David Vance SubstackRead More
It’s not every 82 year old musician that would get me on the flight to London but in 2022 I had discovered the music of Swamp Rock King Tommy McLain. I doubt any one reading this will know who he was, nor did I until that year! He had been around a long time and had gained fame in 1966 with his version of the Don Gibson ballad “Sweet Dreams”. This went top 100 hit Stateside and made his reputation there.
The decades past by and Tommy slipped into relative anonymity.
Then came Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello. Interestingly, Costello himself had covered “Sweet Dreams” back in 1981.
Obviously aware of Tommy’s music, both men helped him release the 2022 “I ran down every dream” album, which was very well received, not least by me!
This is the title track, played live.
So when it was announced that Tommy would be supporting Nick Lowe at a little venue in London in November 2022, I had to buy tickets. The photo at the top of this article was taken by me and here is a little clip of him doing another song.
Tommy must have finished about 8.30pm and then Nick Lowe came on – one of my absolute musical heroes. But I got talking to Tommy’s co-writer and guitarist CC Alcock just after their session. He told me Tommy went straight back to his hotel and to bed. I asked him would there by any new music and he said Tommy was working on new material.
He continued to play concert though and his final appearance was in May 2025 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, supporting Elvis Costello.
He died two months later at a nursing facility in Louisiana.
I am so glad I got to discover his music and see him play live.
Spotify sent me a list of my most played songs since 2010 a few weeks ago,
“I ran down every dream” was my most played. Kinda poignant.
“And I recall when time stood still
Now the clock is ticking
I’ve seen so many dreams disappear
Forgot like rhymes that I’ve written
But that’s my life
Hey, how about you?
Do you find yourself forgiven?
When I wake up with a brand new tune
That’s how I know I’m still living”
God bless, Tommy.
