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Picture
INTERVIEW
with
Dave Kelly
The Blues Band
The Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
6th June 2018

Come and ‘dig’ the blues with ‘The Blues Band’ at the Palace
Paul Jones (Manfreds) is returning to Southend, but now, together with Dave Kelly, it is with The Blues Band.  As well as doing the vocals, Paul plays a mean harmonica and Dave is one of the top slide guitar players.  These instruments form the backbone of their distinctive sound and the Band are simply the best purveyors of the Blues in the UK today.

With singers and songwriters in the band, the quality and variety of performance and material is unrivalled.  Many of their 21st century fans weren’t even born when the five members formed the band just to sing the ‘blues.’  No one could have predicted that all these years later they would still be dazzling audiences with their showmanship and virtuosity.  With the line-up of Paul Jones, Dave Kelly, Tom McGuinness, Rob Townsend and Gary Fletcher, it is hardly surprising. 

The band have played all around the world in venues ranging from intimate clubs through to civic halls and theatres, and have wowed festival audiences in many countries – including headline appearances at Glastonbury.
Picture
The Blues Band arrives at the Palace Theatre in June. In the meantime, Dave Kelly takes a few moments to tell me about his influences and how the band began.

This tour for The Blues Band started in February how is it so far?
We have been going for nearly 40 years and it is still great fun!

How did it all start and what is the secret of your longevity?
Paul Jones started the band in 1979 for a fun hobby on his nights off from his theatre work.  It took off in a way none of us expected. The secret is we love playing the music and we all do other projects too.  There is no chance to get bored.

Are there any plans to release an album for the Blues Band’s 40th Anniversary?  
There is a new album released this month The Rooster Crowed on Repertoire records.

Do you find the audiences consist of your hardened fans, or do you attract younger fans now?
Yes to both.  We did have three generations of one family at a show once. 

How do you choose the material played?
We don't have set list.  Paul and I share most of the vocals.  Gary Fletcher and Tom McGuinness sing a couple each.  Whoever's turn it is to sing, calls the song. Of course, we'll be including quite a lot from the new album.

The band includes members of the Manfreds.  As Paul is on the Manfred’s Maximum Rhythm and Blues tour, which is also on this year, how does the cross over work in practice? 
Tom McGuiness and Rob Townsend are common to both bands not just Paul.  The year is divided up between both, which gives them time to do other things.  It works very well.

Who are your greatest influences, and have you ever met or performed with them?
My first influences were Lonnie Donegan, Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis.  I'm actually in the States, across the road from Gracelands replying to these questions, having just done the tour. 

Then of course, Robert Johnson, Son House, Buddy Guy, Howling Wolf, and Muddy Waters.  I have toured as a backing musician with Wolf, House, John Lee Hooker, and Buddy Guy. I met Muddy on several occasions and played for him backstage in New York, but not with him.  Tomorrow we drive down to Clarksdale to see the graves of Memphis Minnie, Robert Johnson, and Charley Patton. 

Eric Clapton is a big fan of the blues.  Have you ever worked with him?
No, I haven't.  Paul has on numerous occasions, and my late sister Jo Ann Kelly (the English Blues singer and guitarist) used to sing with him and the Yardbirds in the 60s.

You regularly play with other performers such as Maggie Bell, are there any plans in the pipeline to tour with other artistes separately from the band?
Maggie and I have just finished two weeks of our duo show with another two planned for October.  In July, I'll return to the Vancouver Island Festival, this time with Christine Collister (the Manx folk, blues, and jazz singer-songwriter).  We haven't worked together for a few years and will be doing a warm-up at the Half Moon, Putney in June.  Paul and I do an acoustic duo tour every January. I also work solo, as variety is the spice of life. 

How do you feel about Paul leaving the Radio 2 Blues Show, which kept ‘old school’ blues out there?
I think it's a shame as he had such enormous knowledge and experience of the subject.

As well as performing and recording, you have also played soundtracks for commercials.  Is that something that you are continuing to do?
I haven’t done any for a while but would love to.  I've also scored for films and TV series in the 80s / 90s.

What are the long-term plans for The Blues Band, bearing in mind that most of the members are involved in other projects?
The system works very well so why change it. When asked when will I retire (I'm 71),  I say why should I retire, when I'm paid for doing my favourite hobby.

Interview – Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Picture
The Blues Band are appearing at the Palace Theatre Westcliff on 6th June at 8pm
Tickets
£24.00 £21.00
www.southendtheatres.org.uk

Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees.  Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.
For further tour dates see:-

http://www.thebluesband.net/Tourdates.php ​

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