A BACKSTAGE meeting with Duke Ellington was the turning point in the musical career of world-famous blues guitarist, Walter Trout, who is appearing live at The Wharf Theatre, Tavistock on October 20 with his band, The Radicals. As a youngster growing up in New Jersey, Trout spent two hours talking to the great trumpet player about ?music and life?. However, Walter did not himself become a trumpeter because, when the Beatles arrived in town soon after his meeting with Ellington, the 13-year-old boy was ?bitten by the rock bug?. He set down the trumpet and picked up an acoustic guitar. That, in turn, was laid aside when he heard Mike Bloomfield ?blasting away on the electric guitar in Paul Butterfield?s Blues Band?. After that, Trout never looked back. He soon became a sought-after sideman for John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton. Later he spent five years each with John Mayall?s Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat. Since then, Walter has become a ?phenomenon? with blues and rock fans turning out in droves to witness his frenetic guitar work. Box office on 01822 611166.
