Multi-platinum selling artist Kenny Thomas is reliving his prime by getting back up on stage.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The Roundhouse in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, is seeking to return it to its former glory since taking over in November.The Roundhouse in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, is seeking to return it to its former glory since taking over in November. (Image: Archant)

The soul singer, who has had eight UK Top 40 hits, will be headlining a Valentine’s Day special event at the iconic Dagenham Roundhouse tomorrow evening.

The Brit Award nominee will be supported by a host of DJs, including Soul Master T, Richard Lobban, DJ SamEE and Peter P at the venue, in Lodge Avenue, Dagenham.

“I’m looking forward to performing with Soul Box, it’s always a good event plus it’s my first time at the iconic Roundhouse in Dagenham,” he said.

Kenny, who was born in Islington in the heart of a neighbourhood which was beating with the sounds of soul, reggae, lover’s rock and jazz funk told the Post how it all started.

“One friend bought a bass guitar and a Moog synthesizer and I bought an acoustic and an electric guitar. We just jammed all the time trying to emulate the soul and jazz funk records we loved,” he said.

The artist and his friends had vinyl collections that boasted albums including Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Maze, but his career only started when his family moved to Hackney, just a stones throw away from Eddie Grant’s studio, The Coach House, where he had recorded hits including the 1979 track Living On The Front Line.

“I remember one very cold winter’s evening, a friend and I plucked up enough courage to go and knock on the studio door. No one was in, we went back again and again until, one night, Eddie’s brother answered,” Kenny said.

“We managed to raise some funds to record a couple of tracks, most of which came from a friend who worked in Hatton Garden.

“Eddie came down to the studio one time and remarked on my voice, saying I had ‘a nice commercial voice’.”

The star, who has since shared stages with performers including Lisa Stansfield and Beverley Knight, will be performing hits including Thinking About Your Love, Outstanding and Best of You on the night.

The gig starts at 9pm. Tickets cost £12.50. Visit roundhouse-dagenham.nutickets.com to book.