Midnight Ramblers Farewell Tour

The Midnight Ramblers, the celebrated Thailand-based Rolling Stones cover band, will disband after a final show on March 28 at Smalls in Bangkok, marking the end of an era.

The history of the Midnight Rambers is intertwined with the diverse experiences of its members, particularly Joe Cummings and Cameron Cooper, whose journeys to Thailand have enriched the band’s essence. The band, comprising Eric Brown (vocals, acoustic guitar), Joe Cummings (electric guitar, harmonica), Cameron Cooper (bass), Arne Osterberg (drums), John Lebr (electric guitar), and Mark De La Fleur (tenor sax), has been a staple in the local and international music scene, bringing the legacy of The Rolling Stones to life.

Midnight Ramblers Disband

The Midnight Ramblers, which began life as Sticky Fingers before a name change, will disband due to Brown returning to his native Italy.

Cummings, notably, is recognized for his pivotal role as the first author of the Lonely Planet Thailand guide from 1980-2006, a contribution that not only introduced Thailand to the world but also solidified his connection to the country’s cultural landscape.

His deep understanding of Thailand’s allure, coupled with his musical talents, has been instrumental in shaping the band’s identity.

Cameron Cooper, the band’s bassist, made Thailand his home in the early ’90s, arriving in 1992 as a “backpacking quasi-hippie”. His transition into the Thai music scene and subsequent collaboration with Cummings and the rest of the band members underscore a shared commitment to music and a profound connection to Thailand.

Cooper, in a 2020 interview, shared insights into the band’s performances across various venues. He contrasted their experiences with those of the Rolling Stones, explaining, “we play mostly pubs and parties to a few dozen people, and sometimes get to play bigger festivals to a couple or three thousand.”

Cooper’s reflections revealed the band’s adaptability and the joy they find in connecting with audiences of all sizes.

Midnight Ramblers Could Play Any Stage

“Our singer Eric, thankfully, can work stages sized from a postage stamp to a hockey rink equally well,” Cooper said, highlighting the versatility that has been key to the band’s success.

He also discussed the unique atmosphere of smaller venues, noting, “you have to be smug and arrogant enough – or maybe better put, confident enough – to believe that what you are presenting is good, and if some audience members aren’t ‘getting it’, then that’s a shame for them.”

This confidence, rooted in a genuine love for the music they play, has defined Midnight Ramblers‘ approach to their craft: “We love the music we’re playing (It’s only rock and roll but we like it), so we’re doing our best to attract and share that feeling with like-minded souls.”

As Midnight Ramblers wind down their farewell tour, the reflections of Cummings and Cooper on their time in Thailand and their careers in music paint a picture of a band deeply connected to the spirit of rock and roll and the cultural tapestry of their adopted home.

Six show are left on the schedule, two of them at Smalls, Bangkok’s storied jazz and live-music house, on April 28 and the, the final concert and farewell party on April 28. They also will play Green room on April 12 and 26, Decommune on April 21 and Speakerboxx on April 27.

Their final concert at Smalls in Bangkok is not just the culmination of their musical journey but a celebration of the enduring appeal of The Rolling Stones’ music and the unique bond the band shares with their fans.

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