|
|
This article needs references that appear in reliable third-party publications. Primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject are generally not sufficient for a Wikipedia article. Please add more appropriate citations from reliable sources. (December 2008) |
Geno Washington (born William Francis Washington, December 1943, Evansville, Indiana) is an American R&B singer who released five albums with The Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969, and eight solo albums beginning in 1976.
Early to late 1960s
Washington was stationed in England with the United States Air Force during the early 1960s. While stationed in East Anglia, Washington became known as a frequent stand-in at gigs around London. When guitarist Pete Gage saw him at a nightclub in 1965, he asked Washington to join his new group that was to become Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band. They had a number of moderate UK Singles Chart hits during 1966-1967 on the Pye label. The band's name came from the Ram Jam Inn, an old coaching inn on the A1 (Great North Road) at Stretton, near Oakham, Leicestershire. Gage later formed Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer.
The 1970s
He left the UK to return to the United States and disappeared from the music industry for a length of time. Washington studied hypnosis and meditation, made acquaintance with The Beach Boys and recorded some music with them that was never released. He later recorded three albums for the DJM label, Geno's Back (1976), Live (1976), That's Why Hollywood Loves Me (1979).
The 1980s
He was encouraged to make a comeback in 1980 due to the rekindled interest in him resulting from the Dexys Midnight Runners hit single, "Geno", but he declined, as he was completing his degree in hypnotism.
Washington is also the man who in 1984 met Ian Brown at a birthday party in Manchester, telling young Brown that he was a star who should begin singing. Brown went on to form The Stone Roses, the legendary British guitar band, and have a successful, critically acclaimed solo career. Brown was at this 21st birthday party and Washington spotted him and told him that he was a star and should start singing this instant. Brown didn't fancy himself as a singer and even though he didn't know who Washington was he felt that there was something about him and he was worth listening to.[1]
The 1990s to present
Washington has been active on stage, recording and releasing new music on various labels, with titles such as "Change Your Thoughts You Change Your Life", "Live Sideways", "Loose Lips", "Put Out The Cat", "The Return Of The G", "Take This Job And Stuff It" and "What's In The Pot".
He has embraced acting, taking a role in Paparazzo, a 1995 film starring Nick Berry and Fay Masterson. In 2007 he appeared as himself in an episode of Midsomer Murders, entitled "The Axeman Cometh", that also featured Suzi Quatro and Mike Read.
He is the author of The Blood Brothers, a war exploitation story. Washington has also penned children's stories and appeared as a motivational speaker. As of 2007, Washington and his band could be regularly seen touring in the UK.
He recently collaborated with comedian and musician Matt Berry for the track, "Get Here In Time".
In January 2009 he released a single "I'm Doing 99 Years" and the proceeds from the single's sales will go to the victims of crime and child abuse.[2]
In July 2009 he headlined the Kelvedon Free Music Festival
Personal
Geno met his wife Frenchie at the Bag o’ Nails club in London, which is also the place where her sister met Peter Noone of Hermans Hermits, whom she married, making Geno Washington and Peter Noone brothers-in-law. This is also the same club where Paul McCartney met Linda Eastman[3]
Geno is a member of the Guild of Hypnotists.[4]
Discography
7" Singles
- "Alison Please" / "Each And Every Part Of Me", PYE 7N 45019 - 1971
- "Feeling So Good (Skooby Doo)" / "My Little Chickadee" - PYE 7N 45085 - 1971
- "Dirty Dirty" / "Give 'Em A Hand" - PYE 7N 45121
- "End Of The World" / "Tell Me Tell Me Please" - DJM DJS 10365 - 1975
- "Hold On Momma" / "Help I'm In Love Again" - DJM DJS 10392 - 1975
- "Love Me Love Me" / "Hold On" - DJM DJS 10642 - 1976
- "Oh Pretty Woman" / "B.S.E. Love - DJM DJS 10669 - 1976
- "Your Love Keeps On Haunting Me" / "La La La" - DJM DJS 10712 - 1976
- "Soothe Me" / "My Kind Of Love" - DJM DJS 10761 - 1977
- "Boogie Queen" / "Why Did You Go Away" - DJM DJS 10803 - 1977
- "Proud Mary" / "Stir It Up" - DJM DJS 10825 - 1978
- "My Money Your Money" / "Get Some Bad Tonight" - DJM DJS 10919 - 1979
- "Baby Come Back" / "Caught In The Middle" - DJM DJS 10926 - 1979
- "Michael" / "Accept My Invitation" - Soul Supply 7SS101 - 1984
- "Rock The Car" / "Catch Me" - Mil MILS 1 - 1988
- "Jingle Bells" / "Rock The Car" G Kap GKA 001 - 1988
12" Singles
- "Baby Come Back" / "Caught In The Middle" - DJM DJR 10926 - 1979
- "My Money Your Money" / "Get Some Bad Tonight" - DJR 18005 - 1979
- "Michael" / "Accept My Invitation" / "Emergency 999" - Soul Supply 12SS101 - 1984
- "Rock The Car" / "Catch Me" - Mil MILST 1 - 1988
[5]
Albums
- Geno's Back - DJM DJF 20457 - 1976
- Geno Live - DJM DJF 20486 - 1976
- That's Why Hollywood Loves Me - DJM DJF 20561 - 1979
- Put Out The Cat - Teldec AP 624665 - 1981
- Live Sideways - Ammunition GENO LP1 - 1986
- Take That Job And Stuff It - Konnexion KOMO 788027 - 1987
CD Single
- "The Blues Walks With Me" / "Wake Me When The Morning Comes" - Thunderbird CSA 007 - 1998
CD Album
- Change Your Thoughts You Change Your Life (With The Purple Aces) - thunderbird CSA 114 - 1998
[5]
References
Websites
External links
Further reading
