Twenty Flight Rockers

Twenty Flight Rockers
Origin London, England, United Kingdom
Genres Rock, rock 'n' roll, rockabilly, punk rock
Years active 1985–1988
Associated acts Supernaut, Generation X, Dead Horse, The Honeydippers, Speedtwinn, The International Swingers
Past members Gary Twinn
Mark Laff
Ian McKean
Jeff D. Vine
Danny B. Harvey

Twenty Flight Rockers (sometimes abbreviated as TFR) were an English rock 'n' roll band founded by Supernaut singer Gary Twinn, and Generation X drummer Mark Laff.[1][2][3][4]

History

British vocalist Gary Twinn had once lived in Perth, Western Australia, where he was the frontman of the glam rock group Supernaut from 1974 to the beginning of 1980.[5] After the group broke up he decided to relocate back to London, where he formed Twenty Flight Rockers with ex-Generation X drummer Mark Laff, joined by guitarist Ian McKean[6][7] and Jeff Vine on bass.[1]

Drawing influences from Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent and Johnny Kidd, the new band adopted a black biker leather clad look and a focus on pure rock 'n' roll blended with a punk rock attitude. The group toured clubs in London, including several shows at The Marquee Club[8][9] and Mayfair Ballroom.[10] They were subsequently invited to play the BBC's Janice Long show. In 1985, Twenty Flight Rockers released the single "Tower Block Rock" (ranked #31 for Best Single on Rockerilla Magazine magazine)[11] with ABC Records, and in 1986 the single "Johnny 7" with WEA Records.[12]

Subsequently, Bernie Rhodes (the former manager of The Clash) was hired to manage them.[13] He decided for the band to sign with Epic Records, and he had McKean replaced by The Rockats guitarist Danny B. Harvey.[14][15] Twenty Flight Rockers recorded a series of sessions (compiled by Twinn and Harvey) as well as an entire studio album entitled Ride.[16][17][18][19] "Black Leather Jacket" was released as a single promo,[20] with the album due to follow in mid 1988. However, Epic was bought out by Sony, who then dropped the band from the label. Disappointed by political mismanagement from record companies, Twenty Flight Rockers broke up.[21][22][23]

Members

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Twenty Flight Rockers". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. ↑ "Gary Twinn". TheInternationalSwigers.com. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  3. ↑ In session tonight: the complete Radio 1 recordings - Gary Twinn
  4. ↑ In session tonight: the complete Radio 1 recordings - Mark Laff
  5. ↑ Noel McGrath's Australian encyclopaedia of rock, p. 314
  6. ↑ The International Who's Who in Popular Music 2002, page 325
  7. ↑ The Great Scots Musicography: The Complete Guide to Scotland's Music Makers, page 227
  8. ↑ "The Marquee Club - 1985". Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  9. ↑ "The Marquee Club - 1986". Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  10. ↑ "Mayfair Ballroom - 1985". Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  11. ↑ "Rockerilla 1985 list". Rockerilla Magazine. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  12. ↑ "Twenty Flight Rockers – Johnny Seven". Discogs. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  13. ↑ Melanie Smith. "Mark Laff: De-stresing with Mr. Laff, as we discuss punk and beyond". Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  14. ↑ "Danny B Harvey Homepage". dannybharvey.com. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  15. ↑ Stephen K. Peeples. "Dec. 27: Rockabilly Star Danny Harvey Performs at Keyboard Galleria". SCV News. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  16. ↑ "Ride - Twenty Flight Rockers - Release Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  17. ↑ Schwann CD., Volume 4, page 25
  18. ↑ Schwann Spectrum, Volume 1, Issues 2-3, page 148
  19. ↑ Spectrum, Volume 3, Issue 1, page 191
  20. ↑ "Twenty Flight Rockers – Black Leather Jacket(1988, Epic)". Vinyl Rock. Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  21. ↑ "Gary Twinn Interview". Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  22. ↑ "Danny B Harvey Homepage". dannybharvey.com.
  23. ↑ "The last days of TFR. (Bernie Rhodes &... - Twenty Flight Rockers - Facebook". facebook.com.