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
SKELETON CREW
“I’m not asking you to make up happy endings. All I’m asking is that you tell ’em they…
Housemates Returns: Before I Go
Follow Ajani, a young boy who tragically dies and gets stuck in limbo and forced to undergo overcoming…
Suzie Larke: Unseen
Logic-defying work by photographer Suzie Larke, who returns to our site with new images raising awareness and sparking…
Afrique en Cirque
Roll up, roll up for an indescribable display of acrobatics, artistry and Afro-jazz rhythms in a joyous circus…
The Headhunters
The legendary jazz-funk ensemble co-led by percussionist Bill Summers and drummer Mike Clark with NEA Jazz Master Donald…
Windrush Foundation – The Caribbean And The Second World War
Join us on 27th July 2024 from 4-6pm at the West Indian Association of Service Personnel for an…
Queen Ifrica
Reggae icon Queen Ifrica, The Royal Empress, comes to the UK for an exclusive London show this July….
Image of the Black at Tate Britain
Two hour unscripted tour of Tate Britain to reveal the Black presence in the collection from the sixteenth…