A Night Of Sixties Magic At Dimbola As ‘Jimi And Friends’ Rock Freshwater

It was a night of pure nostalgia at Dimbola last month, as the ‘Jimi and Friends’ gig transported the crowd straight back to the flower-power era.

Many arrived dressed in true sixties and seventies style, matching the retro spirit of Big Red & The Cava Boys, who headlined the event.

But it was the music that stole the show.

Shaun “Big Red” Barker (drums) led The Cava Boys — featuring James Thorpe on lead guitar, Neil McCarthy on keyboards, David Fisher on percussion, and a Joe Robertson MP lookalike on bass guitar and vocals — through a powerhouse set of hits from the era.

The night also featured a special appearance from Dick Taylor, widely regarded as the Island’s godfather of rock ’n’ roll.

Taylor, whose work with The Pretty Things influenced artists from David Bowie to Pete Doherty, delivered trademark guitar solos throughout.

Guest vocals from Angelina Grimshaw and Jo Larcombe added even more depth to the line-up.

Kicking off with The Beatles’ Come Together, the band rolled effortlessly from one classic to another. Taylor’s soaring solos, Jo Larcombe’s smoky vocals and Angelina’s rich, soulful performance kept the energy high.

The second set paid tribute to the legendary 1969 and 1970 Isle of Wight Festivals, beginning with three Jimi Hendrix numbers.

When asked if he’d ever met Hendrix, Taylor casually replied, “I gave him a lift once,” prompting huge cheers.

From Neil’s superb Vox-style keyboard work on Light My Fire to tight guitar interplay and rhythmic percussion from David, the night delivered one highlight after another.

The main set closed with Like a Rolling Stone, but the band returned for a rousing encore of All Along the Watchtower, bringing the house down.

“We were thrilled to be asked to perform at Dimbola,” said James Thorpe.

“Just a stone’s throw from where Jimi and many others stood in 1970.

"The fine people of Freshwater really turned out in force, making it a night to remember.”

Event organiser Brian Hinton said he was “bowled over,” describing the evening as “very special,” with songs echoing the performances he witnessed as a teenager at Afton 55 years ago.

“We could have sold the night three times over,” added Jo Macaulay.

“So I’m delighted that Big Red & The Cava Boys will return in mid-April for another gig — this time featuring even more music from The Pretty Things, plus favourites from Jimi and Friends.”

The event raised funds for a new dedicated room in Dimbola’s Isle of Wight Festival exhibition, celebrating Jimi Hendrix’s iconic performance at the 1970 ‘Last Great Event’ at Afton.

The new space will overlook the Hendrix statue commissioned by John Giddings in 2006.