Stan Webb

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Stan Webb (born Stanley Webb, 3 February 1946, in Fulham, South London, England) is the frontman and lead guitarist with the blues band, Chicken Shack.

[edit] Career

Playing firstly in skiffle bands, Webb formed the first version of Chicken Shack in 1965. The band played in Hamburg, Germany over the next couple of years, as Webb perfected his playing techniques. They signed to the Blue Horizon record label in 1967, where their label mates were the fledgling Fleetwood Mac. The group was then comprised of Webb, Christine Perfect, drummer Dave Bidwell, and bassist Andy Sylvester (who would later play with the British blues ensemble, Savoy Brown). Chicken Shack enjoyed their heyday in the mid to late 1960s, when R&B was a popular music form in England. Their music was traditional in make-up, and the group covered a variety of American blues standards, as well as composing several home-spun tunes. Their repertoire included, arguably, their most played track - "I'd Rather Go Blind". This song was written by Ellington Jordan, and Billy Foster, and became a modern day blues classic.

Apart from Chicken Shack, the most memorable version is by Etta James. This song was later covered by Ruby Turner in 1987, and by Sydney Youngblood in 1990, and both versions were minor hits in the UK Singles Chart.

Chicken Shack are probably most remembered for including Christine Anne Perfect as the keyboardist and backing vocalist in their line-up. She rose to far greater fame when she later joined Fleetwood Mac. She became Christine McVie, after her marriage to the band's founder and bassist, John McVie.

Chicken Shack's line-up has evolved and changed considerably over the years, with Webb being the only constant factor. His stage presence, musicianship, and fervour have continued to satisfy a cult audience.

In 2001, Webb released his first solo album for over eight years, when Webb, appeared on the Indigo Records label.

About to enter his sixties, Stan Webb's Chicken Shack played a number of live dates around the UK in 2005.