Re-launch of the band was at Mr Smiths Club in Bournemouth on November 10th 2000.
Here is a review of the gig written by Andy Kneale.

Bedlam Reunion!

After 26 years apart, the rock band Bedlam played again, in a Bournemouth club. Bedlam’s most famous member – Cozy Powell – sadly died in a road accident in 1998. The rest of the band have followed various paths of life, some within the music industry, some not. The band comprises Frank Aiello (vocals), Dave Ball (guitar), his brother Denny (bass) and now Russell Gilbrook on drums.

Dave Ball left the music industry after Bedlam split in 1974, after having played with Denny and Cozy in various bands from 1967, including Big Bertha (double live CD released this year – see below for details). He also played with Procol Harum in the early ’70s and appeared on two of their albums (one not credited!). I first got to know Dave a couple of years ago, when he appeared in the guise of an IT manager at my work. He organised a couple of ad-hoc work band gigs – anyone who wanted to do something was allowed (me included) – and a good time was had by all. Last year, Bedlam re-released their self-titled album on Zoom Club Records, and then an Anthology double CD, one featuring various studio cuts over the years; the other a live radio broadcast gig from 1974. In May 1999, Denny got together a band for the Cozy Powell Tribute, which featured drummer Russell Gilbrook. Following on from this, Dave, Denny, Frank and Russell had a few jamming sessions in London, going over the Bedlam material. Dave was extremely excited by this, and especially about Russell, who he enthusiastically described as, “absolutely nuts!”

Denny Ball has been in the music industry since 1963, when he played in The Deadbeats, with Dave and (yet another) brother, Pete. Along the way, he’s played with The Move, Jeff Beck, Donovan, Rick Wakeman and The Yardbirds. He was part of The Long John Baldry Band when they made an appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops with backing vocals provided by Lesley Duncan, Rod Stewart and Elton John. For more info about Denny and Bedlam, visit www.dennyball.com.

Frank Aiello was in a hit duo in the 60's, called Truth (anybody remember that far back?!) and performed leading roles in numerous musicals in the West End of London - including Hair. He was a busy session singer through the late sixties and into the seventies which is where Bedlam found him.
After Bedlam, he followed Cozy into Cozy Powell's Hammer for the duration of it's existence. For the last few years, Frank has been working for London Transport.

Russell Gilbrook, though a little younger than the rest of the band, has nevertheless crammed in an enormous amount of work. He has been the drummer in Jazz bands (Chris Barber), still gigs with Alan Price (late of the Animals, et al). He also plays in one or two tribute bands, together with being sponsored by drum manufacturer Mapex, for whom he performs drum clinics around the country.

So, onto the gig – Friday 10th November. Dave Ball, in addition to playing lead guitar, was also in charge of ticketing! The venue, Mr Smith’s Piano Bar, holds about 110 people, and Dave had managed to sell 100 tickets to his work colleagues alone. The band mingled with the crowd, looking very relaxed – I had a chat with Russell Gilbrook, who’s a nice guy (and I’m not just saying that because he’s a second dan karate expert). He’s very passionate about playing (even after doing it for 32 years – I didn’t think he looked old enough!), and believes every performance should be his best. The band finally took to the stage shortly after 9pm, and launched straight into “I Believe In You” and “The Beast”, both from the album Bedlam. It might have been 26 years, but let me tell you, they were really, really tight. Russell was pounding the kit in true Cozy style (and let’s face it, they’re big boots to fill), Dave was peeling off the licks on his white Les Paul Custom, with a huge grin on his face, Denny was backing the whole lot up on a custom 5-string bass, and Frank was belting out the vocals with all the power and finesse that he’s always had. In between songs, Frank admitted to being a bit rusty, but I think we can let him off that, considering they’d only had FIVE rehearsals. Both Ball brothers had spotlight moments, Denny pulling off some marvellous slap bass, backed by Russell, and Dave coaxing some really nice licks from his 008-guage strings. Comedy moment of the night was Russell standing on his seat and playing the water pipes overhead, during a jam! In all, a great mini gig, with the whole band really gelling on stage, and enjoying playing together - it’s definitely left me wanting more.

Denny said afterwards, “This was a major event for us, as it proved that we could still make the same
noise as in 1974!” They can, they’ve promised more gigs soon.

Update 01 March 2008
Denny Ball is re-mixing the original album produced by Felix Pappalardi.
'Bedlam - Live in London 1973' Is available for license. Contact Denny Ball. den@dennyball.com

 
The band are not touring at present, but hope to be recording a new studio album with Russell Gilbrook on drums.


IF YOU'RE A BAND CALLING YOURSELVES BEDLAM YOU'RE USING OUR NAME