IN the late Sixties and early Seventies, Roy Wood was at the forefront of some of the most creative sounds of the day.

The rainbow-haired rocker was responsible for some of the most recognisable hits of the era from the Move’s number one hit Blackberry Way to Wizzard’s chart-topping singles See My Baby Jive and Angel Fingers.

Now 70, he’s back out on tour and heading to Manchester next week with his own version of a big band.

“On keyboards is Danny McCormack who was musical director for Van Morrison, and the rhythm section is from The Climax Blues Band,” said Roy.

“Then I’ve got four sax players in John ‘Boysey’ Battrum, James Russell and brothers Jim and Paul Corry. On bass I’ve got Neil Simpson, Roy Adams on drums and Shell Naylor on backing vocals.”

As for Roy, a noted multi-instrumentalist, he’s limiting himself to just two instruments for the show.

“I now only play guitar and bagpipes on stage,” he said. “I just really only dabble in playing other instruments for recording purposes, and I don’t consider myself to be what you would call proficient on all of them.”

So he can’t leave the bagpipes out?

“No, not really, “ he said, “but they’re a pain in the ass.”

At the heart of Roy’s music has always been some impressive vocal harmonies.

“I was greatly influenced by the Beach Boys,” he said. “Their harmonies were amazing, and God Only Knows is the song I wish I’d written, I always turn it up when it comes on the radio”

So influenced was he by them, that on many of Wizzard’s records is the credit ‘vocal backing by The Bleach Boys’.

As well as The Beach Boys, Roy is influenced by classical music and listens to a varied selection of music.

“I like a bit of big band jazz, especially Buddy Rich and Count Basie,” he said. “In fact, on Basie’s album Atomic Basie, there’s a sax player called Eddie ‘Lockjaw’ Davis.”

“He’s my favourite sax player. He sounds like a madman.

“I also like The Killers. Their song Human was one of the best singles for years.”

Although in recent years Roy may taken more of a back seat on the recording front, he has recently been back in the studio.

“Some years ago I recorded a track with my old mate Jeff Lynne (from ELO) and I’m hoping to include it on a new compilation I’d like to put together at some point,” he said.

“I’m gonna put together some of the tracks I particularly like along with some unreleased songs.”

Roy also hinted at another project.

“I’d quite like to write my autobiography, but I’d have to do it myself and not use a ghost writer,” he said. “I’d also draw some cartoons to illustrate it.”

For the live shows Roy will be playing most of his hits along with other tracks, but as to a favourite song out of all his work, he struggles.

“I find it quite difficult to judge one’s own material. You usually get dragged into choosing the most successful ones,” he said.

“I have quite fond memories though of a song I wrote when I was 18, called Beautiful Daughter, which appeared on Shazam (the Move’s second album). This was the first time I had ever played acoustic guitar live with a string quartet. Most enjoyable.”

One song above all others defines Roy Wood - Wizzard’s 1973 hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.

But will it feature on the tour?

“If we didn’t perform it, questions would be asked,” he said. “We don’t care what time of year it is.”

Roy Wood and his band, Palace Theatre, Manchester, Wednesday, February 8. Details from 0844 8713019