Rol & Rosch. © 2019 Filip Veirman.
The Winklepickers is a Luxembourgian band playing mostly rhythm ‘n’ blues from the 1970ies and 1980ies. The name Winklepickers (also called Winkle Pickers) comes from special shoes or boots that have been worn by British Rock & Roll fans since the 1950s.
Deeply rooted in the Chicago style, The Winklepickers feels strongly influenced by the rough, powerful and direct playing style known from British groups such as Dr Feelgood and Nine Below Zero. The Winklepickers specialize in contemporary interpretations of classics by former blues musicians such as Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson. Furthermore, the repertoire also includes current pieces (including Fabulous Thunderbirds) and their own compositiouns.
The band was founded in January 2001 and played their first concert on April 20, 2001. In autumn 2010 the band performed at the Lucerne Blues Festival 2010.1
Bassist Paul Lebrun passed away in 2014 and after a two-year break the band has been performing sporadically as the Melcher / Meyer duo since 2016.
Official description
Here we go again: Roger Melcher (vocals and harp) and Roland Meyer (guitar, stomp box and vocals) are “The Winklepickers”.
Spiced up acoustic blues from the deepest Alzette river valley, hill-billy roots and bluegrass power from down-town Luxembourg City ’til the heights of the northern countryside.
From Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Little Walter Jacobs to the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin: a fabulous journey through the deep old blue swampy delta of “Blues de Luxe”.
Line-up (2024)
- Roger Melcher (vocals, blues harp)
- Roland Meyer (guitar, stomp box, vocals)
Discography
- 2008: Twelve R&B Knock-Outs
- 2012: Haddocks and French Kisses2
Literature
Fiedler, Marc: Rocker-Schuhe der Größe 47 ; Rubrik “Tzeedee” in d’Lëtzebuerger Land vum 10. Juli 2008
Links
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067235082130
Former band members
- Paul Lebrun (1954-2014, bass, vocals)
- Paul Neuen (drums)
- Tom Lehnert (drums)