Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the sixties. Amazingly both of these were live albums. Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky Butt Live was in the album charts for 48 weeks of the year 1966 and was only out-sold by The Sound of Music and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme.
US soul acts rarely visited the UK and, having come over as a part of the US Air Force and stayed, Geno was our soul man. His level of touring and the high energy of his gigs was, and still is (as immortalized by Dexy’s Midnight Runners in the 80’s hit Geno) the stuff of legends. During his sets, the beat was continuous and the hits were incessant.
It was really Geno who pioneered this Go, Go style of performing and the audiences simply could not get enough. With the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Pink Floyd in support Geno could never relax. These spiritual meanderings were abruptly halted when, in 1980 Blighty beckoned once more. A call came from old friends in the UK that a tribute called Geno (mentioned above) had gone to number one in the charts.
In interviews, the singer, Kevin Roland, was speaking of this legendary soul man, whose name they used to chant up and down the land and public interest in Geno was growing for a new generation. Soon, Anglophile Geno, was back in the UK and back on the road.
More Events in Greater London Listings MORE
The Music Is Black: A British Story – Exhibition
The Music Is Black: A British Story is a major cultural exhibition opening at V&A East Museum, offering…
The Brent Reggae Album Covers Exhibition 2026
BBM/BMC (BritishBlackMusic.com /Black Music Congress) presents in association with BTWSC/African Histories Revisited and Brent Museum and Archives: The…
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica
Project a Black Planet: The Art and Culture of Panafrica is a major international exhibition exploring the cultural,…
The Story
A gripping newsroom drama by Tracey Scott Wilson, The Story makes its UK premiere at the National Theatre,…
Notting Hill Carnival 2026
Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest street festival and one of the most important cultural celebrations of Caribbean…
Pan-African Cultural Encounters + Panel Discussion
Presented as part of the Barbican’s acclaimed Project a Black Planet season, Pan-African Cultural Encounters + Panel Discussion…
RENAISSANCE 2026: GLOBAL ORIGINS: STORIES UNTOLD
Renaissance 2026: Global Origins: Stories Untold brings together a new generation of designers and artists from around the…
Notting Hill Carnival 2026
Notting Hill Carnival returns in 2026 as Europe’s largest street festival and one of the most iconic celebrations…