The Whole Story of The Famous Kinema Ballroom in Dunfermline (now in its 78th Year!)
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| Biogz 'O'
Here you will find some short biographies (biogz) of solo artists whose surname commences with this letter or bands with names commencing with this letter (omitting any commonly used prefix such as 'The'). Click on the name below or scroll down the page at your leisure. Odyssey
Louise Lopez Tony Reynolds Odyssey was a New York City based dance music band with a laid-back Caribbean styling, which evolved from ‘The Lopez Sisters’ (Lillian and Louise Lopez) from the Virgin Islands. When Tony Reynolds (from The Philippines) joined they changed their name to ‘Odyssey’. Though their best-known single is probably their December 1977 hit ‘Native New Yorker’ (#5 UK chart) their highest UK chart position was achieved by ‘Use It Up And Wear It Out’ (1980), which achieved the #1 spot. They released five UK chart albums between 1980 & 1987.
The Office Boy (Gordon Campbell) was from the Edinburgh area who released three unsuccessful singles: 'Gimme A Break' (1981) & 'With A Woman Like You'/'Beside You' & 'How Can I' / 'I Get Excited' (both in 1982). He had previously sung with The UK Upstarts. Thanks to Alan Hill for much of the info above. If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
Joey Levine - vocals The Ohio Express were formed during their High School days in Mansfield Ohio as Rare Breed and they recorded their first single 'Beg, Borrow and Steal' in 1966. Later as The Ohio Express they acquired the tag 'Ultimate Bubblegum Band' perhaps after their vocalist Joey Levine's nasal tone and reissued the single once more.
Ian Anderson - Hammond Organ 4-piece band from Salford, Manchester If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
Ian Ellis - guitar, bass, vocals Peter Banks - guitar, vocals Ian, Billy & Harry were originally in a band called 'The Premiers' before breaking away to form '1-2-3' in Glasgow. Their debut performance took place in 'La Bamba' in Falkirk in November 1966. They moved to London in February 1967 and secured a residency at The Marquee. They later became 'The Clouds' after being renamed by their manager Terry Ellis in 1968. Their material leant towards the progressive & they toured with Jethro Tull & Free. They released two singles & two albums in 1969 and another album in 1971. They split shortly thereafter, Ellis joining Steamhammer then Savoy Brown and Hughes joining Mahatma Kane Jeeves. Info from: The Tapestry Of Delights Revisited by Vernon Joynson. If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
Alexander O'Neal was born, 14th November 1953, in Mississippi and was briefly a member of ‘The Time’ before signing with Tabu Records. He has often duetted with ‘Cherrelle’ such as ‘Never Knew Love Like This’. He has released seven UK chart albums including one #2 hit and two #4 hits and twenty-four UK chart singles.If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
Ewan McGuffie - vocals Based in Alloa, though members were from all round the area, Oryx were a busy band in the late 60s and early 70s playing most weekends in the north and east coast dance hall circuit, with their main agent living in Aberdeenshire and his area covered from Dundee/Perth in the south to McDuff/Inverness in the north. Any local work would have been midweek and Stirling area gigs a rarity for them although they did play the Sword Hotel, Dunblane Hydro and Stirling High School around 1970. Many thanks to Dougie Craig at https://www.facebook.com/groups/STIRLINGSHIREMUSICSCENE50s70s/photos/
John Bachini - bass British psychedelic -pop band ‘Orange Bicycle’ evolved from a beat group called ‘Robb Storme & the Whispers’ AKA ‘The Robb Storme Group’ who had recorded pop singles for a variety of labels in the early '60s without success. In 1967 the group decided to change its direction and name and re-emerged as ‘Orange Bicycle’. They released a few singles including their first and best known: ‘Hyacinth Threads’ (#1 in France). They performed at the Isle of Wight music festival on Saturday August 31st 1968 wearing matching black and orange suits covering songs by ‘Love’ and ‘The Rolling Stones’. In 1970 they recorded an eponymous album, ‘The Orange Bicycle’ consisting mostly of covers including Elton John's ‘Take Me to the Pilot’, Bob Dylan's ‘Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You’ and Denny Laine's ‘Say You Don't Mind’. John Peel produced some tracks. The genre had however had its day by this time and the group decided to split in 1971. Their multi-talented keyboardist/producer Wilson Malone released a self-titled solo album (‘Wil Malone’) that same year becoming a top producer/arranger, working with many successful groups and solo artists such as The Verve's ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ (which resulted in a lawsuit). Drummer Kevin Currie joined Supertramp. Bernie Lee joined Onyx (see above).
George Sweetman - bass After Emile Ford went solo (from 'The Checkmates), Dave & George Sweetman formed 'The Original Checkmates' while the others formed 'The Excheckers'. 'The Checkmates' were Emile Ford's backing group from 1959 - 1963 and consisted of his two step-brothers George Sweetman (bass) and Dave Sweetman (saxophone), Ken Street (guitar), Pete Carter (guitar), Les Hart (saxophone), Alan Hawkshaw (piano), and John Cuffley (drums). They made a version of 'What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For' which was originally destined to be a 'B' side. Fortunately, Pye were shrewd enough to issue this as the 'A' side and the disc took Emile all the way to a UK #1. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
If you can add any further information to this piece please contact me here
Teddy Osei - saxophone Darko Adams 'Potato' - percussion Formed in London, England in 1969 by three Ghanaian and three Caribbean musicians, Osibisa played a central role in developing an awareness of African music - in their case, specifically, West African highlife tinged with rock - among European and North American audiences in the 70s. Since then, Osibisa have suffered the fate of many once-celebrated 70s African-oriented performers. Their pioneering blend of rock and African rhythms has either been overlooked or downgraded for its lack of roots appeal. There is, in truth, some justification for this: Osibisa's style was too closely hitched to western rock, and too much of a fusion to survive the scrutiny of western audiences who, from the early 80s onwards, were looking for 'authentic' African music. But the group's towering achievements in the 70s should not be denigrated. The Ghanaian founder members of Osibisa - Teddy Osei (saxophone), Sol Amarfio (drums) and Mac Tontoh (trumpet, Osei's brother) - were seasoned members of the Accra highlife scene before they moved to London to launch their attack on the world stage. Osei and Amaflio had played in the Star Gazers, a top Ghanaian highlife band, before setting up the Comets, who scored a large West African hit with their 1958 single 'Pete Pete'. Tontoh was also a member of the Comets, before joining the Uhuru Dance Band, one of the first outfits to bring elements of jazz into Ghanaian highlife. The other founder members of Osibisa were Spartacus R, a Grenadian bass player, Robert Bailey (b. Trinidad; keyboards) and Wendel Richardson (b. Antigua; lead guitar). They were joined soon after their formation by the Ghanaian percussionist Darko Adams 'Potato' (b. 1932, d. 1 January 1995, Accra, Ghana). In 1962, Osei moved to London, where he was eventually given a scholarship by the Ghanaia government to study music. In 1964, he formed Cat's Paw, an early blueprint for Osibisa which blended highlife, rock and soul. In 1969, feeling the need for more accomplished African musicians within the line-up, he persuaded Tontoh and Amarfio to join him in London, where towards the end of the year Osibisa was born. The venture proved to be an immediate success, with the single 'Music For Gong Gong' a substantial hit in 1970 (three other singles later made the British Top 10: 'Sunshine Day', 'Dance The Body Music' and 'Coffee Song'). Osibisa's debut album displayed music whose rock references, especially in the guitar solos, combined with vibrant African cross rhythms. The band's true power only fully came across on stage, when African village scenarios and a mastery of rhythm and melody summoned up energy and spirit. Woyaya reached number 11 in the UK and its title track was later covered by Art Garfunkel. During the late 70s they spent much of their time on world tours, playing to particularly large audiences in Japan, India, Australia and Africa. In 1980 they performed a special concert at the Zimbabwean independence celebrations. By this time, however, Osibisa's star was in decline in Europe and America. The band continued touring and releasing records, but to steadily diminishing audiences. Business problems followed. After initially signing to MCA Records, Osibisa had changed labels several times, ending with Bronze Records. The moves reflected their growing frustration with British business, as each label in turn tried to persuade them to adapt their music to the disco style. Osibisa were prepared to make some concessions but only up to a point. In the mid-80s, the group directed their attention to the state of the music business in Ghana, planning a studio and theatre complex which came to nothing following the withdrawal of state funding, and helping in the promotion of younger highlife artists. In 1984, Tontoh formed a London band to back three visiting Ghanaian musicians - A.B. Crentsil, Eric Agyeman and Thomas Frempong. An album, Highlife Stars, followed on Osibisa's own Flying Elephant label. Info from: www.70disco.com
Bobby Eaglesham - guitar Later: 1960s folk duo, then trio. Bobby Eaglesham was one of Scotland's leading folk musicians and a celebrated singer/guitarist with the influential band ‘Five Hand Reel’ (1974-1980) alongside Dick Gaughan for a time. Sadly Bobby collapsed and died of a heart attack in the canteen of Polmont Prison where he worked as an arts teacher on Saturday 14th October 2004. Known as 'The Quiet Man of Scottish Folk Music' Iain Mackintosh performed as a solo artist and with singers Brian McNeill and Hamish Imlach. Sadly, he died on Monday 28th August 2006. Tam Harvey was ex-Humblebums
Kim Burns - piano, vocals It all started when Vince Kalochie was eleven years old and discovered Elvis Presley. With a stringed instrument made by his father, Vince would dress up like Elvis, beat on his guitar (he couldn’t play it yet), and sing Elvis songs in his living room to entertain his relatives. Seeing his obvious enthusiasm, one of his uncles bought him a real guitar, and Vince began what was to be a long musical journey to the edge of stardom and back.
Paul Friswell (Arnold) - guitar, vocals Ian Griffiths - guitar, vocals The Overlanders had originally been a trio bereft of the bass and percussion provided by Widlake and Walsh respectively. Their simple folk singing got them nowhere in a music scene becoming dominated by the burgeoning 'beat boom'. Pandering to musical fashion paid off shortly after they adopted the fuller sound of their new five-piece line up. The end to their sequence of uncharted singles releases came from a song that the Beatles had put out on album during 1965 but had not seen fit to include among their crowded list of 45rpm issues ('Michelle'). With arrangements by Tony Hatch and a 'folky' remake of the old Johnny Preston hit, 'Cradle Of Love' on its flipside, the record went all the way to the UK #1 slot. Despite this massive hit, the Overlanders success was short lived. They had been deprived of chart success in the USA by the two 'Rogers'- Cook and Greenaway, who had recorded the same song in the guise of 'David And Jonathan'. Unlike Cook and Greenaway, the Overlanders were unable to produce another single of the same high standard and did not consolidate their success. They weren't helped when their vocalist, Paul Arnold, split from the group for a solo career before 1966 was out, and the Overlanders were ever to remain 'one hit wonders'. Info courtesy of: www.45-rpm.org.uk
Hugh Ashton - guitar John Mizzerollo - guitar Martin Abrahams - lead guitar Eddie Davis, Keyboards Trevor Stephens - bass Kenni St George - vocals, percussion Val MacDonald - drums, percussion Vernon Cummings - percussion, vocals Vernon Cummings became involved with music at an early age in Guyana where he was born and started playing Steel Drums in a Band in his teens. After arriving in the U.K. in the late fifties, he settled in London but didn't take long to get involved in the music scene there. In the early sixties he formed a Trio and played in the pubs in London as a singer and compere. After a few months, he left the Trio to link up with two brothers from Jamaica, one a guitarist and the other who played banjo. They formed a group and became the resident band in their Local Pub in South London. They became very popular and got bookings for private parties including Debutantes Ball in Country Estates. It was then that they went to Germany to play for a private party and made contact to play in the clubs. On his return Vernon, nickname Chubby by his friends, contacted his old friend and drummer Val McDonald and with some other musicians went back to Germany playing in Civilian and Military Clubs, doing soul music, singing songs by his Idol Otis Redding and other Soul Artists. They returned to London in 1969 and the the band split. The following year Vernon (Chubby) answered an advert by Kenny George a Nigerian looking to form a band doing Afro Rock. Once again Vernon contacted his old friend and drummer Val and with some other musicians formed a band called DANTA. Danta got a Record Contract with CBS Records. They released a few singles one of them was even produced by Eddy Grant. With Vernon on congos and percussion, Danta became very popular on the College and University circuits, because of their music and colourful stage show. They were supporting chart topping groups such as Status Quo, Slade, Thin Lizzy, to name a few. Frustrated by the lack of chart success, Kenny left. After recruiting singer composer Popsy Williams, the band's direction changed. After returning from a tour of France new members were brought in. With a new Agent, Danta went on a tour of South Africa in 1973. One of the first bands to tour that country playing in the African Townships. The band returned after six weeks to promote their single 'Cross Fire' on CBS Epic Label. Again with the lack of Chart success Danta split. Vernon went back to work on the buildings to support his family. In 1976, Kenny returned to London and contacted Vernon and Val and with some other musicians formed the band called Ozo. Kenny became a dedicated Buddist which became the main motivation for the Band. Ozo were a unique band of Musicians totally dedicated to their music and the message they portray. Ozo's musical direction was influenced by West Indian Reggae combined with the concept of Buddism ...... .... Band Members Were : Beth Kustra, Female lead Vocals (Hungary) Trever Stephens, Bass (Jamaica) Martin Abrahams, Lead Guitar, (British) Val McDonald, Drums (Jamaica) ex Danta member. Vernon (chubby) Cummings, Congo's, Bongo's Percussion, ex Danta member. (Guyana) Eddie Davis, Keyboards, (sierra Leone) Kenni St George, Vocal's percussion, ex Danta member (Nigeria). OZO enjoyed much Success in the American singles chart with their first single, 'Listen to the Buddha' they also completed their debut album for DJM also called 'Listen to the Buddha' released in the states in August 1977. With the release of the album came the all important first chart entry at No 61 in cashbox's pop chart which brought them tremendous reaction from the discos throughout the States. One track in particular "ANAMBRA" (which was written by Vernon) showing up as the No 1 pick in three major New York Discos, where publc demand lead to this track being released as their follow up single. 'Listen to the Buddha' which featured strongly on Commercial radio and Led to the group's first television appearance on LWT's SUPERSONIC back in the mid 70s. Ozo released their second Album called 'Museum Of Mankind' which included Anambra. 30 years on, ANAMBRA is still being played by FLEXX Records. Info from http://www.myspace.com/vernhoratio
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