For some Christopher Cross represents a moment in time, basically 1980, when his debut solo album was a major success.  He went on to win five Grammys a year later and his career was established.

Of course, since that time, the musical style he peddled has been dubbed – terribly in my view – “yacht rock” along with contemporaries like Daryl Hall and John Oates,  The Doobie Brothers and even Toto.  The importance of that debut was emphasised tonight.

But first, special guest Chris Difford co-founder of  beloved pop rockers Squeeze.

This was a masterclass in reportage and good humour as Chris recounted events from fifty years ago mixing with the likes of Mark Knopfler, Freddie Mercury and Sting.  They made the arenas whilst Squeeze remained at the Oxford Arms in Deptford.

There was also reference to their time on Top Of The Pops rubbing shoulders with the likes of Peters and Lee.  The former was apparently “well hung”.

The hilarious if slightly self-deprecatory banter masked a masterly repertoire and as expected his setlist majored on a mini Squeeze greatest hits opening with ‘Take Me I’m Yours’ and rallying with ‘Cool For Cats’.  He was accompanied by guitarist/pedal steel player Melvin Duffy.

Cross’ set was also, and inevitably,  punctuated by the familiar “hits” but there was enough here to suggest the world didn’t stop in 1980.  The follow up ‘Another Page’ yielded three songs tonight whilst the non-album track ‘Arthur’s Theme’ sums up Cross’ melodic appeal (although partly co-written with Burt Bacharach).

The 1990s was something of a wasteland for Cross in terms of continued recognition but tonight he played a few key pieces from the following decade or so.

With the setback of Covid 19, when he actually experienced complications from catching the virus (and the pandemic also stymied a planned 40th anniversary tour), Cross has steadily regained his mojo  We last saw him in the UK touring with Toto in early 2025.

The band did full justice to Cross’ back catalogue tonight with the trio of girl singers and Andy Suzuki adding a jazzy hue on sax and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument).

For erudite rockers. the best was saved to last with “Ride Like The Wind’ a showcase for Cross’ guitar talents, the Beacon crowd finally stirred into action.

I sold my Christopher Cross album many years ago but tonight was a reminder of its ascendancy, and potency, in terms of melodic pop rock and songwriting artistry.

Review and photos by David Randall 

All Right/Never Be The Same/I Really Don’t Know Anymore/Poor Shirley/Minstrel Gigolo/Dreamers/Spinning/Sailing/Think Of Laura/Back Of My Mind/Simple/The Light Is On/Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)/No Time For Talk/Say You’ll Be Mine/Ride Like The Wind

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Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast 26 April 2026.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). First broadcast on 21 April 2026

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Power Plays w/c 11 May 2026

BREITLER Sentinel (El Puerto Records)
FIRE IN HER EYES Too Late To Change (indie)
KING FALCON Wait (indie)
BEAUTIFUL SKELETONS Come What May (indie)
KARIN PARK Shadow (Size Records)
HARSH Don’t Mess With Me (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 11 May 2026

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2025 (Singer Songwriter)

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