Lloyd Spiegel (VIC)

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Lloyd Spiegel is a singer, songwriter and guitarist with a reputation for excellence in his music and performance. Lloyd made his mark as one of Australia's best known blues performers from a very early age.

After winning his first talent competition at age 10, he soon began playing regular gigs in Melbourne with some of the country's finest blues bands. At age 13 he formed Midnight Special and at 15 recorded and produced his first CD.

As front man for Midnight Special from 1993 to 1998 and as a solo performer since 1996, Lloyd has played in Melbourne's most popular live venues (including the Esplanade Hotel, The Palace, The Central Club and The Continental Cafe) as well as the internationally renowned Melbourne Concert Hall where he headlined 2 sellout shows. He has played on bills with many of Australia's biggest names - Billy Thorpe, Jimmy Barnes, The Hoodoo Gurus and The Angels and has also shared the stage with Chris Wilson, Matt Taylor and The Badloves.

Since 1995, Lloyd has spent up to 5 months each year in the USA where he has become a highly sought after musician for Blues festivals and venues across the country and a favourite of the discerning American blues audiences.

During these tours he appeared on bills with legendary blues artists like Charlie Musslewhite, Buddy Guy, Canned Heat and The Fabulous Thunderbirds as well as artists from other musical styles like Peter Frampton, Men at Work and Bob Dylan. He also performed with Brownie McGhee, The James Cotton band, Tommy Castro and Sugar Blue.

As Lloyd's reputation as an energetic & talented performer has spread, he is now playing to packed houses in America, receiving standing ovations and regularly selling out of CDs. Festivals in Missouri, Ohio, Illinois and Tennessee noted his performance as an event highlight, playing for record crowds and often out-drawing the headline artists.

Lloyd's style mixes blues with soul, folk and soft rock. Whether performing classic blues, reworking some his favourite songs or performing his own material, his rhythmic, hard-edged guitar playing and strong vocals gives a fresh sound to acoustic blues while his on-stage presence and high energy performance captivates his audience.

Lloyd was the winner of the 2004 Victorian Blues Music Awards for 'Male Artist of the Year', 'Solo of the Year' and 'Song of the Year'. He won the Australian Blues Music (Chain) Award in 2005 for 'Duo or Group of the Year'.

Lloyd was announced as the Official Ambassador for the 2005 Australian Blues Music Festival on 12 September 2004. He did such a brilliant job as 'The Bass' that we asked him to do it all again for 2006. From 2007, Lloyd has kindly agreed to be a Patron of the Festival. - Thanks Lloyd!

CDs include:
Timber and Steel (2006)
Tall Stories (2005)
Lloyd Spiegel Live (2001)

Click Here to view blues CDs & DVDs currently available from the Australian Blues Music Festival from this website or in-store at the Festival Office located in the Goulburn Visitor Information Centre.

The Lloyd Spiegel Band featured at the Australian Blues Music Festival in 2006, 2005, 2004 & 2002 and at the very first Festival in 1997 with his band the Midnight Special. Lloyd returned in 2007 to perform his solo show plus joined with his former teacher Geoff Achison for a special duo show. Lloyd also presented a workshop at the 2007 Festival.

Visit Lloyd's website at: www.lloydspiegel.com