Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings: An Evening of Eclectic Music

Thursday 29th October saw Hubby and I visiting our local City Hall for an evening’s entertainment. On stage for a couple of hours were Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. The band have just embarked on a three month tour of the UK, which kicked off at Sheffield, Yorkshire on 28th October 2009. Most of the venues will be relatively small when you consider that this band is really a super-group.

Any good, I hear you ask? Actually they were very good.

For those of you under 40 though I may need to give you a little detail about this band. After all when all 10 people performing last night, were on stage together, their total age was probably around 5 or 600. It was strange in some ways as, not only were the band getting on in years, but so were the audience.

The 10 includes guest singer Gary US Bond who had two separate slots during the evening and joined the band on stage for the final blast. It would seem that the Rhythm Kings have had various guest singers, from time to time.

Bill Wyman

Bill Wyman, the inspiration behind this band, was for many years the bass player with the Rolling Stones. Bill left the Stones in 1993 and a couple of years later formed this band. Band members appear kindred spirits musically and are all musical greats in their own way. The line up has varied a little along the way but now has firm band members.

When Bill formed the Rhythm Kings he wanted to go back to his musical roots and play music from a diversity of musical genres. The Rhythm Kings do this perfectly. Bill’s relaxed manner, style and performance mean that he appears to quite happily blend into the background at times. He did take the lead occasionally, notably toward the end of the night when he sang the old Stones hit, Honky Tonk Women.

Born 24th October 1936 Bill has just celebrated his 73rd birthday.

Georgie Fame

UK artist Georgie Fame had several hits back in the 1960s his most famous being Yeh, Yeh. Not to keep on about the age thing but Georgie, although younger than Bill, was born 26th June 1943 and so he also has many years of musical experience under his belt. As a keyboard player and vocalist he takes the lead from time to time.

Beverley Skeete

Bill made a joke about the original backing singers for the Rhythm Kings. He said that there were four singers and as a backing group they were called Fourplay. As he said there was never any foreplay though. The band kept the best of this backing group, namely Beverley Skeete, who was described by the band as a pocket battleship, but there was still no foreplay.

This black lady has one powerful voice. She had definite stage presence and seemed key to the Rhythm Kings. I guess she was also the youngest person on the stage. That is until she helped three female audience members, who were dancing at the front, onto the stage to join her. Beverley's solo of I Put A Spell On You was hypnotic.

Albert Lee

Albert Lee has been described in the past as "the Guvnor", by none other than Eric Clapton. This guitarist is something of an elder statesman in the music world these days.

Terry Taylor

The third guitarist is Terry Taylor who has been in various bands over the years. Many of these were produced by Bill Wyman, or were at least linked to him.

Graham Broad

Graham is the drummer with the Rhythm Kings and has accompanied such artists as the Beach Boys, Roger Waters and Jeff Beck.

Geraint Watkins

Keyboard player Geraint Watkins hails from Wales. He has his own recording career when away from the Rhythm Kings. He came out to front of stage on more than one occasion to play accordion, for the Cajun songs.

Gary US Bonds

It seems as if the Rhythm Kings have guest vocalists. In the past the list has included Eddie Floyd and Andy Fairweather Low. Gary US Bonds is the vocalist for this tour and he suits this band down to the ground. With a recommendation from Bruce Springsteen Gary certainly arrived with a good musical reputation.

Frank Mead. Frank is one of the two sax players with the band. Nick Payn is the other. I love the sound of a sax, especially when it is played well. These two were excellent. They added humour at times and were truly entertaining. With the occasional silly dance routine I thought these antics must be very tongue in cheek though.

The Show

So there you have a very brief overview of the Rhythm Kings. They play all kinds of music such as Gospel, Cajun, old Otis Reading songs, the Blues, Chuck Berry and more.

With a little humour thrown in it is a great night's entertainment. Between them all they have so much musical experience that is frightening. We paid £24.50 each for our tickets and for that price were only three rows from the front.

Programmes were on sale but at £6 a piece Hubby opted for a CD instead. He bought Groovin' by the Rhythm Kings for £12. This CD includes recordings with Gary Brooker and others.

If you get the chance, and feel this type of music is for you, go for it. It was a great evening's entertainment. You must not be ageist though. There were the odd young person or two in the audience but more grey haired people than any other type.The Rhythm Kings at first glance may look like a bunch of old pensioners but don't discount them. They are cracking entertainment, skillful musicians and have a wealth of musical knowledge which shines through.

Highly recommended.