Norwich rocker Rod Clark has played alongside a host of music legends. See him in action at the Cut in Halesworth this Saturday, says Derek James.

Some fantastic musicians have performed at the Evening News Golden Years gigs over the years...and they don't come much better than Norwich-born Rod Clark.

Rod has played alongside some of the greatest names in rock and country over the decades – from Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page to Slim Whitman and George Hamilton IV.

The former member of the legendary Moody Blues has been a star attraction at the charity gigs with his group Roller Coaster and now he has teamed up with The Waveney Voices.

'I am loving it. The sound from the girls is breathtaking.

'It really is something very special – and so different,' said Rod, a talented musician who, when he wasn't touring and recording, spent a large part of his working life on the Norfolk Broads.

Born in 1942 and brought up in a converted windmill at Berney Arms, his father Roy was a founder of the Norfolk Wherry Trust and wrote a book called Black Sail Traders.

Rod got his first guitar at the age of 14 and managed to get a ticket to see Buddy Holly on his tour of the UK before his tragic death.

Within weeks Rod was hitting the headlines in the Evening News – one of his first gigs was at a youth club near Norwich.

He went on to join Carter-lewis & The Southerners with a young guitarist by the name of Jimmy Page, who was learning his trade.

Rod later became part of the big time Moody Blues and then the Rockin' Berries, playing and touring with the likes of Roy Orbison, Duane Eddy and Gene Vincent.

He has played with so many good bands over the years.

His driving bass guitar was always in demand by all kinds of outfits.

But Rod was always on the move.

He later changed direction from rock to country, joining Country Fever and several other bands, playing alonsgide many country legends from America when they toured the UK.

In more recent years Roller Coaster, featuring the former Continentals keyboard wizard Andy Field, has been a star attraction across East Anglia.

Today Rod only makes the occasional appearance and this coming Saturday, he will be performing with The Waveney Voices at The Cut in Halesworth.

'We are all looking forward to an evening of rock 'n' roll and country from the 1950s, telling some stories plus wonderful singing from The Voices,' said Rod.

Rod Clark & Roller Coaster with The Waveney Voices will be playing at The Cut arts centre, in Halesworth, this Saturday, January 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost �8. Call 0845 6732123.