UK NEWS

SISTER SLEDGE'S EARLY HOURS CONCERT DRAWS COMPLAINTS BECAUSE IT CAN BE HEARD 2 MILES AWAY

Sister Sledge

Saturday July 19,2008

By David Scott

AMERICAN band Sister Sledge sparked a flood of complaints when their live show could be heard two miles across a seaside down in the early hours of the morning.

The band had been flown to Ayrshire by a wealthy Jewish businessman to perform at his 12 year-old daughter’s Bat Mitzvah, ’coming of age,’ party.

They were blasting out hits such as ’Frankie’ and ’We Are Family’ until 2am at the Lochgreen House Hotel in Troon.

Jazz singer Jocelyn Smith and a 12-piece Glenn Miller tribute band from Paris, were also on the bill.

Around 200 guests had crammed into a marquee for the party, which was licensed to 1am, but was still going strong an hour later.

I could hear it all day, everyone could

An irate neighbour

One irate neighbour, who complained to her local councillor around midnight, said:

“I could hear it all day. Everyone could. I had made a complaint when they were sound checking, but was forced to call my local councillor again at midnight.

“I told her if I was awake, then so should she, but she said she could hear it as well.

“I don’t know why they needed a marquee anyway when the hotel has an extension.

“The ironic thing is I actually enjoy Sister Sledge. I loved all their hits when they were topping the charts, but I certainly don’t want to hear He’s The Greatest Dancer during early hours of the morning when I’m trying to get some sleep.”

Hotel manager Greg McGarry said: “It was a surprise party for our client’s daughter. We didn’t know who the bands were until the day of the event.

“We will be looking to install drapes and curtains to dampen the sounds and will seek the services of an acoustic engineer before further marquee events in the autumn.”

The hotel’s sound blunder caused them to be hauled in front of a South Ayshire Council Licensing Board meeting last week where they were made subject to a noise abatement order.

Brian Dunlop, representing the hotel, said they were sorry for any inconvenience caused and added: “The company misjudged the nature of the event, but they are well aware of the consequences of this noise abatement notice.

“In football terms, it is a yellow card.”

Sister Sledge, Kim, Debbie, Joni and Kathy, formed in 1972.

The all-girl group first found chart success in 1979 with hits ’We Are Family’ and ’He’s The Greatest Dancer’.

They scooped their first international hit with disco hit ’Frankie’ in 1985.

The band’s hit, ’He’s The Greatest Dancer,’ saw a resurgence in popularity in the new millennium.

Will Smith sampled it on his single “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” while The X-Factor judge Dannii Minogue covered it in 2007.