DeZ was born in the 60’s. Her parents subjected her to all styles of music. Elvis was definitely a big influence to all the family during this period. During her teenage years Desley was herself subjected to much of what was popular to most young adolescents.
For many years DeZ had wished to gain skills and an understanding of different genres of music, so she studied music part time. It wasn’t until she was in her 30’s that she did branch out and listen to more old style blues music and gained a genuine love and understanding of the Blues.
When DeZ is performing she likes to impart her love for music onto her audience. When she is on the stage, it seems, there is nowhere she would rather be.
Ian - Bass Guitar:
known as the ‘professor of the blues’, Ian has been an aficionado of blues music for most of his life.
Born in 1953, Ian started playing in bands at the end of the 60’s. His first band of any longevity was known as ‘Open Road’. In many ways Open Road was a prototype of Blonde on Blue as they played a mixture of blues and rock classics. Even down to the line up of guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocal.
Like many others from this era music took a back seat as marriage and families took precedence although the desire and interest never waned. It took a chance meeting with fellow band member Dave Large to re-ignite the passion and join a band after many years of inactivity.
Following a brief search the boys came into contact with DeZ – Blonde on Blue started rehearsals in July 2005 and as the saying goes, the rest is history. Apart from laying down the bass grooves, Ian sees his role in the band as trying to keep the band as ‘true’ as it can to its original origins of blues based music
Vinny - Lead Guitar
Vinny joined the Blonde on Blue line up in Nov 2006 as lead guitarist. He describes being captivated by the sound of the blues after first hearing Muddy Waters, while still a schoolboy growing up in Dublin. After stints playing guitar and harmonica with local Dublin bands, ‘The Incinerators’ and ‘The Telegraph Blues Band’, he moved to Australia in 1998. A fully fledged blues fanatic, his musical influences include Freddie King, Albert Collins, SRV and Rory Gallagher.
Richard- Drums
Richards' passion for music began in the sixties when through his older brother he was exposed to rhythm and blues artists such as Johnny Winter, Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters. At age 14 Richard began playing gigs around Sydneys' pub and club scene in various original and cover bands, supporting artists like Sherbert, Skyhooks, Cold Chisel, Hush, Ted Mulry & Rose tattoo to name a few. Sixteen years later and a change of scene with a move to Brisbane saw the focus change to family life but Richards' passion for groove based R&B has never waned and it was this that brought him to Blonde on Blue.
