Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy; we hope you enjoyed the book.
Volume Two ‘Shining On’ is in preparation. We will keep all of you who registered interest for Volume One updated on progress.
Click here if you have not previously registered your interest.
Thanks to Nicholas John, Editor at Blues in Britain, for publishing my article about the trail that led to the exciting discovery of two fantastic sets of photos showing the Climax Blues Band performing live. The article recounts how we were able to include in ‘Using the Power’ Peter Bitterlin’s wonderful photos from a gig in Basel, Switzerland in 1970 and also John Mansfield’s stunning sequence which he took in Seattle in 1976. You can read ‘On the Trail of British Blues History’ in Blues in Britain, Issue 233, available from http://www.bluesinbritain.org
During the research for Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History, it was my great pleasure to meet and talk to Bill Third whose wonderful photographs of the band will appear in the planned second volume, Shining On. Bill is a songwriter based in East Sussex and together with a group of talented musicians and friends he has done a wonderful thing. The story of ‘Dancing Blind’ is touching and inspiring and we urge you to watch the delightful video which tells the story of a lady who lost her sight, but learned to see differently and join in the dance. Along the way you can also support the RNIB. Do have a look at https://dancingblind.com and also read about the musicians and young people who took part in this great project.
Thanks to Pete Clack for the review in the January 2021 issue of the superb Blues in Britain magazine.
Delighted with the review by Yvette Jenkins in the Dec/Jan 2021 issue of the excellent Blues Matters! magazine. Incidentally, Yvette presents a great blues show; have a listen at https://www.mixcloud.com/YvetteYLJMedia/
This is George Newsome a man who knows his blues and the man who played drums for the Climax Chicago Blues Band and Climax Chicago. Thanks to George for his fascinating recollections of playing with the band from its formation and through its formative years. George can also be heard playing alongside fellow ‘Climax-er’ Anton Farmer on Rocket 88’s excellent new album with all proceeds going to charity.
Never throw anything out; you never know when you might need it. I owe a big thank you to Neil Kirby, former lighting and instrument tech with the band from 1975-1980. It was thanks to Neil that some amazing items were able to go into the book. Here’s Neil wearing sensible facewear and sitting on his Cajón!
This dapper gentleman is Anton Farmer, former keyboards player with the Climax Chicago Blues Band and Climax Chicago 1970-71. Anton and his band Rocket 88, in which, coincidentally, he is joined by former Climax drummer, George Newsome, have released a superb new album called The Brickbank Wood Sessions. Highly recommended! And it’s in aid of Music Against Cancer: visit Anton’s page at https://www.facebook.com/Music-Against-Cancer-610843322346511
Meantime, sincere thanks, Anton, for all your help with Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History.
Thanks to Tony Brinsley for his contributions to Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History. Tony acted as tour manager and later as manager of the band from 1973 to 1982.
Thanks to Richard Jones for his contributions to Climax Blues Band – An Illustrated History and who played bass guitar and keyboards for the Climax Chicago Blues Band between 1968-69 and keyboards 1975-77.