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
With Bryan Ferry
With Donovan
With Maggie Reilly
With Robert Palmer
With Joe Cocker
With Paul Young
With B.B. King
“If you like your music bluesy, soulful and funky and played by a group of extraordinarily talented musicians get yourself down to the Half Moon for one of Kokomo’s residencies or catch them on the road. You will only regret it if you don’t.”
Replay of the live stream of the whole Kokomo show from the Half Moon, February 2019.
Thanks to Pete Lawrence for his review of the show at the Stables. “At The Stables there gig was a joyous celebration of all things soulful and funky. Absolute highlight …
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 …
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 …
