Coast to Coast (band)

Coast to Coast was a British rockabilly band, that had a short lived recording contract with Polydor Records. They are best known for their 1981 Top 10 hit in the UK with "(Do) The Hucklebuck".

Career

Alan Mills (born 12 July 1955) originally sang lead vocals, although the British Hit Singles & Albums book cited Sandy Fontaine.^[1] In reality Fontaine replaced Mills, who had left the group by the time they appeared on BBC Television's Top of the Pops programme, to promote their debut chart single. Sandy Fontaine was merely a stage name, derived from the replacement singer's childhood nickname and taking the Fontaine from Eddie Fontaine, when his real surname was Richardson. Other band members included Pattie Hem (backing vocalist), Donna Page (backing vocalist), Eugene "Sonnie" Torlot (saxophone), Jamie Ling (guitar), Budd Smith (double bass) and Earl Barton (drums).^[2]

They reached number 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1981 with "(Do) the Hucklebuck".^[3] The song 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", peaked at number 28 in the same chart in June 1981.^[1]

"(Do) the Hucklebuck" was re-recorded incorporating Fontaine's voice and appeared on their only album release, Coastin'.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 112. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Amitty.co.uk - accessed May 2010
3. ^ Pure80spop.co.uk

External links

• Coast to Coast at Allmusic.com