Ten Years After reveal new line-up

Ten Years After have unveiled their new line-up, which includes bluesman Marcus Bonfanti and veteran bassist Colin Hodgkinson.

The announcement comes after the departure of guitarist Joe Gooch and original bassist Leo Lyons, who decided to turn their attentions fully to their other band, Hundred Seventy Split.

Bonfanti, whose most recent release was last year’s Shake The Walls, says he’s honoured to take the place originally occupied by the late Alvin Lee before the guitarist/singer left the band in 2003. He says: “I will of course continue to tour with my band as well, but I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of playing with these great musicians, and honouring the memory and genius of Alvin and the body of music he created with the band.”

Remaining founder members Ric Lee (drums) and Chick Churchill (keyboards) say TYA’s legacy has been secure with the addition of Bonfanti and Hodgkinson, the latter known for his stints with Alexis Korner, the Spencer Davis Group, Jon Lord’s Blues Project and the British Blues Quintet, among others.

They report: “We’ve been rehearsing solidly for the last few weeks with Marcus and Colin, who, apart from being tremendous musicians, are really good guys. Not only is Marcus a fabulous singer, he plays terrific guitar, slide guitar and a mean harmonica, so the new band is very fresh and retains the TYA high energy.

“We know we’re going to have a lot of fun when we hit the road. We’ve delved deep into the catalogue to do songs that many of you requested over the years but we somehow never got around to playing – I Say Yeah, Standing At The Station, Gonna Run, Nowhere To Run and Sugar The Road.”

TYA will record some videos of the new line-up in action later this month, followed by a European tour in May:

May 09: Affalter, Zur Linde
May 10: Laufen, Salzachhalle
May 17: Ronneby, Ronneby Brun Rosendalen
May 24: Köln, Harley Dom
May 30: Halle/Saale, Händelsche Halle
Jun 04: Rubigen, Mühle Hunziken
Jul 31: Romanshorn, Sommernachtsfest