Meet the Lads
Lee "The Fixer" Hedley - Frontman and Harmonica and Slide Guitar - Originally taken under the wing of family friend and Irish Soul / Blues Legend, the late Sam Mahood, Lee has been fronting and blowing blues-harmonica for various Rock and Blues outfits since 1991. Lee has played on the same stage and supported an endless list of stars from various genres on his way up the long and seamingly never ending 'showbiz' ladder. These include some other homegrown, but household pop names such as The Corrs and Westlife; Irish Soul Band The Commitments and Dublin's very own Blues Harmonica maestro Don Baker, whom Bono from U2 has been quoted as being "...the best blues harmonica player in the world". Lee has enjoyed numerous TV appearances and has even recorded a live session on the Paul Jones Blues Show for BBC Radio 2. Lee's 'Blues for Concern' album in 2000 caught the attention of Old Grey Whistle Test presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris, who immediately handed it to Ex- Manfred Man frontman Paul Jones, who in turn set up the session with Lee's band (formerly called Beale Street Boogie Band). But even with all of the above, the highlight for the Lee Hedley Band was most definitely the Irish Tour with Ex-Muddy Waters Chicago Blues guitarist, John Primer. "John is a gentleman off-stage but an hardnened taskmaster and teacher on-stage. I learned more from John in one week than I learned in the past 15 years. We will NEVER play the same way again. I can't explain it unless you have experienced it but I feel John Primer "unlocked" another level from inside us that we are able to share with every audience in each of our shows from here on in." Thanks John.....Lee.
(above: Bobby with John Primer outside the Exchange Restaurant, Derry City) Bobby "Desperate Dan" Dyer - Drums and Percussion Bands & History I started drumming around 1970 continuing through to around 1977. I played with quite a number of Belfast musicians supporting touring acts such as: Rory Gallagher, Horslips and Ian Dury along the way In early 1978 I left Belfast working my way across Europe for a number of years. I returned in 1983 and occasionally played with some old friends. Started playing with the band last year (to cover for Lees’ younger brother Mark who was ill at the time) Well Mark recovered but decided to have a break from the music so I’m still playing with the band and enjoying it Relaxing and Recreation Enjoy- walking through the Glens of Antrim, riding my motorcycle and swimming with the fishes (scuba diving)
Musical influences and preferences Influenced by- Ginger Baker of “Cream” fame which also featured Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Enjoy- Modern Jazz, Classical, Hank Williams and also the revival in live music festivals Instruments- 1960s Gretsch kit with Paiste cymbals and I’ve an old washboard which gets hammered on occasions if we’re doing an unplugged set Really like- Sunny days – Fragrance of rose blossoms and good company Dislike- People who “flannel” (talk sh!!) and soggy tomato sandwiches .JPG)
Lou "Blu-Lou" Campbell - Guitarist - .JPG)
Aaron " Naked" Loughran - Electric and Double Bass -
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