Rich Dickinson's Driving Force - Sunday 15 June 2025 at Gunmakers Arms, Birmingham

Rich Dickinson's Driving Force
Rich Dickinson:

From a young age I grew up listening to such groups as The Beatles, The Kinks and The Rolling Stones, but it was when I saw Jimi Hendrix playing guitar on television that I really fell in love with that instrument. My parents bought me an acoustic guitar for my 10th birthday which I still own.

Over the years I have toured with countless acts from a wide mix of genres including Joe Brown, The Tremolos, Screaming Lord Sutch, Andy Ross Orchestra and Chas and Dave and in later years the Datsun’s, Blackfoot, Frank Marino's Mahogany Rush.

I consider myself first and foremost a live performer and have developed by own playing style over many years, drawing my influences from Jimi Hendrix, Garry Moore, Rory Gallagher, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen and many others.

I have a long and personal association with Marshall Amplification and currently use a JCM 800 head and 2x12 hand wired cab.

I play mainly 70’s Strat’s (Including my aluminium bodied Peter Kellett Custom Strat), most loaded with Seymour Duncan and/or DiMarzio Pickups plus a brace of Gibson Les Pauls.

I had the chance to produce music for Channel 4 on the 100 best and 100 worst series and have also appeared on national and local television and radio in connection with the launch of the JH signature series Marshall 100 amplifier based on serial number 7026 an amplifier I had owned since the early 70’s (See Hendrix Amp Page.), Guitarist Magazine featured a detailed history with an adjoining CD featuring music I recorded with Jimi's amp at the Marshall theatre performance stage.

I play in two bands…

KAOS Rocks! A mix of original and classic iconic rock covers.
Rich Dickinson's Driving Force, who play blues rock-based tunes in the style of Joe Bonamassa, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher etc plus some slide guitar.

Gunmakers Arms
The Gunmakers Arms is the Two Towers Brewery tap; a real ale pub close Birmingham's heart, just five minutes walk from Snow Hill Station. serving proper traditional real ale brewed on the premises as well as the occasional guest ales and, naturally, a wide range of other beers, lagers, ciders, wines, spirits, soft drinks and bar snacks. On the walls there's an
ever-changing exhibition of exciting work by Birmingham-based artists and photographers (most of it for sale). Budget rooms are available above the pub;
see below for details. The Gunmakers Arms is very friendly,
a little bit quirky and there’s always something going on.

BAR SNACKS AND SIMPLE, UNPRETENTIOUS FOOD SERVED MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 5PM TO 8PM.

Live Music every Sunday from 7pm ish