Nicky Illis: A UK Rock Star Story

It was back in 1971 that I first came across the name Nicky Illis. I'd been playing in bands since I was 15, spending many a happy hour as a teenager listening to the music of the day on my old transistor radio. It was a time when bands like Free, Led Zeppelin, The Small Faces, and The Rolling Stones ruled the charts.

I'm a huge fan of the blues, and I'd first fallen in love with the music as a young boy growing up in Suffolk when I heard Alexis Korner on the radio. I was just 10 years old, but the blues had an immediate effect on me. I loved its rawness, its emotion, and its energy. It wasn't long before I was trying to play and sing the blues myself.

In 1971 I decided to move to London to try my luck as a musician. I was 21 years old and had no idea what the future held, but I was determined to make a career in music. I quickly found my feet in the London music scene and began to play in a number of bands. It wasn't long before I met Nicky Illis.

Nicky was a charismatic singer with a powerful voice and a natural stage presence. He was also a talented guitarist and songwriter. We quickly became friends and started playing together in a band called The Fabulous Knobs.

The band created quite a stir on the London club circuit and soon we were being offered gigs all over the country. We even managed to get a record deal and release a couple of singles. However, it was't until 1975 that we really hit the big time.

In 1975, we released our debut album, "Nicky Illis and The Fabulous Knobs." The album was a huge success, and it spawned the hit singles "Baby, I'm Gonna Leave You" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." The album went platinum and launched us into the big time.

We toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, and we even played a few shows in the United States. We were living the dream, and it seemed like nothing could stop us.

However, in 1978, Nicky decided to leave the band. He wanted to pursue a solo career, and we wished him all the best. The Fabulous Knobs continued for a few more years without Nicky, but it was never quite the same. We eventually disbanded in 1981.

I've continued to play music ever since, but I've never forgotten Nicky Illis. He was a great singer, a talented guitarist, and a true friend. I'm grateful for the time we spent together, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Nicky Illis is a true rock star. He's a talented musician, a charismatic performer, and a great guy. I'm proud to have known him and to have played music with him. I'm sure he'll continue to make great music for many years to come.