Music Matters: Elkie Brooks – the Queen of British blues

Older readers may recall a band from the early 1970s called Vinegar Joe - it featured the vocal talents of Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks. When the band split up in 1974 after releasing three albums, Elkie Brooks embarked on a successful solo career and had a string of hits in the 1970s and 1980s.

Elkie is still touring today in her 81st year and has just announced a special one-off show at London’s Royal Albert Hall – 50 years on from first selling out this prestigious London venue. The gig is on Tuesday, 11 May 2027.

Closer to us in the south, she has also announced additional dates as part of her ‘Long Farewell Tour’ for next year including gigs in Reading, Guildford and Eastbourne.

Her voice is unmistakable and the passion still remains after decades in the music business. Her hits ‘Pearl’s A Singer’, ‘Fool (If You Think Its Over)’, No More The Fool’ and ‘Sunshine After The Rain’ remain classic and timeless.

An album featuring recordings from her current tour is due to be released inside the next few months. For more information head to elkiebrooks.com to stay up to date with the singer/songwriter who rightly deserves the title of ‘The Queen of British Blues’.

My musical gem: Burt Bacharach was an American composer, songwriter, producer and pianist who is considered to be one of the most important and influential figures of 20th century popular music. Along with his friend Hal David, they are responsible for hundreds of songs that were big hits in the 1960s and 1970s including ‘Walk On By’, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’. ‘The Look Of Love’ and countless others. ‘Burt Bacharach: His life story in music and theatre’ will be onstage at the Chichester’s Minerva Theatre on 25 and 26 November.

Thank you if you have started tuning into Nation Easy Radio over the last few months. The latest audience figures show record listening - and it is clear that our playlist of ‘Relaxing Favourites’ is hitting all the right notes across the south!

Listen to Duncan Barkes on Nation Easy Radio, Monday to Friday nights from 10pm. Nation Easy Radio can be heard on DAB digital radio, via the Nation Player app and on your smart speaker – just say “Play Nation Easy Radio.”