SF0210 Slide Guitar Special with Dave Kelly

Something a little off our usual beat this episode.

When the British Blues Boom exploded in the late 60s it brought to fame such now legendary names as Eric Clapton, Peter Green and John Mayall. But there were many other fine musicians creating great music and establishing their own careers in bands and on record. One of the most important performers was Dave Kelly, a young, multi-talented London-born slide guitarist, singer, composer and bandleader. Dave first came to fame with the John Dummer Blues Band, then Tramp and went on play with Paul Jones and Tom McGuinness in the highly successful Blues Band, while leading a parallel life with his own outfit the Dave Kelly Band. Together with his sister, Jo Ann Kelly, he’d quickly become known as an exemplary exponent of the slide guitar and gifted blues vocalist style, influenced by his American blues idols such as his friend and touring partner Howlin’ Wolf.

Dave has performed in many different styles of blues, rock and soul. He’s jammed with Muddy Waters, became a friend to Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker, who both felt the benefit of Dave’s playing in their touring bands. Add to that Buddy Guy, James Burton, Lowell Fulsom, Freddie King, Son House, The Allman Brothers and plenty more. The Blues Band farewelled in 2022, but Dave still gigs regularly with Paul Jones and with his own band, that also features his sons Sam on Drums and Homer on bass.

Brokered through mutual friend Tony Bishop and Dave’s partner Gilly, I got together with Dave when he arrived for some dates in Melbourne and Sydney. He was terrific company and full of some rollicking anecdotes from his musical life, which stretches back to meeting Brian Jones and Alexis Korner back in Swinging Sixties London.

Hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed meeting Dave: