Dave Speight - Blues from an Old 78 - Sunday Afternoon Matinee

Dave Speight - Blues from an Old 78

Sunday Afternoon Matinee

Dave Speight is a renowned British blues musician with a career spanning over 60 years. He's known for his soulful voice and mastery of acoustic blues, drawing inspiration from legendary artists like Big Bill Broonzy, Rev Gary Davis, and Howlin' Wolf.

Some key highlights of his career include

Inductions and Accolades:

Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2017

Declared a National Treasure in 2021 by Blues in Britain

Music Career:

Started playing paid gigs in 1966, with his repertoire including blues classics and original compositions

Released several albums, including "Blues from the Aire Delta" (1982), "North Country Blues" (1997), and "Seam of the Blues" (2021)

Live Performances:

Has played at various clubs, bars, concerts, and festivals, including the Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival, and The Colne Blues Festival

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Dave Speight

I played my first paid gig in 1966 - £5 – was a good venue, Paul Simon had played it in 65 but he was paid 12 guineas.

It all started for me when I heard a Howling Wolf EP and then in 1966 I saw Rev Gary Davis. I spent 48 hours with him (he slept briefly for a couple of hours on Saturday night) he smoked all of my cigarettes!

Big Bill Broonzy was my first idol (as I could play a lot of his numbers). Repertoire is varied nowadays, but I still perform Willie Mae and 5' 7" on a regular basis after almost 60 years of professional performance.

There are various recordings Blues from the Aire Delta in 1982, North Country Blues in 1997, Blues Around Midnight in 2017, Last Chance Blues in 2019 and Seam of the Blues in 2021.

I've been playing and singing the blues for almost 60 years and with more and more feeling that I have a good reason to do so as I age and life presents its various scenarios. The fingers may have slowed . but the voice still works. At my age it's always good to be able to sing "Woke Up This Morning".

As I've got older, I've found the applause lasts a bit longer and is louder.

Have played clubs, bars, concerts, festivals - wherever there is a good atmosphere and someone in the audience appreciates the performance, but club concerts and festivals are where you will find me nowadays. Was proud be inducted (at last) in 2017 and was declared a National Treasure in 2021 by Blues in Britain.