Once upon a time, many years before the Orkney Blues Festival started, there was an annual event called.... The Orkney Blues Festival. The seed was sown one balmy Aberdeen night in August 2000. No-one really knows who was to blame but the name 'Simmonds' has been whispered in dispatches. Following a few gallus phone calls and some judicious blackmailing of the bank manager, it was up and running
a mere six weeks later. A mouthful of teething troubles were quickly filled or extracted and over the ensuing years the monster we created managed to entice the likes of Tony 'TS' McPhee, Steve Gibbons, Dr Feelgood, Albert Lee and Peter Green across the water. We did get a few knock backs along the way, memorably Jools Holland, Southside Johnny and Robert Palmer. Anyway, the 2005 festival culminated in a sell out performance by the British Blues All Stars. Job done, we exited stage left to rapturous applause. Since then we've continued to operate but at a more sedate pace, commensurate with our advancing years. The gigs may have been fewer but the standard has been higher than ever. Some names you will know. Others you will simply never, ever forget! Pat McManus Band, Sinnerboy, Skinny Molly, The Trevor Burton Band, Elliott Morris, Nine Below Zero, Independence, Rory MacLeod, The Paul Rose Band, Estrella, Alan Nimmo (before he became King), Roy Mette, Jeff Jolly, Dave Arcari (playing his Nikon), The Charlie Morris Band, Classic Clapton, The Spikedrivers, Rev Doc & the Congregation, Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, The Hokum Hotshots, Steve Arvey, The Hangover Blues Band, Blues' n' Trouble, Independence, Lewis Hamilton, Roost, Connie Lush and many, many more. Aye, there was a right few good nights amongst that lot. But you already know that as you were there.... right?
