Ash "Doc" Savage
Guitarist
Are you local?
No, I'm from Yorkshire.
Where are you from, originally?
YORKSHIRE!
What's your tipple?
Jack Daniels.
What was the first record you ever bought with your own money?
An album of TV Themes.
...and do you still have it?
Somewhere.
Any hobbies/interests?
Public Law, Coffee, Sharks - and The Blues.
Do you remember the very first gig you went to? What was it like?
Timmy Mallet, live in Halifax!
Worst job you've ever had?
Working at Flamingo Land, selling ice-creams and burgers.
What's your claim to fame (not necessarily musical)?
I once appeared on the front page of the Guernsey Evening Press!
Been playing/performing long?
No long enough...
Been in any bands?
Three, so far:
- A New Metal band at the age of 16
- The Gravel Shifters (Blues band)
- Hatman Funk (Blues / Rock / Funk)
What first got you interested in the Blues?
Stevie Ray Vaughan really got me into it, then I started to do my research....
What other types of music do you like to listen to/play?
All sorts. Acoustic, Fusion, Folk.
Favourite Blues artists?
- Fenton Robinson
- Leslie West
- Jimmy Johnson
- Peter Green
- Walter Trout
- Otis Rush
- Albert King
- Freddie King
- Albert "The Iceman" Collins
- Magic Sam
Favourite artists (any other genre) ?
Jan Akkerman, Robin Trower, The Isley Brothers, Foreigner, Hendrix.
Ever been lucky enough to meet or share a stage with one of your musical heroes?
I met Jan Akkerman - nobody comes close.
Favourite instruments and/or equipment?
My 1972 Gibson Les Paul Recording / Fender Blues Junior / Roland JC-55 / Old Sharma "Leslie" cabinet.
If you had to sum up your relationship with the Blues using just one word, what would it be?
E7#9
Who would you pick (past or present) for your dream band?
Jan Akkerman
Most embarrassing moment?
My first ever gig - a battle of the bands at my sixth form college. It was all going well until our singer bottled it at the last minute. We had to act fast, and as none of us could sing I suggested we play the Peter Gunn Theme. Sadly this became lost in translation and the other guitarist in the band set off playing Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses! How it happened I don't know, but it still haunts me to this day.
On the plus side we did win a £5 voucher for a local garden centre...
Proudest moment!
Being called to the Bar (Grays Inn).
What do you most enjoy about the Blues Jam?
Friendliest place in the area! Great to be with people who "get it" and respect the players and the genre.
If you could travel back in time to be present at one moment/event in musical history, what would it be?
Woodstock.
Who would they cast to play you in the movie of your life?
Clint Eastwood.
Marmite: - Yes or No?
NO!
If you were invited on "Desert Island Discs", which 8 records would you choose?
- 1. Answers Questions - Focus
- 2. You Don't Know What Love Is - Fenton Robinson
- 3. I Can't Hold Out - Fleetwood Mac
- 4. Stormy Monday Blues - Allman Brothers
- 5. Personal Manager - Albert King
- 6. Serve You Right To Suffer - John Lee Hooker
- 7. Hold On, I'm Coming - Sam & Dave
- 8. Reconsider, Baby - The Freddie King version complete with stinging guitar lines. He didn't mess about and he definitely took that song to the next level.
...and what would be your luxury item?
A Jaguar.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Be yourself and go for it.
