Maybe Bill had been pushing things a little hard recently, but on Saturday - with the band due to play at the 48th Festival De Jazz in France - Bill woke up feeling short of breath and suffering headaches. After a local check-up, Bill was urgently referred to a clinic in St.Laurent Du Var for a full medical workup to see if he was fit to play.

A barrage of tests followed - including, amazingly, one for bird flu - and Bill was even saddled with pressure-riding a bicycle. The good news was that these tests proved OK, although Bill wasn't going to scoop a gold in the cycling at the Olympics.

The bad news came from a lung specialist, who reckoned that Bill had the start of a serious bronchial infection. His verdict: pop some pills, use an atomiser and - naturally - give up the cigs. You can imagine Bill's joy!

A potential medical condition wasn't going to hold back Bill, and he dashed back for the festival in Antibes Juan Les Pins, which was started by the Women Of Chicago Blues. And, despite protests that Bill shouldn't sing, he insisted that he perform his three songs as usual.

At ten, Bill and the Rhythm Kings took to the stage in front of a great sit-down audience, with a wild set that was greeted with a standing ovation and really great applause. The set included I Got A Woman (Georgie), Show Me (Beverley), Jump Jive & Wail (Albert), Too Late (Terry), Chicken Shack Boogie (Geraint), All Night Long (Bill), Melody (Georgie/Beverley), You're Looking Good (Beverley), I'm Ready (Albert), Three Cool Cats (Georgie), Cakewalk Into Town (Geraint), Honky Tonk Women (Bill), Muleskinner Blues (Albert), Jambalaya (Georgie), Sweet Soul Music (Beverley), Race With The Devil (Terry), Johnny B. Goode (Geraint), That's Rock And Roll (Albert), You Never Can Tell (Bill), and I Put A Spell On You (Beverley). With such as response, two encores (Crying In The Rain - Beverley/Albert, and Tear It Up - Albert), were called for.

You can see some great photos of the set in a special gallery by Gilbert Trem by clicking here.