Bill Nelson & The Gentlemen Rocketeers - Maid In Heaven

At the end of March 2011, Bill Nelson and the Gentlemen Rocketeers, along with one hundred plus guests, populated Studio A at Metropolis Studios, West London, England for a dynamite concert reminiscent of the Marquee Club in its heyday. A blistering fourteen song set from the band, which covers much of Bill's career to date, was the result. Available as a CD/DVD set and to download.
Download Bill Nelson and the Gentlemen Rocketeers' sensational performance at Metropolis Studios on iTunes : apple.co/29vcFGL
Buy the performance on Amazon as well : amzn.to/29jsVer

[@simapark]

Hold on a minute ,this sounds as good as if not better than the origional . Bills voice just hasnt aged and his guitar playing is just as good as it was .

[@jamesmartin6709]

Close your eyes and it's 1975 again. Bill hasn't lost anything in his vocalizing and guitar playing.

[@keithbentley6081]

He's got better!

[@CaligulaCa3sar]

My dad considers this the most perfect example of a "pop rock" song ever recorded and I can't disagree.

[@robinion3093]

Your dad is a very wise person

[@Andy_Ross1962]

The drummer earned his money!

[@marcusaurelius7461]

Still sending shivers down my spine in 2020..........

[@stephenbuffery180]

2021

[@paula7084]

and 2023......

[@YerMamasPajamas]

...... 2024 .......

[@samandjennysambrook]

One of the most overlooked musicians I can think of. His guitar work is sublime. 🎸 ♥ 🌹

[@stevehauk]

yea, it's a joke when people say a famous guitarist is underrated when you consider Bill!

[@reecejaxen8112]

i know it's kinda off topic but do anyone know of a good place to watch new tv shows online ?

[@remycanaan3168]

@Reece Jaxen flixportal :D

[@reecejaxen8112]

@Remy Canaan thank you, I signed up and it seems like a nice service :) I appreciate it !

[@remycanaan3168]

@Reece Jaxen happy to help :)

[@davidwaddington9414]

brilliant drummer as well.

[@mikaelsjoberg1894]

Oh Yes

[@alangebbie8848]

Most accomplished and underrated axe man

[@philiphester3686]

What an underrated rock classic Bill nelson should be in rock and roll hall of fame

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

The hall is more fame than rock and roll.

[@simapark]

Wakey (Wakefield ) boy here just like Bill and from the same council estate ( Eastmoor) . When Axe victim came out we all sat round listening to it on the best 'hi fi' system in our group and were so proud of him . The biggest shock was when he folded BeBop just as they were about to become mega . Im still sad about that .

[@desert.mantis]

The Maid in Heaven never lost her shine!

[@philturner1242]

Still bloody amazing after all these years and getting better as he gets older. The best guitarist Yorkshire ever produced...

[@philturner1242]

MInd you, Richard Hawley is pretty damned good too and he's a Yorkshire lad. It must be something in the water...

[@philturner1242]

+Reflectawhile Heh! There's a lot of us around! I worked in a hospital in Sheffield and the head security guy there, plus yet another guy who was a nurse in another hospital the area, we all had the same name. Personnel were always getting our files mixed up and I sometimes got invoices for security lighting, etc, even though I was in radiotherapy physics! Anyway, I saw Be Bop live four times back in the 70s. I've never seen Bill in a solo performance, but I need to rectify that at some point! :D

[@philturner1242]

+Reflectawhile I will, thank you and you too! Nice to talk to you. :D

[@chriswalford4072]

Not just Yorkshire but the WORLD

[@davidmetcalfe4218]

Don’t forget Allan Holdsworth...

[@lamodernista]

A truly and utterly brilliant musician, this man is! Thanks for all the wonderful songs you have given the world...CHEERS!

[@Nicap2]

The Internet can be such a wonderful thing. On my never-ending trawl to find musical gems from my youth, I came across the OGWT performance of this from 1975. Fast forward to 2012, and Bill is still delivering the goods! Long may he continue.

[@kevinmckeown7972]

For some reason this makes me both really happy and really sad. Happy to hear such a great song being played by the master - sad for a youth long lost.

[@stugixer57]

I know what you mean Kevin, way back in the day, I thought Ships in the night was a belting single, then a friend gave me Sunburst Finish to listen to, i was blown away, it was a long time ago, but class always stays the course.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Be Bop Deluxe were one of the classiest British acts in the 1970s and Yorkshire's finest band.

[@nigelhawkins3289]

One of my favourite songs of all time, Bill Nelson is a musical genius! and he can still rock it!

[@paulf7065]

Classic song hasn't lost any of its energy or magic just perfect

[@Bruce-1956]

The voice is still there.

2 minutes and 30 of pure pleasure. Playing, like that, and singing. Extraordinary talent. Nothing lost and he's a hundred years old, to boot. I can't tell you how much pleasure Be-Bop Deluxe have given me over most of my life and continue so to do. I will never tire of this absolute gem or Sister Seagull. Like Alright Now and Wishing Well. Honky Tonk Woman and Brown Sugar. Starman and Rebel Rebel. Proper Pop-Rock songs, short and very sweet. The 70s really was a special time in music.

[@jasoncdebussy]

This is one of my all time favourite songs by any artist - every element of it is simply perfect and I have never tired of hearing it

[@jdsbeau1]

crazy - almost every time I return to this video I get GOOSEBUMPS after 20 seconds !!! Love your music Mr. Nelson !

[@sulatlalaki]

Arguably the greatest electric guitar player ever, Bill Nelson. Wish they'd play Adventures In a Yorkshire Landscape!

[@reel_reflections]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYqri4l6itdsrpY

[@78aquaman]

I wouldn’t go there but he has a world class tone.

[@richinderbyshire4779]

They did...

[@jamesrussel1133]

Utterly brilliant still!

[@timaddison707]

Bill's magic, but crikey that drummer is something else takes this song to another level.

[@sexpistol7712]

Fantastic, still got it 100 %

[@AJgeartalk]

Bill's one of the all time greats!! Still sounding awesome.

[@derekbond3512]

Magic ,absolute Magic, bought the album in the 70's, got the t-shirt, now found this, just magnificent.

[@robertbruce545]

well guys I was stuck in Canada, never got the chance to see him play....but I've been a lifelong fan.....ranks right up there with goddo and page in my books....one of the best ever. I'd even go as far as saying les would have liked him.....

[@rednoiseful]

I know not to say this but Bill could Never replace Charles, Simon & Andy.. ❤ but the Gentlemen Rockers are keeping Bill going:) Dont know what the music world would have done without Bill🎵🎶

[@Jonathan-L]

Awesome drumming arrangements on this song. Such a great melody to have stuck in my mind!

[@robertblakeman9978]

Awesome! Better to be a youth when I was!

[@michaelmoreno1187]

THIS IS GREAT

[@JonNoble]

Wonderful. And played on beautiful Duesenberg guitars.

[@markkasick]

Don't know about the rest of the world, but where I grew up- the Chicago area, only the most musically hip kids knew about Be Bop Deluxe and that was a really small group. How on earth was this and SO many other BBD songs not a massive hit here in the US? Bill Nelson is a Guitar God.

[@philsalsbery9994]

Wow, You Tube has really made me fan after seeing this. Bill Nelson still cranking out his glorious Maid in Heaven from Futurama. I only saw him with Be-Bop Deluxe twice in southern California back in the early 1980s, and he sounds every bit as strong here. Thank you for posting this.

[@nickemery1758]

Takes me back, first saw Be Bop Deluxe at Leeds Uni, must have seen them over a dozen times, awesome

[@KILLBILDERBURG]

Saw Bill last night, Leeds - launch of 'New Northern Dream' ...words fail me how privileged I felt.. the album is awesome - Bill spoke of his youth, but I'd like to just say how Be Bop / Red Noise etc, all went to form my childhood and life.. many many thanks Bill

[@NorthwestFishingTV]

OMG... that was friggin amazing! I saw Be Bop Deluxe in I think 1977, Madison, WI. An incredible opening act. Bill Nelson can still play like he did back then. That is exceptional!

[@222ferrett222]

yeh so underated as this country is so good at doing!!!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Can't believe I've only just stumbled across this. Awesome. Saw Be Bop Deluxe in the Capitol Theatre in Cardiff back in the day. What a show. Wonder what happened to Bill's Gibson 335? Bill always used that back then.

[@nyc9993]

Chris Davies ES 345

[@clearspot747]

One of my favourite trax of all time as well as fave rock guitarist.

[@leewalker1177]

Bill..just brilliant as usual...so pleased he chose Gavin Griffiths on drums...another nuclear performance by him.

[@rednoiseful]

Seeing Bill and band...just puts a grin on my face from ear to ear😁 Bill and any musicians lucky enough to play by Bills side are part of musical history😎

[@ballochdubh]

Whats wrong with the British nation? only 12,000 views.Just a poor musical education,bad up bringing,or just lacking in good taste.

[@annuvynarawn392]

most have extraordinarily bad music taste. pity them.

[@01goldg1]

It's even worse on this side of the Pond...people here think Bill Nelson is one of Ozzie and Harriott Nelson's children (the one they kept in the closed off room upstairs)!

[@chrisbarlow2131]

Brilliant. Always loved Be Bop Deluxe. They were just different to the rest and this track is a prime example.

[@stephenbuffery180]

All of them I'm afraid

[@martintaper7997]

Here's a like from Australia. BBD fan since 1976 when I randomly found them.

[@pauljurgen-romrig9616]

I remember the feeling this track gave me when I first heard it. If you can imagine standing in a bucket of cold water, and then sticking your finger in the light socket? Invigorating to say the least.

[@glenyscollings206]

Bill nelson legend,Nuff said.

[@taz205t16]

Watched the DVD, one of the best gigs I have seen. Bill is as usual just on it! we need a new Be Bop.

[@geofflee6038]

Just too brilliant for this world....

[@pedrolane8058]

The drummer is outstanding.

[@bh-zj4yt]

OMG yes!! Came for Bill Nelson and left so impressed with this young man…

[@geofflee6038]

Dave Sturt.....one of my favourite bassists ever!

[@peterottes6900]

He STILL sounded amazing after all these years. The sound is awesome. Brought back nice memories..

[@peterallen3610]

Just stunningly accurate , someone even covers Charlie's backing vocals , totally perfect

[@rogeeeferrari]

How awesome, you can feel the power in that room...

[@doctordirk6316]

Blimey, I'm seventeen again! Thanks Bill.

[@trustterry11]

still bloody brilliant booked three versions of be bop deluxe in the seventies- please email jon giddings organiser of the IOW festival to get this man back on stage!!!

[@filigree3749]

Bill Nelson should be remembered along side all of the other great guitarist, I'm old enough to remember Be Bop Delux perform in concert; time has moved on but the quality has NOT diminished. I say, thank you Bill Nelson for the music that will never fade away, it's as good today as it always will be!

[@ispinimor1958]

I agree with you . This is classic music. Bill Nelson is a most under rated guitar player.

[@gordonm3355]

At least 50 of those views are me and the drummer just gets better!

[@arnolddalby5552]

In the brilliant late 20th century, we musicians used to listen to BeBop Deluxe albums on vinyl records through a 120 watt amp with a 8 band graphic equalizer and massive speakers. You poor folk in the 21st century have nothing like it. Hahaha.

[@jammininthepast]

Tastey guitar chops and excellent turn around hooks. All the respect from this guitar butcher!

[@pauljurgen-romrig9616]

This track defines a specific time in my life. I bet it's that way for all of us who love this track.

[@stephenbuffery180]

Nelson frank Worthington way ahead of the game brilliant

[@yetihd]

Saw him/them at the Victoria hall stoke on Trent a few times in the 70s, freaking brilliant!!!!!! What a pedal board guitarist!! Very impressive, the band got the whole place moving. What a guitarist! Blazing apostle live, lives forever in my soul!!

[@Joe_Peroni]

Bill Nelson is quite unrecognisable to when I bought the album in 1975! AND when I saw Be Bop Deluxe at Strathclyde University, Glasgow, in 1977. But his voice still sounds exactly the same!

[@user-zc6ge8xl9r]

Simply awesome. .the man is a genius

[@airager]

One of the greatest rock songs ever! The genius of Bill Nelson.

[@davidboothman8266]

Bill Nelson - legend!!

[@DeadMenWalking2022]

Bill's voice is sounding great, Great musicianship, Band and Song, I saw Be Bop in the seventies at the Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Bill and the Drummer were sitting right next to me on the Balcony watching the support band 'Doctors of Madness' I believe lol Superb Gig ;) Happy memories

[@philturner1242]

I saw 'em four times back in the 70s, (all in Sheffield) supported on one of those by John Cooper-Clarke and The Steve Gibbons Band on another. Happy, happy days. Does anyone have a time machine handy? I want to go back there...

[@twilightcapers]

Great drummer. Love Bill Nelson too...

[@skill692]

Such class a superb guitarist and not outclassed by many. Bee Bop Deluxe is a first-class unclassed band. Saw them in the 70s and got the Sunburst Finish album. Bill Nelson you rock pal.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Bebop Del?Bill Nelson is like an improbable mix of Zep Queen Bowie Peter Hammill strangely interpreting the oeuvre of a Prog New wave master!

[@anthonycrook1987]

and the vocals mixed so good

[@eugenekeher978]

Bebop deluxe delights us again x

[@bernardthedisappointedowl6938]

Still sounding good, great playing, ^oo^

[@timmyhamilton56]

Had BBDL LP’s put on eight track and played them in my Austin 1100 very loud back in the day. Seen Bill live a few times and he kindly signed all the LP covers and some CD’s too. He’s so meticulous and because of that this live performance shows how good he still sounds, what a bloody amazing guitarist

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

Damn he sounds great. Saw BBD back to back at Winterland SF in 77 and 78 tours. Was always a fan, but seeing Nelson live cemented the fact he was as good as anyone I ever saw and far better player than most. He should be on all those supposed "greatest" player lists.

[@alanrae5059]

Great underrated guitarist

[@hlbaum]

It just doesn't get better than this! Thank you Bill for doing you BEST!

[@ColHansvonLuck]

My favourite song of all time. What a performance. Never fails to excite no matter how many times I view

[@davebcleadon]

What a brilliant performance! One of my favourite numbers from the 70s.

[@spoilt666]

A genius. Thank you so much for this.

[@keithbentley6081]

Those audience smiles at the end say it all.

[@WHOTHEFUCKSTHISIDIOT]

..the smiles of the audience.......says it all.......music in dreamland.....

[@garyhardman8369]

I can't believe people are not watching this...

[@BluesLicks101]

Bill is always great, REALLY digging this drummer!

[@homeworldmusic]

Bill is such a badass, and a poet, and an inspiration. Great work from the rest of the lads also

[@jdsbeau1]

Literally gave me the shivers ! So special. Thank YOU Sir Nelson ! The power of love, creativity, music.

[@davidoran123]

So cool to see Bill playing these old songs, must have been really fun for them all

[@gurgisjones1120]

Cool! I never would have recognized Bill on stage, but that voice is unmistakable. Great video quality, and interesting guitar he's using.

[@campervanzoso]

Great to see this. Bill is very critical of his own performances and has never enjoyed the limelight, a very humble man, and was greatly underestimated. I was fortunate to have seen his performances from the start of his career and have always been deeply impressed. (apart from the time he missed a gig in Leeds, because he was recording ships in the night for top of the pops) but I'll let him off. :)

[@Fee-Nix]

Great! Saw Be Bop Deluxe in the 1970’s at the Woolwich Polytechnic South London.

[@DeadMenWalking2022]

What a great version this is of a great song, Bill is a genius. They were fantastic Live too

[@RogerDD100]

Awesome. Great drums too

[@thunderhead7197]

Saw them on the DRASTIC PLASTIC tour at the St Georges Hall in Bradford. Brilliant gig!! Thanks you Bill!!

[@bluesman172]

Just rediscovered this fabulous music. Absolutely outstanding concert!

[@permaveg]

+bluesman172 Rediscovering can be a most enjoyable and affirming experience can't it, lol.

[@bluesman172]

+permaveg Yes and a mate lent me the DVD - it was a great concert.Must find my CD of the gig and give it a play.

[@djfjohnson4260]

Just bloody brilliant.

[@jeffratz]

Bill always looked immaculate...nowts changed.

[@lusso147]

Last time I saw Bill Live was 'Drastic Plastic' tour in the late 70's at Newcastle city hall......got hooked on him when I heard Northern Dream LP,and the rest they say is history....this Yorkshire gentleman is pure genius (cost me a bloody fortune though on a 335!!!! lol)

[@johnwebster6360]

Absolute joy. My younger brothers will recall as my stereo fought for supremacy. Blazing Apostles … Ships in the night With great admiration to you Mr Nelson

[@Mrbluesplayer43]

Forgotten just how dam good this song is. Great stuff! Remember seeing it performed live many times by BBD in the 1970's.

[@doggystaves]

Bill is a legend!