I started off playing the clarinet, after I was inspired by listening to my dad's Benny Goodman records.

There is a big age gap between my sisters Janice and Irma and myself so I didn't know them that well when I was younger although they have been very supportive in later life.

I think a lot of modern day guitarists start off playing like Eddie van Halen, and they don't take the time to learn the basics.

... I'm not conscious of the speed ... it's not my motive ... my motive is displaying a voice through the fingerboard ... it can get to the point where I don't have control over what I am playing ... I never end the gig until I can't sing anymore

It was by listening to Goodman's band, that I began to notice the guitarist Charlie Christian, who was one of the first musicians to play solos in a big band set-up.

It will be the first time I've played live with a double bass.

I went to see John Mayall at the Marquee, with Peter Green on guitar, and that was a particularly good gig.