MIKE Sanchez opened up for rock gods Led Zeppelin, but the East End boogie woogie star admits tonight’s headline slot at Burnley’s International Rock and Blues Festival has the stage nerves jangling just as much.

The Mechanics main stage will be jumping with an emotional return by Sanchez and his band, who featured at the first Burnley Blues Festival in 1988.

In 2007, Sanchez played the giant 02 Arena as part of Bill Wyman’s Rhythmn Kings at Zeppelin’s now famous London re-union show.

“Playing with Led Zeppelin was incredible, just out of this world really, and I was speechless with nerves because it was the gig of decade,” recalled Sanchez.

“I’d never felt anything like that before a performance, but coming back to Burnley is a huge moment for me because of what it has meant to my career.

“I did the first one quarter of a century ago, which was very special because I was only twenty-odd and just starting out.

“I’ve played several times since, and I owe a huge debt to a festival which has helped create a special legacy.

“I want it to be a special performance – Burnley has always felt like my second home.

“I’m just as fired up and nervous ahead of tonight’s show as when we played with Zeppelin.”

His indelible image as a frenetic front man, pumping powerful boogie-woogie from the piano in a red zoot suit, has won him fans all over the world and attracted a following from famous rock and blues legends who have lined up to work with him.

He enjoyed several years with Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, fronting the band, shoulder to shoulder with Georgie Fame, Albert Lee, and Andy Fairweather-Low on their annual world tours.

Sanchez took up playing the guitar in his teens, forming a roustabout rockabilly trio, the Rockets, and developing a strong love for 1950s American roots music.

“When I was at school I dreamed that one day I’d be up there on the stage - all I wanted to do was dress up cool and have a good time,” he said.

“I slicked my hair back James Dean style and my love for music was inspired by that fire and brimstone sound of rock and roll’s energy.

“Later on, when I played with the Bigtown Playboys, people said that we were a revivalist band, but we were just rockers.”

Sanchez celebrates his 50th birthday next year – and has settled down in Spain’s Sierra Gredos with his English bride and their first child Louie.

“I’ve lived life I suppose, so Mike Marshall is writing a book about my career, and there will be a new record to accompany the release next year.

“I love what I do just as much as the moment when I stepped out on stage as a teenager and there’s still a lot of music left in me.

“I’ve had the incredible honour of performing with soul legends Ben E King, Percy Sledge and Sam Moore, so I’ve lived the dream really.”

  • Mike Sanchez and his band, Burnley Mechanics, tonight, details from the box office on 01282 664400.