Lenny Zakatek
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| Lenny Zakatek | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lenny du Platel |
| Also known as | The Voice |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genre(s) | Funk, Blues, R&B, Disco, Soul, Rock |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Associated acts | The Alan Parsons Project, Gonzalez, Pilot |
Lenny Zakatek (born Lenny du Platel[1] in 1947 in Karachi, British India - Zakatek was born prior to August 14, when Karachi became part of the declaration of Pakistan) is a Pop & Rock singer & musician, residing in England since the age of 13.
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[edit] Early years
In 1964, Zakatek 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. 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, Whisky a Go Go, 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 Zakatek in the early 70s and De Paul took an interest in his talented 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 Summer, Billy Ocean and David Cassidy. Musicians on Zakatek’s solo project went on to become the pop band 10cc.
[edit] Success
Between 1974 and 1981, Zakatek 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 collaboration.
In 1977, he became a studio vocalist for The Alan Parsons Project, singing on many of their hits over a 10-year period, featured on 24 songs on 8 of The Alan Parsons Project albums, which included the hits “I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You,” “Games People Play,” and “Damned If I Do.”
[edit] Solo work & beyond
1979 saw the release of Zakatek’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. Zakatek’s second solo album, Small But Hard was released in 1989.
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.
Not one to sit still, since 1988, Zakatek 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. Zakatek’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, Zakatek 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.
[edit] Currently
Zakatek now plays 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. Zakatek is currently working on a solo album that is scheduled to be released in 2007.
Zakatek is known as “The Voice”. 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.”
