Climax Blues Band

The Climax Blues Band (originally The Climax Chicago Blues Band) was formed in late 1968 in Stafford, England.

The original members were multi-talented and forever be-shaded vocalist/saxophonist Colin Cooper, guitarists Derek Holt and Peter Haycock, keyboardist Arthur Wood, bassist Richard Jones and drummer George Newsome.

CCBB were hard working and became particularly popular in the United States.

In 1970, the band shortened its name to The Climax Blues Band after the US group Chicago objected.

The band has released eighteen albums and had a Top 10 hit in 1976 in the UK with Couldn’t Get It Right, which also reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US – and, when they toured in 1978, Dire Straits was their support act.

Although the band’s line-up altered radically over the years, Cooper remained a constant presence, and the group was still active when he died in July 2008.

Their two Parlophone releases are much sought-after today, especially their self-titled debut album (1968). Pete Haycock died in 2013.

Colin Cooper  
Vocals, harmonica, saxophone
Derek Holt  
Guitar, organ, bass
Peter Haycock  
Guitar, vocals
Arthur Wood  
Keyboards
Richard Jones  
Keyboards
George Newsome  
Drums
John Cuffley
Drums

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