The telephone rings.

Picking up, Dennis Greaves, lead singer of late ‘70s band Nine Below Zero, hears the following words: “Bruce Willis is coming to London. He’s promoting a new film at Planet Hollywood and he’d really like to play harmonica with your band.“ An unusual request from a Hollywood megastar you might think, but for Nine Below Zero, this brush with fame is just par for course.

The blues group, who appeared on the pilot of The Young Ones after they were spotted by Rik Mayall, have played with some of music’s greats over the years including The Who, The Kinks, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry.

They’ve also been snapped by photographer David Bailey and used to hang out with bands Dr Feelgood and Squeeze.

“You’re always told to never meet your heroes,“ Dennis says in his gravelly, south London voice. “But Bruce was just one of the lads. He used to play in a Blues band, before he became a famous Hollywood actor, and I think that’s kept him on an even keel, music is a great leveller.

“As for The Young Ones, it was a show unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. It was brilliant to be on the pilot, they were good times. “We’ve had so many career highlights, it’s hard to single one out. Let’s just hope it continues forever more.“ Now the four-piece is set to play Harrow Cricket Club with their unique blend of upbeat Rhythm and Blues.

“I went down there to see Squeeze do a warm-up gig. I really liked it,“ Dennis, 55, says. “It reminded me of when we first started, the places we used to play.

“We’ll perform a mix of our old hits and new songs, it’s going to be hot, sweaty... the usual energetic Nine Below Zero gig“, he laughs.

“It’s important for us to produce new material, you don’t want to become a tribute band to yourself.“ The group has had a number of line-up changes, but fans can rest assured that the Harrow performance will contain original members.

“Music is like marriage,“ Dennis says, “but to four other people. You’ve got all the stresses and money involved, and things happen – you fall out with people and fall back in love with them. Musicians are great like that.“ So how rock and roll are Nine Below Zero? “We’ve gone down the Mike Tyson route,“ chuckles Dennis. “He comes into the ring with no cape, no fanfare, just a pair of boxing gloves and shorts. We only request towels and water, so not remotely Rock and Roll, that’s why we’re still alive.“ Nine Below Zero will perform at Harrow Cricket Club, Payne's Folly, Wood End Road, Harrow, Details: 07956 246 868.