Press Release … issued 5th May 1999 Live and Unleashed in Letchworth Rock legends Budgie have chosen the world's first Garden City as the venue for an exclusive one night stand on Friday 28th May at Plinston Hall in the heart of the North Hertfordshire town. The powerhouse trio, featuring the incomparable vocals of bassist and founder Burke Shelley, will be flying into the Garden City to play a selection of stage favourites from the band’s 10 studio albums spanning an illustrious 30 year history. Tickets for the gig, the band’s first live outing in UK for over 10 years, are on sale now at the Plinston Hall box office priced £16 each. Telephone: 01462 480282. Ticket information is also available by return on e-mailing budgie@letchworth.com. The show is part of the band’s preparation for a major Swedish rock festival in June, which also features acts such as Deep Purple, The Scorpions and David Lee Roth. Remembered by rock fans for their graphic song titles such as ‘In The Grip Of The Tyre-Fitters Hands’ and ‘Hot As A Dockers Armpit’, Budgie were a major influence on many of today’s top metal bands. They are also part of a rich tradition of top flight rocking acts from Wales, albeit somewhat ‘raunchier’ than their latter day successors, the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia. For the Letchworth gig, Shelley will be joined by guitarist John Thomas and reunited with drummer Steve Williams who played on Budgie’s highly acclaimed 1975 release ‘Bandolier’. That album, which included the hit single ‘I Ain’t No Mountain’ penned by former Amen Corner vocalist Andy Fairweather Low, and earlier recordings such as ‘Never Turn Your Back On A Friend’ and ‘In for the Kill’ gave Budgie a cult following in the 1970s and 80s. But in 1988 they played their last gig. It was cover versions of Budgie numbers by latter day heroes Metallica and Soundgarden, which helped to rekindle interest in the band’s music in the 1990s. In ’95, Shelley reformed Budgie to headline the San Antonio Music Festival in front of 20,000 screaming Texan fans. The band returned in 1996 for a one-off show to celebrate 25 years since their first album. ‘Now they’re coming to play in Letchworth!’ proclaims Denis Hill, Plinston Hall’s General Manager and the man responsible for enticing Budgie out of their cage. ‘Younger fans will know the song ‘Breadfan’ because it’s featured on Metallica’s latest ‘Garage Inc’ CD. The Plinston gig provides a rare opportunity to hear this classic track in its original raunchy format!’ Its all happening just 35 miles north of London on 28th May for what promises to be a very special night. [ends] For further information: Tickets Plinston Hall 01462 480282 budgie@letchworth.com Press Alan Howard 01462 476000 alanhoward@letchworth.com (Daytime) 01462 731666 alanlgc@aol.com (Evenings)