Folk Bands and Artists
Dave Kelly
If there is such a thing as a British ´blues pedigree´, then Dave Kelly´s sets the standard. Kelly is a blues craftsman - a journeyman who has served his time with the best.
In New York he jammed with Muddy Waters. He became a friend to Howlin´ Wolf and John Lee Hooker, who both felt the benefit of Dave´s playing in their touring bands. It was Dave´s big sister, the late Jo-Ann Kelly, who first opened his ears to the blues, although his passion for rock and roll - and especially the work of Buddy Holly - remains intact. In 1967 he joined The John Dummer Blues Band. After three albums and a solo project he continued to polish his style and technique throughout an adventurous career with some of Britain´s finest players. When The Blues Band was formed in 1979, the post of slide guitarist and joint vocalist was a foregone conclusion - and bringing his friend, the bassist Gary Fletcher, along to that first rehearsal, was a bonus. Dave Kelly´s guitar and vocals form the very backbone of The Blues Band´s distinctive sound.
Today, after 21 years ´treading the boards´ with the band, with his solo albums, duo tours with Paul Jones, and soundtrack work (for commercials and such projects as BBC TV´s ´King of the Ghetto´ and the Comic Strip´s ´Strike!´) Dave Kelly is firmly estabished as Europe´s premier blues performer.