David performs with The Pretty Things and Van Morrison

David fulfilled his promise last night to former Harvest stable mates The Pretty Things, joining them onstage at their last-ever performance. The Indigo space at the O2 Arena was the venue for a rapturously received, sold out show, which saw the Dartford, Kent, band officially bow out after 55 years of live performing. Formed by ex-Rolling Stone Dick Taylor and singer Phil May, the band went through several musical incarnations in their career, all represented across a 3-part set spanning three hours.

The central section included a large portion of the band’s rock opera S. F. Sorrow, certainly one of the first, which was released on EMI’s Harvest imprint in December 1968, produced by Norman Smith. At last night’s show, David played on several tracks from the album, including She Says Good Morning, Baron Saturday, I See You, and Old Man Going, as well as adding exhilarating solos to Cries From The Midnight Circus, from the subsequent Parachute album.

The farewell show also featured guest appearances from Van Morrison, who joined David alongside The Pretty Things on one of the encores, a high energy rendition of Bo Diddley’s Roadrunner, originally included on the Pretty Things’ 1965 debut album, helping to bring things full circle. For those who were there it was a very exciting night, the contributions of the special guests helping to celebrate one of the UK’s original 1960’s musical pioneers.