The Manfreds are on at the Customs House in South Shields tomorrow, playing such evergreen numbers as Pretty Flamingo, Do Wah Diddy Diddy and 5-4-3-2-1.

Fronting the band is Paul Jones, who has spent decades shuffling parallel careers in music, the theatre and on radio.

Jones, 67, told the Gazette: "This is a long UK tour, lasting five or six weeks, but we're having a great time, and have enjoyed several standing ovations.

"Someone on a radio station asked me recently what people could expect from a show by The Manfreds, and my answer was simple – a lot of fun!"

Back in the early 1960s, Jones was offered the chance to join a new band called the Rolling Stones, by his namesake, the late Brian Jones.

He turned down that big break, but, with Manfred Mann, he went on to enjoy a string of chart hits.

He has combined a life in music with a career as an actor, working in London's West End and appearing in Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre productions.

Besides being lead vocalist with The Manfreds and The Blues Band, Jones presents a weekly blues show on Radio 2.

Jones's illustrious friends in the music business include guitar legend Eric Clapton, who played on his new solo album, Starting All Over Again, and also appeared at a recent village charity gig Jones organised.

The blues has always been closest to his musical heart, but Jones, a committed Christian, sees no conflict between his beliefs and what is sometimes dubbed the devil's music.

He said: "Van Morrison asked me the same sort of question recently, and really I don't see it as playing the Devil's music. There is only creator of music, and that is God."

The Manfreds, who have occasionally been joined on stage by Jarrow's Alan Price over the years, will be at the Mill Dam venue from 7.30pm tomorrow.

Tickets are £15.50 and £13.50. Call the box office on 454 1234 for details.