's during his years in London - who would have known? Thursday night we all recieved the sad news about Dee Dee Ramones.
Of course Hanoi Rocks dedicated "Million Miles Away" to Dee Dee and Phil Lynott.
Everyone did a dedication of some sort.
Wherever Philomena went she was greeted with open arms and memories.
How she can hold it all is a mystery to me. I don't know how many times I swallow hard not crying. Even Lemmy got a bit out of focus being face to face with his old friend's mother, last time they met was at Phil's memorial.
Hanoi Rocks were the band that spent the most time with Philomena, specially Andy - they were dancing in front of Ted Nugent.
Andy McCoy is a survivor. He barely looks alive, but somehow he is. And he took an instant love for Philomena. I understand him, I really do.
Mark Stanway from Grand Slam who was playing with Magnum - came up to me and introduced himself. I didn't recognice him until he spelled it out to me... his modest clues beginning with "...I used to be in a band with Philip..." didn't help at all. That was embarrassing - but I haven't seen a photo of him since the early 80s...
I don't think he was offenended, and if he was, he soon forgot cause he met Philomena again and it was wonderful to see.
As usual - the breakfast at the hotel is one of the highlights.
Seeing all those rockers the morning after. People who clearly should not be spoken to until several hours after the first litre of coffee and those who given up drinking alltogether and are so cheerful one like to punish them really hard! No scandals this year though - Freak Kitchen learned their lesson and didn't open any closed doors... (see last years report for details)
Speaking of Freak Kitchen I never managed to see them, they were 2nd on my list but there was all sorts of other things needed to be done. However, if any one in the band reads this I want to make sure you know
I was going to Philomena's room with my bottle of wine :-)
You gotta love Freak Kitchen - there's a big party going on with the collective bands that's been playing at the festival - and what do they do? Sit in a corridor, playing acoustic guitars having a party of their own...
I don't know what will happen next year - but I really hope Phyllis want to come over again.
Phil Lynott's mother is a Rocker :-)
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