HE’S so cool he’s shared a stage with George Harrison, starred in the same band as Robert Plant and even played with Billy Connolly.

Ricky Cool first burst onto the scene in the 1970s when Ricky and his band, the Icebergs, became one of the first UK bands to play swing style rhythm and blues.

Now Ricky Cool and the In Crowd are set to play their explosive mix of original and classic rhythm and blues grooves from the 1950s and 60s, at the Square & Compass Inn near Ilminster.

The atmosphere this band creates is reminiscent of the heady nights at the legendary Flamingo Club in London’s West End, hosted by the great Georgie Fame.

Think of the music rooted in the traditions of New Orleans, Texas and Chicago and the emerging Jamaican scene of the period and you get a flavour of Ricky Cool and the In Crowd.

But it's also the way the band delivers, fronted by the charismatic Ricky Cool, long regarded as one of the most entertaining front men in the business.

“The band members are all top class musicians with excellent pedigrees, who have worked with artists including Ruby Turner, The Beat, Alexis Korner and X Ray Spex,” said Ricky.

“We are all looking forward to playing The Square and Compass and bringing our music to a new audience. We aim to get the joint jumping and the crowd yelling for more.”

The gig is on Friday January 29. For information and to purchase tickets go to: www.squareandcompasspub.com or www.rickycoolandtheincrowd.co.uk.