The Band
Meet the guys making the music
Rea-Loaded is a band of hugely experienced musicians who have thousands of live gigs behind them.
From playing with multiple bands, and many genres of music, the guys have the ability to shift easily between the different styles that Chris Rea's music has encompassed over a long career.
From the blues, to rock, reggae, country, soul, cajun, latin.....a full mix of great music that all goes into a varied show that has been enjoyed by a huge fanbase all over the world.
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Neil Gordon
Mick Lown
Ed Taylor
Dave Williams
Pez Connor
Neil Gordon - Vocals and Guitars
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Neil is the main man in the band, performing the part of Chris Rea with a stunning attention to detail on both the vocals, and the signature 'slide' guitar sound that Chris has used all through his career.
An accomplished musician, Neil has played in many bands over the years, from original to covers bands, playing many genres of music. Originally from Ireland, he had to be persuaded to take on the task of recreating this music, and has grasped the nettle of a very difficult performer to emulate.
He seems to be doing a very good job of it all!
Ed Taylor - Drums and Backing Vocals
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Ed 'Rocksteddie' Taylor has a very long list of bands that he has played with in the past, in many diverse situations, but has always remained a country blues soul rocker at heart. Always laying down a simple beat, he leaves the fancy tricks to others, but has a deep 'pocket' that many bands seem to appreciate, playing for the song and not the pyrotechnics that others like to perform. That's exactly what is required in a band like Rea-Loaded, and Ed has also taken on the role of leading the band, away from the musical aspects.
You know the old joke about drummers being the guys that hang around with 'real' musicians......Ed is the man!
Mick Lown - Guitars
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Mick is another guy with a long career in the music business, both as a musician, and in production, working in the studio and live sound arena. He had a very successful business looking after some large events, and also as Head Of Sound at the prestigious International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall in Birmingham. He was responsible for all broadcast feeds for many media and music events.
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He is also a skilled luthier that produces his own guitars, and looks after some of the guitars for people such as the 'guy that lives down the road', who sings some pretty well known songs in front of tens of thousands of people.
Major rock royalty from Kidderminster!
Pez Connor - Bass Guitars
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Pez has been playing bass for 40 years and during that time has covered all forms of music from country, rock, funk, fusion and blues. He was the bass player for Move legend Trevor Burton for 10 years, and you dont hold that gig down if you can't play!
He has over the years backed many other accomplished musicians, writers and bands across the Country and in Europe.
His bag is to play live, however, and lays down the foundations so well.
He loves jazz basses (both 4 & 5 string) and also plays an electric upright when required.
Dave Willams - Keys and Hammond Organ
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Dave, or 'Starch' as he is known, is a proud Welshman, a retired schoolteacher, who has a very long and varied career in many bands, adding his great feel and skill to many different genres.
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He goes back to the early 80's with Rocksteddie, having playing in soul bands, rock bands, mod bands, blues bands with Ed, who very often has called Dave when keys have been needed in many situations.
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Playing Nord and Hammond organ, he adds so much to the texture of the songs we play with Rea-Loaded, and is more that happy to have fun poked at him about his favorite rugby team from the Valleys! He gets his own back though, when we let him!