In the deep north east of England, there is a band that I have followed for over 50 years, the "Ray Stubbs R & B Allstars".
Ray started singing and playing piano / guitar and harmonica aged 16, became a founder member of acoustic blues trio
PIG-MEAT' with Jim Murray and Sammy Johnson and during that period developed his AMAZING ONE MAN BLUES
BAND and later The RAY STUBBS R&B ALL STARS.
Ray talks West Hartlepool, sings Alabama.
You will notice the name Sammy Johnson. He acted in ' Auf Wiedersehen Pet' and 'Spender', with Jimmy Nale. Sammy and I both come from Gateshead, the town where Joseph Swan, the inventor of the electric lightbulb and Paul Gascogne were born.
After his death at 49, the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund was set up and is still well supported by Geordies and their neighbours.