Known as the voice of sixties favourites Amen Corner and with a string of solo hits in the mid-seventies, Andy Fairweather Low took the surprising decision to put his own career on hold in favour of becoming one of the most in-demand session men in the business.

It was a bold decision but one that paid off as he went on to record with everyone from Jimi Hendrix to The Who and toured with the likes of Roger Waters and most notably, Eric Clapton.

Now, following the critical success of ‘Sweet Soulful Music’ his first solo record for 26 years, the Cardiff-born singer is touring and recording in his own right once again.

“Having made the studio album in 2006, I wanted to tour again as myself," says Andy.

"Because for 28 years I’ve been playing guitar and singing for other people and I’ve now worked with everyone that I ever wanted and in all that time I can honestly say that I’ve never been fired.

"It was so refreshing to make an album simply because I wanted to.

"I wasn’t pushed by anyone, it was simply a desire to record some songs that I had hanging about.

"I don’t feel that I’m in the music business as such, you know, I’m making a living, but mainly from playing live so there are no pressures or deadlines to contend with and when the time is right, I may go back into the studio.

"I had my fifteen minutes in ‘the biz’ a long time ago, all I want to do now is keep working.”

After the glory days with Amen Corner and all the solo hits, did you find that you had retained a big chunk of fans from the early days?

He laughs: “No, big and chunk are not the words I would have used on the first comeback date that I played!

"I went back to Rhyl in North Wales and there were about 20 people in a 2,000-seat theatre.

"It made me realise that as I hadn’t been around for a while, it was a case of getting out there and letting people know I was back out on the road.”

It must have felt like you were starting over again.

“Exactly that.

"I’m blessed to have done what I’ve done, but on the level of playing in front of people, it was definitely like going back to the beginning "It’s a joy to play in a small venue again, especially some of the old refurbished theatres, they are just glorious. Most of the musicians that I know, in their hearts would much rather play the smaller venues.”

One of the more unusual anecdotes from Andy’s rock and roll life involves a trip to New York, Hendrix and a petrol cap.

A self-confessed car fanatic, Andy brought a Shelby Cobra GT500 from Mike Jefferies who was co-managing Hendrix at the time.

It was reputed to be the only model in Britain and after Andy mentioned his pride and joy in a TV interview, Customs & Excise impounded it for unpaid import duty. He eventually got it back, and on hearing that the model was due to be discontinued, Andy headed for New York for spare parts including a new petrol cap.

“While I was in New York, I went down to the studio to say hello,"continues Andy.

"Funnily enough, Family’s Roger Chapman was also there and Jimi said do you fancy singing?

"It was a re-take of ‘Stone Free’, in fact they’ve just released a new Hendrix album and apparently the track is on there.

"So it was well worth the trip.

"I got to sing on a session with Jimi and I came back with my petrol cap with the big Cobra head on it.

Dennis Locorriere plus Andy Fairweather Low and The Low Riders, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, March 20, 8pm, £20. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.