I first saw Geno Washington at The Metropole Hotel in Brighton, in around 1966, when he had Prince Buster as a guest singer. Two greats for the price of one!
The last time I saw him was also in Brighton at The Komedia Club. This video looks as if it was filmed at The Marquee in Wardour Street.
Washington has always been something of an 'also ran'; much appreciated amongst fellow musicians, but never breaking through the fringes of big stardom. Dexy's Midnight Runners wrote a tribute to him called 'Geno', which had some success and brought him temporary fame. He was a superb performer; after one of his concerts you really knew you'd been to something special.
I listened for about 30 seconds, a good sound, but not for me. My brother had a similar shirt when he was a teenager.
ReplyDeleteI used to see him because he played a lot of Ska numbers; and I'm a Ska fan.
DeleteI saw them many times. They were kind of big in this area and very popular.
ReplyDeleteThey were a 'feel-good' band; you always had a good time.
DeleteIt's funny how Geno and his band kind of went under the radar - successful but never quite breaking through into the full glare of the public spotlight.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet they were always popular; they needed a BIG hit.
DeleteGeno was popular in East Anglia, maybe because of the US air bases here, not sure. My brother and his friends used to follow him and take me with them in the late 1960s. Whenever there was an 'event' Geno Washington could be relied upon to be there, often as second on the bill rather than top though
ReplyDeleteI think The Ram Jam Band had connections with the US air bases up there. We once had a concert given by a Glen Millar style US swing band when I was at school. They were amazing.
DeleteI'm not familiar with Geno. Ed Sheehan of GB is very well liked. He's eclectic and I like the acoustic pop.
ReplyDeleteI know his name, but that's all. He seems to me like a strange person.
DeleteThere is nothing strange about Ed Sheeran, if that is who we are talking about here. He is a very ordinary Suffolk boy, generous and modest. I am not a great fan of his music and songs but as a person he is as good as they come.
DeleteSounds like an interesting group of the day — just never had that one big record I guess.
ReplyDeleteGetting that first big hit is the difficult bit.
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