Lenny Zakatek
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Lenny Zakatek (born 1947 in Karachi, India - Zakatek was born prior to August 14, when Karachi became part of the declaration of Pakistan) is a singer/Rock musician, residing in England since the age of thirteen.
Lenny Zakatek is a stage name, with Lenny du Platel being his real name. He was the lead singer of the band Gonzalez in the early 1970's.
Starting in 1977, he became a vocalist for The Alan Parsons Project , singing on many of their hits, including "I Wouldn't Want to be Like You", "Damned if I Do", and "Games People Play". He appeared on 8 of the Project's albums.
In 1979, he released his self-titled debut "Lenny Zakatek" and in the mid-1990's he released his second album "Small but Hard".
In 1986, he guested on the track Angel, written by Bob Weston (ex-Fleetwood Mac), included on the Dick Morrissey album Souliloquy and which also featured his The Immortals bandmate Robert Ahwai, as well as Weston.
[edit] External links
Biography at The Avenue Online
Known as “The Voice,” Lenny Zakatek added his unique vocal stamp to many tracks on the famous Alan Parsons Project. His hits included “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You,” “Games People Play,” and “Damned If I Do.” You may also remember “I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet” which was a huge Disco hit worldwide for Gonzalez in the late 70s. Lenny was the lead vocalist for the band, and they toured with Bob Marley and the Wailers, KC and the Sunshine Band, and The Fat Black Band on their European tours.
It was Lenny’s electric energy and artistry in Gonzalez that first attracted the attention of Alan Parsons. Alan and Lenny went on to enjoy a legendary musical relationship that spanned 10 years, and produced 8 hit albums.
Lenny’s musical career began in the mid-1960s when he was 17, and it is still going strong today.
In 1964 Lenny formed a classic rock band called The Trailblazers, for which he was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. On their first tour of U.S. military bases in Europe some fans introduced the band to the Motown sound, and Lenny was hooked! He’d found his niche. His heart resonated with the sound, and his voice was perfect for it too. The Trailblazers returned to the U.K. with a fresh new soul sound, and new name: The Funky Fever. They toured the U.K. and Europe for several years, and also played at some of the best nightclubs in London, including Gulliver’s, Whiskey a Gogo, The Marquee, Ronnie Scott’s, The Scotch of St. James, and The Revolution. The Funky Fever also backed Inez and Charlie Foxx, and The Drifters on their European tours.
Lynsey De Paul and Dudley Moore discovered Lenny in the early 70s, and Lynsey took an interest in Lenny’s fabulous voice, look, and stage presence. She dubbed him Zakatek, and wrote two singles "I Gotcha Now" backed with "So Good To You" and "Get Your Gun" backed with "Gotta Runaway" for him that were released on Bell Records by Dick Leahy. At the time, Dick had a stable of successful artists like Wham! Donna Summers, Billy Ocean and David Cassidy. Musicians on Lenny’s solo project went on to become the pop band, 10cc.
Between 1974 and 1981, Lenny was the lead singer with Gonzalez, who were known as the Earth, Wind and Fire/Tower of Power of the U.K. They recorded a couple of successful albums including “Our Only Weapon Is Our Music,” and “Shipwrecked.” The worldwide Disco hit, “I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet” came out of this exciting collaboration.
Lenny’s distinct vocals also stood out on The Alan Parsons Project albums for 10 years from 1977-1987. Dubbed “The Voice” during this time, he was in the company of talents like Colin Blunstone, Chris Rainbow, David Patton, and co-producer Eric Woolfson. Featured on an impressive 24 tracks, Lenny sang lead vocals on 8 Project albums, which included the hits “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You,” “Games People Play,” and “Damned If I Do.”
In reviewing Arista Records Heritage Series collection of 11 of The Alan Parsons Project’s best tracks from 7 albums released between 1977 and 1985, Todd S. Jenkins, a music critic on AllAboutJazz.com says: “Lenny Zakatek’s singing on tracks #2 (“I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You,” ) and # 4 (“Games People Play” ) is prototypical of soulful prog-rock. His delivery adds a funky, bluesy air.”
1979 saw the release of Lenny’s first solo, self-titled album, Lenny Zakatek, which was produced by Alan Parsons for A & M Records. Along the way, he had single cuts such as “Brandy,” “Say I Love You,” and “Where Is The Love.” In 1986, Lenny formed a band called The Immortals, with John Deacon (of Queen fame) on bass, and Robert Ahwai on lead guitar. Their single “No Turning Back” was on the soundtrack of the film Biggles. Lenny’s second solo album, “Small But Hard,” was released in 1989.
Not one to sit still, since 1988, Lenny has been wearing additional hats as a manager, music publisher, and producer, while continuing to perform himself. He managed and co-produced three of Japan’s most prolific recording artists: Tomoyasu Hotei, Miki Imai, and Kumiko Yamashita. In the U.K. he managed 7th Heaven, Huff and Herb, and The 3 Jays. The latter two acts achieved huge successes in the dance market. Lenny’s publishing company, All Zakatek Music co-published some of the cuts on Kubb’s debut gold album. He publishes and manages Sony/BMG artist Jah Waggie, a creative alter ego of versatile singer/songwriter/producer Jeff Patterson.
In 1995, Lenny had the honor of performing with Joni Mitchell at the Great Music Experience in Nara City, Japan, which had a worldwide TV audience of 100 million. He shared the stage with INXS, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, and Tomoyasu Hotei; and had the privilege of working with the legendary Michael Kamen, with whom he went to do other projects.
Lenny currently gigs throughout Europe and the U.K. with the Boogie Brothers, a 12-piece R & B band. He also appears at corporate events as a solo performer, showcasing his different musical styles from classic rock and blues, to soul and progressive rock. His two talented children, singer Amber du Platel, and singer/songwriter Leon du Platel sometimes accompany him at those events. Lenny is working on a solo album that will be released in 2007.
