UK | blues, soul, funk
The Climax Blues Band was founded in 1968 by Colin Cooper, who led the band with Pete Haycock in the 1970s and 1980s with bestsellers such as FM Live and Gold Plated, as well as the hit singles "Couldn't Get It Right" and "I Love You". led to great success and recognition.
George Glover joined the band as keyboardist in 1981, Haycock left in 1984 and Lester Hunt joined the reformed Climax in 1985, Roy Adams joined in 1987 and Neil Simpson in the early 1990s. Colin Cooper led the band with a return to the type of blues the band had started with before his untimely passing in 2008. His wish was for the band to continue and the recruitment of Graham Dee and Chris 'Beebe' Aldridge was made with the aim of expanding the Climax sound again, incorporating new musical influences, evolving creatively which was the hallmark of the Climax Blues Band rather than relying on past glory.
The live album Security Alert was released in 2015 and reflected this step forward and the fact that Climax were delighting old and new fans alike across the UK and Europe. Roy Wood of ELO and Wizzard mixed the live album.
The focus is on Graham Dee, a frontman who captivates the audience and goes above and beyond. His amazing vocal range sets him apart from the crowd and he likes to walk around the audience to spread the joy.... Chris Aldridge is more laid-back and convinces with his outstanding, virtuoso saxophone playing, with which he stylishly underlines soul, jazz and blues influences.
In 2019, the album Hands of Time was released, the first studio album with original songs since Drastic Steps in 1987. Hands Of Time went straight to the top of the Amazon downloads and number 3 on the iTunes Blues charts.
In 2022, guitarist Lester Hunt announced his retirement from the band due to health reasons and Climax, without hesitation, recruited Dan Machin as guitarist. Dan had worked with Lester since he was 16, had followed Climax as a fan and had played in various other bands with Roy and Neil over time. He had already filled in for Les at gigs when Les was unable to play and it was obvious that as an accomplished and extremely talented guitarist he could fit seamlessly into the band.
The rhythm duo of Adams and Simpson, who have been playing together for 30 years, Climax veteran George Glover, who holds everything together as band leader on the keyboard, the dynamic Beebe and Graham, and the creative guitarist Dan as "new blood" have now opened a new chapter for the Climax Blues Band. They create new music, move forward, mix old with new and love making music. A brand new album with their own songs is in the works to build on the success of Hands Of Time.
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Line up:
Graham Dee: vocals
Dan Machin: guitar
Neil Simpson: bass
Roy Adams: drums
George Glover: keyboards
Chris Aldridge: saxophone