Geno Washington is the UK’s very own, resident ‘Godfather of Soul, and Rhythm and Blues… a legend on the 1960’s live circuit. A contempory of Paul Jones, Georgie Fame and Alexis Corner – who has had Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix as HIS supports bands(!). Geno still enjoys cult status on the Soul, Blues, R&B and Northern Soul scenes today due to his unsurpassable reputation as a live performer. His magnetic stage presence and his love of performance (and of life!) makes him an inspiration and a joy to behold. Possibly the best surviving front man from the 60’s, Geno has recently appeared as part of the Lord’s Taverners annual charity event at The Albert Hall. Geno was also booked to play as the main act at The Royal Festival Hall to close Ray Davies’ Meltdown!
Yo Yo Blues! is Geno’s big new show!! It’s a recession busting, ‘kick ass’, up-tempo, house rockin’, good time R&B show featuring Geno’s super-tight combo, Yo Yo Blues! Essentially, half of the Ram Jam Band join him for a blistering party set of sweet street soul and down and dirty blues to make the joint jump. Geno has true pedigree in blues as well as soul, having released three blues albums to date (‘Loose Lips’, ‘Change Your Thoughts You Change Your Life’ and ‘What’s in The Pot?’). He has also played at private parties for some very high end individuals.
It ain’t the kind of blues to get you cryin’ in your beer… this is a house rockin’ party!
Last CD release was a Ram Jam Special, ‘It’s Geno Time!’ – November 11th 2011 on Secret Records – is a remarkable re-recording of his biggest selling 1960’s soul album, Hand Clappin’, Foot Stompin’, Funky Butt Live! It shows, in stereo (!) that Geno has lost nothing of the live magic for which he is so renowned, and the energy is tangible as Geno puts the crowd through their paces – the excellent Dave Cash is even on hand to introduce the great G man just as he was back on the original in ‘67.
After his national winter tour with Jimmy James and P P Arnold, Geno released a truly inspirational single. Working with Childline and Victim Support Geno has penned an anti-gun and anti-knife crime song called ‘I’m Doin’ 99 Years’. It is based on his experiences as a boy growing up in Indiana with bootlegging parents (both of whom served jail sentences for gun related incidences – where self defense was proven but nevertheless, jail was still the outcome). The single certainly did its bit to raise awareness and to point people towards the charities which do such great work in this area.
Geno was a humble M.P. in the U.S.A.F. in the 60’s, stationed over here in Norfolk, he went on to have two of the biggest selling U.K. albums of the sixties with his famous Ram Jam Band. Amazingly both of these were live albums. ‘Hand Clappin’ Foot Stompin’ Funky Butt Live’ (recently re-recorded as ‘It’s Geno Time!’) was in the U.K. album charts for 48 out of 52 weeks in 1966. Incredibly, only ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ sold more copies in the UK that year… a fact that is a clear testament to Geno’s awesome ability as a live performer who connects with his audience.
By the way… the 1980’s hit ‘Oh Geno!’ for Dexy’s Midnight Runners was about Geno Washington. Vocalist and composer Kevin Roland wrote the song about memories of Geno’s gigs in the 60’s as Geno ravaged club-land to the chants of Geno! Geno! Geno!
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