Detailed History of Brett Marvin & the Thunderbolts


	Detailed History of Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts


	The Formative Years


			History in the making ...


				From the outset, they were determined to perform music on their own terms and in their own way; a group of art school devoted country blues enthusiasts with a bizarre collection of rhythm and percussion instruments, resulting in a unique sound and presentation of souped up country blues.


	The combination of solid down home rhythm from John and Keith, stunning electrified nine string acoustic guitar from Graham, humour and the vaudeville touch in the true spirit of the hokum tub and with a topping of Pete and Jim laying down melody lines, the band’s heritage, was assured and was an instant success.



				During this initial period, Pete's folk and blues club was still functioning and regularly bringing in guest artists to perform. Jo Ann Kelly was invited to play and was immediately enthused by the band's totally fresh concept. As a result, she invited them to London to appear at the famous Studio 51 club in the basement, Great Newport Street, just off Shaftesbury Avenue in central London.



	Their regular appearances at Studio 51 grew so popular, that when the John Dummer Blues Band vacated their spell of residency, leaving like Jo Ann, for wider demand, they were offered the job of replacing them. They became the resident band for 4 years running a Sunday session there as a drop in spot for blues musicians.


	John can remember Pat and Vi, two lovely old dears who ran the club, commenting on the queues forming outside, saying that the last time that had happened was when the Stones had held their residency back in 1963.

	Amongst the famous visitors who dropped in were American and UK blues artists: Howlin' Wolf, Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, Fred McDowell, Dave Kelly, Juke Boy Bonner, Medicine Head, Steve Miller band, Lol Coxhill, Sam Mitchell, Bottleneck Bill, Mick Taylor, Larry Johnson, Tony McPhee, John Dummer Blues Band, The Groundhogs, Roy Bookbinder and Long John Baldry.