Band will appear at Hempfest; Looking to tour nationally next year
From left are Charles Lilly, Guitar, Tony Coleman, Drums , (BB King ) Climax Blues Band founder lead singer / Guitar, Derek Holt, / Rick Knotts ("Rail"), Guitar, Mike Marinig, Sax / Keys
Photo by Patrick Robinson
Sat, 06/09/2018
The Climax Blues Band made the charts in the 70's and early 80s with hits like "I Love You" and "Couldn't Get It Right" both staples today for classic rock radio. But it has been awhile since one of the founders of the band Derek Holt has been in America to play them. Now he's here and getting ready to perform those songs and many more from the 18 album repertoire the band amassed. They performed during a showcase at TommySound in White Center on June 8.
The band formed in England in 1967 and became very popular in the UK performing for large crowds and the band's reputation grew.
Holt wrote "I Love You," one of the Climax Blues Band's biggest hits. It is included on the Climax Blues Band double album, 25 Years 1968–1993, released by the German label Repertoire in 1993. "I Love You" still gets over 20,000 radio plays a year in the US and was used in Finn Taylor's 2002 film Cherish and in Kevin Smith's 2008 film Zach and Miri make a Porno. Holt released six solo albums: I Love You, After the Climax, Sunflowers, Hear and Now, Paradise Lost and Full Circle.
"Couldn't Get It Right" was covered by the Fun Lovin' Criminals on their album Mimosa.
When a contractural and artistic dispute arose in 1983, Holt left the band. He rejoined in 1985 and toured. The new lineup for Holt, now finally able to tour in America includes some very solid musicians. Charles Lilly, Guitar, Tony Coleman, Drums , (who spent 13 years with BB King) Rick Knotts ("Rail"), Guitar, and Mike Marinig, Sax / Keys.
Holt explained, "We had a hit record in 'I Love You' and the band fell apart. That was a real shame. So we all went our separate ways and I carried on playing, just because I love playing. It's in my heart and I always thought I'd just love to go back to America and carry on, in a way, where I left off 30 years on. I've been given the opportunity to come back and what's so fantastic for me having written some of the songs is that people still remember it. So for me I can come back and sing again. It's amazing."
Holt says he is still writing songs, "I tend to write for myself. I haven't got a record company. I think when you're a creative person it's like when you paint a picture. You start with nothing and by the end of the day you've probably got a picture. That's what songwriting is for me."
We are using this to rehearse and I'm coming back in August to do some festivals like Hempfest and festival in Montana and another a bit later. We are trying to attract an agency and book a nationwide tour next year.
During the showcase the band was tight and sounded like they had been playing together for years. Propelled by Tony Coleman's drums and the very solid backing of Charles Lilly's guitar Holt played some remarkable blues guitar as did Rick Knotts. Mike Marinig stood out on saxophone as well. Climax Blues Band will be out there in the next few months and are worth taking the time to see. They bring back the sound of great music from those decades with passion and professionalism.
Opening for the band was Seattle guitarist Reji Marc who delivered a very heartfelt solo set. He's a musician to pay attention to.
Please note: you are promoting a bogus version of the Climax Blues Band who have no right to use the name - I suggest you contact them and ask what success they have had in registering the name, the answer will be 'not' because there already is one. The Climax Blues Band have been working continually since Derek Holt left the band in 1982 and are releasing a new album this year and touring UK and Europe. I repeat, this is not the Climax Blues Band.
Yes, Derek Holt left the band in 1982. And now he is the only founding member of CBB touring. The CBB in the UK is a tribute band. However, if you want to see Climax Blues Band with an original founding member, this band you see here is the genuine article. I went to this show in Seattle and it was bloody brilliant. Climax Blues Band is back! And with an original founding member! "I suggest you" do your homework and have a nice day!
As someone who worked closely with Colin, Alyn, George, Les (Anvil), Roy and others in and around the band the 80s, I can tell you that the UK band is and always was, the real deal! It's quite insulting to Colin's memory to even suggest calling them a tribute band.
Yes it has 1 original founder, but none of the other members have ever been in CBB
He is original because the true founder Colin Cooper passed away so impossible for him to continue!
The other members have been with the band in the UK and still the original CBB for over 30 years for some of them and more importantly all continued the band because that is what Colin wanted.
Hope you in the USA enjoy the real tribute band folks
I know derek personally and as a fan of the band have had the pleasure of discussing his memories of touring, writing and recording with the climax blues band. As happens with many bands, egos got in the way of them becoming the big band they should have been and it’s clear discussing with Derek that this is one of the biggest regrets he has. What’s also clear is that despite the way derek left, the good times prior to that are ones that he speaks of very fondly and I’ve never heard him speak a bad word of Colin Cooper or Pete Haycock. The guy was involved in the writing and recording of some truly excellent music that he’s very proud of and I for one believe he’s well within his rights to perform this music live. To add- the ‘official’ climax blues band are also a group of excellent musicians and their performances are certainly worth seeing as a fan, but no one can deny the role Derek played in creating some of that music! Life’s too short for this sort of pettiness. The more the music of the climax blues band is out there, the better for everyone!
Please note: you are promoting a bogus version of the Climax Blues Band who have no right to use the name - I suggest you contact them and ask what success they have had in registering the name, the answer will be 'not' because there already is one. The Climax Blues Band have been working continually since Derek Holt left the band in 1982 and are releasing a new album this year and touring UK and Europe. I repeat, this is not the Climax Blues Band.