Slim Chance

The Passing Show

Whether it was working with the Small Faces, The Faces and Rod Stewart, or touring with his own travelling rock 'n' roll circus, The Passing Show, Ronnie Lane was a one-of-a-kind musician and songwriter. He embarked on the last stage of his career shortly after leaving the Faces, forming the band Slim Chance, writing some of his finest songs and recording several remarkable albums.

As time goes by, Ronnie Lane’s legacy as a musician and writer has become more widely recognized. In 2019 Universal Records released the box set, ‘Just for a Moment’, devoted to his post-Faces music, and in 2023 Omnibus Press published a comprehensive biography, entitled ‘Anymore for Anymore’ (named after the first Slim Chance album). Testimony to the value of Ronnie’s life and work is the fact that his band are still touring the country, delighting fans and enjoying playing together in the spirit that Ronnie championed.

2024 will be the year that marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Passing Show and the band will be celebrating in style with more shows and the release of a live album. This most recent incarnation of Slim Chance comprises three original members - Steve Bingham (bass), Charlie Hart (accordion and fiddle) and Steve Simpson (guitar and mandolin) – ably aided and abetted by Frank Mead (sax, harp and whistle), Brendan O’Neill (drums), and Geraint Watkins (keys). Between them they have worked with Paul McCartney, Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, B. B. King, Geno Washington, Bill Wyman, Ian Dury, Nick Lowe and many more.

The band’s set consists of many of Mr. Lane’s classic songs including Ooh La La, Debris, How Come, One for the Road, The Poacher and more. The band is known for the high quality of musicianship, and features acoustic instruments such as accordion, fiddle, mandolin and Irish whistle alongside the traditional rock and roll line up of bass, drums, electric guitar etc.

The rebirth of Slim Chance is a phenomenon, and the band has received many great reviews including this one from Uncut... “Original Chancers Steve Bingham, Charlie Hart and Steve Simpson convincingly recreate Ronnie's uniquely ruralised, soul-and-groove brand of folk-rock".

2024 is likely to be a great year for the band, based on the evidence of “Live at the Greystones” which was recorded at that fine Sheffield venue and proof positive that Slim Chance are still flying the flag for the music of the inimitable Ronnie Lane.

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The Poacher

upcoming tour dates

02

Thu

May 2024

Slim Chance

New Forest Folk Festival

Plaitford, U.K

16

Thu

May 2024

Slim Chance

Eel Pie Club

Twickenham, U.K