Neil Hubbard

Neil Hubbard
Neil Hubbard

NEIL HUBBARD at The Three Mariners,
Faversham, UK. June 2008.
Background information
Genres Jazz, funk
Occupations Guitarist
Instruments Guitar
Associated acts Bryan Ferry
Kokomo
Arrival
10cc
Tony O'Malley
The Grease Band
Carol Grimes
Bluesology

Neil Hubbard is a British guitarist who performed with Juicy Lucy (band), 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 wizzard 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 + 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'.

References

External links