On October 6, "our Joe" did his very first (and very last!) show with his band Down 'N' Outz at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo (always the Hammersmith Odeon to many of us!), opening for the legendary Mott The Hoople on the last night of their 5 night reunion run. Here are some photos from the event (click on thumbnails for larger versions):

The set list, which comprised of songs the members of Mott The Hoople were involved with after they split in 1974, was as follows:

• Golden Opportunities (Ian Hunter)
• Overnight Angels (Ian Hunter)
• One More Chance To Run (British Lions)
• Shouting & Pointing (Mott)
• Storm (Mott)
• Career (Mott)
• Who Do You Love (Ian Hunter)
• By Tonight (Mott)
• England Rocks (Ian Hunter)
• Good Times (Mott, originally recorded by the Easybeats)

The band is (or rather, was):

• Joe Elliott: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Piano
• Paul Guerin: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Guy Griffin: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Keith Wier: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
• Phil Martini: Drums, Backing Vocals
• Ronnie Garrity: Bass

As some of you may have spotted, most of the band are actually in the Quireboys, who kindly donated their services for the event. Even Spike, their singer, wasn't left out, as Joe invited him up to sing "CAREER" while Joe swapped over to the piano! Only Ronnie isn't a Quireboy, although he regularly plays in a band with Cosmo, the original guitarist in the Heavy Metal Kids, one of Joe and Phil's favourite bands.

The show HAS been recorded and filmed, so if there's 'enough interest' (as Joe puts it), it may see the light of day someday….. Let's hope so!

Additionally, to give you an indication how the show went down with those in attendance, here's an email sent by Classic Rock contributor Neil Jeffries:

"Golden opportunity…..TAKEN!
What you guys did last night was stunning. A brilliant set-list of too long-overlooked classics, delivered with the perfect mix of power, passion and reverence – the perfect way to start an evening.
You may just have invented a whole new concept, too. Move over the Tribute Album, step aside Unplugged. All hail the new kid on the block: the Masterclass Live!
There wasn't anywhere else in the world I'd have wanted to be last night.
Thank you. It's been emotional…"