THE saying 'like father, like son' certainly rings true for Roy and Nick Harper who have had a career in the industry spanning more than 50 years between them.

Manchester-born Roy began listening to blues at an early age, forming a band - De Boys - with his brothers David and Harry.

Despite a harrowing spell in the RAF, and a subsequent nervous breakdown, his love for music shone through and he was given a chance to record his debut album, The Sophisticated Beggar, in 1966.

Years down the line it seems the passion rubbed off on his son Nick, now 40, who also took to the stage, making his first appearance on his father's Whatever Happened To Jugula album - a collaboration between Roy Harper and Jimmy Page, of Led Zeppelin fame, in 1983.

Now, the two very talented musicians will be both be appearing in Worcester this month.

Roy - whose latest compilation Counter Culture celebrates nearly 40 years of his song-writing - will be playing at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall on Friday, October 14. Nick will be making a welcome return to the city's Marr's Bar in Pierpoint Street on Sunday, October 30.

Roy was snapped up by Columbia Records after the success of his debut and he was signed by EMI subsidiary Harvest.

In the early 70s he became ill, but that did not stop him playing a gig at London's Rainbow, backed by Page, Keith Moon and Ronnie Lane.

And in 1976 he bought a farm in Hereford and released Bullinamingvase, which featured Paul and Linda McCartney.

In the years that followed, Roy worked with the likes of Dave Gilmour, of Pink Floyd, and Kate Bush.

Nick's first solo release - Light At The End of The Kennel - came in 1994, and his career shifted direction when he supported Squeeze frontman and songwriter Glenn Tilbrook. Tickets for Roy Harper's gig are £16.50, while Nick Harper's are £8 in advance or £10 on the door.