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Review by Paul H Birch, Photos by Rich Ward
There’s a largely male gathering here tonight, but not exclusively, and some interesting age ranges from young to middle-aged (not so many of us doddering old gits a little surprisingly). They’ve come from afar, as evidenced by the guy from The Wirral who we’re parked beside outside, and what’s more there’s a substantial sized audience here for Eric Johnson.
Eric Johnson – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 22nd July 2026
As the lights go down a three-piece meander on stage, steering into a boogie shuffle as the light bounce back on alongside roars of approval sound and the Texan guitarist’s name being emblazoned again KK’s backdrop. This here’s ‘Righteous’ a number that swings like ZZ Top with a fusion injection. Up on his drum riser Tal Bergman, with white long hair and beard, keeps the beat, to his left playing a five string bass, wearing short dark hair and glasses is Daniel Kimbro, while across the other side but making good use of the space in between is the man who’s name is on the ticket people have come here to see.
Eric Johnson – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 22nd July 2026
No longer the blond youth who started collecting Grammy instrumental awards back in the 80s, rather he retains a full head of hair albeit that it’s now mousy grey, his still trim figure decked out in double denim. There are squiggles and sustains within high note melodies and either side of the number’s cascading bright chords. All topped by more audience applause. It’s followed by a funkier blues that has his home State writ large across it, so when he later tell us ‘S.R.V.’ is dedicated to the late Stevie Ray Vaughn there’s little surprise.
“Thank you very much. It’s good to meet you and it’s a gift for us to play for you,” he announces. Only I wish he’d say it a little louder, because his speaking voice doesn’t always come across well over the PA, and since there are a number of instrumentals that are new to this listener, so I’m trying to get my bearings. In contrast, next up is ‘Forty Mile Town’ wherein he sings, his voice carrying well, surprisingly not unlike Richard Marx with a weary lilt. The song itself dances with unhurried grace, guitar arpeggios chiming out sweet and beautiful over Bergman’s brushed drumming.
Eric Johnson – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 22nd July 2026
Duke Ellington’s ‘Caravan’ is next, a little fast but true to its jazz origins while giving it a rock attitude. The number is extended, Johnson turning in some incredibly fast and precise runs, his guitar sounding like a vintage synthesiser in some sections, while Kimbro performs the first of what will be several bass solos tonight. ‘Friends’ follows, its heavy duty riffing coming on like a power trio Mahavishnu Orchestra only to transform into something more akin to Steely Dan, with Johnson once more singing between wild bouts of soloing.
“Great to play for you! I haven’t been here in, what, 45 years?” Johnson jokes as Bergman leaves the stage with two chairs brought on and placed near the front to seat him and Kimbro. What now ensues is a handful of acoustic numbers, that must be a delight for those watching in the photographer’s pit and but a few feet back. For the rest of us however, we see but the odd top of a head, for KK’s Steel Mill as its name implies stands on a large flat surface (so its machines kept the Black Country industry going back in the day) rather than the vista offered from say a theatre. Sound wise then, ‘Resolution’ plays out prettily always returning to its main refrain, ‘Abelia’ is slowly reflective in nature, and ‘Chester’ a ragtime shuffle the guitarist will tell us was inspired by Chet Atkins. ‘Once Upon A Time in Texas’ is more expansive creatively, incorporating harmonics, hand slides and colourful sound, slightly reminiscent of Gordon Giltrap’s work, while Texan blues, country picking with a little jazz tucked in there’s ends this part of the set with ‘Song For George’.
Eric Johnson – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 22nd July 2026
Back to a three piece and electric guitar, Johnson’s Stratocaster now replaced by a Gibson, we are offered another classic in Victor Young’s ‘Stella By Starlight’ seranade. Faithful for the most part, what defines this rendition is Johnson’s preciseness of notes and those spaces left to hang by the band as a whole. Johnson exiting the stage, but only to change guitar it appears, the rhythm section lead us into what will be the blues section of the night. ‘Eb Blues’ rips things up, slows down for ‘Trueheart Blues, and the ‘Blues Jam’ that ensues could be vintage Blues Breakers early on but progresses to sound more Cream-like should Bruce and Baker have had their Graham Bond Organisation buddy John McLaughlin replace Clapton.
‘Steve’s Boogie’ is a country picking old school rocker with jazzy ragtime asides as if played on steroids, ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ another jazz standard features time changes across its fusion interplaying with another bass solo and a drum one too that affects an interesting tom approach. As has been the case most of the night those on guitar and bass make use of the stage, face-off each other during complicated runs, and can be seen to smile often but give much focal attention to checking out their fretboards.
‘Desert Rose’ proves another number with vocals as echoed guitar chimes out, the rhythm section shifting patterns underneath. Love song or scenic poetic travelogue I’ll leave for others to decide but this 90s recorded number sounds very much of its time, and in a good way, like some pop-tinged cross between US college rock and the UK’s Big music sound – Then there’s this complete turnabout as Johnson wrangles his guitar like a wild mule, rocking with distortion, his left hand a frenzy of movement in his soloing, all before returning to the main song. And now, we’re almost nearing the end, as outlined by the extended intro that brings in ‘Cliffs Of Dover’ – Quite how what some might consider a Scottish jig at its heart won a Best Rock Instrumental Grammy back in 1992 is someone else’s problem, me I’m enjoying the incredibly phrased guitar motifs of this new age fusion, right up to the point where he lets his guitar squeal out, displays another speedy but precise and melodical run before calling out into the mic: “Hope to see you again soon!” and off they go.
Eric Johnson – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton – 22nd July 2026
Fortunately, there are encores. First, another Grammy instrumental award winner in ‘Zap’ that proves funky, and a jazz rock boogie, throbbing melodiously in its rhythm. Arms raised above their heads the crowd claps approvingly and more appreciative thanks offered from the stage as they exit once more, only to return a few minutes seeming somewhat surprised to be welcomed back, possibly having played over an allotted time. The tune proves to be a cover of Hendrix’s ‘Axis Bold As Love’, that’s fairly faithful in its rendition, before bringing the evening to a happy crowd’s end.
For a name I didn’t think that well known on these shores, Eric Johnson certainly pulled the punters in tonight and they were with him from the get-go. Unfamiliar with some of the tunes, I might’ve preferred the setlist moved around a little, another sung number, and a louder pitched mic when he spoke, but impressed? Most certainly.
Setlist:RighteousS.R.V.Forty Mile TownCaravanFriendsResolutionAbeliaChesterOnce Upon a Time in TexasSong for GeorgeStella by StarlightEb BluesTrueheart BluesBlues JamSteve’s BoogieOn Green Dolphin StreetDesert RoseCliffs of Dover
Encore:ZapAxis Bold As Love

Published 29th Jul 2026, 14:00 BSTPlacard-waving animal rights campaigners held a protest outside Wolverhampton Racecourse as guests arrived for a celebration event to mark 100 years of greyhound racing.The group of around a dozen activists stood with banners and posters at the entrance to Dunstall Park which hosted a 1920s night featuring six races, a three-course dinner and swing music organised by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain on Friday. (Far left)MPs Peter Bedford and Warinder Juss with a race winner and other guests. | ARCIt was 100 years to the day since the very first modern greyhound race was held in the UK at the Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester. Guests at Dunstall Park included Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss and former MP Angela Smith and outgoing GBGB board member. Greyhound Board of Great Britain chief executive Mark Bird said: “It was an absolute pleasure to welcome so many friends, supporters and guests from across the greyhound racing community and beyond to our Centenary Gala Night at Dunstall Park Stadium. “It was a brilliant event with some outstanding racing from our canine athletes, as well as an important opportunity to celebrate and share in our memories of all those who have contributed to our thriving, welfare-driven sport over the years. WMD Partnership with winner Strike it Skye. | Local Library“A very small number of protesters – less than 10 – chose to attend and stand outside the venue with placards but this had a negligible impact on what was a fantastic evening.”Campaigners have been calling for the struggling sport to be banned over complaints that the industry was doing not enough to protect the welfare of the breed and say they are hopeful that the sport will cease within the next decade. Dr Moe Kaur, of the Alliance Against Greyhound Racing which led Friday’s protest, said: “It is a national shame that greyhound racing has reached its centenary in England. It has been a century of cruelty to greyhounds and we continue to campaign for an end to greyhound racing. Green MP Hannah Spencer (centre) with actor Pauline Flynn (right) and a Alliance Against Greyhound Racing member protest in Manchester on July 25. | Local Library“Our primary concern is the damage repetitive racing on oval tracks in the same direction does to the bodies of greyhounds. Since records began to be published by the racing industry in 2017 there have been over 38,000 injuries resulting in 1,514 greyhounds being killed at the tracks and a total of 4,399 deaths of racing greyhounds. These injuries are specific to racing and rarely, if ever, seen in pet dogs.“They occur in greyhounds as young as two-years-old and can go on to cause lifelong pain and issues.”“Both Scotland and Wales are progressing with a ban on greyhound racing, based on the injuries and welfare concerns, and we hope that England will follow suit. Greyhound racing is in decline – decreased attendances at tracks, most races are held in empty stadiums purely for online streaming and betting, decrease in betting, decrease in number of trainers, closure of tracks and lack of financial support and general interest. We hope it will not see another 10 years in England.”
Arena Racing Company (ARC) opened a multi-million pound track at the racecourse off Gorsebrook Road in summer 2025 following the closure of Birmingham’s Perry Barr track to make way for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.Memorabilia display at the event. | Local LibrayARC’s head of racing operations Ian Smyth told gala guests: “It’s been less than a year since this track has been open, but we’ve invested in the first right kennels. They look as good as the day that they opened. We’ve been in there earlier this evening with some MPs along with some greyhound board people. There’s been huge investment in the track and the running surface. It’s probably the fairest running surface in the country now.” “It really is something that we can showcase and start to build on as we move forward in the next 12 months.” Fans can also follow the sport at the rival Monmore Green Stadium in Sutherland Avenue also in Wolverhampton.
Meanwhile, the Green MP Hannah Spencer, Coronation Street actor Pauline Flynn (pictured) took part in a protest held in Manchester on July 25.
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