IT seems a little incongruous that a legend like Geno Washington plays at Builth Wells' Wyeside venue tonight (Thursday) when he has played venues like London's Royal Albert Hall and the 100 Club.

With a new album to promote, the stalwart performer is back on the road and he's calling on his fans to 'come on down'.

The cameras will be rolling at Builth for a documentary on Geno's life being made by Channel 4.

Forty years performing live makes it a date not to miss. 'Still rocking, still raw' is what the reviews say.

The 62-year-old blues and soul star has toured with names like The Who, Small Faces and Eric Clapton and is intent on spreading a bit of joy.

His name resounded in bars and clubs for a second generation of fans when Dexy's Midnight Runners 1980s hit, Oh Geno, made number one in the UK charts.

Lauding the legend's performing energy, it also - on closer inspection - seemed to suggest that Geno was a stone who had stopped rolling:

"And now you're all over, your song is so tame.

"You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name."

Born in Evansville, Indiana, Geno arrived in the UK in 1961 as PT instructor with the US Airforce.

He was lured to stay by the 'great attitude of the people'.

"The underground fashion and music scene made England a great place to be...it was a happening place and I didn't want to miss out."

Having settled in Ipswich, Geno witnessed the screaming appreciation that Shane Fenton - who went on to become Alvin Stardust - got on stage.

"It seemed like a job for me!" Geno says, knowing that if he failed he could always disappear back to the US and wash cars.

That never came to pass, for two hit albums followed: Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin' Daddies and Hand Clappin', Foot Stompin', Funky Butt - the second of which remained in the UK charts for 48 weeks.

The 70s found Geno taking stock of his spiritual side, returning to the US where he qualified as a hypnotherapist.

"I had to straighten myself up," he says. "A lot of people didn't make the trip out of those rock and roll years."

Concentrating on the music, he started writing his own material, travelling up and down California with his part-hypnotherapy part-soul show.

Later, a three-year sell-out success at Edinburgh in the late 90s was followed by musical collaboration with Adamski and Gabrielle.

He teaches self-empowerment and is having fun as a writer.

So why, with wife of 37 years Frenchie on board, is he still touring?

"I love people, for starters," he says. "My object for doing all this is to get people to forget their problems... together we will rock the house.

"People need that release, to enjoy themselves, they just start partying."

Hear Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band tonight from 8pm. Call the box office on 01982 552555.