Zoot Money's Big Roll Band
Zoot Money's Big Roll Band is a British rhythm and blues and soul group, also influenced by jazz, formed in England in the early autumn of 1961. The band has had a number of personnel changes over the years and was still performing in 2017.
History
1961-1963
In early autumn 1961 Zoot Money formed the first version of the Big Roll Band with himself as vocalist, Roger Collis on lead guitar, pianist Al Kirtley (later of Trendsetters Limited), bassist Mike "Monty" Montgomery and drummer Johnny Hammond. The name 'Big Roll Band' derived from Money mis-hearing the phrase "big old band" from the third verse of Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode. Their first public performance was at Bournemouth's Downstairs Club. In 1962 drummer Pete Brookes replaced Hammond at the same time as bassist Johnny King replaced Montgomery and tenor sax player Kevin Drake joined the band. Kirtley left shortly afterwards, Money taking over on organ.[1]
In late 1963 Money established a further version of the band with bassist Paul Williams (who also sang), guitarist Andy Summers (then Somers, later of The Police, who had played with Money in the Don Robb Band), saxophonists Nick Newall and Clive Burrows (Burrows and Williams had played together in the Wes Minster Five), and Colin Allen on drums. Burrows was eventually replaced by Johnny Almond and went on to play with Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band and The Alan Price Set.[2] [3]
1964-1965
In 1964 The Big Roll Band started playing regularly at The Flamingo Club in Soho, London. Their act featured Money's flamboyant frontman antics. The band signed to Decca Records and released a single that year before switching to EMI's Columbia label. In 1965 four more singles were released and their first album It Should Have Been Me, was issued in October of the same year.
1966-1969
At this time Money refused an offer to replace The Animals keyboardist Alan Price, preferring to remain as a vocalist. In July 1966 their single "Big Time Operator" became the group's most successful single, reaching number 25 in UK charts.[4] Their album Zoot Live At Klooks Kleek, was released in October of that year promoting Money as an emerging solo artist and reached 23 in the UK charts.[4] It was also released in the U.S.A by Epic Records label but lacked promotion.[3]
During this period Money joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated for a short spell before returning to his Big Roll Band, but fashions were drifting from rhythm and blues towards more experimental sounds and an emphasis on songwriting. Although a popular fixture on the London club circuit in the first half of the 1960s, they had little commercial success.[5] In July 1967 the Big Roll Band morphed into Dantalian's Chariot with a psychedelic direction. In 1969 Money accepted a second offer to join 'Eric Burdon and The New Animals'. Money revived the Big Roll Band under a new line-up in 2003 and the band performs regularly at The Bull's Head, Barnes and elsewhere.[6]
Discography
Singles
- 1964: "The Uncle Willie"/"Zoot's Suite" Decca F 11954
- 1965: "Bring It On Home To Me"/"Good" Columbia DB 7518
- June 1965: "Please Stay"/"You Know You'll Cry" Columbia DB 7600
- September 1965: "Something Is Worrying Me"/"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" Columbia DB 7697
- November 1965: "The Many Faces Of Love"/"Jump Back" Columbia DB 7768
- March 1966: "Let's Run For Cover"/"Self-Discipline" Columbia DB 7876
- July 1966: "Big Time Operator"/"Zoot's Sermon" Columbia DB 7975 - UK No. 25[7]
- December 1966: "Star Of The Show"/"Mound Moves" Columbia DB 8090
Albums
- October 1965: It Should Have Been Me - "I'll Go Crazy"/"Jump Back"/"Along Came John"/"Back Door Blues"/"It Should Have Been Me"/"Sweet Little Rock And Roller"/"My Wife Can't Cook"/"Rags And Old Iron"/"The Cat"/"Feelin' Sad"/"Bright Lights, Big City"/"Fina" Columbia 33SX 1734
- October 1966: Zoot Live At Klooks Kleek - "Chauffeur"/"One And Only Man"/"I've Been Trying"/"Florence Of Arabia"/"Let The Good Times Roll"/"James Brown Medley"/"Mashed Potato U.S.A."/"Nothing Can Change This Love"/"Barefooting" Columbia SX 6075[8] - UK No. 23[7]
See also
- Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames
- Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band
- Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers
References
- ↑ Kirtley, Al. "The Downstairs Club and the naming of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band". Retrieved 19 May 2009.
- ↑ Eder, Bruce. "Clive Burrows - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
- 1 2 Eder, Bruce. "Zoot Money - Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
- 1 2 Zoot Money's Big Roll Band chart history, The Official Charts. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ↑ Campion, Chris (2009). Walking on the Moon: The Untold Story of the Police and the Rise of New Wave Rock. Wiley. p. 8. ISBN 0-470-28240-1.
- ↑ "The Bull's Head, Barnes". Retrieved 25 March 2017.
- 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 374. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "Internet Archive Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. 2009-10-28. Archived from the original on 28 October 2009. Retrieved 2012-12-19.