“That richer life is given to me when I play the piano.”
Photo: InfoGibraltar
A musical legend and much-loved television and radio host.
Jools Holland started out playing in pubs in the docks of London’s East End as a teenager and soon made a career as a session musician, first working with Wayne County & the Electric Chairs. He went on to achieve individual renown as a founding member of Squeeze, which sold over one million records during his time in the band.
After a brief but successful solo career in the early 80s, during which he also branched out into television presenting, Jools re-joined Squeeze, before founding the Jools Holland Big Band (later to become Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra) in 1987 and reprising his television career.
Jools is now perhaps best known for his annual New Year’s Eve Hootenanny, as well as his BBC2 show Later…with Jools Holland. He also hosts a regular show on BBC Radio 2. Throughout his career, Jools has worked with a glittering catalogue of musical stars, including Sting, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Bono. In 2003 he received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the British music industry.