Albert Lee & Hogans Heroes
"WHEN THIS BAND LAYS IT DOWN, IT STAYS DOWN"*
*MUSICIAN MAGAZINE
Albert Lee, by common consent one of the world’s finest guitar-players, needs no introduction to Country Music & Rock fans. Albert fronts his own band Hogan’s Heroes, some of the best known and most respected Rock’n’Roll and Country musicians in Great Britain and beyond.
Originally formed by steel-guitarist Gerry Hogan to play at his annual festival in 1987 (hence the name!), Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes have over the last twenty two years successfully and relentlessly toured Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, not to mention Finland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Yugoslavia, plus of course Ireland and the UK.
In 2010 they successfully toured America, the highlight being when Vince Gill, Ricky Scaggs, James Burton and Bobby Cochran joined the band on stage for several numbers in Chicago.
Festivals include International Festival of Country Music at Wembley, Munich and Zurich Glastonbury Festival, BBC 1 American Festival; Montreux Jazz Festival, The Prince’s Trust Concert at Wembley on the "Night of 100 Guitars". The Yllas Jazz & Blues Festival in Lapland Mad About Guitars (music live ’99) and at The Wirral Guitar Festival. Martin Taylor's Kirkmichael International Guitar Festival. Cropredy Stroud Fringe Festival (UK) and The Nidaros Blues Festival in Trondheim, The Americana Festival, Newark, England, The Garden Blues Festival, Marseille, France, Mirande Country Festival, Mirande, France, 20th Internationales Country Music Festival, Albisguetli, Zurich, Switzerland The Colne Blues Festival and Blues on the Farm, Chichester. ‘Rock Island Line’ tribute concert to Lonnie Donegan at The Royal Albert Hall, London
The band has also made many TV and radio appearances and Albert has recently been featured on Terry Wogan’s Sunday morning radio show, Simon Mayo’s Drive Time and many more.
Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes additionally have to their credit two songs in the Richard Harris film 'Savage Hearts', which received wide acclaim at the Cannes International Film Festival. The band is renowned for attracting celebrities from the world of music to their gigs, each member of the band being well known and respected for their involvement in the music industry. Star names such as Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Don Everly, Lonnie Donegan, Chris Farlowe, Gary Brooker, Marty Wilde, Nancy Griffith, The Crickets, Rodney Crowell, James Burton, Vince Gill, Ricky Scaggs have all at one time or another jammed with the band to the sheer delight of both audience and band. Whenever and wherever they appear on stage, the pedigree of the whole group and their rare blend of talent guarantees a magical treat of timeless and powerful music.
ALBERT LEE
2009 and 2002 Grammy Award Winner
‘Cluster Pluck’ (Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner) won a Grammy on 8th February 2009 for Best Country Instrumental Performance.
'Foggy Mountain Breakdown' from the CD Earl Scruggs and Friends won a Grammy on 27th February 2002 for Best Country Instrumental Performance (Earl Scruggs, Glen Duncan, Randy Scruggs, Steve Martin, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Gary Scruggs, Albert Lee, Paul Shaffer, Jerry Douglas and Leon Russell).
Albert is undoubtedly one of the finest guitarists the world has ever seen. Voted Guitar Player Magazine’s “Best Country Guitar Picker” five times, Albert also received two consecutive nominations for a Grammy Award in the Best Instrumental category and in October 1995 received a coveted Gold Badge Award from B.A.S.C.A. (The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors).
In 1997 Albert was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by B.C.M.A. (The British Country Music Association). Albert has earned the worldwide respect of artistes, musicians and fans alike, across many different styles of music. He is truly a musician’s musician, with an impeccable pedigree achieved over many years' both touring and recording. Well respected by fellow musicians and fans alike, he never ceases to amaze with his unique style and enormous talent.
In November 2002 Albert was amongst other world class names appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in the 'Concert for George', a tribute to George Harrison. In 2007 and 2010 Albert appeared at Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival in Chicago
Albert is also an accomplished piano player and has a fine singing voice with the ability to switch from a soulful ballad to 'tearing it up' rock 'n roll style. Albert has excited audiences for many years as a member of Chris Farlowe’s Thunderbirds, Country Fever, Head Hands and Feet, Eric Clapton’s band, Emmylou Harris’s Hotband, and The Crickets. Co-writer of Country Boy and writer of many other great songs, Albert's career extends to appearing and recording with many of the finest artistes in the music industry, including Glen Campbell, Dave Edmunds, Dolly Parton, Bobby Bare, Joan Armatrading, Ricky Scaggs, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Rodney Crowell, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, The Blue Caps, Robert Wells and Earl Scruggs. Albert has also toured extensively with the Everly Brothers since their reunion concert in 1983.
Albert is a popular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, thrilling audiences with his playing and singing. He features prominently on the band's CDs and video. In great demand by other artistes, he has played on countless sessions not only in Nashville but all over the world. They supported Led Zeppelin on their recent reunion concert at The 02 Arena.
Albert has fronted his own band Hogan’s Heroes (a talented group of musicians in their own right) since the late eighties. Albert has Six solo albums to his credit and five albums with Hogan’s Heroes in addition to numerous albums with the artistes mentioned above.
GERRY HOGAN
Founder of Country Fever, a member of the 1980’s rock’n’roll band Matchbox, and the very reason for the name Hogan's Heroes (!), Gerry is universally acknowledged as the doyen of British steel players. He is also an accomplished guitarist. He was a later arrival in the Fatso line up, which included Brian Hodgson and Peter Baron; this is the band that became the basis for Hogan’s Heroes.
Gerry has worked recording, radio and TV sessions and live gigs in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA since 1960. He was a ‘resident’ back-up steel player at the Wembley International Country Music Festival for many of the first ten years and then appeared as part of various bands at the show during it’s last ten years.
Gerry is a regular performer at The International Steel Guitar Convention in St Louis; for many years he has also organised and played host at his own annual Steel Guitar Festival in Berkshire, a real gathering of the faithful that has brought to the British public the cream of players from all over the world, including Buddy Emmons, Paul Franklin and Lloyd Green. He is truly a great ambassador for his instrument and for the industry.
Gerry was a member of Emmylou Harris’s Hot Band on her 1984 European tour. He also played on the Everly Brothers' album EB84 (produced by Dave Edmunds), in addition to co-producing five tracks of a Sonny Curtis album.
Gerry is frequently featured on tours by visiting US acts, notably Heather Myles in recent months, and has over the years played recording sessions for artistes as diverse as Head Hands and Feet, Ricky Scaggs, Jimmy Nail, Tracey Ullman, Pulp, Wet Wet Wet, The Proclaimers, Mott the Hoople, Marty Stuart, Nanci Griffith, Dave Edmunds, The Woolpackers, and many more......
BRIAN HODGSON
Brian has been successfully involved in the music industry for many years as a musician, artiste, composer and producer. In his early years he toured and recorded with Billy Fury, Marty Wilde and many others. In the '70's he worked with George Harrison, Eric Idle, Neil Innes and Fatso on the acclaimed BBC TV series 'Rutland Weekend Television' which featured the first appearance of 'The Rutles'.
Brian was a member of '80's rockabilly rebels Matchbox and wrote and produced many of their records. He also co-wrote and produced 'Why Do I Always Get it Wrong' which was the runaway winner for the UK of the 1989 Song for Europe.
In 1992 Brian was elected onto the Council of BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) and in 1993 he co-wrote and produced a hit single for Manchester United - 'United We Love You' (and he doesn't care who knows it!).
Brian has written/produced for a wide variety of artistes including Shakin' Stevens, Dennis Waterman, Billy J Kramer, Johnny Halliday, Lonnie Donegan, Peter Sarstedt, Mike Berry, Sonny Curtis, Hayden Thompson, Christopher Lee, Matchbox and Kirstie McColl, including Lonnie Donegan’s last studio album 'Muleskinner Blues'. More recently he has been writing and producing for film, TV and video/DVD. Credits include 'Savage Hearts', 'Beyond Belief', 'Fauna', Vinnie Jones 'Great Balls of Fire' and the theme to Jeremy Clarkson's BBC TV series ‘Clarkson’.
He has also had the pleasure of playing with Lonnie Donegan, Marty Stuart, The Blue Caps, Buddy Emmons, The Bobby Cochran Band, Dave Edmunds and Mike Berry and the Outlaws which included 3 gigs with Sir Paul McCartney to celebrate the music of Buddy Holly.
PETER BARON
Since he started playing the drums in the early sixties Peter has played many types and styles of music.
In 1972 he became a member of Marty Wilde’s band where he first met Brian Hodgson. This band went on to become Fatso, and with the arrival of Gerry Hogan ultimately became Hogan’s Heroes. During the seventies he was also working extensively in the recording session industry playing for radio, television, on films and with bands.
He made regular appearances on BBC Children’s television during the seventies and eighties, but eventually made the decision to give this up in favour of live playing.
As a result of his varied live and studio work he has been fortunate to play with many bands, orchestras and artistes, in styles of music as diverse as Charles Aznavour, Marvin Hamlish, Spike Milligan, Neil Innes, Ray Ellington, The BBC Radio and Concert Orchestras, GenoWashington,B.A.Robertson,Leo Sayer, Dave Edmunds, Joe Brown, Sam Brown, Lulu, The Three Degrees, The Nolan Sisters, Kit Hain, Elaine Page, Salena Jones, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, The Bay City Rollers, David Allan Coe, Marty Stuart and Lonnie Donegan.
He was a member of the Elkie Brooks Band in the late seventies, leaving to join American based band Night which featured Chris Thompson, Robbie McIntosh and the late Nicky Hopkins. This was followed by a spell with English Classical Rock band Renaissance with whom he recorded two albums and toured both Europe and the USA. Both Night and Renaissance enjoyed a lot of success in the USA.
He has been a regular performer at Gerry Hogan’s annual festival of pedal steel guitar, and continues to work with many of the finest musicians from both sides of the Atlantic.
GAVIN POVEY
Gavin is rated as one of the UK's top keyboardist and vocalists. He has played with/alongside world famous industry leaders such as Dave Edmunds, Kim Wilson, Dion, Graham Parker. He played with the John Lennon Tribute Band on two televised shows in Liverpool and Tokyo – included many artists such as Joe Cocker, Al Green, Natalie Cole and ‘ Yoko Ono ‘.
In the early 80’s he toured with Jaine Aire, Kirsty MacColl, Billy Bremner and Shakin’ Stevens. Mid to late 80’s more touring with Shakin’ but also a lot of session work around London. 1988 formed band – the Good Rockin’ Daddys playing Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B. Released single – Come On And Dance in 1989
Amongst the many artistes he has performed with are Dolores Keane, John Faulkner, Dave Spilane, Finbar Fury and Don Baker.
His tours have led him across Europe, Scandinavia and the UK performing at many of the top festival venues and he recently, in 1998 formed record label – Stompin’ Records – released compilation of Irish Rock & Roll bands – The Sham Rocks.
He recorded and released an Album in 1999 entitled Come On And Dance by Gavin Povey And The Good Rockin’ Daddys
Early 2000’s, have been giging with own band – The Gumbo Brothers (with Eamon Murray on sax and Fran Byrne on drums) , The Blue Roosters ( with Ben Prevo guitar and Fran Byrne Drums) and also with rockabilly band The Runaway Boys and a bloke called Van Morrison