Love with Johnny Echols at Shepherd's Bush Empire, Saturday 2nd May 2026

Love with Johnny Echols are back at the Shepherds Bush Empire again, the scene of 2024’s triumphant “Forever Changes” show where they played 1967’s classic album in its entirety, backed by brass, keyboards and the excellent Parallax string quartet. This time round they are touring to promote their excellent new Record Store Day release “Love And Let Live” a white vinyl live album recorded at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland last year, the first recording featuring the current line-up. A line-up which apparently is now the longest lasting in the band’s history and one that has been taken to the hearts of Love fans of all generations. As the band’s original guitarist Johnny Echols recently wrote on one of my Facebook posts, “the group is called LOVE, they are revisiting the music of Arthur Lee, and a group of individuals collectively known as Love!” Johnny is now 79 years old and apart from him occasionally having a sit down on a stool while playing, you wouldn’t believe it, especially not from his quite stunning, virtuoso guitar playing. I would say he has been somewhat underrated as a guitarist in the music media over the years, he certainly deserves to be mentioned more frequently alongside his 1960’s peers such as Robbie Krieger of The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, who were after all, both influenced by Love in some way back in their early days. I’m not sure why this would be but he certainly brought those idiosyncratic and often complicated songs of Love’s charismatic frontman Arthur Lee to life. Of course, he was ably assisted by guitar partner-in-arms Bryan MacLean and his bandmates, but the sheer scope of Love’s sound meant that they had to cover a huge palette of musical sounds and colours. From Psychedelia, Folk-Rock and all out Garage Punk attack to intricate orchestral arrangements, beautiful acoustic numbers and even Jazz. These songs were also often tinged with Flamenco, Mariachi and Baroque overtones. 

 

This is where Johnny’s current bandmates excel, in vividly bringing all of the many and varied aspects of Arthur Lee and Love’s musical palette to life. I think similarly to when The Wondermints backed Brian Wilson on his solo tours, taking their remarkable recreation of the Beach Boys intricate melodies to a new generation, then so did Baby Lemonade when Arthur Lee asked them to be his backing band back in 1993. This line-up, prior to Johnny re-joining, was brilliantly captured on “The Forever Changes Concert” live album and DVD recorded at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 2003. Johnny was invited back into the fold and did briefly join the line-up but unfortunately, this intriguing incarnation of the band did not last long as Arthur sadly passed away in 2006. However, it was decided to continue and the Baby Lemonade trio of David "Rusty Squeezebox" Ramsey on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Randle on guitar and drummer David "Daddy-O" Green were joined by the youthful James Nolte, son of David Nolte from the excellent L.A. Garage Power Pop Surf band The Last, on bass. Tonight, at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, this now familiar line-up is once again augmented by Nick Frater on keyboards. However, this time Nick is on his own, yet he somehow magically covers all the intricate brass, strings, harpsichord, flute and organ sounds all by himself, it’s a mightily impressive display. By the way, for fans of Baby Lemonade, classic melodic song-writing and Power Pop, I can thoroughly recommend Nick's latest album "Oh Contraire!", it’s a belter! 

Opening with the snappily titled "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale" from "Forever Changes", the band continue to run through a perfectly paced and plotted one hour and thirty minute setlist. Rusty mentions that it was 60 years ago since Love released both their debut self-titled album and it's follow up "Da Capo". It's difficult to fathom that two records of such quality could be released within the same calendar year of 1966, and even harder to believe that the classic, ground-breaking and hugely influential "Forever Changes" was to be released just one year later. Of course, tonight they concentrate on the Johnny Echols era of those wonderful first three albums and I guess, once that line-up had disbanded and Arthur gathered new recruits for the next album "Four Sail", Love never quite recaptured those glories of 1966-67. Only the beautiful "Always See Your Face" from the post-Echols era makes it into the set and admittedly it is a wonderful song that sounds superb. It’s almost impossible to pick out highlights as I could just say “the whole bloody set was a highlight” but that wouldn’t be very insightful, so I’ll mention the tambourine and bass intro to Bacharach & David's "My Little Red Book" which always sends a shiver down my spine. The triple hit of “Alone Again Or”, “And More” and then “Andmoreagain” is astonishing, you’re going to find it hard to find a better trio of songs in any band’s back catalogue. 

 

Then there’s “The Red Telephone” with its unsettling coda “they're locking them up today and throwing away the key, I wonder who it will be tomorrow, you or me?” which could well soundtrack any news bulletin today. It’s not just the band’s music that is timeless, but I think their political outlook still hits home, for example, “ask your leaders why?” Rusty sings plaintively in the stunning “Live and Let Live” and that one simple question should reverberate across the world. Also, the current line-up is racially diverse, as was Love when they first formed and that is another positive message that highlights music really does transcend all cultures, regardless. I’m sure Love must have broken down some cultural barriers in their day just as multi-racial 2-Tone bands like The Specials, The Selecter and The Beat did in my youth. Along with acts like The Clash and The Ruts turning us kids onto Reggae, it can only be a positive force for good, especially when I think of all the many and varied people I’ve met, friends that I have made and places that I have visited all thanks to music. I’ve written before on the influence that Love had on some of my other favourite bands, particularly those from Liverpool such as the Head brother’s Pale Fountains and Shack (who also backed Arthur Lee for a few shows) and later Mick Head’s Red Elastic Band. Swedish Psych Rockers The Soundtrack of Our Lives were also big fans as you can hear in tracks such as “Where’s The Rock?” and “Lone Summer Dream” and of course, bands such as Ramones and The Damned who actually released Love cover versions. Love seemed to be a band that were and still are, just as revered by other musicians as much as the fans. 

As for the current line-up, I think it’s the evident joy that emanates from the band being able to play these remarkable songs that really endears them to the crowd, they seem to be having as much fun as we are, there are smiles everywhere. Rusty is a wonderful singer with a sublime voice but it must have been daunting to take on the mantle of frontman, following in the musical and vocal footsteps of the iconic Arthur Lee. But, as anyone who has seen the band play live will know, he does a fantastic job. Mike's guitarwork is something else too and it's a thrill to watch him play as he's obviously so engrossed in the music. James effortlessly spins out those inventive basslines and I love the pulsing riff to an excellent version of "You Set The Scene". Johnny takes on lead vocals for the highly emotional “Signed D.C.” although he ends with the line “Signed J.E.” which is a nice touch. They close the night with a raucous charge through the Garage Rock classic “Seven And Seven Is”, which I first heard on the reissue of Lenny Kaye’s “Nuggets” compilation back in the 80’s and it still sounds as vicious and charged as any Punk Rock band that I’ve enjoyed over the years. David Green's tremendous drumming really propels the song along at breakneck speed. The love and affection pouring from the crowd as the guys take a bow at the end of the show is tangible, there’s just something very special about this band that grabs your heartstrings. Bear with me here, but in the (highly unlikely) event that I had to pick just one band to see play live, my ‘desert island’ gig so to speak, I'd have to choose Love with Johnny Echols every time. They just encapsulate everything that is good about music to me, life-affirming, emotional and timeless songs that sound as fresh and vital now as they must have done back in the day. And I can vouch for that, as I was chatting to my friend David Arnoff (the legendary Rock photographer) afterwards and the gig got his seal of approval. After all he saw Love back in 1966 at the Hollywood Bowl, and if it’s good enough for him…! 

You can see another video from the show at our Retromanblog65 YouTube channel here, where you can also find more videos from previous Love gigs at The Garage and Shepherds Bush Empire in London and The Stables in Milton Keynes. It's free to subscribe. There is also a feature on the 2024 "Forever Changes" gig at the Shepherds Bush Empire in the Retro Man Blog archive here.

Retro Man Blog & Retrosonic Podcast's Favourite Gigs of 2024 with Photos & Videos

All photos copyright Retro Man Blog

Welcome to this selection of some of our favourite gigs of 2024. There were some super shows this year, from intimate solo performances in churches to full-on orchestral shows and of course the usual raucous Rock 'n' Roll gigs in classic venues. Please click on the highlighted band name for links to access our videos from the relevant shows and I've added links to various corresponding reviews in our archive too.

1. Love Revisited with Johnny Echols - Shepherds Bush Empire

 For review with photos and videos check out our Retro Man Blog feature here

2. The Soundtrack of Our Lives - Camden Electric Ballroom

3. The Prisoners - The Roundhouse, Camden

For review with more photos from the show, check out the feature here

4. Bill Ryder-Jones - "Iechyd Da" Live at The Barbican

5. Lenny Kaye & Friends Play Nuggets - 100 Club, London

Check out the feature here for review and more photos and videos

6. The Woggles, The Len Price 3 & The Galileo 7 - 100 Club, London

See more photos and videos from the show at our Retro Man Blog feature here

7. The Blue Aeroplanes - Lafayette, London

For review with photos and videos from the show check out the Retro Man Blog feature here

8. Michael Head - St. Pancras Old Church, London

9. Love Revisited with Johnny Echols - The Stables, Milton Keynes

10. Indochine - Rough Trade East, London

See more photos and videos from the show at our Retro Man Blog feature here

11. Altin Gun - The Troxy, London

12. Elephant Stone & Karma Sheen - The Lexington, London

Check the feature here for review with photos and videos

13. The WitchDoktors, The Phobics & Damage - The Half Moon Putney

14. Michael Head & The Red Elastic Band - EartH Hackney

For review with photos and videos from the show, check out the feature here

15. The Damned - Waterside Theatre Aylesbury

16. Lalalar - The Garage, Islington

See photos and more videos from the show at the Retro Man Blog feature here

17. Michael Head - Rough Trade East, London

18. Ruts DC - ElectrAcoustic at 100 Club, London

For feature on ElectrAcoustic Vol. 3 check out the the Blog archive here

19. Bill Ryder-Jones - Islington Assembly Hall

20. Robyn Hitchcock - Foyles, London

For original videos from most of the shows above, please check out our Retromanblog65 YouTube channel, you can subscribe for free here. All photos and videos copyright Retro Man Blog.

Love with Johnny Echols "Forever Changes" at Shepherds Bush Empire London July 20th 2024

It's not often you get the chance to see one of your favourite albums performed live at your favourite venue but last night I was lucky enough to witness Love with Johnny Echols perform "Forever Changes" in it's entirety and it was every bit as wonderful as I could have wished for. This was the second time I'd seen this line-up, the first being at the Garage in Islington a couple of years ago where I was right down the front of the stage, the gig was standing only and it was a great hot and rollicking Rock 'n' Roll show. Tonight was more civilized, seats had been installed in the downstairs stalls of the beautifully ornate Shepherds Bush Empire and I was up on the second floor balcony. I asked the security guard at the door why there were seats downstairs and he replied "it's because it's an older audience and we thought standing for three hours might be a bit much" - bloody cheek! "I'm offended by that remark, I'm not that old" I told him with a smile - although I was secretly happy to take my gin and tonic to the comfort of my seat in preparation for the show. Love these days consist of Rusty Squeezebox on lead vocals and guitars, Mike Randle on guitars and backing vocals and drummer David Green. All three were in the excellent Power Pop band Baby Lemonade who had impressed original Love vocalist Arthur Lee so much, he invited them to be his backing band for a new version of Love in the mid-'90's. This culminated in an appearance at the legendary Glastonbury festival in 2003 and a full-on orchestral performance of "Forever Changes" at London's Royal Festival Hall in the same year. Sadly Arthur passed away in 2006, leaving original guitarist Johnny Echols to take on the mantle and a change in bassist a few years later saw James Nolte replacing David Chapple. Tonight, the band are augmented by Nick Frater on keyboards, Nathan Thomas on trumpet and French horn and the Parallax string quartet, who all brought those wonderful orchestral textures on "Forever Changes" to life. In the hands of these excellent musicians, the album sounds utterly timeless and as fresh and vital as ever. 

 

You can see just why Love and the "Forever Changes" album in particular were and in fact still are, such a huge influence to this day. The complexity of the song writing, those unexpected chord changes and twists and turns, the intriguing lyrics all topped off with memorable choruses and riffs. The powerful Garage Rock freak-outs, soulful ballads, touches of Bossa Nova and Latino exotica, beautifully arranged orchestration and strung out Psychedelia, Love really had something for everybody. The first set is the album played through in that familiar running order, opening with the classic "Alone Again Or" once covered (pretty poorly it must be said...) by one of my favourite acts The Damned. Talking of favourite bands, I can never hear second song "A House Is Not A Motel" without thinking of Mick Head and his brother John from Shack. The Liverpool legends also backed up Arthur Lee for a live recording of a show at the Academy Liverpool in 1992 which is available as an album and is well worth getting hold of. The musicians of Liverpool really took Love to heart and Mick Head must be one of their biggest fans, often sporting a Love T-Shirt and he even closed the set at a recent gig with his new outfit The Red Elastic Band at Earth in Hackney with a blistering "A House Is Not A Motel". Actually, if you check YouTube here you can see Mick joining Johnny and the band at Leaf in Liverpool a few years ago for a superb run through of the same song and Mick looks chuffed to bits to be there on stage next to one of his musical heroes. Then on "The Daily Planet" I'm immediately reminded of yet another of my favourite bands, Sweden's Soundtrack of Our Lives, whose orchestral Psychedelic Rock 'n' Roll owes a debt to Love's music, just listen to their "Lone Summer Dream" back to back with "The Daily Planet" and you'll see what I mean. As "The Red Telephone" draws to a close, Rusty approaches the mic "can you turn the album over to side two now?" So, side two, track one and it's one of the highlights of the whole night "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark and Hillsdale", with Nathan Thomas' trumpet particularly outstanding. The set closes just as the album does of course with two of my favourite Love songs "Bummer In The Summer" and "You Set The Scene".

 

The second set didn't just contain the obvious crowd-pleasers - as Rusty said trying to make sense of the numerous crowd calls for various favourite numbers - "sorry, we can't play all our songs!" In fact, the "Forever Changes" outtake "Wonder People (I Do Wonder)" was a personal highlight, it would have made a perfect 1960's Californian Summer single rather than an obscure hidden gem and "Feathered Fish", a track Arthur wrote for Sons of Adam was a storming Garage Punk rocker that wouldn't be out of place in the set lists of most of my favourite contemporary bands that I play in Retrosonic Podcast. "Always See Your Face" from the often over-looked album "Four Sail", was fantastic as was "Your Mind And We Belong Together". The heart-wrenchingly beautiful "Orange Skies" was wonderful with Nick Frater expertly replicating the flute on the keyboards. There's a wonderful chemistry beween the band members on stage, they look like they are all having as much fun as we are, and this means a lot to an audience. Love fans really seem to have taken to each band member, Mike and Rusty handle the complexities of Love's guitar lines perfectly, Rusty proving to be a mighty fine vocalist in his own right. He's a genial and engaging frontman that pays his respects to Arthur Lee and Bryan MacLean, nicely acknowledging the legacy and history of the band. Him and Mike make great guitar sparring partners and along with the excellent rhythm section of Dave Green and James Nolte, not forgetting the additional musicians on stage tonight, they all do that legacy proud. Of course, there's Johnny - super cool and laid back - the audience strike up the football chant refrain "Johnny, Johhny, Johnny f**kin' Echols!" It raises a smile from the legend himself. His guitar playing is something to behold and he's equally adept on maracas too. On an emotional "Signed D.C." Johnny takes over on impressive lead vocals, ending the last line of the song with "signed J.E." which was a nice touch. Then it's a raucous blast through the Sixties Garage Rock nugget "Seven & Seven Is" which explodes into come-down guitar motifs and the band can put down their instruments to lap up the applause and standing ovation from a thoroughly satisfied crowd. What a show. I've been going to gigs for 43 years now, and in that time I've been fortunate enough to witness some very special musical happenings and tonight was up there with the very best of them. On the excellent 'Love Revisited' Facebook fan's forum (please join here...), someone posted at the start of the tour "my friend says this is the farewell tour, say it isn't so..." and Mr Johnny Echols himself replied "your friend doesn't know what he's talking about, we shall keep playing as long as people want to see us!" That's what we want to hear and I'm sure all at the packed out Shepherds Bush Empire certainly want to see them play again. Johnny Echols for President!

Love with Johnny Echols are half way through their UK tour now so please check out their web-site for details on the remaining tour dates and how to book tickets. You can check out more videos from the show at our Retromanblog65 YouTube channel here.