Ruthless Blues

Formed in 1979, in London, this blues rock band was still going strong and attracting audiences into the new millennium. An original member of the band was Chicago-born Johnny Mars but from 1985 he was occasionally replaced by blues harpists Jeremy Truelove and Stevie Smith, the latter staying with the band into the mid-00s. Drummer Tony Fernandez replaced Jim McCarty in 1984, staying on for more than two decades, and among the guitarists and bass guitarists who have been members of Ruthless Blues are Dave Blake (1979-81), Andy Herbert (1991-96, 1999 onwards), John Knightsbridge (1979-99), Paul McCallum (1979-85), Peter Rees (1991), Pete Stroud (1996-99) and Martyn Taylor (1987-91, 1999 onwards). Also with the band for some years was saxophonist John ‘Irish’ Earle (1985-97). In addition to its work on London’s pub circuit, the band has made occasional overseas trips, including visits to Germany, Norway and the old USSR.