latest news

July 19th 2008
I had two great musicians do guest sessions for me today. Firstly, Gerry Hogan on Steel Guitar who added divine touches to my ballad 'You Loved Me Too' and secondly, Ray Beavis, with whom I had the pleasure of touring with whilst working for Suzi Quatro, who played a rip-roaring Tenor Sax solo on the one cover on my album, Stevie Wonder's 'Ebony Eyes'.

July 11th 2008
It's always a relief when you find the title for an album and today, after a conversation with Matthew Baker, we came up with the title for mine... 'A Seat At My Table'.

May 30th 2008
Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes were, for the first time ever, joined on stage tonight at the 100 Club in London by a horn section. Paul Newton on Trumpet, Peter Effamy on Sax and Clarinet, Adrian Fry on Trombone and Richard Pite on Sousaphone augmented the usual line-up for two songs, 'Rad Gumbo' and 'Can Your Grandpa Rock And Roll Like This'. It was decided that the section will make a repeat appearance at The Stables in Wavendon later this year on September 2nd.

May 28th 2008
A week later than originally planned and incredibly 99% healed, Albert Lee flew back to Britain today to recommence the tour. We start up again tomorrow night in Bridgwater, Somerset.

May 27th 2008
Desmond Carrington becomes the first to nationally play a track off 'Like This' featuring 'Why Me' on his BBC Radio 2 show 'The Music Goes Round'. Clip will follow soon

May 19th 2008
Recorded both Adrian Fry's beautiful Big Band arrangement of my song 'Take You Home' and Paul Newton's tremendous arrangement of another one of my tracks, 'Thinkin'. I wanted a couple of Big Band numbers on my album to compliment 'What A Day' which will appear as a bonus track.

April 30th 2008
Plans are being made for the official release of 'What A Day' at Christmas this year with my new album and live dates to follow early in the new year. Fingers crossed! This unexpected 'break' (excuse the pun!) means that I have the opportunity to crack on (Oops! There's another) with the making of my album. More news to follow soon.

April 14th 2008
Albert Lee was in good spirits when I spoke to him yesterday at the airport as he was getting ready to fly back home to LA. This will be the longest period in his life (since he was 17-years old) that he won't be able to play the guitar. His other passion is cars... He won't be able to drive either. Shame, he'll just have to sit and enjoy the California sunshine... Poor guy! So far, 8 of the cancelled 20 gigs have been re-scheduled throughout June and July with, hopefully, more to follow. Check the website for more news and details at www.albertleeandhogansheroes.com

April  8th 2008
Today, having been on the road in mainland Europe for exactly 1 month and with only 3 more gigs in Holland and Denmark to do before returning to the UK for a 2 month tour, Albert Lee broke his arm whilst killing time in Paris before our sound check and gig. He tripped off a kerb and in trying to save himself outstretched his right arm and broke the humerus in two places close to the shoulder. Needless to say, the gig at the 'New Morning' this evening, with 400 people queuing around the block, was cancelled as are the next 20 gigs up until May 19th when he hopes to be fit enough to continue.

March 6th 2008
Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes 2008 Tour kicks off today just as is it did last year at The Robin in Birmingham.

February 25th 2008
The master for Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes new album 'Like This' went off to the pressing plant today.

February 15th 2008
Having put my album on the back-burner for 5 months and with Albert Lee's album very nearly mixed and finished, I got back to mine today and in style! Both Albert Lee and Jerry Scheff came to Din Studios to record for me. Albert graced one of my songs 'Sober Siri' in a way that only he can with his unique Country picking even choosing to use his 1952 Fender Telecaster because "it sounds right for this track". Both He and Jerry also played on my bluesy 'Lazy Days'. Jerry played a 1964 Fender Jazz through an Ampeg B15 and boy did it sound great. Jerry's playing has always been so free and lucid and I knew that he would do a fantastic job on this song, which he certainly did.

February 8th 2008
Yours truly turned 40 today! Mixed in the daytime and celebrated with family and friends at the Groucho Club in the evening.

February 7th 2008
Started mixing 'Like This' with Darren Loveday and Jeff Knowler at Darren's studio in North London.

January 30th 2008
After a series of phone calls and email exchanges, Huey Lewis recorded his harmonica part for 'Rad Gumbo' which will feature on 'Like This'. Recorded in California and 'emailed' over to us here in the UK within a few hours, Huey's wonderful, bluesy contribution to Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes new album was the last thing to be recorded and the icing on the cake.

January 19th 2008
One of the world's greatest percussionists, Ray Cooper, came to Din Studios to do a session for Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes new album 'Like This'. We've all seen Ray over the years performing with the likes of Elton John, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney to name but a few and we all know what a great performer he is on stage. Well, it was great to watch him record and see that he performs in exactly the same way even when the cameras aren't there... it's part of his music. His timing is impeccable and Albert, Peter Baron and I watched in awe as he added sparkle to the album. A great friend of Albert's, Ray hadn't seen him since they performed together at the Royal Albert Hall at the tribute concert for George Harrison. Ray is not only a legend but also the perfect Gentleman and it was truly an honour to meet and work with him.

I'D LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND  WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WONDERFUL 2008! Elio. x

December 25th 2007
For the second year running, at 9.05am Terry Wogan opened his BBC Radio 2 Christmas Day special 'Christmas With Wogan' with 'What A Day'. Clip will follow soon

November 18th 2007
After 77 gigs, over 10 months, the Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes 2007 Tour ends tonight in Sutton at the Boom Boom Club.

November 15th 2007
Photo session with Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes for 'Like This'. The brilliant Graham Flack took the pictures that will feature on the album and all related advertising.

November 9th 2007
Albert Lee laid down his lead vocals and guitar to 'Can Your Grandpa Rock And Roll Like This', a song that Matthew Baker and I wrote especially for him. Also today, it was decided that the new Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes album is going to be called 'Like This'. The album is due for release in March 2008.

November 1st 2007
Albert heard my demo of 'Can Your Grandpa Rock And Roll Like This' and I'm very happy to say loved the song.

October 24th 2007
I've decided to postpone work on my new album for now to fully concentrate on Albert's. With a release deadline of March 2008 set, there is just no way that I can give both projects the attention I'd like to. So something has to give and although it was a tough decision to make, I'm going to put mine aside until Albert's is finished.

October 19th 2007
Matthew Baker and I got together today to write a song especially for Albert Lee entitled 'Can Your Grandpa Rock And Roll Like This'. If Albert likes it enough, I hope that he'll want to record it for the new album. Watch this space!

October 6th 2007
Made the trip up to St Andrews Golf Course in Scotland with my 10-piece band to perform at the annual Dunhill Pro-Celebrity Golf Championships. As well as doing my regular set, I was asked to write arrangements for a 20-minute 'spot' that, backed by my band, would feature Huey Lewis doing 'The Power Of Love', Don Felder from the Eagles doing 'Hotel California' and Ronan Keating doing 'When You Say Nothing At All'. We had a lot of fun with those guys but the highlight for me came at the end of this section after the three of them had left the stage and I was just about to launch back into my set. Huey Lewis turned on his heels and jumped back onto the stage and called out to the band "Shake Rattle And Roll... in E" which, earlier at the sound check, I had requested him to do if there was time as I loved his version from his 'Four Chords and Several Years Ago' album. We all took it as a compliment that regardless of whether there was time or not, he obviously had enjoyed singing with my band and wanted more. And so ensued a 7-minute version of 'Shake Rattle And Roll' with Huey calling double solos for everyone in the band, that as far as I was concerned could have gone on ALL night. I absolutely loved it... and so did the crowd! Huey was fantastic and blew everyone away with his musicianship and sheer energy... and was a very nice man to boot. Before we left Scotland we were re-booked for next year's event.

September 17th 2007
I'm very flattered by the decision today that I should produce the new Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes album. I relish the opportunity and challenge to make an album that the guitar legend himself and the rest of the band will be proud of.

August 4th 2007
One of my best mates and sax player in my band, Peter Effamy married Mel today. I was Best Man... first time for me. They could not have wished for a more beautiful hot sunny day. Myself and the boys in my band did the honours with the evening's entertainment. Of course, Peter couldn't resist the temptation and joined us for a few numbers including a superb rendition of David Sanborn's 'The Dream' which he had prepared as a surprise for Mel. Not a dry eye in the house!

July 30th 2007
Day One of recording for my new album at Din Studios in Limehouse, London.

July 23rd 2007
Started rehearsals with my band today routine-ing songs for my new album... the first to feature all my own material.

May 25th 2007
Still on a high from yesterday's Ivor Novello Awards ceremony, I got the chance to meet yet another superstar and a musical influence on me, Eric Clapton who, as a very good friend and fan of Albert Lee, came along to Chiddingfold in Surrey to see the gig. We were also joined on stage tonight by Procol Harum's Gary Brooker.

May 24th 2007
As a guest of my old mate Christian Henson, I attended the 52nd Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Christian's brilliant film score for the movie 'Severance' was nominated in the 'Best Film Score' category. I had shared lead vocal duties with Caroline Lost on 'Summertimin' which Caroline and Christian had written together and had been used over the closing credits of the film. And it was because of this that Christian very kindly invited me along to this prestigious bash. Unfortunately, Christian didn't take home the statuette this time around (it's only a matter of time though) but a great afternoon was had by all AND I got to meet one of my musical heroes... Sir Elton John and very nice he was too. Christian's soundtrack along with 'Summertimin' is available for download at the iTunes Music Store.

May 16th 2007
It was decided to take advantage of a day off on the road by going to a studio in Cumbria to begin a new studio album by Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes. We laid down basic tracks for 5 songs we've been doing live; 'Breathless', 'Crying In The Rain', 'Runaway Train' and my two songs, 'I'm Comin' Home' and 'Why Me?'.

May 12th 2007
Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes - Glenfarg, Scotland: We were joined tonight on stage by a very special guest, the one and only Jerry Scheff on bass guitar. Apart from a 2-year break, Jerry was Elvis Presley's bass player from his Vegas comeback in 1969 right up until Elvis died in August 1977. Originally from California, Jerry now lives in Scotland with his English wife. Albert and Jerry have been mates for many years having toured and recorded together in the past and as a huge Elvis fan it truly was a thrill to meet Jerry, have dinner together and then to get to play with him tonight. Albert, being the generous bloke that he is and knowing what it would have meant to me, suggested that we did 'Trying To Get To You' and that I should sing it. Wow! I had to pinch myself. There I was singing Elvis at the piano, Jerry Scheff right next to me, Albert Lee right next to him, both of them looking over at me smiling away! Without a doubt the highlight of the tour for me so far and that moment is going to take some beating. AND... Someone caught it all on video. Look out for it on You Tube! Clip will follow soon

March 25th 2007
Fly from Switzerland today back to London to get up to Ipswich to play with Katrina Leskanich.

March 20th 2007
Fly to Reggio di Calabria in southern Italy for a 4-day tour of the country with Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes. This is only the second time in my career that I will have performed in my native homeland. We kick-off tonight in Cittanova, fly to Rome tomorrow and then Forli on Friday. Apart from my immediate family in England, the rest of my family are dotted all around Italy and quite a few of them will be at these gigs to help cheer us on. Can't wait!

March 18th 2007
Broke off from touring with Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes to perform with Katrina Leskanich at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge. Katrina is such a great singer and she's wonderful to work with. I'm very honoured that she has asked me to duet with her on 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' as part of her set. The band consists of myself at the piano, Jack Pollitt on drums, Andy Coughlan on Bass, Darren Loveday on Guitar and Paul Newton on Trumpet and Guitar. Thanks to Katrina, we always have a hoot doing this gig.

February 21st 2007
Today I start the 2007 Tour with Albert Lee & Hogan's Heroes. This is my first proper tour with Albert and the boys and I am so looking forward to it. They have very kindly asked me to sing two numbers in the show, Carl Mann's 'I'm Comin' Home' and Delbert McClinton's 'Why Me?'. We kick-off tonight in Birmingham and this 70-plus-date tour takes us ALL over the UK and most of Europe. For more information and the tour dates visit www.albertleeandhogansheroes.com

January 23rd 2007
My version of 'It's Not Unusual' from my album 'Come And Get It' was played on Desmond Carrington's BBC Radio 2 show 'The Music Goes Round'. Clip will follow soon

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