More messages to celebrate the quarter million milestone – great stuff but where’s all the interviews man ! New one’s posted soon from songwriter Bernadette Mooney and former ‘She’ guitarist/keys Lee Robertson. 

Michael McNally (Performer/Musician) ‘These interviews have enriched my knowledge of music and the arts in the North East. Such an eclectic mix of articles filled with in-depth information about our cultural heritage’.

Paula Dudley (author) ‘I love your posts as they are so various. Some are political, some are about local heroes and heroines, some are about music, some are interviews. Thank you for including Ellen Wilkinson former Jarrow MP among them.’

Dave Morton (Journalist, Newcastle Chronicle Live) ‘Congratulations to Gary for hitting a milestone on his blog that expertly covers all aspects of North East culture and history. It’s always a great read – and on more than one occasion he’s kindly shared content with me for use in my own work on ChronicleLive. Here’s to the next 250,000 views.’

Bob Smeaton (Music documentary director) ‘Congratulations well on course for 250,000 views. Performing a valuable and always entertaining service for North East Talent. As Neil Young once said ‘Long May You Run’.

Howard Baker (Singer/Songwriter) ‘The North East culture blog Alikivi is definitely the place to find out about the music scene of yesteryear with ‘60s and ‘70s in particular. I played through years with some of the finest bands in the North, they were fantastic. I’m glad I met Gary and for him making all of this happen, thanks so much for all that you put in’.

Vin Arthey (Author) ‘I was delighted to be interviewed by Gary in 2019, and to feature in The North East Culture blog! I now check the blog regularly, and have learned so much about North East bands, entertainment history and about, say Ellen Wilkinson, George Orwell, the Spanish Civil War, which have gone on to illuminate my own work. I’m proud to be one of your interviewees, and one of your many readers, Gary! Thank you’

Martin Blank (Author) ‘I have been an avid reader of Gary’s blog since it started in 2017 and since then it has gone from strength to strength. I like Gary’s interview style – straight to the point – and he’s very knowledgeable about not only the North East music scene, both back in the day and now, he’s also very knowledgeable about North East history in general – especially his native South Shields.

Another great thing about the blog is that you never know what to expect next – it could be an interview with a world famous rock star, an ex-cast member of Auf Wiedersehen Pet or an up and coming local comedian. The fact that the blog has reached 250,000 views with readers, not just in the North East but worldwide, is staggering and well deserved’.

Bernadette Mooney (Musician) ‘I would like to say I have been very privileged to been interviewed and included in this blog and thank everyone that took time to read my interview.’

John Roach (Mythra) ‘Congratulations ALIKIVI on a quarter of a million views! Thank you for enriching our lives and reminding us of our fantastic North East cultural heritage. All the very best and here’s to the next 250,000’.

Jim Saxton (Temple of Blah) ‘Despite my focus on Roadrunner Records, I find myself coming back to Alikivi time and time again. The focus on the resources, key personnel and general moods of the North East music scene – especially in the early 80’s, is profoundly vivid and extremely helpful to my own reading.

Additionally, just one good interview, never mind hundreds, is a colossal undertaking – and Gary deserves every ounce of credit coming to him for filling the knowledge gap on this topic so substantially.’

Tom Kelly (Writer/poet) ‘I have worked with Gary on a number of films, telling stories of our area we felt needed to be told. The first film we worked on together was ‘Little Ireland’ in 2009 which has been seen by more than sixty thousand throughout the world. Gary has far exceeded that number with over a quarter of a million – keep on giving it six nowt Gary’.

Martin (Harbourmaster Productions) ‘Alikivi is a brilliant website, packed full of really interesting interviews and stories from culturally significant figures. I have always enjoyed reading the articles, and watching Gary’s films too’.

Daniel Clifford (Singer/Songwriter, Amateur Ornothologist) ‘It’s amazing to see the success of the blog and range of artists and projects covered over the years. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and I can’t wait to be interviewed again.’

Ian Slater (Entertainer)  ‘Well done that man! Thanks for your continued dedication to North East music, past and present and thank you for featuring me in one of your blogs. I continue to read it with great interest and enjoy having my memory and interest piqued by some of the acts that I thought I had long since forgotten. It brings it all flooding back’.

Julia Northam (Fietscher Fotos) ‘Congratulations Gary for creating the best North East blog on the net and thanks for letting me contribute, it was an honour x’.

Drew Gallon (Sweet Trash/Shotgun Brides/Dawn After Dark) ‘250,000 views by people checking out the past, present and future of music from the North East is an amazing number, a great boost to keeping music foremost in people’s minds, and keeping music alive and kicking. And it’s certainly a welcome boost after the 18 months or so that musicians, crew and venues have had to suffer. Thanks for making this happen Gary, and keep up the great work mate’.

John Gibson (Journalist, Newcastle Chronicle) ‘Congratulations Gary on reaching such a wonderful milestone richly deserved. It was a pleasure to take part as so many have done down the passage of time. Long may it continue’.

Steve Hall (East Side Torpedos) ‘Proud to feature on the Alikivi blog. It’s your own North East cultural history, so be part of it and check it out whenever you can.’

Brian Ross (Satan/Blitzkreig) ‘It was great chatting to Gary about the old days. It was a pleasure to relive those days in the words of my story. The memories all came flooding back’.

Alan Knights (Musician) ‘The North East is the best breeding ground by far for musicians to serve their time and I have been one of the lucky ones to have had music provide well for my families and a brilliant lifestyle – music has made me a happy man’.

Angus McDonald (South Shields museum) ‘I enjoy reading your blogs and interviews with North East rock bands, they bring back memories of when all the local clubs featured rock bands, especially the British Legion Club in South Shields – happy memories’.

J. Vincent Edwards (Songwriter) ‘You are fantastic for keeping our history alive. I’ve also did this around the world with my music. People love us Sand Dancers. We are fun and that’s what our world needs. I miss and love my old home town South Shields. Bless you for keeping the memory alive, love and peace x’.

John Edward Spence (Photographer)  ‘This blog has been a great insight to the talent within the North East music scene over the years, really enjoyed the interviews and features on the bands I used to love go and see at the Newcastle Mayfair and Mingles in Whitley Bay. Keep up the good work, so proud that my photos are part of it’.

Peter Chapman (Author) ‘Alkivi, the North East culture blog, is a unique and enduring record of regional history. You should be very proud to have been its creator.’

Big thanks to all you lovely people…keep spreading the love !