This page gives a brief run down on the current members of the band. Details of the various former members can be found on the history page.
 | Full Name : | Colin Francis Richard Cooper | | Date of Birth : | 7th October, 1939 | | Place of Birth : | Stafford, England | | Plays : | Vocals, reeds, harp, flute and guitars. | | Influences : | Wide ranging - New Orleans clarinettist Johnny Dodds, alto sax men Earl Bostic and Johnny Hodges, tenorist Ben Webster, and bluesmen Big Bill Broonzy, Muddy Waters and Junior Wells. | Started on harmonica aged twelve, switched to clarinet at sixteen, and began playing guitar around the same time. A couple of years later began playing saxophone, which subsequently became main instrument. Played in various school and college bands, before forming the CLIMAX JAZZ BAND in 1963. First recorded on vocals and sax for Decca with THE HIPSTER IMAGE in 1965, the single "Can't Let Her Go" b/w "Make Her Mine". In 1999, the B-side was used in a Levi's ad in the far East, and subsequently became a big hit in Japan, nearly thirty-five years later! Formed CLIMAX BLUES BAND in 1967, and is probably best known as the distinctive voice on CLIMAX's huge hit single "COULDN'T GET IT RIGHT". Married to Carol since 1966, grown up children Abigail and Ben, grandaughter Lily. Equipment: Selmer Mk 6 tenor and alto saxes, with Berg-Larsen metal mouthpieces. Yanagasawa soprano sax with ebonite Selmer mouthpiece. Lee Oskar harmonicas. Fender American Tele-plus electric, Washburn J-200 acoustic and Dobro 3000 resonator. Custom-built rack by Bullet Sound, with Mackie 1202 mixer, Alesis Midiverb 3, Boss RV-1000, BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer and vintage Pro-Audio Stereo graphic equaliser. Sennheiser MD421 sax mic, and Shure Green Bullet through a Barcus-Berry standard preamp for Harp. Two Carlsbro 60w powered monitor wedges. |
 | Full Name : | Lester Hunt | | Date of Birth : | 21st February, 1956 | | Place of Birth : | Stretford, Manchester, England | | Plays : | Guitar, bass-guitar, keyboards and vocals. | | Influences : | Was inspired to play as a child, after hearing Django Rheinhart with Stephan Grappelli. Major favourites include Peter Green, Jeff Beck, Paul Kossoff and B.B. King. | "THE LEGENDARY LESTER" Started playing guitar aged eight, and played violin with the Staffordshire Youth Orghestra. Formed own band HUNTER in the late 70's, and played on first three albums by Demon. A prolific songwriter in his own right, Lester was a finalist in the 1982 Yamaha World Popular Song Festival, staged at the Budokan. He joined CLIMAX in 1985, after playing on the "Drastic Steps" album, and has since provided many memorable moments, both live and on record. Married to Sue, has son, Christian. Equipment: Black Gibson 347 semi-acoustic, Black Fender Telecaster, Yamaha AX7 acoustic, Roland GP 100 Pre-amp, Korg rack mount Tuner, Marshall 80 80 power amplifier, Marshall stereo speaker system. |
 | Full Name : | George Glover | | Date of Birth : | 28th October, 1947 | | Place of Birth : | Stoke-on-Trent, England | | Plays : | Keyboards and backing vocals. | | Influences : | Lennon/McCartney, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Smith and Leonard Cohen. | Started off on guitar in around 1960, but switched to keyboards around 1965. Became professional in 1967, and lived in Hamburg during the late 60's and early 70's, playing in the Starclub and the Top Ten Club among many others. Returned to England in '74 and became involved in session work for Pye Records. Played on David Parton's hit version of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely", and after a short stint on the road with Parton, joined CLIMAX in 1980. Second longest-ever serving member of the band (after Colin), now in twenty-fourth year! Equipment: Korg SG1D, Korg 01 W FD, Rack containing Korg EX8000 module and Korg X-5 DR Module, 2 x Marshall 150w keyboard combo's. |
 | Full Name : | Neil Simpson | | Date of Birth : | 6th January, 1959 | | Place of Birth : | Stoke-on-Trent, England | | Plays : | Bass-guitar, seven-string bass-guitar and midi bass-synthesizer. | | Influences : | (post McCartney) Jack Bruce, John Entwhistle, Stanley Clarke and Jaco Pastorius. | Neil began playing at the age of twelve, influenced by the Beatles and Paul McCartney. By the 80's he was a member of Birmingham-based fusion band 747, whose members included saxman Snake Davies. Was a member of the Ruby Turner band in the nineties, and first played with CLIMAX in 1991. Following the band's German Tour with John Mayall in 1999, Neil became an honorary Bluesbreaker the following year, doing John's British tour with Peter Green. Equipment: Warwick Thumb 6 string through-neck bass (customised with Schack circuit and twin Bartolini soap bar pick ups). Warwick Thumb 5 string through-neck bass (customised with 3 triple coil Bartolini pick ups and Schack circuit, and Simms LEDs). GB 5 string bass (with Simms LEDs and sound to light unit!). EBS HD650 bass head. Furman mains conditioner. BOSS SE70 multi-effects unit. KORG rack tuner. 4 x SWR Goliath Junior III 2 x 10 cabs. |
 | Full Name : | Roy Adams | | Date of Birth : | 17th May, 1952 | | Place of Birth : | Birmingham, England | | Plays : | Drums and backing vocals. | | Influences : | Mitch Mitchell, Buddy Rich, Tony Williams, Jeff Porcaro, Vinny Coliutta and Steve Gadd. | Roy began playing drums at the age of sixteen, and rapidly became one of the Midlands most in-demand drummers, playing and recording with Steve Gibbons, Roy Wood and Ruby Turner among others. Joined CLIMAX in 1985. Has daughter, Sally. Equipment: DW kit with 22" Bass Drum, 10", 12" and 14" toms, 14"x5" Yamaha Custom Maple Snare, Yamaha Brass Piccolo Snare, Yamaha Dave Weckel Signature Snare, Cymbals, all Sabian, 22" Medium Ride HH, 16" Crash HH, 18" Crash HH, 10" Splash AA, 16" China Type HH, 13" Hats HH, 14" Hats AA, DW and Yamaha "Accelerator" Double bass-drum pedal, Other Kit Yamaha Maple Custom with 18" bass-drum, 12' and 14" toms. |
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