Kokomo (band)

Kokomo [ [http://musicbrainz.org/artist/37c8098f-2813-4bc5-a4c8-0bd6ddae94ab.html Musicbrainz.org] ] [ [http://www.dinosaurdays.co.za/Groups/kokomo.html Kokomo - biography and reviews] ] [ [http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Kokomo.html Kokomo - Soulwalking.co.uk] ] [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/kokomo-rock-band Kokomo at Answers.com] ] was a funk band that played the pub circuit in the 1970s in the UK.

"Kokomo has been described as the most authentic, and certainly the most traditional, funk band Britain produced during the 1970s" [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/kokomo-rock-band?cat=entertainment Kokomo at Answers.com] ]

The line-up was at first fairly stable, featuring a core of Dyan Birch (vocals), Frank Collins (vocals), Paddy McHugh (vocals), Tony O'Malley (keys, vocals), (all formerly in "Arrival"), Alan Spenner (bass), Neil Hubbard (guitar), Mel Collins (saxes), Jody Linscott (percussion), Terry Stannard (drums) and Jim Mullen (guitar).

After the first album in 1975, Jody Linscott and Jim Mullen left, and Terry Stannard was replaced by John Susswell.

Other musicians who played with the band at different times include : Glen LeFleur (drums), Tony Beard (drums), John McKenzie, musician (bass), Chris Mercer (saxophone), Andy Hamilton (saxes), Mark Smith (bass), Neal Wilkinson (drums), Neil Conti (drums). Mel Collins was an ex-King Crimson player, guitarist Neil Hubbard and bassist Alan Spenner previously worked with Joe Cocker's Grease Band, vocalist Frank Collins once led '60s pop sensations Arrival, whose lineup also included Kokomo's Dyan Birch and Paddie McHugh.

The band launched onto the U.K. pub rock scene where, until the advent of Roogalator and Supercharge during 1975, their loose-limbed funk workouts were in an absolute class of their own.

In 1975 Kokomo toured with Dr. Feelgood and Chilli Willi & The Red Hot Peppers, the so called Naughty Rhythms tour [ [http://www.drfeelgood.de/naughty.htm Naughty Rhythm Tour] ] .

The original lineup split in 1977. Various version of the band continued to perform, but broke up again when Alan Spenner died in August 1991.

Discography

* Kokomo (1975) (produced by Chris Thomas)
* Rise & Shine (1977) (produced by Brad Shapiro)
* Kokomo (1982) [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/kokomo-1982?cat=entertainment Album description] ] (produced Leo Graham and James Mack)
* The Collection (1991)
* To Be Cool [ [http://www.answers.com/topic/to-be-cool?cat=entertainment Album description] ] (2004)

References