Sonny Flint's Beano Bluesbreakers celebrates the music and legacy of John Mayall's seminal 1966 album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton, widely regarded as one of the defining recordings of the British blues movement.

Performing the album in full alongside additional material from the Blues Breakers' classic mid-1960s repertoire, the band brings together experienced musicians from the worlds of blues, rock and jazz in a tribute to a record whose influence continues to be felt sixty years after its release.

At the heart of the project is drummer Sonny Flint, son of original Blues Breakers drummer Hughie Flint, providing a unique personal connection to the music while remaining firmly focused on the energy, musicianship and spirit that made the original recordings so enduring.

Rather than reinterpret the material, Sonny Flint's Beano Bluesbreakers approaches it with respect for the original performances, celebrating an album that helped shape the sound of British blues and inspired generations of musicians.

Why the Beano Album?

Released in 1966, Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is widely regarded as one of the most important albums in British blues history. Often referred to simply as "The Beano Album" – after the comic held by Eric Clapton on the iconic cover

photograph – it captured a moment when American blues traditions were being reinterpreted by a new generation of British musicians.

The album's influence extended far beyond the blues scene. Its powerful guitar tone, dynamic musicianship and uncompromising approach helped establish a blueprint for British rock music, inspiring countless players and bands that followed. For many, it remains the recording that announced Eric Clapton as a major musical force and cemented John Mayall's reputation as the leading figure in British blues.

Sixty years after its release, the album still sounds remarkably fresh. Its combination of Chicago blues influences, improvisational energy and exceptional musicianship continues to resonate with audiences and musicians alike.

For Sonny Flint's Beano Bluesbreakers, the album represents more than a landmark recording. It is a celebration of a pivotal moment in British music history and a chance to bring this extraordinary body of work back to the stage for contemporary audiences.

The Band

Sonny Flint's Beano Bluesbreakers brings together a group of experienced musicians from across the worlds of blues, rock and jazz, united by a shared respect for the music of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and the British Blues movement of the 1960s.

At the heart of the project is drummer Sonny Flint, whose father, Hughie Flint, played on the original Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album. Alongside him are vocalist and harmonica player Laine Hines, guitarist Neil Roberts, bassist Pete Billing, keyboard player Rick Pentecost and saxophonist Greg Heath.

Together, the band combines decades of live performance experience, drawing on backgrounds that range from blues and rock to jazz and soul. The result is a performance that captures the spirit, musicianship and energy of the original recordings while bringing together the individual strengths of each player.

Line-Up

Sonny Flint – Drums

Laine Hines – Vocals & Harmonica

Neil Roberts – Guitar

Pete Billing – Bass

Rick Pentecost – Keyboards

Greg Heath – Saxophone

Description supplied by the event organiser.