Blues / Rhythm & Blues
Vee-Jay King and his Dukes - West Coast R&B, Swamp Blues
One of the band members, John Roy Potter ( guitar, vocals ) lives in REDDITCH !
Band Members
RICKY COOL (HARMONICA, SAXOPHONES, VOCALS)
Ricky Cool first burst onto the scene in the 1970’s, when Ricky Cool and
the Icebergs became one of the first bands in the country to play swing
style rhythm and blues, The name soon became established and Ricky’s
reputation for delivering great, danceable music in a highly entertaining
way began. Since then he has fronted and played with a number of
bands presenting authentic American music. He co-founded The Big
Town Playboys, the band that nurtured the talent of Mike Sanchez. He
worked with Robert Plant in the first Honeydrippers line up. Ricky is
regarded as one of the finest exponents of Blues and Country style
harmonica in the UK and as such he still occasionally works with Mike
Sanchez and also with UK blues star Big Boy Bloater. He has played on
recordings by Hank Wangford, Matchbox, Mike Sanchez and even
toured with Billy Connolly as can be seen on the ‘Billy Connolly Bites
Your Bum’ DVD.
HOWARD SMITH (DRUMS, VOCALS)
Howard has been a stalwart of the Midlands’ music scene for the last
forty years. His drumming is not flashy, he’s dependable, a solid sender.
He establishes the groove and he keeps it. Adept in all the main musical
genres, Blues, R&B, Country and Jazz he’s the drummer to call if you
want a groove that swings. Howard has toured extensively throughout
Europe from Cork in the West to Corfu in the East, Murmansk in The
North to Cadiz in the South. Howard sat on the drummer's stool in the
Steve Gibbons Band for 20 years. By the way, he can also sing like a
bird…
JOHN ROY POTTER (GUITAR, VOCALS)
John has played either guitar or bass in a wide variety of styles since the
1970s, playing all across the UK, Ireland and Europe with bands as
diverse as Special Clinic (Folk Rock), The Wide Boys (Reggae/Ska), The
Toy Hearts (Bluegrass and Western Swing), King Pleasure and the
Biscuit Boys (Jump Blues and Swing), and more recently, Ricky Cool and
The In Crowd (60s R&B and Bluebeat/Ska), and Steve ‘Big Man’ Clayton
(Boogie-Woogie). He has played on or produced many albums, and
recorded for Grammy award winning producer Stacey Parrish. He has a
tendency to dribble.
CHRIS LOMAS (BASS, VOCALS)
In a 50+ year career Chris's journey has built a reputation, based
mainly on a simple, solid, in the pocket style that he successfully bought
to Dave Berry & The Cruisers, Jealous Girl, The Kind, The Mighty
Houserockers, Rang–A-Tang, Jean Vincent, The Bushbury's, Parker's
Alibi, Memphis In The Meantime, Steve 'Big Man' Clayton, Mojo Buford,
Big George Brock, Buzzin' Hornets, Mumbo-Jumbo, The Jaguars, Ian
Parker Band and many more. Chris has also had success as a songwriter
and producer, both in the US and the UK, but not enough to be able to
retire, so...........
“If Rhythm and Blues played by experienced musicians with an obvious
deep love of the genre is your thing, then an evening with Vee-Jay King
and his Dukes won’t disappoint” Clive Montellier, Now Dig This
magazine June 2025
West Coast R&B, Swamp Blues
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Lenny James & the Gator Squad .... Sadly no longer together, but hopefully in the future these brill musicians might start up new projects ..will keep you informed !
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FISHEADS sadly are no long together, but Simon & Sean are now an aucoustic duo called Riddle of Sands
Ade Garlick from Studley has left to join the punk band Shameful Ca$hing .
Adrian Grogan- Grog.... is from B'ham- now moved to Scotland
Simon Peace was born in Sheffield but has lived in Redditch about 30 years
Sean Burke originally lived in REDDITCH - now moved to Dorridge.
Rhythm, blues, rock, folk, fusion. A trio from the Midlands of the UK, enjoying creating and performing the bluesiest, rockiest music !
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Simon is from REDDITCH
John from Droitwich
Rob from Evesham
Dave from Stourport
This band is a guitar driven classic Rock & Blues band from Worcestershire.... Songs range from Wishbone Ash, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Whitesnake & more !
Mister Wolf were formed in 2009, playing an eclectic mix of old and new Rock and Blues numbers. Rather than being just another covers band, Mister Wolf set out to play a lot of numbers that other bands didn't. The band often have people from the audience say "I haven't heard that one for ages" Just like the Wishbone Ash number "Blowin` Free" A classic in the band's set list.
Mister Wolf have been gaining a following through their energy and musicianship ever since their first gig.
Both guitarists Rob Bowld and lead guitarist John Rodgers provide lead vocals, followed by a tight rhythm section, Dave Wiggins on bass and Simon on drums, the backbone of the band. Mister Wolf have their own 2K PA rig and lighting. 4 guys who enjoy their Rock and Blues.
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Not so local, but too brill to miss out !
Bacchus plays rock, rock'n'roll, rhythm & blues and blues in a wide-ranging repertoire that includes many of your guitar favourites along with our own songs.
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ALL these guys are from REDDITCH.
Three-piece band playing original foot tapping, stomp boxing Acoustic blues and bluegrass.
Alan Sheward- vox, guitar, harmonica and really any other instrument.
Big Patrick-bass - shredder.
Marian Johan Havrila - cajon, stomp box, percussions.
Patrick is also in the band HALUSKY ...under the Metal genre
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These guys are from Alcester, Wooton Wawen and Offenham.
Terry : Drums
Phil : Bass / Vocals
Bernie : Guitar/vocals Performing Boogie/Blues/Rock'n'roll covers and originals.
Think Dr Feelgood, The Pirates, Cream, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Robben Ford, Jimi Hendrix, SRV, The Rolling Stones, Chuck Berry, Omar & the Howlers, Taj Mahal, JJ Cale, and more.
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Jon Earp.......guitar / vocals was born in REDDITCH ....the band is based in B'ham.
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John Lynam ...guitar/vocals is from REDDITCH
British top 40 decca signed recording artist rock and blues band
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Redditch family's unique 3 Piece Rock and Blues band using homemade instruments made from recycled materials !
Clem Dalaway
Conor Dalaway
Sam Dalaway