Rocket 88 (band)

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Rocket 88 is the name of a United Kingdom-based boogie-woogie band formed c. 1980 by Ian "Stu" Stewart and Bob Hall. The band is named for the 1949 Pete Johnson song "Rocket 88" and is also the title of their 1981 live album, recorded by the Rolling Stones' Mobile Unit.

The band featured many top British musicians from different backgrounds who would meet up whenever possible during the 80s for what was in effect an ongoing jam session. "Regular" members of the band included the two above-mentioned founding members, plus Alexis Korner, George Green, Charlie Watts, Jack Bruce, Danny Adler, Colin Smith, John Picard, Don Weller, Dick Morrissey, Colin Hodgkinson, Zoot Money, Chris Farlowe, Hal Singer, Mickey Waller, Pete York, David Green, David Markee, Harvey Weston, Charlie Hart, Willy Garnett and Malcom Everson.

[edit] Album

The band recorded a live album on tour at the Rotation Club, Hanover, in Germany which was released in March 1981 on the Atlantic Records label (SD 19293). Ian Stewart wrote the sleeve notes on the back cover of the album, giving not only a brief history of the band, but also an interesting history of boogie woogie and rock 'n' roll in general.

[edit] Album line-up

Alexis Korner (guitar/vocals on 4,5,6,7); Ian Stewart (piano on 5); Jack Bruce (bass/vocals on 2); Charlie Watts (drums); Colin Smith (trumpet); John Picard (trombone); Hal ‘Cornbread’ Singer (tenor sax); Don Weller (tenor sax); Bob Hall (piano); George Green (piano).

Although it is rumoured that there are numerous bootleg live takes, the band's only officially released album contains the following tracks:

Side 1

1. Rocket 88 (Pete Johnson) 7:27

2. Waiting For The Call (Jack Bruce/Peter Brown) 10:16

3. St. Louis Blues (W.C.Handy) 7:55

Side 2

4. Roll Em’ Pete (Pete Johnson/Joe Turner) 5:52

5. Swindon Swing (Colin Smith) 7:34

6. Roadhouse Boogie (Pete Johnson) 7:17

7. Talking About Louise (Alexis Korner) 5:14