25/04/2026
On Thursday May 7th The Bullfrog Blues Club are proud to present a solo appearance from DAVE KELLY, one of the finest and most experienced British blues guitarists around!
Dave started playing guitar in 1957 during the early days of rock 'n' roll and skiffle, and started fingerpicking during the American folk music boom of the early 60's. Around this time Dave and his sister -the late great Jo Ann Kelly - discovered a specialist south London record shop where they met Bob Hall and Tony "T.S" McPhee. Tony showed Dave how to tune to an open chord to play slide/bottleneck, which he claims changed his life!
Dave went to New York in 1966, where he managed to get a gig playing slide/bottleneck guitar at the legendary Gerde's Folk City. Dave had such a great response he decided - at 19 years of age - to become a professional musician. He came home, and concentrating initially on the U.K folk club scene he soon managed to get gigs and started developing his career.
Dave joined the John Dummer Blues Band around 1968, in time to appear on their eponymous second album. The line up also included Bob Hall and Jo Ann Kelly. Tony McPhee joined shortly after - appearing on the "Cabal" album - but left shortly after to re-form The Groundhogs.
During the late sixties and early seventies, Dave, Jo Ann and Bob Hall were also in Tramp, who also included Mick Fleetwood and Danny Kirwan. The band played intermittently whilst involved in other projects, and released two albums, "Tramp" in 1969 and "Put A Record On" in 1974.
In 1979 ex Manfred Mann front man Paul Jones formed The Blues Band, together with Dave Kelly, Tom McGuiness, Gary Fletcher and Hughie Flint. Dave's still a lynchpin of the band forty seven years later.
During a long and illustrious career Dave has played and toured with many of the great legendary blues men- Son House, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Ho**er, Freddie King, Buddy Guy, Lowell Fulson, Junior Wells to name but a few. He was also the opening act for two months on Dire Straits last European tour.
Dave Kelly has an impeccable pedigree and has been playing guitar for nearly 70 years! This will be a night to remember.
Advance tickets are just £12 online and available NOW via Paypal https://barkingspider.abelgratis.com/tickets/Tickets also available at the same price (cash only) from Street Level Music, Albert Rd., Southsea.subject to availability. tickets on sale (cash only) at the venue - The Dockyard Club, Onslow Rd., Southsea PO52NH. Doors open at 8 p.m, although you're welcome to come early and have a drink at the club's well stocked bar.
The Bullfrog Blues Club are now in our 26th year, and presenting top class gigs on the first Thursday of every month. https://youtu.be/q6g6bETjTlM?list=RDq6g6bETjTlM
2 likes, 1 comment. "Dave Kelly plays My Old Friend The Blues"
