The Blues Band is a British blues band formed in 1979 by Paul Jones, former lead vocalist and harmonica player with Manfred Mann, and vocalist/slide guitarist Dave Kelly, who had previously played with the John Dummer Blues Band, Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker. The band’s first line-up also included bassist Gary Fletcher, guitarist Tom McGuinness (also of Manfred Mann) and drummer Hughie Flint, (the two had previously formed McGuinness Flint). In 1982 Flint left and was replaced by former Family drummer Rob Townsend.
The individual members of The Blues Band were already held in admiration by generations of rhythm & blues fans when they formed back in 1979. Almost two and a half decades and over 16 albums later they continue to add to their growing army of followers, and it’s not unheard of to find three generations from the same family at a gig.
The band are today acknowledged throughout Europe and beyond as being amongst the very finest purveyors of rhythm & blues. They have inspired numerous other blues bands, many of which have come and gone …The Blues Band have remained a constant, increasingly popular fixture, however, and all with only a modicum of help from the record business – as Gary’s oft quoted comment states “the music industry doesn’t bother us and we don’t bother them.”
Signed copies of my new CD 'River Keeps Flowing' featuring 12 new songs, bookended by short instrumental ‘Intro’ and ‘Outro’ tracks, are now available from my newly 'https' encrypted website:-
The album has contributions by a number of very fine players including, Alan Glen (the Yardbirds, Nine Below Zero) on harmonica, Tom Leary (Lindisfarne, Feast of Fiddles) on violin, Sam Kelly (Tom Robinson, Circulus) drums, Jack Fletcher (Aphid) on bass and Nick Ritchie (Mud, Canto) lead guitar plus guest appearances from Paul Jones on harmonica, Charlie Hart (Slim Chance) on accordion, Amanda Guy on alto sax and Lol Plummer on piano. ... See MoreSee Less
Second of the GFB gigs in January is at Ropetackle Arts Centre, Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 5EG Tel: 01273 464440 Email: admin@ropetacklecentre.co.uk The show will include the full 6 piece band featuring Tom Leary (Feast of Fiddles, Lindisfarne etc) on violin, Alan Glen on harmonica (Yardbirds, Nine Below Zero etc), Andy Billups (The Hamsters) on bass, Nick Ritchie on lead guitar (Mud) and Sam Kelly on drums (Tom Robinson, The Blues Band). I'm also hoping to add piano player Lol Plummer who features on three tracks on the new album 'River Keeps Flowing'. It's an excellent venue run by some terrific staff - hope to see some of you there. ... See MoreSee Less