Richie Havens, the legendary American roots singer-songwriter, returns to the UK next month for his most extensive tour in years.

Havens famously opened the Woodstock Festival in โ€™69 โ€“ playing an extended a two and a half hour set because of technical difficulties on the day that prevented other acts from performing. He played โ€œevery song I ever knew!โ€ as well closing his set with the improvised song โ€œFreedomโ€, which became the festivalโ€™s anthem.

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In recent years has collaborated with dance act Groove Armada, appearing with them at the Glastonbury Festival and on Jools Hollandโ€™s โ€œLaterโ€ programme.

You can be awe-struck by a songwriting genius at the following venues early next month:

London, The Jazz Cafรฉ (January 8/9/10)

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Manchester, The Lowry (12)

Gateshead, The Sage (13)

Birkenhead, Pacific Road Arts Centre (17)

Glasgow, ABC (18)

Sheffield, Memorial Hall (20)

Coventry, Taylor Johns House (21)

Milton Keynes, The Stables (23)