He played at Woodstock, he's toured with some of the biggest names in music and this month Andy Fairweather Low embarks on his first solo tour for 28 years. We spoke to him.

FOR someone who has been everywhere and seen most things Andy Fairweather Low is remarkably unassuming.

"I can't believe that I'm playing in proper venues with this tour," he says. "I think I should be playing in pubs. I'm just starting out again really."

As "guitarist to the stars" Andy has been a long-serving member of Eric Clapton's band. He's worked with Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, most recently performing the classic album Dark Side of the Moon live, and he's been called on by everyone from The Who to Bill Wyman.

And yet, with his first full solo tour in 28 years calling at Darwen's Library Theatre on Thursday, you sense that he is a little apprehensive.

"It's not something I've really done for so long. It's a lifetime since I was out on my own," he said.

Except Andy won't be on his own.

The line-up of his band reads like a Who's Who of the music industry and features on keyboards Wix Wickens, who usually makes his living as Paul McCartney's musical director; Henry Spinetti, Eric Clapton's regular drummer, and bassist Dave Bronze, again a Clapton regular.

"The people who play with me are really giving me the greatest honour," said Andy. "Being honest, I couldn't really afford to pay them to come out on the road with me and I would have understood completely it they couldn't do it but they all turned round and said yes."

Andy first came to prominence with Amen Corner, having hits like Bend me, Shape Me in the late '60s, before by his own admission becoming something of a music refugee. He had a hit in the '70s with Wide Eyed and Legless but a series of solo albums in the mid-70s - which featured top musicians and were critically acclaimed - failed to make any real impact.

"I suppose you could say punk came along and finished me off," said Andy.

After becoming one of the most in-demand guitarists, Andy released a new album - Sweet Soulful Music - last year and did a few dates to promote it.

"It gave me a chance to go back through the catalogue. I hadn't played Hello Suzie, for example, since 1969. It gave me the chance to give it a bit of treatment and I found it fun," he said.

"I've had to be fairly disciplined as far as the set is concerned as there is so much I could run with. There is quite a lot of blues and gospel on the tour but everything from the Amen Corner stuff to the new songs fits really well together."

There will be a bonus for fans attending the Darwen show - it is to be filmed for a live DVD.

Andy Fairweather Low plays Darwen Library Theatre on Thursday, October 18. Details from the box office on 01254 706006.