"Like" Al Blake on Facebook! www.facebook.com Hollywood Fats Band live at the White House Tavern, Laguna Beach Cal 1980. The Fats Bands interpretation of the 1952 Leiber and Stoller classic.This song was a big hit for both Little Willie Littlefield and Wilbert Harrison.It was also recorded for Stax Records by Albert King who also hired a very young Hollywood Fats to play second guitar for him for about one year in the early 70s.He fired him for one simple reason…the kid was the real deal-way too good and too often stole Alberts spotlight. Fats often used this song as a showpiece for his extraordinary guitar playing skills and wonderful sense of dynamics. Hollywood Fats tragically died in 1986 at the young age of 32, cutting short a life that had he lived, was destined for super stardom.Upon his passing Guitar Player Magazine wrote in a tribute to him that he was greatest blues guitar player to come along in the last 25 years.In a tribute to Fats music writer and critic Jim Washburn wrote "though a consummate backing musician,giving arrangements a spark without any ego flash to detract from a songs structure, Fats could always be counted on to step forward when it came time to solo and pour out chorus after chorus of incendiary playing.Along with a mastery of the breath of blues styles,he would also work into his solos modern jazz and Hendrix inspired touches.And through hundreds of gigs in unsung bars he was never repetitious,never uninspired,always pushing to make <b>…<b>
Kansas City – Hollywood Fats Band
6 thoughts on “Kansas City – Hollywood Fats Band”
Posted On in Blues Guitar with 6 Comments.
@Al Blake
Sounds like Mr Blake is singing from the piano. Even though he’s not – his and Mr Kaplan’s phrasing are just that hip. Wish I could see this crowd of people, and how this band got over. Thank you Al Blake – dozens of these views are here in Scotia. I have been asked for names for Halifax Atlantic Jazz Festival 2013 and will propose Blue Flames Band. Last year Mr Junior Watson performed; the year before, our late natiooal treasure of the tenor sax, Bucky Adams (heard in LA jams 1978)
@Al Blake
Sounds like Mr Blake is singing from the piano. Even though he’s not – his and Mr Kaplan’s phrasing are just that hip. Wish I could see this crowd of people, and how this band got over. Thank you Al Blake – dozens of these views are here in Scotia. I have been asked for names for Halifax Atlantic Jazz Festival 2013 and will propose Blue Flames Band. Last year Mr Junior Watson performed; the year before, our late natiooal treasure of the tenor sax, Bucky Adams (heard in LA jams 1978)
indescribably good – and the photo of Mr Wilbert Harrison is fly
indescribably good – and the photo of Mr Wilbert Harrison is fly
Thanks for putting this up. I have fond memories of finding refuge in those nights.
Thanks for putting this up. I have fond memories of finding refuge in those nights.