A great week of music coming up here in the Brown Paper Tickets’ universe. Here are a few of the ones that we think you’ll dig. Enjoy!

TOMORROW! Thursday, October 17 I Nik Turner (of Hawkwind) – Denver, Colorado

Hawkwind are the kings of UK “space rock” which is a driving, hard-rocking version of psychedelia. Formed in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations but Nik Turner was one of the original members and certainly one of the most memorable. Turner plays saxophones, flute, sings and is a composer and while with Hawkwind, Turner was known for his experimental free jazz stylisations and outrageous stage presence, often donning full makeup and Ancient Egypt-inspired costumes.

He originally approached the band offering his services as roadie, given that he owned a van and was a fan. Once the band found out that he played saxophone, however, he was recruited into the fold. He was a member of the band during their most commercially successful and critically acclaimed period, writing or co-writing some of their most popular songs such as “Brainstorm” and “Master of the Universe.” However, complaints about his playing over other members of the band despite numerous requests to modify his behaviour eventually led to his dismissal in November 1976.

In 1982 during the recording of Choose Your Masques, founding member Dave Brock invited Turner to the recording sessions and he was asked to front the band for the album’s tour. Turner’s second stint in the band lasted just over two years and although some live albums and videos were released, the band did not undertake any studio recording. At the end of 1984 while preparing material for The Chronicle of the Black Sword album, he was fired once again.

Since then, Turner has been involved with a number of projects including Sphynx, Inner City Unit, Nik Turner’s Fantastic All-Stars, Galacticos and Space Ritual. All share the tripped-out, heavy, forward thinking approach that Hawkwind is known for, so Hawkwind fans are sure to dig Nik’s performance happening tomorrow night at the legendary Lion’s Lair in Denver, Colorado. Amazingly, there are still some tickets available right over here.

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