The last twelve months has seen Ricky Cool and The Hoola Boola Boys going from strength to strength.
With a fabulous show at The Robin 2 in November reuniting two of Rickys old bands, The Realtos and the Big Town Playboys, plus ROBERT PLANT joining on stage for a couple of songs the audience were treated to a very special evening.
Last year took the band to the legendary 100 Club in London, where they played on four separate occasions. In April they recorded their debut album “Live At The 100 Club” and in October supported Jerry Lee Lewis. In November the band played the famous Rock At Sea gig in Sweden to great acclaim. The band were thrilled to be asked to play The Burnley Blues Festival in April this year which proved to be a great success for them and had the audience rocking in the aisles.
'Just let the Hoola Boola re-ignite your smile.' Yes that's exactly what Ricky Cool and The Hoola Boola Boys are all about. Ricky has long been known as one of the best frontmen in the business, from his days as a displaced American who wound up in Oldhill and teamed up with a bunch of Brummies to form Ricky Cool and The Icebergs. Radio and T.V. appearances made Ricky a household name and records soon followed, particularly with his next line up, Ricky Cool and The Rialtos. This led to a link up with the legendary ROBERT PLANT (Led Zeppelin) in his first Honeydrippers line up and a long lasting collaboration with ANDY SILVESTER (Chicken Shack/Savoy Brown) which culminated in the formation of what became the UK's top Rhythm and Blues Band, The Big Town Playboys and the unveiling of crazy man MIKE SANCHEZ on an unsuspecting public.
Ricky is known for presenting the best in Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll and with The Hoola Boola Boys you get this in spades.
The Hoola Boola Boys all started quite oddly. Promoter and musician Martin Pryce was asked to provide the music for a huge 40th birthday party, November 1990. MIKE SANCHEZ was available and Martin put together a formidable line up to back him. The band members were literally introduced to each other on stage. "What are we gonna play?" said Mike. "I'm Ready - Fats Domino," replied Martin. "It's in F," shouts Mike, "1-2-3." It was fantastic. The band was great. Quite remarkable. The following year, Mike played about 100 shows with The Hoola Boola Boys including a major charity show, backing Robert Plant, at the famous J B's club in Dudley.
The Hoola Boola Boys have continued to back some of the best names on the R 'n' B circuit and now, together with Ricky Cool, they provide the very best in Rock 'n' Roll and Rhythm 'n' Blues entertainment. So go on! Let the Hoola Boola re-ignite your smile.
There's some alarming information that you should all know regarding BBC Radio. Many of you will recall the Brand / Ross - Andrew Sachs scandal last year where the controller for Radio 2 resigned and the position was taken by Bob Shennan. It seems that Mr Shennan despises most roots music to a point where he has begun to replace the specialist shows that Radio 2 is so well known for, such as Shake Rattle & Roll, with chat shows featuring sport and incidental pop music. Mr Shennan is trying to find any excuse possible to axe Mark Lamarr completely off BBC Radio and I believe other specialist shows that feature DJs who hold a passion for real music will also receive the axe.
Long gone will be rock'n'roll, rockabilly, blues, reggae, ska, soul, vocal group, jazz & world music from BBC Radio 2, a station that for several decades has been a national institution. What we all forget is we own the BBC. They're forever telling us it's our station, and so it is. It's a public funded network, and we're entitled to have our say.
If this information means anything to you then you must complain to the BBC and let them know how you feel. Fill out the BBC Trust survey at their website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/
Just imagine thousands of emails every hour to Radio 2. Spread the word, and who knows where all this will end up. It might even be time for another march, but one things for sure, they ain't getting away with it.
Hi Guys, Great record, 'Live at The 100 Club'. Hope to catch you there in Oct when you support Chas and Dave. In the meantime take a look at my guitar straps. My customers include, David Gilmour, Robert Plant, Guy Pratt, Gary Numan, Jonny C, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and many more. Love you , bieee boys. Love 101
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