The Shepherds Bush Empire was rammed. Not just full – rammed. You found a place to stand and there you stood. There was no moving – not that you’d be anything other than rooted to the spot, because tonight, ladies and gentlemen, the venue is host to a man who can fairly lay claim to being the hottest new guitarist around. Put your hands together for Mr Joe Bonamassa.

Words: Gez Kahan; Pics: Kim Waller
07/03/2008

And put our hands together we did, and then watched in awe as Joe Bonamassa showed us what he could conjure up when he put his hands together to work on a guitar. It was the same story the previous night at the Cambridge Junction and two nights before that at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, as it would be throughout his sell out UK tour. Everywhere rammed, every audience in awe of his technique and his passion.
Truth to tell, the venues weren’t large enough. The tour had been booked back when Joe Bonamassa was a successful club to medium sized theatre act. But then he’d released Sloe Gin which debuted at number one on the Billboard Blues Chart and stayed there for twelve weeks and a star was born. Next time round, he’ll be in bigger venues – and it’ll cost more. Which will also mean a better payoff for Bonamassa and his band. No-one who’s watched him play will begrudge him that.
Like so many overnight sensations, he’s paid his dues, and paid them for a long time. Back in the 60s, in the heyday of the British Blues boom which has so inspired his style, Bonamassa wouldn’t have had to wait until he was 30 to break through – especially given that he was hailed as a phenomenon when he was 9 – yes, 9 –, he was opening for BB King when he was just 12 – yes 12 –  and was the subject of a South Bank Special in the UK at the age of 16.

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