GEOFF ACHISON

Geoff Achison, guitarist, singer, songwriter, Melbourne Australia 1990

Geoff Achison rose to prominence as lead guitarist for The Blues Club, a Melbourne band formed by Dutch Tilders in the late ‘80s. The core of the band was Dutch, Geoff, drummer Winston Galea, and bass player Barry Hills. They played regular Monday night gigs at the Windsor Castle Hotel, to which anyone who wanted to jam was welcome to bring their instruments along and join the fun. They always played to packed houses.

These pictures were shot at the time of the release, in 1990, of The Blues Club’s album ‘The Blues Is My Life’, the first recording to showcase Geoff’s guitar work. The award-winning album also featured tenor sax by Terry Noone, baritone sax by Martin Corcoran, keyboards by Ron Sedgman, and the harmonica work of child prodigy, Kenny Sutherland.

A self-taught guitarist, born in 1965, Geoff had been playing since the age of thirteen. Dutch recognised his phenomenal talent, and told me “We won’t be able to keep him, he’s going to go places”.

THE BLUES CLUB, 1990. L-R Barry Hills, Winston Galea, Geoff Achison, 'Dutch' Tilders

'Dutch' Tilders for the cover of 'The Blues Is My Life' recorded live at Studio 52, Melbourne, 24-25 November 1989

Within a couple of years, Geoff travelled to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Challenge, and won the Albert King Award, as well as great accolades from the music press. Since that time, he has toured extensively in Europe, the U.S.A., and Australia, building a huge fan base. People loves Geoff’s acoustic and electric guitar work as much as they do his singing style, and his witty, distinctly Australian stage manner.

Being a lover of jamming, he has worked with many great musicians, including the Allman Brothers and one of the true heroes of the guitar world, Les Paul, inventor of the solid-bodied electric guitar which has remained a favourite since 1952, The Gibson Les Paul. Geoff is always busy touring with his band, The Souldiggers, and has built a large catalogue of recordings. Many examples of his work are available on YouTube.