Coast to Coast (band)
Coast to Coast was a British rockabilly band from Northamptonshire, that was signed to Polydor Records. They are best known for their 1981 Top 10 hit in the UK with "(Do) The Hucklebuck".
Career
Formed in 1977 by Alan Mills (born 12 July 1955, vocalist, guitarist and producer of the debut EP), Pattie Hem (backing vocalist), Donna Page, (real name Sarah Page), (backing vocalist), Eugene "Sonnie" Torlot (saxophone), Jamie Ling (guitar), Budd Smith (double bass) and Earl Barton (drums).[1]
By 1980 tensions surfaced and Mills and the band parted company. Sandy Fontaine (Sandy Richardson) replaced Mills as the lead singer in 1980. Although the British Hit Singles & Albums book cited Sandy Fontaine as the singer for "(Do) The Hucklebuck", it was Alan Mills vocal that appeared on the single. Fontaine's vocal was added to the album version. The song reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1981,[2] it was a cover version of a song recorded by Roy Milton and Chubby Checker amongst others.
The follow-up release, another cover version this time of Brenda Lee's hit, "Let's Jump the Broomstick" sung by Sandy Fontaine, peaked at number 28 in the same chart in June 1981.[3]
The group disbanded in 1985. Sandy Fontaine went on to form "Sandy Fontaine and The Tri-Counts", releasing two singles "Ten Gallon Hat" and "What Do I Want" and touring the UK and the USA. Alan Mills continues to play under the name "Alan Mills and Coast To Coast".
Band Members
- Alan Mills (vocals) 1977-1980
- Sandy Fontaine (vocals) 1980-1985
- Pattie Hem (vocals)
- Donna Page (vocals)
- Sonnie Torlot (sax)
- Jamie Ling (guitar)
- Budd Smith (bass)
- Earl Barton (drums)
Discography
Albums
- 1981 Coastin' (Metronome Records)
Singles
| Year | Title | UK[4] | GER[5] | AUS[6] | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Coast To Coast EP | - | - | - | Yorkie |
| 1980 | (Do) The Hucklebuck | 3 | 37 | 70 | Polydor |
| 1981 | Let's Jump The Broomstick | 28 | - | - | Polydor |
| 1981 | Coastin' / Born To Rock & Roll | 76 | - | - | Polydor |
| 1981 | Baby, Why Let Go? | - | - | - | Polydor |
| 1982 | The Bell | - | - | - | Metronome |
| 1982 | Dance On / Coastin` | - | - | - | Metronome |
| 1984 | Bim-Bam | - | - | - | Orbit |
References
- ↑ Amitty.co.uk - accessed May 2010
- ↑ Pure80spop.co.uk
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 112. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ http://www.musicvf.com/Coast+to+Coast.art
- ↑ http://hitparade.ch/song/Coast-To-Coast/%28Do%29-The-Hucklebuck-27552
- ↑ http://www.austchartbook.com.au/