It all started with some sad news we heard a couple of days ago that our FH Buddy Paul Revere was battling
some sort of serious, undisclosed health issues. Former partner Mark Lindsay even went so far as
to post something on his Facebook page about it yesterday ... and several other sources reported that Paul was looking frail during a concert last weekend in Reno, NV, sitting through the entire performance (which is not at all like Paul if you've ever seen one of his shows), walking with a cane and asking for prayers from the
stage. Some even said that he had also lost his hair (which is something that Paul was rightfully proud of at his age. Hey, I can relate!)
This is a real shame ... Revere, who turned 75
earlier this year, has always displayed the boundless energy of a man half his
age. Here is a guy who has been performing his entire life and truly loves what
he does. And his audience loves him, too ... he's booked nearly a year in advance!!! (Although not even officially announced on
the Arcada Theatre website yet, Paul Revere and the Raiders are scheduled for a
return performance next April!) In addition, they just wrapped up a trip to London
and are already planning this year's "Where The Action Is" Cruise, featuring Mary
Wilson of The Supremes, B.J. Thomas, The Cowsills and Charlie Thomas'
Drifters. This is a man who LIVES to perform!!!
Mark Lindsay, currently touring as part of this year's Happy Together Tour (and coming to the Chicago area next week)
posted:
It now seems, unfortunately, that my old partner
Paul
Revere – with whom I used to
share outrageous wild dreams of being a successful rock & roll band – is now
fighting a tremendous health battle. Please keep Paul and his wife Syd in your
thoughts and prayers, as it's a most difficult time for both of them and the
whole Raider family.
~ Mark
Paul Revere and the Raiders put on one of the most entertaining shows I've
ever seen ... ALWAYS a joy to be in the audience. (Your face literally hurts afterwards
from smiling and laughing so much!) Here's hoping he is able to pull through
whatever it is that is ailing him and continue to entertain us for a long time to come. This man lives to perform ... and they just
don't come any better. (kk)
UPDATE:
This morning we heard from Paul, who then posted this message on the Paul Revere and the Raiders web page as well as his Facebook and Twitter pages:
Hey
kids, it’s me, Paul Revere!
That’s right, I’m still alive and still kickin’! The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, but I won’t lie to you, I got my butt kicked but good. If you live long enough you’re going to get something, and over the past 75 years I've had just about everything you can get – 2 types of cancer (beat em both!), rotator cuff surgery (killed it!), hysterectomy (don’t ask) and on and on – there’s always maintenance and repair in this band, now it's my turn. Again!
I don’t want to get into the details but let’s just say, it ain't fun. It’s been rough getting through the last few shows but I would do whatever it takes to avoid missing a show. I'm giving it my all, and then some, and the band tells me I’ve been even more awesome than usual. Of course, I do have the gun.
I want to thank you all for the prayers, they’re working! You people must be in good with the Lord because I’m feeling better and stronger every day. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to all of our upcoming shows, it’s what I live for! I mean, performing for you is literally what I live for, and that’s no joke. So, keep the prayers coming, and keep me alive long enough to come to your town a couple more times. I promised my guys I was going to live to be 100 and to plan accordingly. Now I’ve got to keep my promise.
I love you all,
Paul
That’s right, I’m still alive and still kickin’! The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, but I won’t lie to you, I got my butt kicked but good. If you live long enough you’re going to get something, and over the past 75 years I've had just about everything you can get – 2 types of cancer (beat em both!), rotator cuff surgery (killed it!), hysterectomy (don’t ask) and on and on – there’s always maintenance and repair in this band, now it's my turn. Again!
I don’t want to get into the details but let’s just say, it ain't fun. It’s been rough getting through the last few shows but I would do whatever it takes to avoid missing a show. I'm giving it my all, and then some, and the band tells me I’ve been even more awesome than usual. Of course, I do have the gun.
I want to thank you all for the prayers, they’re working! You people must be in good with the Lord because I’m feeling better and stronger every day. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to all of our upcoming shows, it’s what I live for! I mean, performing for you is literally what I live for, and that’s no joke. So, keep the prayers coming, and keep me alive long enough to come to your town a couple more times. I promised my guys I was going to live to be 100 and to plan accordingly. Now I’ve got to keep my promise.
I love you all,
Paul
Here is a list of scheduled upcoming Raiders dates:
Friday, August 23rd - KOOL Deadwood Nights Festival - Deadwood, SD (with The Buckinghams and the Grass Roots)
Saturday, August 24th - Diamond Jo Casino - Northwood, IA
Sunday, August 25th - WinnaVegas Casino - Sloan, IA
Friday, September 27th - Star Plaza Theatre - Merrillville, IN (with Mitch Ryder)
Saturday, September 28th - Harvest Fair - Wisconsin State Fair - West Allis, WI
Friday, October 11th - Isle Casino Hotel Biloxi - Biloxi, MS
Saturday, October 19th - Pala Casino - Pala, CA (with Mary Wilson, The Association and Mitch Ryder)
Sunday, October 20th - Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts - Cerritos, CA (with The Association and Mitch Ryder)
Sunday, December 15th - Jackson Rancheria - Jackson, CA (The Rockin' Christmas Show)
Friday, January 10th, 2014 thru Sunday, January 12th - South Point Casino - Las Vegas, NV
January 18th, 2014 thru Saturday, January 25th - The Caribbean Party Cruise / "Where The Action Is" Cruise (with B.J. Thomas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes, The Cowsills and Charlie Thomas and The Drifters) - Part of the Concerts At Sea Series
Sunday, January 26th - Global Event Center at Winstar World Casino - Thackerville, OK
Friday, April 11th - Renaissance Theatre - Mansfield, OH
Saturday, April 12th - Palace Theatre - Marion, OH
Sunday, April 13th - The Arcada Theatre - St. Charles, IL
More information always on the Paul Revere and the Raiders website: www.paulrevereandtheraiders.com
Get out and see these guys if you can ... you'll be glad you did! (kk)
