John Knightsbridge formed the group in 1981 whilst working with several other groups, bringing in Jeremy Truelove (harmonica/vocals) from The Dana Gillespie Band. Dave Blake (guitar/vocals) joined next and Jim McCarty from the Yardbirds/Rennaisance was the original drummer. Paul McCallum who played in Telemacque and The Dana Gillespie Band also joined the line up.
American blues harp player Johnny Mars performed with Ruthless Blues for around two years, and after a similar length of service Jim McCarty was replaced by Tony Fernandez. Johnny Mars left to form his own group and was replaced by John Irish Earle on sax and vocals. Later Stevie Smith guested with the group for a while before joining full time around 1987. Bassist Paul McCallum departed in 1987 sometime to be replaced by Martin Taylor.
Ever changing personnel aside, one thing was a constant – an electrifying stage show in pubs and clubs around London and the Home Counties. Eventually, their ‘sweaty sound’ was committed to vinyl , well tape actually – “Live At Angie’s” was recorded at Angie’s Club in Wokingham and released on cassette in 1985.
A second ‘live’ album/cassette, “Ruthless!” was recorded at Kingston Polytechnic in 1987 on which the brass section from Graham Parker’s Rumour expanded the sound.
Word of Ruthless Blues reached President Records for whom two albums were recorded, “Ruthless Blues” in 1989 and “Sure Enough” in 1992.
The band continued to gig right into the noughties and beyond.
