RGG March 2017 - p.36
Formed in 1973, Kokomo originally consisted
of four vocalists: Dyan Birch, Frank Collins,
Paddie McHugh and Tony O’Malley (also on
keys) – all from ’60s pop sensations ‘Arrival’.
Alan Spenner (bass) and Neil Hubbard (guitar)
were recruited from Joe Cocker’s ‘Grease
Band’; Mel Collins (sax) from King Crimson,
and percussionist Jody Linscott (who went on
to tour with The Who, Elton John, Dave Gilmour
and more), Terry Stannard (drums) and Jim
Mullen (guitar) completed the 10-piece line-up.
Kokomo launched onto the U.K. pub rock
scene where their loose-limbed funk workouts
were in an absolute class of their own and they
took London by storm!
Despite top-rate management and record label
on board, successful inroads into the U.S. R&B
charts, extensive UK & US tours (often
supporting UK’s other renown soul/funk outfits
including the Average White Band), and a
second album ‘Rise & Shine’, by January 1977
the band’s melt down was such that an
indefinite hiatus was announced. Although,
after an extended sabbatical, a further studio
album was released in 1982, by and large, that
was then that, further compounded by the
tragic premature death of influential bassist
Alan Spenner in August 1991.
MAR
16
In 2014, Kokomo fan and music promoter Sue
Martin approached eight members of the
original line-up following an enquiry about
reforming the band to headline a new summer
festival – to Sue’s delight they all said yes and
what followed was a series of packed reunion
gigs proving that the band is grooving as well
as ever.
Sadly Dyan Birch is unable to continue
performing due to poor health, however the
band are delighted that the sensational talent
of Helen-May Harrison has stepped into Dyan’s
shoes to deliver those exclusive Kokomo vocal
harmonies and captivating solos.
In 2015 Kokomo were invited to join the "Soul
Summit" as part of EFG London Jazz Festival,
with old touring partners the Average White
Band. The show sold out the Royal Festival
Hall to critical acclaim with both bands receiving
standing ovations so richly deserved.
RGG have a pair of tickets to give
away for this gig at The Robin,
Bilston on 16th March. Just send an email to
the address below with ‘Kokomo’ in the
subject title to be in with a chance of winning.
r
gg
21
YEARS
1995-2016
