Band Introduction

After thirty-five years of almost continuous gigging and recording, the Climax Blues Band remains one of the most consistently entertaining of all the outfits to emerge from the British blues boom of the late sixties.

Founded, and still led, by singer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Cooper, the band has survived early personnel changes, and the vagaries of fashion in the popular music business, largely because despite the occasional highly successful foray into the charts, the most successful being the classic world-wide hit "Couldn't Get It Right", sung and co-written by Colin, the band has always kept an eye firmly on its roots, namely blues and jazz.

For the past eighteen years or so the band has had a more stable line-up, considered by many to be its best ever, and besides making records has concentrated its efforts in Europe, with numerous festival and club dates, including a one hour TV special on WDR's Rockpalast, sellout shows at Birmingham's late-lamented Ronnie Scott's club, and a twenty-five date German tour with the Godfather of British Blues, John Mayall.

The current live show spans material from the entire thirty-five years of the band's existance, and their place in blues history is marked by a detailed entry in the "Guinness Who's Who Of The Blues". It should be noted that the "Virgin Encyclopaedia of Popular Music" rated the live CD, "Blues From The Attic", recorded by the current line-up, as superior to any of the previous albums apart from the second, "Plays On", which equalled it.

The band goes into 2003 with the brand-new studio album, "Big Blues", on its own newly-formed Houndog Records label, and some tracks have already been laid down for another new studio CD, with release planned for the end of the year. In the meantime they have two tours in Europe planned, and a number of one-off dates in the UK.

What the critics say...

"Marvellous... not just living off former glories, but one of the most convincing blues outfits around, well worth going to see." - Paul Jones, BBC Radio 2's The Blues Programme.

"Not since Paul Butterfield has there been a modern group that could interpret the blues with the purity of style that marks the Climax Blues Band." - Review, Miami Herald.

"... when it comes to singing the blues, either straight or within Climax's oft commercial mould, Cooper stands out as a giant." - Pete Feenstra, Real Music Magazine.

"Colin Cooper's blues men turn in a wide ranging set of styles, taking in blues, soul and jazz... richly talented... on this showing the band shows no sign of stepping down. Long may they entertain us." - Review from Ronnie Scott's, Paul Cole, Birmingham Post.

"They... have continued as one of the U.K.'s premier blues bands." - The Virgin Encyclopaedia Of The Blues '98.

"...Appearing this early on in the day probably didn't do the band justice. Their brand of jazzy blues is probably best appreciated after dark, but you couldn't knock the quality of their performance. The level of musicianship told you that these guys had been playing together for a very long time and it was nice just to lie on the grass and chill to the sounds of some excellent blues standards. A cracking version of "Little Red Rooster" stood out as did the hit single "Couldn't Get It Right". Well worth checking them out if they are playing in your area." - from Custom Bike Rock and Blues Festival, near Derby, UK.

What the fans say...

"...Just a line to say great things are still cruisin' well. Like the website. Waiting for your next UK gigs. Remember the noisy crowd on the front right table of the Crown & Anchor around 68-70?, well, I was one of them, thumping pint pots and all and, as I remember, we had a lot of fine Sunday blues sessions prior to your moving to the George Hotel, where we also followed! Long live 'Train'. Best of continued luck." - John Holroyd

"...I have really enjoyed your music over the years. I discovered your website today doing a search for Little Walter. Great story, I mean its so frustrating trying to find info on my favourite. As a blues harmonica player his music I never tire of. Thanks so much for sharing this as you have no idea how much I appreciate this." - Eric

"...Just dropped by the website. Excellent to see that the band are still recording and gigging. I guess I last saw you in the mid 70s. Seem to recall a gig in London when Lynyrd Skynyrd came on stage. Excellent times. Will revisit site and try and catch you sometime in 2002. Thanks for the music." - David Hannam

"...Hey Blueser's, it was a great Nite with you, best wishes and hope we see us again!." - Albert Klein

"...Thanks for a great night out at the recent rock and blues festival in butlins.It's been a while since I've seen you but I promise it will not be as long till next time. Maybe next year,same time same place. Love and peace." - Ian Salisbury

What other musicians say...

"...I must say again how much we enjoyed hearing you guys play. Great stuff." - Keith Thompson (Strange Brew)