Barry Middleton (BM) Interview with Tony “TS” McPhee (Tony) - June 2010

BM: What were your first experiences of the Blues?

Tony: My brother, Sam, heard about Thursday evenings at the Marquee Club
 which was in Oxford Street on the opposite side from the 100 Club where Cyril Davies & the All Stars (Carlo  Little on drums, Nicky Hopkins on Pianet [electric piano made by Hohner] Bernie Watson on Guitar [had to thump his AC30 Amp to stop it crackling!]  and Ricky Fenson on Bass) along with Long John Baldry and 3 black girls, the Velvettes totally turned me onto Blues  & R&B ( not the modern definition!!) 

BM: Who were the influences on your musical career?

Tony: For Blues Muddy Waters,Howling Wolf [Hubert Sumlin, his Guitarist],Son House Robert Johnson, Skip James and especially John Lee Hooker for The Groundhogs Jimi Hendrix & John Lee Hooker!!
 
BM: Does singing the Blues come from experience?

Tony: Yes, the experience of watching them play!

BM: What was the first gig that you played and who with?

Tony: My school band the Seneschals who was Dave Wetton on Bass, John Wild on Rhythm guitar & 'Cakey' Weekes on Drums played all instrumental numbers at a

wedding for someone who saw Dave with his bass on a 49 bus and asked him if we'd play for the princely sum of £3 ( This WAS 1959!)
But my first Blues gig was with JoAnne Kelly playing at Bunjies Coffee House for Nowt!! 

BM: Do you think that Blues needs to evolve to stay relevant?

Tony: It doesn't need to be 'topical' and it survives without any radical changes, so be it!