Alan Reed Interview
This morning I had the pleasure of speaking with Alan Reed (Of Abel Ganz and Pallas) about his decision to cease his live musical adventures as a result of difficulties relatning to his Parkinson’s Diagnosis last year.
Jws Good Morning Alan How's the weather were you are today ?
AR Today its typical Scottish weather in that it is overcast and raining, whilst yesterday it was actually sunny despite the forecast giving out rain!.
Jws you can't rely on the weather in Britain can you ou it changes by the hour it seems
AR Its certainly seems too.
Jws So you've announced a short tour before you hang up your boots as it were?
AR Yes unfortunately I've decided its time to retire now I'm not a young man anymore, I have health issues, I'm tired, It hurts getting up and getting going so I really feel its time to retire with some dignity left.ì can't be a 60 year old man pretending to be 20 anymore.
Jws Was that a difficult decision to make for you?
AR Not really no, as i have been unable to play my guitars because of a lack of flexibility in my fingers due for the Parkinson’s Disease,In fact I've put all my guitars up for sale as I can't use them any more. Well certainly not to the standard I used to play at, It is sad.
I feel its better leave whilst I can still perform in some manner rather than embarrassing and devaluing any legacy I may have, its a pity as the band have been really spectacular of late with the recent show at Winters end being especially good.
So we are doing 4 shows, one at the 1865 in Southampton, one at the 229 in London one in Sheffield at West Street Live and finally at The G2 in Glasgow which will be his final show.
This allows me to sign off and say farewell in a dignified manner. We will try to make these shows as special as possible.
Jws So who is in the band nowadays?
AR Well besides me we have, Mark Spencer,(Guitars) Jennifer Clark( Bass)), Henry Rogers (Drums), Tudor Davies (Keyboards) and Darren Carrow ( Guitar) and Kim McLean (sunny) on backing vocals They will also be jointed by Neil Winton who will cover Alan's guitar parts ).
The band were on fire at Winters End and I expect the same for this shows, Which will be a mix of reworked Pallas and Abel Ganz material along with some songs from my new album like First Responder (about the PTSD experienced by the emergency services at disasters like Grenfell Tower and Terrorist Attacks. The album is called Grey Sky Thinking and should be available for these shows,
A lot of the sets will be Pallas material in our own interpretations, but i expect lots of fun and surprises along the way.
JWS I Spoke to Mark Gatland of Hats off Gentleman It’s Adequate and he tells me that you asked them to be your support act for the London 229 shows
AR Yes I asked them because I find their music to be a good match, they are interesting and have reall intelligence in their songs, I like them a lot actually there last album was very good indeed.
Jws They have a new one coming out in September its called Parallel Lines, I've heard it already and its slightly different in that its is a collection of songs without any overarching theme although the songs are related to experiences that are affecting the band at the present time.
Jws Any news on Pallas activity?
AR Yes the album is complete and has been sent to Niall (Mathieson) for post production mixing and mastering, Niall lives in Cambodia nowadays with his Cambodian Wife so he is unlikely to be performing with Pallas anytime soon. Furthermore Graham has some serious health issues these days too, so whilst the alb7m is likely to emerge this autumn live dates are less certain at this time, there is however a second Pallas box set coming out soon covering the Inside Out years as rhe first set was very well received and gave a fine account of the EMI years. So there's a fair bit happening in that world too, my parts are all with Niall to be included on the album.
Jws I do think it its tremendously brave of you, how you've faced your diagnosis, I mean you've done a charity walk fir a Parkinson’s charity and you have another walk planned for September I believe
AR Yes I'd always wanted to walk the West Highland way and the diagnosis gave me the reason to actually get up and do it, I wasn't easy but we did it, the next walk though goes along two canals and end up in Leith it is a lot easier and flatter too, but it is still an effort for me to get up which seems to be harder to actually get up and start moving as all my joints ache every day. However it is for a good cause and I'm determined to complete it.
Jws I know what you mean I had a stroke 8 years ago and I have Vascular Dementia as a result of that, I used to walk miles but struggle to do 100 yards these days, Thankfully like you I have a wonderful partner who helps me every day, also I find lots of support helps too, we go to an arts group every week and whilst I can't paint or draw I do get something out of it every week,
AR I agree I go to a dance group every Friday, and whilst I can't dance I go because it gets me moving and is beneficial to me, my well being abd general health, I enjoy it actually, I sympathise with your condition though I think you are handling it well and with bravery I wish you well in it.
Jws Well Alan my time has gone I thank you for talking with me and wish you well for these shows and for your retirement from music.
Author John Wenlock-Smith Friday 5th June 2026.