Brunning's BB's Blues Club

[michelej1]

From This is Local London, October 21, 2005

HEADLINE: Bob’s still singing the blues

BYLINE: David Tilley

BODY:
Every day I have the blues" sang BB King and thanks to one of his biggest admirers blues fans in Colliers Wood can get their fix too.

BB's Blues Club one of the area's best kept secrets was started by Bob Brunning himself a man of good musical pedigree having been a founder member of Fleetwood Mac 38 years ago.

The club started at the King's Head in Colliers Wood High Street before moving to current location GJs where it has been for the last three years.

"BB is the best by far says Bob, an enthusiasm for the great man that got him as far as a personal invite and audience with King at the opening of his club in New York.

Sharing Bob's love of blues are the BB's regulars who turn out for a rollicking evening of live music every Sunday.

However, the club is now to undergo a change of direction and run a series of acoustic nights.

A misunderstanding over a booking led to a singer showing up at the club minus his band but the resulting acoustic show was electrifying even without amps.

It's going to be a bit of an experiment but I hope people will keep supporting us said Bob.

He also took into account the recent success of the acoustic session which was a highlight of this year's Abbeyfest, which he helps organise.

In fact, Bob's band and local favourites the De Luxe Blues Band, chose to play their final gig there at the 2004 festival.

I'm known for my hatred of rehearsals but we made seven albums and I really wanted to put all the time and energy into the band but I couldn't really explains Bob.

We had a lovely send-off at the festival though.

"Lots of people came and we invited old members of the band."

Bob has also been busy delving into the treasured history of another club sifting through the stuff of legends to compile a book on London's famous 100 Club.

The club kept diaries going back to the 50s which he is using as a source of research along with old copies of Melody Maker.

BB's Blues Club features the best British and American blues bands around and can be found between 8.30pm and 10.30pm every Sunday at GJs 62 High Street Colliers Wood.