Bobby Valentine and Andy McGarvie have put together a new show for 2025. ‘Riding With The King’ marks the 25th anniversary of the Eric Clapton and BB King classic ‘Riding With The King’.
Few songs in modern blues have enjoyed the cross-generational life of Riding With The King. Written by John Hiatt in 1983, the song first appeared on his album of the same name, but it wasn’t until 2000 that it truly reached global recognition when Eric Clapton and B.B. King recorded it as the title track for their Grammy-winning collaboration. The Clapton/King version went on to sell millions worldwide, cementing the song as a staple of contemporary blues.
Australian singer, songwriter, and bandleader Bobby Valentine has long admired the track. Known for his commanding stage presence and deep knowledge of roots music, Valentine has built a career that spans decades across jazz, swing, and blues. Now, he’s putting his own spin on Riding With The King, building an album around its legacy and celebrating the enduring power of great songs reimagined through new voices.
In this Noise11 interview, Valentine sits down with Paul Cashmere to explain why Riding With The King was the natural centrepiece for his new record, how he approached the challenge of reinterpreting a track already made iconic by legends, and why Australian musicians continue to play a vital role in keeping the blues alive.
Valentine also discusses the origins of the song itself, acknowledging John Hiatt’s clever storytelling, and how Clapton and King transformed it into a trans-Atlantic blues anthem. For Valentine, the track is not just a song but a vehicle – one that carries the listener into a timeless space where tradition and reinvention meet.
What follows is a conversation about inspiration, reinvention, and respect for musical history — proof that the blues, in the hands of artists like Bobby Valentine, is far from a museum piece.
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