Neil Terrence Hubbard (born 24 February 1948) is a British guitarist who performed with Juicy Lucy, The Grease Band, Bluesology, Joe Cocker, Roxy Music, Kokomo, B.B. King, Kevin Rowland and Tony O'Malley; and played on the original 1970 concept album, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Hubbard was educated at King's School, Peterborough, where he was a boarder. He and another pupil were budding guitarists who built their own amplifiers using plans designed by a fellow boarder and electronics wizard named Wright. The duo would entertain their chums with renditions of songs such as Tommy Roe's "Sheila" and Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue".
Hubbard's association with Bryan Ferry began during the sessions that formed the Let's Stick Together album, where Hubbard played guitar on a re-recording of Roxy Music's "Casanova". Hubbard's guitar playing can also be heard on Roxy Music's Flesh and Blood and Avalon albums. He played with the band during the 1980 and 1982 tours. The 1982 tour can be heard on the live album Heart Still Beating (and also the live DVD The High Road). Hubbard also played in Ferry's band at Live Aid, the 1988 tour (available on the DVD, Bryan Ferry The Bete Noire Tour) and on the 1994-5 tour.
His guitar work can be heard on Ferry's Boys And Girls, Bête Noire, Taxi and Mamouna albums. The guitar solo at the end of Ferry's hit single, "Slave to Love", featured Hubbard.[1]
In May 2008, the 1970s jazz funk band Kokomo was temporarily reformed. With Hubbard were O'Malley, Mel Collins, Mark Smith, Adam Phillips, Andy Hamilton, Bernie Holland, Glen Le Fleur, Paddy McHugh, Dyan Birch, and Frank Collins. Franke Pharoah and Eddy Armani also performed.
Hubbard was interviewed about his times in the music industry by Keef Trouble at Hamish Stuart's pub at Oare, Faversham in June 2008, during playing with O'Malley. Links to the interview and the gigs are below under 'External links'.
With Eddie Harris
These two gigs were pulled together at short notice but got a good turnout nonetheless. The best news was that Jim is back, and was on top form. However, Paddie couldn’t make it, so Charlotte Churchman stood in and did a great job, and brought a number from her repertoire – Stevie Wonder’s “What’s the
A few numbers from the first of two great nights at the Half Moon, October 2016
By general agreement, these were the best gigs since the 2014 re-union – two sold-out nights with crowds in the weekend mood helped. For the record, Mel Collins was back on sax (“Bet you don’t get a reception like that with King Crimson” said Frank), and Andy Treacey from Faithless was on drums. Two ‘new old’ songs were in the set: “What You Waiting For” (AKA Turn Up the Microphone”), an obscure Norman Whitfield disco track originally recorded by Stargard (video from the night here), and the Quincy Jones number “Stuff Like That”.
Read Craig Chaligne’s review on Louder Than War (he liked it).
Thanks to Steven Cropper for these great photos. Check out the rest of his work at www.transientlife.uk
From the the first of two sold-out nights at Half Moon, 14 October 2016
Boisdale is a up-scale ‘restaurant in Canary Wharf that has live jazz, blues and soul music every day. Robert Elms hosts an occasional Friday ‘soul night’ there, often with tribute bands. But Robert is a long-term Kokomo fan, so Sue Martin managed to get Kokomo booked.
This was a very different gig than Wednesday’s Half Moon show. Everyone was seated, and hardly anyone had come specifically to see Kokomo. However, lots of people had clearly come to dance, and the tiny dance floor in front of the stage was soon full to overflowing. It was great that Kokomo is reaching a new audience.
Here are some photos from Sue Martin, Doug Dean and Alan Jackson
Another memorable evening at a sold-out Half Moon, the venue of Helena-May’s first performance with the band in August 2014. Andy Tracey of Faithless played drums as if he’s always been in the band. Mel was back from Crimson duty. Ally and Richie from Tony’s band joined in on backing vocals for a couple of numbers. All was right with the world for a couple of hours.
Thanks to Julian Crook for these videos, and especially for holding his recorder/camera steady for Naked Flame and With Everything I Feel In Me, and to Steven Cropper for the great photos.
Check out Steven’s work at http://www.transientlife.uk/
