It's been almost four decades since New York blues-rock hero Popa Chubby kicked the door in on the East Coast blues-rock scene with feisty, muscular and fun tunes like "Sweet Goddess of Love and Beer."

Now 58, Chubby — a Bronx native born Ted Horowitz, which is a name decidedly less suited to his chosen career — might well be a father and is indeed a bit heavier than when he started. But the energy and drive has never abated. He tours relentlessly and has released two-dozen albums, such as "Booty and the Beast," "It's Chubby Time," "The Good, the Bad and the Chubby," "Electric Chubbyland" and the just-out "Prime Cuts: The Very Best of the Beast from the East."

Bottome line: Chubby is a very fine, passionate and emotive guitarist and songwriter. He's always got a great band, too, and it should be an fire-fight of a show Saturday when he plays The Kate.

Popa Chubby, 8 p.m. Saturday, Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook; $32, $35; (860) 510-0453.