SHARING the stage with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Ringo Star and Neil Young to name a few is rather illustrious company to be among.

But Nils Lofgren is part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his own right after quite the half a century in the music business.

Having started his musical journey with a classical accordion at age five, Lofgren’s first foray into the industry was more of the classical and jazz persuasion.

But things began to click in the rock and roll world when he met Neil Young and so started his whirlwind 50-year career.

Now, in the midst of putting together a new record, Lofgren travels to Basingstoke as part of a three-week stint in the UK to mark five decades of playing music.

“It [The UK] has always been a wonderful, mythical place to me and it still is,” the guitarist tells The Gazette.

“From when I started coming here I knew something was a bit special and I am still very grateful people come along to my shows and to be able to have a three-week stint over there.”

Drawing from an expansive repertoire of a lifetime in rock and roll, Lofgren’s show will also be the man sharing many of his memorable stories along the way.

The guitar player holds the UK in a special place in his heart, but this is the first time he was returned in three years, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have some remarkable stories of previous visits to our shores.

He added: “I was playing in this little seaside town somewhere in the UK, I can’t remember what it was called, but it was this quiet little venue.

“Anyway, we are just getting up and getting ready and then in walks Roger Daltrey. Now, I was a big fan of The Who when I was growing up and had the opportunity to see them before.

“So, he comes up to me and says 'I live just down the road, so I thought I’d bring my mate and have a listen'.”

Having been in the music industry for so long either as a member of the E Street Band or as a solo artist, Lofgren now sees himself as a free agent, away from record executives, and this freedom has allowed him to do things his way.

This includes putting out a 10-disc collection of handpicked songs celebrating 50 years of his career.

But one thing the songwriter knows hasn’t changed is his fanbase. That is why whenever he comes to the UK, he makes sure to meet as many people as he can.

Lofgren added: “After the show my wife Amy will go out selling T-shirts and CD and I will go out and sign some stuff and we lean on the venues to keep the bars open to make them some money. We call it the show after the show.”

Nils Lofgren will appear at the Anvil on Tuesday, 15 May.

For more information and tickets visit anvilarts.org.uk.