Despite only 2 days rehearsal after only flying in from America, Brian pulled off one hell of a gig. Highlights were the hilarious "Geordie's lost his liggie" , Rainbow's "Since you've been gone" , a Led Zeppelin medley of "Black dog/Rock n Roll" , a version of "Whole Lotta Rosie" which was made more famous by a band whose name escapes me. (Yeah sure) and the finale was an fantastic version of the old Animals track "We gotta get out of this place".

After the gig , Brian spent a lot of time meeting and greeting fans in the bar.

Brief Review by Glenn Robertson.

Geordie II featuring Brian Johnson from AC/DC

Friday 28th September 2001

Straight to the point. This was a show in a lifetime. The lads worked hard all week rehearsing, remembering the songs they last did over twenty years ago. The theatre staff also worked hard, preparing lights, sound and the usual stuff we need to do when a thousand people are expected. There was a genuine buzz, we do up to six shows a week, but this was a different buzz, we were all nervous, wanting it to happen.

It happened.

The band, the theatre staff and the audience, beating a common path. Three forces united as one to make this a night we will never forget. One of the country's top comedian's and local lad Brendan Healy pushed his way out through the plush blue curtains to get the night underway with a series of gags that had everyone laughing. What a great start. Having done his job to perfection, the crowd were ready. Queue tabs, up tabs, GEORDIE II are striking it up. The crowd went bananas.

You may have seen Last Night At The Proms on the tele. That's what is was like, but a thousand times better. It took all of a couple seconds for everyone to rise to their feet head to the front and join the party. Everyone was unashamedly basking in a Geordie night in more ways than one.

Brian Johnson is firmly established as a world class rock singer, on his home turf with his old mates, he was awesome. The three lads in the band were also outstanding and certainly not there to make up the numbers. Dek Rootham played fabulous lead, Dave Robson cranked up the bass and Davey Whitaker never faltered on drums. This band would grace any stage, anywhere.

The second half was opened by the stars from Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, namely Tim Healy, Kevin Whately and Jimmy Nail walking on stage. Tim summed it up, "we are here to say that we are proud of this incredible band Geordie band, four legends". Yes, we are all proud, very proud to be from the North East a region that has produced an astonishing array of musicians, footballers, actors, politicians .. you name it.

The band played a cracking set which featured some great rock songs including a few classic Animals songs. They even did "Wore Geordies' Lost His Liggie", yes they did. Every song was an anthem with a fantastic audience cheering every second of every minute. There was loads of Geordie humour from Brian .... Mr Grimsdale ...... Johnson and the lads.

The set finished on the Animals "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place". The roof was lifting. The balloons fell from the ceiling, the glitter cannons exploded. A grand end to a grand night.

Brian and the lads finished the night in the bar (where else) meeting many friends including those who travelled from around the world for the show. A night we will never forget.

Brian Johnson is off back to America and another hugely successful twenty years with one of the greatest rock bands the world has ever see, AC/DC.
Review taken from www.newcastleoperahouse.com/geordie_ii.htm

Geordie II Tour