About this Event
Join us at Temple of Art and Music for an unforgettable one-night-only celebration of the legendary Dana Gillespie — sixty years of songs, opened live like a box of surprises. This is more than a concert: it's the story of one of British music's most fearless careers, told in two extraordinary acts. First, the young artists of TAM's Open Music Academy perform Dana's songbook — from the rarities she wrote as a teenager in Swinging London to her very newest compositions — live, in front of her. Then Dana Gillespie herself takes the stage with her London Blues Band for two full sets of powerhouse blues.
The night takes its name from Box of Surprises, the cult album Dana recorded on Decca as a teenager in 1968 — but the box we open on 30 July holds far more than one record. It holds a career that runs from the folk clubs of 1960s London, where a 15-year-old Dana cut her first single with Donovan on guitar, and Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones — later of Led Zeppelin — played on her debut LP Foolish Seasons… through originating Mary Magdalene in the original West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar… through her legendary friendship with David Bowie, who wrote "Andy Warhol" for her and invited her to sing on Ziggy Stardust… to four consecutive years as Top British Female Blues Vocalist, induction into the British Blues Hall of Fame, opening for Bob Dylan at Wembley Arena, co-founding the Mustique Blues Festival, and more than 74 albums.
Tonight, that entire story is pulled out of the box — one song at a time.
The Opening Hour — Box of Surprises No setlist will be published. That's the point. The young singers and songwriters of TAM's Open Music Academy — who have spent months working directly with Dana as their Mentor in Residence — perform her songs from 1966 right up to work written this year at TAM. Rarities that have seldom, and in some cases perhaps never, been performed live. Every song is a surprise. Every performer is the age Dana was when she started filling the box.
The Main Event — Dana Gillespie & Her London Blues Band: Two Full Sets Then the legend herself. Fronting her London Blues Band since 1980 — the outfit that made history with the first major concert tour of India by a Western blues act — Dana delivers two full sets of the music she was always heading towards: hot blues, sung with the grit, humour and passion that made her a matriarch of the British blues scene. Expect classic material, deep cuts, and the stories in between, told in her own unmistakable voice.
Why Attend
- Witness a world-first format — A living legend hears her own sixty-year songbook performed back to her by the next generation, then answers it herself. You will not see this anywhere else.
- Deep cuts and rarities, live — Songs from Dana's 1960s Decca era that collectors treasure and audiences have rarely, if ever, heard performed on a stage. No setlist published — every song a genuine surprise.
- Two full sets of blues royalty — Dana Gillespie and her London Blues Band, at full power: a four-time Top British Female Blues Vocalist and Blues Hall of Famer doing what she does best.
- Be part of TAM history — This is one of the final major shows at Temple of Art and Music before our doors close in December 2026. A night where one artist's beginning meets a venue's farewell — and both are handed forward to a new generation.
- Take a piece of the story home — Signed copies of Dana's acclaimed memoir Weren't Born A Man — her backstage pass through six decades with Bowie, Page, Dylan and beyond — will be available at the venue.
Whether you're a lifelong Dana Gillespie fan, a blues devotee, a collector of 1960s rarities, or simply looking for an extraordinary night out, this is a once-only event. Book your tickets now and watch the box open — sixty years of songs, one unforgettable night. ??✨
Early Career Beginnings
Dana Gillespie’s musical journey began in the vibrant London music scene of the early 1960s. As a teenager, she was captivated by American Blues – an infatuation sparked by attending the American Folk Blues Festival and watching British Blues pioneers like The Yardbirds and John Mayall. Blues may have been her first love, but Gillespie initially found her footing performing folk and pop songs. She cut her first single at just 15 years old (with folk icon Donovan accompanying on guitar) and became a regular on the U.K. folk club circuit. In those early days, she mingled with future rock legends – even having a young Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones (later of Led Zeppelin fame) play on her first Decca LP 'Foolish Seasons'. These formative years saw Gillespie evolving from a folk-pop singer into an artist with an expanding musical palette, setting the stage for the genre-spanning career to come.
Theatre Breakthrough
Dana Gillespie originated the role of Mary Magdalene in the original London production of Jesus Christ Superstar (1972), earning recognition for her performance in the West End of London. This role marked her early success beyond music and highlighted her talent as an actress.
Collaboration with David Bowie
One of the most pivotal friendships of Gillespie’s career was with David Bowie. The two met as teenagers in mid-1960s London, sparking a close personal and professional relationship that lasted through the late ’60s and mid ’70s. Bowie quickly became a champion of Gillespie’s talent as he penned the song “Andy Warhol” specifically for her, and he invited her to sing backing vocals on his iconic Ziggy Stardust album, and even co-produced with her 1973 record Weren’t Born a Man alongside Dana herself and guitarist Mick Ronson. During this glam-rock era, Gillespie and Bowie were both managed by Tony Defries of the famed MainMan organization.
Transition to the Blues
In 1980 Dana began fronted her own group, the London Blues Band, and from that point on, her recordings and performances were firmly rooted in the Blues genre, allowing her powerful voice to shine. She immersed herself in Blues music, touring extensively across Europe and beyond. In 2002, for example, Gillespie and her London Blues Band made history by embarking on the first-ever major concert tour of India by a Western Blues act, organised by the British Council and filling venues from Darjeeling to Cochin and bringing the Blues to thousands of new fans.
In the 1990s she was voted “Top British Female Blues Vocalist” four years in a row (1992–1996) and was eventually inducted into the British Blues Hall of Fame. Dana Gillespie’s dedication to the Blues, and her ability to channel its emotion with grit, humour, and passion, firmly established her as one of the leading voices in Blues world.
Long-Standing Impact
Even after more than sixty years in the business, Dana Gillespie shows no signs of slowing down. She remains remarkably prolific and to date she has been involved in the recording of over 74 albums and continues to perform for audiences around the world. In 1995 Dana Gillespie co-foiunded with Basil Charles OBE the now famous Mustique Blues Festival, a Caribbean event that draws international talent and raises money for charity.
Gillespie’s enduring appeal across generations is evident in the company she keeps. In 1997, none other than Bob Dylan, an old friend from the ’60s, invited her to join him as the opening act on his U.K. tour, including a sold-out show at Wembley Arena. Whether on stage, on record, or even on the airwaves (she had her own radio show for 11 years called Globetrotting With Gillespie), Gillespie’s passion remains undiminished. Her continued presence and energy inspire both longtime Blues aficionados and new fans alike, as she proves that authentic music only grows richer with time.
Legacy and Significance
With a career that has spanned folk, rock, and blues, Dana Gillespie has carved out a singular place in music history. She is often hailed as a “multiple award–winning Blues legend”, an artist who not only mastered the craft of Blues singing but also tirelessly promoted the genre across the world. Few performers can claim her level of versatility, from sharing stages with 1960s folk heroes and rock superstars, to becoming a matriarch of the British Blues scene, Gillespie has done it all. Through changing musical eras, she has continually evolved herself while staying true to the soulful, rebellious spirit that defined her art. Trends have come and gone, but Gillespie’s bold personality, witty songwriting, and powerhouse voice have remained constants, endearing her to generations of listeners.
Today, Dana Gillespie stands as a living link between musical eras, a true embodiment of rock and Blues heritage. Her influence and longevity are a testament to the timeless quality of the music she loves. Celebrating her career at this event is something truly special. It’s an opportunity to honour an artist who has given six decades of music her heart and soul. For both lifelong fans and those discovering her for the first time, experiencing Dana Gillespie’s story and songs in person promises to be an unforgettable celebration of a unique and enduring musical legacy.
Dana Gillespie has captured her 60 years in music with the release of her memoirs, Weren’t Born A Man, offering fans an intimate look into her extraordinary journey through Rock, Blues, and beyond. From her early days in the London folk scene to working alongside legends like David Bowie, Jimmy Page, and Bob Dylan, Dana’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rock ’n’ roll spirit.
For those who prefer to hear it straight from Dana herself, an Audible version of the book is also available, bringing her incredible tales to life in her own unmistakable voice.
? Want a piece of history? You can purchase a signed copy of Weren’t Born A Man at the Temple of Art and Music, a perfect keepsake for any true music lover.
This memoir isn’t just a book—it’s a backstage pass to one of the most fearless careers in music history.
Event venue & nearby stays
Temple of Art & Music (TAM), 42 Newington Causeway, London, United Kingdom
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