Elkie Brooks is one of Britain’s most revered singers. See her in Burnley on April 9 and Barrow on June 2.

The Salford-born singer has had numerous hit singles, million selling albums and awards.

Performing some of her classic hits, blues, jazz and perhaps a song or two from her latest - and her 19th - studio album Powerless, Elkie is an electric performer and regarded as one of the great British voices.

As a 15-year-old with a passion for the blues, jazz and great artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Elkie left her childhood home to pursue dreams of becoming a singer.

Early professional engagements included appearances with the Eric Delaney Band and British Jazz hero Humphrey Lyttelton.

On signing to the famous Decca label, Elkie released her first single Something’s Got A Hold On Me in 1964.

Several more single releases followed but Elkie’s association with Decca soon ended and Elkie spent the next few years appearing on package tours with various artists including The Animals and even The Beatles.

In 1970, her career took on a whole new direction after meeting guitarist Pete Gage and together they formed rock fusion band, Dada.

The group worked well but changes were brought about with the arrival of another future star by the name of Robert Palmer.

With this new addition, Dada became Vinegar Joe. Robert, a good looking, talented young man proved the perfect foil for the equally brilliant Elkie. Their raunchy and rocky live performances became legendary, securing them a record deal with the Island label.

However, chart success eluded them and the band dissolved in 1974 Further success followed with the hit singles Sunshine After The Rain, Lilac Wine, the evergreen classic Don’t Cry Out Loud and the hit albums Shooting Star (1978) and Live and Learn (1979).

During this period Elkie undertook many large tours selling out each venue she visited including the Royal Albert Hall and a week-long engagement at London’s Palladium.

In 1981, the release of the Pearls album propelled Elkie into the realms of superstardom. This collection of past hits and new recordings rose to number 2 and stayed in the charts for an incredible 79 weeks. At the time of release it became the biggest selling album by a British female singer in the history of the UK charts, selling more than 1.2 million copies.

* Elkie Brooks performs at Mechanics, Burnley on April 9. £20 01282 664 400; then Forum 28, Barrow, on June 2. Tickets 01229 820 000.