The Red Hot Pokers formed in 1984 and as well as working continuously as a separate entity, have worked as a backing band for visiting US blues and rock & roll artists.

These include Lowell Fulson, Carey Bell, Lazy Lester, Frankie Ford, Big Al Downing, Nappy Brown, Big Jay McNeely and many more.

The band has toured extensively throughout Europe and has played in Canada and the Far East.

 

The Red Hot Pokers became Van Morrisons touring band in the early 2000,s and are featured on his album "You Win Again"

 

The bands current live set is a mixture of styles - very much blues based, but country, soul and reggae are included too.

 

The present line-up consists of founder member John "Ned" Edwards on Guitar, Fiddle, Harmonica and Vocals, Pete Hurley, who has played in the band since the mid 1980’s, on Bass Guitar, Hywel Maggs on Guitar, and, Marc Palladino, brother of acclaimed bass player Pino Palladino, on drums.

 

Hywel and Marc joined the band ten years ago and outside of this have worked mainly as studio musicians.

 

John "Ned" Edwards has worked with acclaimed Cardiff  R&B band Red Beans and Rice, He has toured Europe with Bo Diddley and ,along with Pete, has played with Jerry Lee Lewis.

Ned and Pete went on to play in Van Morrison,s band in 2000, with Ned becoming Van,s musical director for seven years.

They both continue to work occasionally with Van up to the present time and both played on his recent blues album "Roll With The Punches", featuring Jeff Beck.

Pete and Ned also play on Vans "Down The Road" and "What’s Wrong With This Picture" albums.

 

Pete Hurley played in 70,s rock band "Lone Star" with whom he recorded two albums before going on to join "Racing Cars".

He has played and recorded many albums with Welsh artist Geraint Jarman since 1980, and has previously played with Meic Stevens and Robin Williamson, from "The Incredible String Band".