Growing up Lee remembers himself as a mostly a shy ‘ish and quiet soul. Around the age of 22 he found himself at an audition for a Belfast-based rock & blues band, and the rest is history.
How did you get started in the industry?
‘Industry’?……. now there’s a funny ol’ term for it. To me, that term (personally) sums the music game up in a way that makes it seems so ‘business…..and clinical-like’.
Really though, I always ask myself the same bloody question! How the heck did I end up in such a privileged way of life?…..I mean, really, for me, it has been a way of life in a kind of parallel existence to trying to appear normal to the ‘rest of society’ since about 1991.
What genre / style do you create in?
I have a natural attraction to Blues and Soul. It’s a spiritual feeling for me, that’s all, and something that I find very hard to put into layman’s terms. But all I know is that it felt right 26 yrs ago and has felt right ever since.
I love all types of music and have experimented with a few different genres over the years. But, at the end of the day, it always seems to come back to what makes me feel pretty good, and that is blues & soul based for sure.
What would you be best known for?
That’s not so easy to condense down to one thing, lol. Well, amongst a long list of stuff I would be known for are a few interesting facts ……
I am the only Western World band to have played in Libya (Oct 2008) which was private party for the late Col. Gadaffi and the rest of the world’s leaders. He was introducing the rest of the Western world leaders to his beautiful country, his oil reserves and his new gold currency, the Dinar. The United Nations were there, the former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice was there, the Russians, The Chinese. Lee Hedley Blues Band was the entertainment, after being featured in a Blues Magazine about my upcoming US deal. (that’s a whole other story)
I survived a near fatal electrocution on stage in May 1994, in the same venue that also claimed the life of Cloud’s guitarist in the 70’s.
I have featured on various tv and radio stations across Ireland UK and Europe. Bob Harris and Paul Jones Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 featured me as a special guest doing live sessions.
I feel very fortunate to have been the harmonica player and backing band for two wonderful Chicago Blues legends; Ex-Muddy Waters’ sideman John Primer (I completed 3 tours with) and the late Phil Guy (Buddy guys’ funkier brother).
I have toured and played with many many other fabulous Irish artists including Westlife, The Corrs, The Commitments & Don Baker.
I don’t really think I would best be known for anything other than playing blues music to people that dearly love it. In all seriousness though, I have been very lucky to have played in some beautiful parts of the world and feel very fortunate to have met some really cool people along the way.
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
Awk, my biggest achievement is probably NOT what one would normally read in these interviews – It ain’t no secret, but I proudly and politely walked away from a SIX YEAR management contract in the United States of America, and instead, raised a family of 2 gorgeous daughters and managed to hang on to the most beautiful lady in the world.
Amy-Lee (24) & Emma (21) were only 10 and 7 years old back then. It was financially a very good offer, which made it a tad difficult to walk away from, but I had to go where my heart felt stronger and in the end, it was a total no-brainer, for me.
My final word with ZZ Top’s management team where something along the lines of “America will still be there when my girls are old enough to come with me.
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
Easy – There’s NO RUSH. And ya know, be careful what you wish for, because, you just might get it.
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
Challenges….there have been MANY. Too many to list in fact, so I won’t bore y’all with them, lol.
Biggest challenge is trying to find the right band to work with. I have had the wonderful opportunity of playing with a LOT (and I mean A LOT) of great guys, but I do get very bored easily. Lol. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it’s just that, I have an INSATIABLE appetite for constant stimulation through music. I am not one of the millions of musicians who just ‘clock-in’ / ‘clock out’.
I am desperately DRIVEN and forever moving-forward with fresh musical ideas. If I at any point cease to get a high from it, I tend to move on. I need to have like-minded people working with me at the same rate, or it won’t work. This is by far the biggest challenge, that I face in music, year-in, year-out.
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
I touched on this earlier, but yeah, my wife Marcy and my girls Amy-lee & Emma are my family and my inspiration. I have dog (Toffi) and 3 cats. I have a wonderful Mum and a younger brother Marko.
Tell us about your most recent work?
Let’s forget the Covid disaster – Prior to that though, some local festivals here in Ireland and the odd bar gigs kept us pretty busy.
Last few years I had been taking a bit of a back seat whilst battling some major health issues, with just the odd major festival here and there. I have toured Europe a few times recently though and have built up a great following across Eastern Europe particularly. But alas, I am a homebird, and by pure chance, things settled in nicely with a truly loyal fanbase.
What would you like us to tell people about?
I don’t have much to tell people about. Or rather I probably have sooooo much to say, but have no clue in what order to list it lol. So, for now at least, in the spirit of Belfast…..”I’m saying nathin”.
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
I would rather leave that up to someone else to put that into words, so here’s a description from highly respected Galway based Music Journalist and Radio presenter John O’Regan:
“Lee Hedley excels in a live context delivering impassioned Chicago blues and rock classics with style, swagger and tongue in cheek humour. Audiences are left mesmerised and clamouring for more. This is juke joint rock and roll par excellence delivered with power and panache – just what the doctor ordered – Dr Feelgood that is. Lee Hedley delivers the goods and a hot rocking session with a healthy dose of blues is guaranteed – enjoy and don’t forget to dance !!!” John O’Regan. Music Journalist (Limerick)
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
Tooo many to list. Really. However, this always stands out…
When in Libya a few years ago doing that private party for Col. Gadaffi, we were passed on the motorway just outside Tripoli, (around 90 mph) by an open backed Toyota pick- up truck, with two Camels sitting on the back, and 2 young lads straddled across each hump, holding onto the camels manes for all their lives were worth.
How those 2 boys weren’t blown off at that speed I will never figure out. Our driver at the time, Neuri, sped after them and practically forced them off the road, onto the hard shoulder, just so we could take some snaps up close. Little did we know that the camera would be confiscated by airport security heading home. But the image will forever be engrained on my brain lol!
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
Best advice to all, is do what I did……Go out, start anywhere, and get MILEAGE. By that, I mean gig your ass off for years, literally, years, and enjoy and cherish every single one.Don’t be deterred by negative feedback, ever. Keep on getting back up, and try not to burn yourself out.
Most of all, be true to yourself, and always remember you won’t be able to please everyone all of the time. Just like fine wine, there’s always favour certain tastes. Don’t go chasing impossible rainbows, just find out what makes you feel good inside and the real, loyal fans will come to YOU.
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
Not really, I think I’ve covered most of it, thank you.
Who do you look up to and why?
My mum. She is the most perfect person on the planet. Never judges, never faults anyone, and she always has an open door. An amazing human being. A great role model and a classy lady. Ask anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting her.
You can find Lee Hedley on Instagram or the Lee Hedley Blues Band on Facebook and Twitter!
Lee Hedley will be appearing on the lineup of the St Patrick’s Day Live from Sailortown event on March 17 streaming live from 2pm-9pm across a variety of social platforms. For more information go to https://www.sailortownregeneration.com/