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 instrumental "Rocket 88 Boogie" 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, George Green, David Markee, Harvey Weston, Charlie Hart, Willy Garnett and Malcom Everson.

[edit] Album

The band recorded a live album, Rocket 88 at the Rotation Club, Hanover, while on tour in Germany, in November 1979. It 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.