JOE BROWN has announced a new set of dates as he continues his 60th anniversary tour. The legendary singer and guitarist is playing almost 80 dates across the UK on the back of his six-CD retrospective box set.

A spokesman said: “What you see is what you get… a cheeky smile, a spikey haircut, a bloke who is a survivor.

“He’s passed through more genres and vagaries of the music industry than you can shake a stick at. And he’s still here, with the same haircut and a youthful effervescence (at a mere 78) and still selling out shows across the UK.”

Joe Brown’s first group was a skiffle group, then he helped pioneer rock ‘n’ roll, with the Beatles supporting him. Joe Brown and The Bruvvers became a household name in the 1960s.

His last live UK outing was a solo trip down memory lane combining stories from his past with great playing abetted by old friend and special guest Henry Gross.

The 60th anniversary tour sees him back on the road with a full band, long-time stalwart Phil Capaldi on drums, Andy Crowdy on bass, Tom Leary on fiddle and Steve Simpson guitar and mandolin.

Joe plays the Grand Theatre, Blackpool (January 31) and the Victoria Theatre, Halifax (February 25).