The Angels Present Dave Gleeson With Service Award

After performing his final show with The Angels at this year’s Gympie Music Muster, Dave Gleeson was formally honoured with a service award by his now-former bandmates.

Gleeson, who also fronts The Screaming Jets, stepped down from his post in The Angels back in May. It came after some 12 years with the band, having taken over Doc Neeson as lead vocalist in 2011. Gleeson will be replaced by The Angels’ former drummer, Nick Norton.

The band said in a statement posted on social media: “Tonight The Angels were celebrating the good times they have shared with singer Dave Gleeson for the last twelve years. After his final performance with The Angels this evening at Gympie Muster, Gleeson and the band are parting company best of friends as he moves towards creating some other new highlights in his extensive career.

“Not wanting him to forget their gratitude the Brewster's and Nick Norton presented Dave with a very special Service Recognition Award... straight to the pool room! Thanks Dave from all in the band as well as the fans who have absolutely enjoyed your performances!”

To celebrate the start of their new chapter, The Angels have announced an expansive tour celebrating 50 years since their 1973 formation.

The 50 Years In The Making tour begins on Friday, 1 September, at Miami Marketta on the Gold Coast and doesn’t conclude until 2024, finishing on Saturday, 10 February, at Sydney’s Bridge Hotel.

The tour spends a lot of time in regional locations and central cities, with the band promising to bring two sets over two hours that span greatest hits and rarities on each date.

“The 50th anniversary is a very special time for The Angels,” guitarist John Brewster said in a press release. “And it means a lot that the fans already know Nick. Our relationship with the audience means everything to us, and we’ll never take that for granted.”

Norton added, “We’ve already got a very busy six months ahead of us, which is brilliant for the new line-up.”

“There’s such a heritage of great music there, classic songs, killer riffs. The legwork is already done; I just have to get up and sing them. Twelve years in the band behind the kit has provided the pedigree, not to mention learning at the School of Rock from the honourable Dave Gleeson. I look forward to sweating it out at venues across the nation with the fans, heading into The Angels 50th year!”

Those classic songs, of course, include Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, Shadow Boxer, Take A Long Line, No Secrets, I Ain’t The One, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, and many more.

The current Angels line-up includes two sets of Brewster Brothers – the OGs (John and Rick) on guitar and John Brewster’s sons, Sam (bass) and Tom (drums), as well as Norton on vocals. Tickets for the Angels 50 Years In The Making tour are on sale now via the band’s website.

THE ANGELS

50 YEARS IN THE MAKING NATIONAL TOUR

 2023

Fri 1 Sep           Miami Marketta, Gold Coast, QLD

Fri 6 Oct            The Bridgeway Hotel, Adelaide SA

Sat 7 Oct           Village Green Hotel, Mulgrave VIC

Fri 13 Oct          Shoal Bay Country Club, Shoal Bay NSW

Sat 14 Oct         Taren Point Hotel, Taren Point NSW

Fri 20 Oct          Paddo RSL, Paddington NSW

Sat 21 Oct         Toronto Hotel, Toronto NSW

Fri 27 Oct          Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton QLD

Sat 28 Oct         Racehorse Hotel, Booval QLD

Thu 2 Nov         Prince Of Wales, Bunbury WA

Fri 3 Nov           Port Beach Brewery, Fremantle WA

Sat 4 Nov          Charles Hotel, Perth WA

Fri 10 Nov         Doyalson RSL, Doyalson NSW

Sat 11 Nov        Central Hotel, Shellharbour NSW

Fri 17 Nov         Kingscliff Beach Hotel, Kingscliff NSW

Sat 18 Nov        Kings Beach Tavern, Kings Beach QLD

Fri 24 Nov         The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle NSW

2024

Fri 5 Jan            Beenleigh Tavern, Gold Coast QLD

Sat 6 Jan           The Triffid, Brisbane QLD

Sun 7 Jan          Twin Towns, Tweed Heads, NSW

Thurs 11 Jan     Ballina RSL, Ballina NSW

Fri 12 Jan          South West Rocks Country Club, South West Rocks NSW

Sat 13 Jan         Laurieton Ex Services, Laurieton NSW

Fri 19 Jan          Castle Hill RSL, Castle Hill NSW

Sat 20 Jan         Bathurst Panthers, Bathurst NSW

Thurs 25 Jan     Torquay Hotel, Torquay VIC

Fri 26 Jan          Corner Hotel, Richmond VIC

Sat 27 Jan         Commercial Hotel, South Morang, VIC

Fri 2 Feb           Shearwater Resort, Tas

Sat 3 Feb          Scamander Beach Resort, Tas

Sun 4 Feb         Longley Hotel, Tas

Fri 9 Feb           Bridge Hotel, Sydney, NSW

Sat 10 Feb        Bridge Hotel, Sydney, NSW