BLUE SUEDE Dudes have become victims of their own success.

The Keighley-based rock ‘n’ roll revivalists don’t have time to play all the gigs that have been requested.

The trio of long-time musicians, Dale Kitson, Roger Kirby and Lee Kitson, play classic songs from the 1950s and 1960s.

Drummer Roger Kirby said: “It’s nice to be in demand, but we are trying not to play too much.

“After playing the Wrecking Crew bikers’ festival in High Bentham it opened up a load of bookings in that area.

“We have played a lot at the Hoggs and Heifers over there, where we played to a packed pub over Christmas, and a couple of gigs at the golf club.

“This included the Fire Brigade's Christmas bash which included firemen miming to Queen songs in drag - very surreal but very entertaining.”

Blue Suede Dudes have also received a couple of re-bookings at Cross Hills Working Men’s Club where they always go down well.

Blue Suede Dudes were formed after the three men came together to play 50s music for long-time Keighley musician Dale’s 50th birthday.

They enjoyed performing so much that they stayed together and returned to the live circuit.

Roger said the band’s repertoire had settled down to a “more dancey” second set with 50s and 60s standards from Buddy Holly, Everly Brothers and Gerry Lee Lewis.

“We have invested in a new set of lights - three times as bright and half as heavy.

“When I'm playing the drums I feel 25 again, the next day I feel about 75!”

Roger was a familiar figure on the Keighley rock scene in the 1980s, spending the decade playing with Single File and Llama Parlour, while Dale played with popular local bands The Quick, Teenage And The Wildlife and Lively Arts.

The pair teamed up in 1994 for Talking To Myself then Blondel, while Lee Kitson was busy performing with Sidewinder.

Blue Suede Dudes will play the Catholic Club, Shipley, tomorrow; Sunnybank Social Club, Silsden, on February 27; and Cross Hills Working Men’s Club on March 28.