Gary Potts: harmonica, vocals
Regularly voted one of the top UK harmonica players, Gary took up the harp in the mid ‘90s inspired & helped by his mentor Paul Lamb. Early days as a sideman in the Essex bluesband ‘Doghouse’ led to the formation of his own band ‘Third Degree,’ which subsequently evolved into The Cadillac Kings.
Winner of The Running Horse/ Wychwood Brewery award: Best harp-player 2003, 2004, 2005
‘A truly wonderful harp-player’
Lionel Ross, Blues in Britain
‘Gary Potts is a harmonica great in the making who has the all-too-rare sense not to play over everyone else!’
Tom Hyslop, Blues Revue USA
‘One of the best harmonica players on the planet’
Linda Mason, Blue Suede News
Mike Thomas: vocals, slide guitar
Lead vocalist and main songwriter for the band, just occasionally he gets the chance to show off his blistering Elmore James-ish slide playing. The ‘veteran’ member of the ‘Kings, Mike spent much of the ‘80s & early ‘90s fronting Camden’s ‘Poorboys’, which, together with Diz & the Doormen, & The Balham Alligators, made up London’s very own New Orleans musical mafia.
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‘An absolutely cracking vocalist’
Phil Wight, Blues & Rhythm
‘Sounds like he's having a natural ball on each and every tune’
Ken Smith, Red Lick Records Review
‘A gutsy, characterful singer & frontman’
Doug McPherson, Classic American Magazine
photos by Stuart Steele & Steven Verhoeven
Henri Herbert: piano
Henri was born in Harfleur, France, in 1985. From an early age he developed a passion for rock & roll and boogie woogie piano, being initially inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Later he discovered the recordings of the masters Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson. Henri played his first gig aged 16 at his school in Colchester. Within months he was resident pianist (for 2 years) at Harry's Bar in the town. Special guest slots at the 100 Club with The Jive Aces and the Ben Waters Band followed. It was here that Henri met the great Diz Watson, who introduced him to the infectious rhythmic styles of James Booker and Professor Longhair & to the deep blues of pianists Otis Spann, Memphis Slim, Roosevelt Sykes and Henri's personal favourite, Champion Jack Dupree. He is very much an "in demand" player as a band pianist on the UK and European Blues and Rock n Roll circuits & can also be seen with his swing big-band, Laura B and The Moonlighters.
Mal Barclay: guitar
Mal moved back to London, the city of his birth, in 2002, after playing in various Edinburgh bands. The Monday night jam at the ‘Ain't Nothin' But’ in Kingly Street reignited a life-long passion for blues and roots music, and heralded the start of a long hard climb up the ranks of London’s blues guitar league. He’s now right up there having played with a whole mess of people, including appearances with Jeremiah Marques’ Blue Aces, Steve Weston’s Bluesonics, Pete G & the MagniTones, et al.
Mal’s style & attack reflects the influence of artists such as T-Bone Walker, Charlie Christian, the 3 Kings, Johnny Gtr Watson, Magic Sam, Muddy Waters and Hollywood Fats. He is also a great fan of Scotty Moore & Cliff Gallup. Contemporary influences include Ronnie Earl, Jimmie Vaughan, and Junior Watson.
As well as holding down the CKs’ guitar spot across the UK & abroad, Mal can also be regularly seen around London playing with his other bands - Jules & the Gamblers and Big Mamma's Door.
Checkout his sound here: myspace.com/malbarclay
Paul Cuff: double bass
Paul’s quiet unassuming presence belies a highly experienced musicianship gained from many years of playing. His superb timing, phrasing & touch effortlessly handles everything from jazzy swing to boogie to rockin’ blues. His background includes a wide variety of bands not least the respected blues outfit - Pete G & The Magnitones.
‘Solid backbeats from drummer Roy Webber & Paul Cuff on double bass
soon had the dance-floor packed, & it stayed that way all night!’
Blues in Britain
‘The Cadillac Kings have one of the finest rhythm sections to be heard anywhere’
Chester Chronicle
Roy ‘Uncle’ Webber: drums, vocals
One of the best blues, shuffle, swing (you name it) drummers around. Roy has occupied the drum stool in some of the very best UK bands including Big Joe Louis’ Blues Kings, Little George’s band, Steve ‘West’ Weston’s Bluesonics & The Marques Bros. Together with Paul’s double bass, Roy completes one of the finest rhythm sections on the blues & swing scenes either side of the pond.
‘Dangerously accurate drumming!’
Ken Smith, Red Lick Records
‘Drums up a storm- what a great rhythm section’
Chester Chronicle
‘Keeps things throbbing like a V8 engine’
Blues Matters
