Confident Bronco, entertaining Salamanda and screeching Plant

An audience of 300, music from the cream of the local groups and an appearance by the country's top rock vocalist all contributed to a splendid afternoon at Frank's on Boxing Day.

But the excellent start to the club's Christmas programme was not continued the following afternoon when only a handful braved the snow. 
Boxing afternoon saw Bronco play in the town for the first time since the issue of their "Country Home" L.P., and with a confident performance they demonstrated just how good a group they are.

They began their set with some of their quieter, country style numbers which had very much of an American West Coast sound about them.

Two medleys – “Bumpers West" with Joni Mitchell's “Woodstock” and "Matter of Perspective" with Neil Young's "Only Love can Break Your Heart"- were the highlights of the section of the set.

But it was when the volume was turned up that Bronco really brought the audience to life.

>The two lead guitarists, Kev Gammond and Bob Blunt, were utilised to the fullest extent and Jess Roden, despite a toothache, showed what a powerful vocalist he is as the group performed "Well Anyhow" and the traditional "House of the Rising Sun". 
It is a pity that so many of the audience left after Bronco had finished.

For, as well as missing a first-class performance from Bonehead which was much improved on anything they bad been able to achieve in the past, they were denied the rare opportunity of seeing Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant In action.

In addition to treating what remained of the audience to the screeching vocal style that has made him the top rock singer in the country, he also played lead guitar on stage, something of a rarity for him nowadays. 
-- BRIAN GOUGH  (Kidderminster Shuttle)