- published: 14 Jul 2016
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The Climax Blues Band (originally known as the Climax Chicago Blues Band) are a British blues rock band. The band was formed in Stafford, England in 1968 by vocalist and harmonica player Colin Cooper (1939-2008), guitarist and vocalist Pete Haycock (1951-2013), guitarist Derek Holt (b. 1949), bassist and keyboardist Richard Jones (b. 1949), drummer George Newsome (b. 1947), and keyboardist Arthur Wood (1929-2005).
In 1972 the group shortened its name to the Climax Blues Band due to pressure from the American band Chicago. The band has released at least 17 albums and had a Top 10 hit in the UK with "Couldn't Get It Right". That song and "I Love You" were American hits as well; "Couldn't Get It Right" reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977, and "I Love You" peaked at No. 12 in 1981.
Jones left the group in 1969, so Holt switched to bass. They switched to Harvest Records in 1970 and their records had a more rock-oriented feel. John Cuffley replaced Newsome in 1971. In 2006 George Newsome teamed up with Wolverhampton blues rock guitarist Tim Jenks. He has since recorded 2 albums with Jenks, "Tear Down the Walls" in 2008 a collection of original material by Jenks and more recently "Realms of Glory" a collection of both original and traditional Christmas songs. Newsome continues to drum with Jenks on regular basis around Wolverhampton's local pub blues rock scene. When Wood quit in 1972, the group decided to continue as a foursome and dropped "Chicago" from their name.
When I was younger man I hadn't a care
Foolin' around, hitting the town, growing my hair
You came along and stole my heart when you entered my life
Ooh babe you got what it takes so I made you my wife
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like living a dream
And ooh I love you
You came along from far away and found me here
I was playin' around, feeling down, hittin' the beer
You picked me up from off the floor and gave me a smile
You said you're much too young, your life ain't begun, let's walk for awhile
And as my head was spinnin' 'round
I gazed into your eyes
And thought ooh I want you
Thank you babe for being a friend
And shinin' your light in my life
'cause ooh I need you
As my head was comin' round
I gazed into your eyes
And thought ooh I want you
Thanks again for being my friend
And straightenin' out my life
'cause ooh I need you
Since then I never looked back
It's almost like livin' a dream
Ooh I got you
If ever a man had it all
It would have to be me