While the sad deaths of legendary musicians David Bowie, Motorhead's Lemmy and Glenn Frey from The Eagles have cast a shadow, a guitarist is celebrating the town's growing interest in the live music scene.

Damien Fawsett said the number of venues providing singers and bands the opportunity to perform has recreated an atmosphere once enjoyed in Gravesend decades ago.

The 41-year-old is now holding his own evening showcasing guitar music at the famous Leo's Red Lion in Crete Hall Road on Saturday, February 13.

Billed as 3G, it will bring together Damien and his modern blues band, Big River, with Kent-based Salvation Jayne and headliner act Dave 'Bucket' Colwell, formerly of Bad Company fame.

All three will perform their own sets, with Dave accompanied by singer Adam Barron from the BBC's talent show, The Voice. Then, in the finale, Damien will jam with Dave and Salvation Jayne bassist Holly Kinnear.

Damien said 3G follows the format of a similar event held in the US: "The whole point of the evening is a three guitar night and to involve local people.

"It will always be myself playing with one other local guitarists who is coming up the ranks and then a headliner.

"The last one I held featured Bernie Torme, who used to tour with Ozzy Osbourne. That was also at the Red Lion but in 2013. It proved to be very popular and people kept asking when the next one would be."

The Red Lion is synonymous with live music nights and Damien said landlord Terry Lee is always his first port of call.

Gravesend also offers many other performance venues, including The Middle Eight, The Peacock, The Somerset Arms, Pelham Arms and The Rose in Northfleet's Perry Street.

"The Red Lion has been going for over 30 years and Terry is the best at organising and running live nights. I love him to bits," said Damien.

"But thankfully there are some really good people that have taken over a lot of venues in Gravesend. It really died a death a few years back and was quite worrying because the town had been one of the best places for live music in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

"The recession hit and people didn't have the money to go out. There were also licensing problems. But now there are some really good venues and we are spoilt for choice.

"Gravesend always had a traditional Sunday afternoon music session for years and it's good to see The Somerset carrying that on."

Damien himself made headlines of another kind when, at the age of just 37, he suffered a stroke while performing.

His treatment at Darent Valley Hospital also led to revised procedures in A&E regarding young patients showing signs of a stroke.

Damien also had to teach himself how to play his beloved guitar again.

"I am now fully recovered and there's no stopping me now," he said.

Tickets for 3G are priced at £8.50 and available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/218150 or by calling 01474 566127. Doors open at 7pm with the first performance at 7.30pm.