Plant still full of surprises

Everyone knows what makes a great birthday: Getting the present you want most but hardly dare hope for, a few others just as enjoyable, and a big surprise to complete the day.

Roy Williams got all three at JB's, Dudley, last night at a sold-out charity concert starring Robert Plant and The Honeydrippers, The Big Town Playboys, and - the big surprise - three numbers by guitar supremo Jeff Beck.

Even Roy, who is Robert's sound mixer, was kept in the dark about Beck's appearance until the last minute.

It all began some time ago when Robert asked Roy what he was doing for his 60th birthday. Roy, a founder member of JBs, said he would hold it at the club, and Robert said he'd get The Honeydrippers together and make it a charity concert. The evening started with the charismatic Mike Sanchez leading The Big Town Playboys through a storming set of swing, blues and early rock and roll.

Two additional treats were appearances by founder members Andy Silvester, who first hit fame with Chicken Shack, and Richard Rogers, known to one and all as Ricky Cool.

Richard took the stage again as MC, and after dedicating the evening to the memory of former JBs soundman Richard Willis, who died last week, he announced that there would be some music from a three-piece.

Back came Playboys bassist Dave Jennings and drummer Clive Deamer, then on to the stage stepped the unmistakable figure of Jeff Beck to play three searing numbers which drew a huge roar from the crowd. It was a short masterclass in the art of guitar playing, Beck showing a huge range in tone, and mood, with seemingly effortless control. Happy birthday, Roy.

Then came Robert Plant, a champion of JBs over many years, with his long-time musical mates from around Stourbridge and Kidderminster - Andy Silvester and Robbie Blunt on guitars, bassist Wayne Terry and drummer Steve Atkins - plus a Wolverhampton contingent in keyboard player Mark Stanway and vocalists Mo Birch and Nadia Pearson.

There followed a leisurely lesson in soul, rock and blues. The climax, a belting version of Daddy Rolling Stone, had the crowd roaring for an encore.

Report by John Ogden

Pictures by Pat Mulvaney