Prehistory involved fronting vocals to two blues bands and working a blues duo with guitarman Gareth Hedges in and around London. Venues included Eel Pie Island, Les Cousins and Bungies. During a three month stay in USA, I learnt to play guitar courtesy of Steve Millar Band bass man Lonnie Turner. On return to UK, played host to the legendary Blind Gary Davis and learnt some more guitar. Re-emerged in the early 70's in East Sussex playing solo gigs locally, in Wittersham and Stone on the Isle of Oxney, Rye, Hastings, Ashford and Maidstone.
In the 70's and 80's the name of the band changed almost as often as the line up, which included at different times (and occasionally all at once) piano, saxes, tuba, sousaphone, flute, fiddle and assorted percussion.
In 1979, my brother Jem joined me on harmonica, and the Turpin Brothers blues band was born. Jack Peach, a well-known session drummer, played with us at several early gigs and soon became a permanent member of the band. Derek Heffernan on electric lead guitar joined the band in 1980 to complete the regular line-up.
The venues expanded to include festivals and Universities. We featured several times at The Black Horse Festival, Telham and at Canterbury University. The Turpin Brothers blues band played regular gigs in pubs and clubs and private functions in London, Brighton and around the South-East until late 1997.
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