Rockin’ Clients – Rod Stewart

Born and raised in North London, Rod Stewart began his musical career in 1962 as the lead singer of The Ray Davies Quartet (which later became The Kinks), a stint that did not last long.  After several stints as a harmonica player and then a singer with several groups, and a short stint as a solo artist, Stewart achieved his first real success as a singer and songwriter with The Jeff Beck Group from 1967 to 1969.

While re-establishing himself as a solo artist in the late ’60s, Rod Stewart followed his friend Ronnie Wood in joining The Small Faces, which with the addition of Stewart on lead vocals and Wood on guitar was renamed The Faces.  Throughout the early 1970s, he remained with The Faces while continuing to pursue a solo career, and it was during this time that Stewart enjoyed his first hit as a solo artist with the song Maggie May.

When The Faces broke up in 1975, Stewart turned his focus completely on his solo career, recording a series of hits throughout the late 1970s that included Tonight’s The Night, The First Cut Is The Deepest, You’re In My Heart, Hot Legs, and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?

Stewart continued to record and tour throughout the 1980s and 1990s, picking up a variety of awards throughout that time, including induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.  In 2002, he changed his musical focus from rock and pop to standards, releasing five albums in the 2000s under “The Great American Songbook” title.  These albums included songs from songwriters such as Cole Porter and Ira Gershwin.  In 2007, he was awarded the title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

After a number of tours throughout the 2000s, in August 2011 Rod Stewart began a two-year residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. 

Sew What? is proud to have made a number of custom stage drapes for Rod Stewart tours throughout the last decade.

Festival Stage

This was a very interesting project to work on. With this stage we used both our Heavy Knit product for the more opaque pieces like the main body of the backdrop and we used a Supreme Mesh product for the legs and the eye in the center of the main backdrop so that a large video screen could be viewed at a particular times during the show, through the eye, yet appear opaque when lighted from the front during the rest of the show. The challenge on this project was to make the two piece come together and appear seamless. The background art came to us as one piece and we digitally cut so it would print exactly the same size on the Supreme Mesh as it did on the Heavy Knit without excessive overlap. The end result is a stunning visual feast for the eyes. View pictures at by clicking here.

Rockin’ Clients – Stevie Nicks

In part 10 of my ongoing series on Sew What? clients in the recording industry, I focus on Stevie Nicks.  Stevie has had a long and legendary career, both as a solo artist and as a member of Fleetwood Mac.  As a matter of fact, she is currently on tour as a solo artist.

Stephanie “Stevie” Nicks was born in 1948 in Phoenix, AZ, and raised in a variety of cities in the Western United States.  She first began singing at age four, singing duets along with her grandfather, and by the time she was a teenager, she had written her first song and was a member of a band.

Stevie and Lindsey Buckingham first met while Stevie was a senior in high school, but it was a few years later that Lindsey asked Stevie to join in the band “Fritz.”  Stevie and Buckingham became romantically involved, and the two formed the duo “Buckingham Nicks” after Fritz disbanded in 1972.  Buckingham Nicks, unfortunately, struggled to find an audience, and sales of their first album were lackluster, causing Polydor Records to drop them from the label.

In late 1974, Stevie and Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac.  Though Stevie and Buckingham ended their romantic relationship not long after joining Fleetwood Mac, both remained with the band.  Stevie contributed both vocals and songwriting to Fleetwood Mac, with her songwriting contributions including the hit song Dreams, from the album “Rumours.”   

 In 1981, Stevie began pursuing a solo career in addition to her work with Fleetwood Mac (though she remained with the band).  Her first solo album, Bella Donna, released in 1981, hit # 1 on Billboard and went on to sell 8 million copies, and she has followed it up with an additional six solo albums since.   In 1990, after a dispute with Mick Fleetwood, Stevie left the band, and focused entirely on her solo career (though she did reunite with the band from time to time for special events, including the Clinton Inauguration).

In 1997, Stevie rejoined Fleetwood Mac at the instigation of Lindsey Buckingham (who had left Fleetwood Mac in 1987), and since then she has again combined solo work with band work.  She has toured in recent years with the Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.  Her 2011 U.S. tour ended in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, with plans to tour Australia shortly.

Sew What? is proud to have a long relationship with both Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac and to have provided custom stage curtains to both throughout the years.

“Magical” Metal Mesh

Earlier this year we were contacted by Jason Bishop, illusionist extraordinaire, regarding our Metal Mesh drapery.   He felt it had just the right look to complement his amazing illusions.  The textures are terrific, and the ability to light it in different colors gives it so much versatility.  After working with Sew What? Account Manager Gwen Winter, Jason chose to purchase a custom 25′ h x 45′ w Metal Mesh Drape, fashioned as a Tear-Away for that quick “magical” reveal.

Well, last week Jason contacted us again to rave about the drape.  He sent us photos of the drape on stage with The Jason Bishop Show.  They’re terrific photos – check them out!

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Rockin’ Clients – New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys

Typically, I post on a single artist or band in my “Rockin’ Clients” series.  In this 9th post of my series on Sew What? music clients, I am focusing on two bands – New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys.  The two bands are currently on tour together, and so I thought it would be a good way to focus on both bands.

New Kids On The Block

New Kids On The Block (also known as NKOTB) is a vocal boy band started in Boston in the mid 1980s by producer Maurice Starr.  The original 5 members were Donnie Wahlberg, his brother Mark Wahlberg, and Donnie’s friends Danny Wood, Jordan Knight, and Jonathan Knight.  Shortly afterwards, however, Mark left the band, to be replaced by Jamie Kelly, another friend of Donnie’s.  Early on, Starr also replaced Jamie Kelly with Joey McIntyre, forming the core group of Donnie, Danny, Joey, Jordan and Jonathan.

The group’s self-titled debut album, released by Columbia Records in 1986, had disappointing sales, and initially their second album, Hangin’ Tough, (released in 1988) appeared headed in the same direction as the first two singles received limited airplay.   However, airplay picked up, and Columbia began to more heavily promote the band, leading to five Top Ten singles from the album.  Eventually, both albums went multiple-platinum.

By the early ’90s, the band’s popularity was booming.  They released a fourth album (a holiday album had been released in 1989), Step by Step, which included the hit singles “Step by Step” and “Tonight.”  The band performed over two hundred tour dates a year during that time frame, and they were heavily merchandised.  Their fan club included over 200,000 members.

In 1992, however, the group’s popularity began to wane.  After a split from producer Maurice Starr, the band released their sixth album, Face the Music, in 1993.  Sales were disappointing, however, and the band eventually disbanded in 1995.  Reunions were considered throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s, but none came to fruition.

In 2008, fans were excited to learn that New Kids On The Block had finally reunited.  They released two new singles and the album The Block, and went on their reunion tour.  Additional tours and concerts continued through 2009 and 2010.

Backstreet Boys

Formed in the early ’90s in Orlando, Florida, Backstreet Boys are a vocal boy band formed by Lou Pearlman.  The five original members were: Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter, A.J. McLean, and Howie Dorough.  Their first single, “We’ve Got It Goin’ On,” though only a modest success in the United States, was a hit in Europe, leading to their first tour, in 1995, and their first (self-titled) album, initially released internationally but not in the US or Canada.  This was followed by a second album, “Backstreet’s Back,” also released internationally only.

Backstreet Boys released their first U.S. album, which included songs from both of their international albums, in 1997.  Though it enjoyed success in the U.S., it was their next album, “Millenium,” which brought Backstreet Boys to the forefront in the U.S.  The album went to number 1, selling almost 9.5 million copies, and remaining on the Billboard chart for nearly two years.

The band continued to record and tour throughout the 2000s, though with several hiatuses during that time as they dealt with legal issues and pursued solo efforts.  Richardson left the band in 2006 to pursue other interests, but the remaining 4 original members continued the band as a quartet. Their most recent album, “This Is Us,” was released in 2009.

NKOTBSB

In 2011, New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys teamed up for a combined summer tour.  Dates are currently scheduled in the United States and Canada through mid-August.

Sew What? was pleased to provide custom stage curtains, including two kabuki drapes, to the NKOTBSB Summer 2011 tour.

Rockin’ Clients – Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga is the subject of the 8th post in my ongoing series on the artists for whom we have been privileged to provide custom stage curtains and other soft goods.  What a fascinating artist she is – I have really enjoyed researching and learning more about her rise to superstardom.

Lady Gaga was born Stefani Germanotta in New York City in 1986.  She was musical from an early age, learning to play piano beginning at age six, writing music at age 13, and making her public performance debut at 14.   She was also a good student, spending 1 1/2 years at NYU studying drama and performance, before leaving to focus on her musical career.

Initially she performed under her given name, primarily with a self-titled band, the Stefani Germanotta Band, started with several musician friends from NYU.  However, by 2006, the band had disbanded, and Stefani had begun performing as a solo artist under the stage name Lady Gaga.  Initially, Gaga was thrilled to be signed DefJam Recordings, but she was devasted to be dropped from the label just three months later.  However, despite this diappointment, the time period was one of growth for her, as she began to further develop her onstage persona, with the help of performance artist Lady Starlight, with whom she performed at the 2007 Lollapalooza festival.  In 2007, Lady Gaga was one of the first artists signed to Streamline Records.  She also signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV, writing songs for Britney Spears and Pussycat Dolls, among others.

Her first album, The Fame, was released in 2008 to critical and commercial success, making the top one in several countries, including the UK, and the top 5 in the United States and many other countries.  The album produced several hit singles, including Just Dance, which received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording, and Poker Face, which won the Grammy award in that same category.  Lady Gaga was also awarded the Rising Star award for 2009 by Billboard magazine.  2009 was also the year of her first worldwide tour, The Fame Ball Tour.

Gaga’s second album, The Fame Monster, was released in late 2009, focusing on the theme of the dark side of fame.  As with her first album, The Fame Monster was a critical and commercial success.  The album produced several hit singles, including Telephone (a duet with Beyonce), and was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album in 2011.  Her third album, Born This Way, was released in May 2011, onced again topping the charts.  Lady Gaga’s songs and albums have been nominated for nearly 250 awards in the United States and abroad, and have won 120 of those.

Lady Gaga has become known as much for her persona as for her music.  Her provocative costumes, including the famous “Meat Dress,” can be both outrageous and thought-provoking.  She is outspoken advocate for the LGBT community, and inspires fierce loyalty from her fans, called “Little Monsters.”

We were honored to be asked to create a multi-media cutdrop for Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball Tour” in 2009.  The piece included digitally printed elements, LED lights, and smoke lines – really cool!

Rockin’ Clients – Motley Crue

Time for Number 7 in my continuing series on some of the rock ‘n’ roll clients for whom we have been privileged to work.  Whether it is custom stage curtains or wide format digital backdrops, it is always a blast to know that our work is being seen in arenas across the country and the world.  Today I thought I’d focus on Mötley Crüe.

In 1981, bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee formed the band Mötley Crüe, adding lead guitarist Mick Mars and vocalist Vince Neil shortly thereafter to form the core 4-man group.  The band released its first album, To Fast for Love, under its own label, Leathür Records, late that year, and were subsequently picked up by Elektra Records in Spring 1982, a relationship that lasted for more than 15 years. 

The band enjoyed international success throughout the 1980s, releasing four albums (including 1989s Dr Feelgood).   Despite their earlier success, the 1990s and early 2000s were a difficult time for the band, even with the release of three more albums during this time period.  Vince Neil left the band in early 1992, and, though Mötley Crüe continued on with replacement vocalist John Corabi, the band’s popularity diminished during this period.  In 1999 Tommy Lee would also leave to pursue a solo career.

In late 2004, the four original band members – Sixx, Lee, Neil and Mars – reunited and began a reunion tour in early 2005.   Since then, the band has released two albums and have toured repeatedly, including their current 2011 tour with Poison and New York Dolls.

Sew What? has made a number of pieces for Mötley Crüe over the years, including a digital printed backdrop.

Rockin’ Clients – Linkin Park

This is Number 6 in my continuing series of posts on our Rockin’ Clients.  When I look at just a partial list of all the terrific artists for whom we have provided custom stage curtains, it is almost overwhelming!  I am really enjoying this opportunity to review the work we have done over the years and, along with my readers, learn more about these artists.

In the mid 1990′s in Southern California, three high school friends, Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, and Rob Bourdon, along with several other musicians, formed a band that they originally called “Xero,” later changed to ”Hybrid Theory.” After struggling to get a record deal, the band, by this time named Linkin Park and with the edition of Joe Hahn and vocalist Chester Bennington, was finally signed in 1999 by Jeff Blue of Warner Bros Records and set to work on their first album (named “Hybrid Theory”).

Released in October, 2000, “Hybrid Theory” was a huge success, selling close to 5 million copies in its  first year and receiving a Grammy award for Best Hard Rock Performance along with two additional Grammy nominations.  Linkin Park also toured frequently, playing more than 300 shows in a year’s time.  The band continued to record over the next ten years, releasing one remix album and thee more studio albums, including 2010′s “A Thousand Suns.”

Sew What? was proud to be selected to produce custom stage curtains, including two cycloramas, for Linkin Park’s Fall 2010 tour.

Rockin’ Clients – Billy Idol

Number 5 in our continuing series on Rockin’ Clients, today I am focusing on Billy Idol.  He was one of my favorite artists back in the early ’80s, and so it was really exciting to me when we worked on his 2010 tour.

Billy Idol was born William Michael Albert Broad in Middlesex, England, in 1955, and spent most of his childhood in England (apart for a short time in New York when he was a young child).  His early days in punk rock were spent as guitarist for  several bands, including “Siouxsie and the Banshees” and “Chelsea.” In 1976 Idol, along with Tony James and John Towe, formed the band “Generation X,” with Idol serving as lead vocalist.

In 1981, “Generation X” disbanded, and Idol went on to pursue a career as a solo artist, as he is known to most today.  MTV was in its heyday, and heavy rotation of Idol’s videos in the early ’80s helped make  hits of several of his songs, including “Dancing with Myself,” ”White Wedding,” and “Eyes Without a Face.” 

Idol also pursued an acting career in the late ’80s and early ’90s, making several appearances onstage and in feature films.  He was slated for a major role in James Cameron’s film, “Terminator 2,” but a motorcycle accident in early 1990, which caused serious  damdage to Idol’s leg, prevented him from appearing in the film.

Though Idol’s popularity diminished in the late 1990′s, he continued to have a loyal fan base, and appearances in films such as “The Wedding Singer” (1998) were well regarded.  Idol continues to record and perform today, most recently performing in Russia, Europe, and the U.S. in 2010.  His memoir, “Dancing with Myself,” is scheduled be released in late 2011 or early 2012.

We did some terrific digitally printed backdrops for Billy Idol’s 2010 tour – a center panel with two reverse and repeat panels on either side, beautifully drawn by John Rios of GrafixJam.  Check out John’s working drawing:

Rockin’ Clients – Alice in Chains

This is number 4 in my “Rockin’ Clients” series.  I am finding it really interesting to learn about the artists that we work with.  Most of the time, my focus is on the custom stage curtains and other soft goods that we make for the clients, but I may know very little about the background of the artists.  I hope that blog readers are enjoying learning about them as much as I am!

Alice in Chains began in the late 1980s / early 90s as part of the grunge movement in Seattle.  Formed by lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell and the late Layne Staley (lead vocalist), the band incorporates elements of grunge, heavy metal and acoustic into the band’s sound.  After recording several demos, the band was signed by Columbia Records in 1989.

The band’s first album, Facelift, was released in August 1990.  While it had limited success initially, MTV airplay of the video “Man in the Box” boosted album sales, and the album went gold by the end of the year.  The success of  Facelift propelled the band, and their second album, Dirt, went platinum and remained on the charts for close to a year.  They also released several EPs, including Jar of Flies, which debuted at number 1 on Billboard (the first and only EP to do so). 

By 1994, Alice in Chains was experiencing difficulties, primarily due to the drug problems of founder/lead vocalist Layle Staley.  Though they did release the self-titled Alice in Chains in 1996 and play live concerts sporadically, Staley’s drug issues made it increasingly difficult for the band, and little original music was produced or released over the next six years.

Following Staley’s death in 2002, the remaining members of Alice in Chains remained on hiatus from the band, pursuing solo work and other pursuits.  In 2005, the band reunited to perform a benefit concert and other live and televised events, including reunion tours, adding William DuVall on vocals in 2006.  Black Gives Way to Blue, the band’s fourth studio album, was released in 2009.

The band has toured steadily in the late 2000s, reporting on its website in December 2010 that it had played “150 live shows in the past 16 months.”

We made some really interesting custom stage curtains in 2010 for Alice in Chains, including several silver kabukis and some metal mesh pieces.  There are some great photos and videos on this blog, if you want to check them out.