As he prepares to celebrate 50 years in rock and roll with a major tour calling at Blackpool and Manchester, Joe Brown tells us that making music has lost none of its allure.

YOU would think that after a lifetime in music performing alongside some of the biggest names in the business very little would surprise Joe Brown.

Yet a show in Germany last year left him stunned.

“I was playing the Hamburg Blues Club where, to be honest, the name Joe Brown means nothing to people and yet we just tore the place up. They went crazy for us,” he recalls.

“It was a real revelation to me that people do really rate the music. You do wonder after all this time how much it is the persona that they like and whether they just tolerate the music but that was a real eye-opener — and thoroughly rewarding. They really didn’t have a clue who Joe Brown was. I don’t think I’ve played there since 1960. With all the presenting and shows I’ve done over the years you do develop a rapport with an audience as a person and you wonder if they’re still into the music.”

Joe will be celebrating 50 years of making music in typical fashion — by heading out on a 33-date UK tour.

“I’ve been touring all my life so I’m not going to stop now,” he joked. “To me it’s just another tour because that’s what I do but I suppose it is special. It’s nice to know that people will still fill theatres and enjoy what we are going.”

As part of the 50th anniversary tour, Joe will be playing dates in both Blackpool and Manchester.

“It’s always good to play in the North,” he said. “I always get a good reception up there.”

In his career Joe has played with a virtual Who’s Who of the music business, including the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Johnny Cash.

His 50th anniversary tour starts with a special show at London’s Albert Hall featuring special guests such as Mark Knopfler and Dave Edmunds.

“It’s quite scary in a way but it’s lovely to know that people you respect so much want to do something for you.”

As well as preparing for the tour, Joe is also currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to his new album, More of the Truth, songs from which will feature in the forthcoming live shows.

“There are some new songs and some songs I like,” said Joe.

l Joe Brown plays the Grand Theatre, Blackpool, on Saturday, October 11 (01253 290190) and Manchester Apollo on Monday, October 13 (0161 930 8000).