Kokomo -

Kokomo was an English soul-funk band that released two albums on CBS/Columbia in 1975. The band featured alumni from Liverpudlian harmony-pop band Arrival and Joe Cocker‘s Grease Band.

Members: Dyan Birch (vocals), Paddie McHugh (vocals), Frank Collins (vocals), Neil Hubbard (guitar), Alan Spenner (bass), Tony O’Malley (piano, vocals), Jim Mullen (guitar), Terry Stannard (drums), Joan Linscott (congas), Mel Collins (saxophone), John Susswell (drums)

Background

Kokomo formed in London in May 1973 when keyboardist-vocalist Tony O’Malley and drummer Terry Stannard started an open session at the Pheasantry on King’s Road. O’Malley brought former Arrival singers Dyan Birch and Frank Collins into the group. Fellow Arrival singer Paddie McHugh completed the vocal front line. The founders recruited bassist Alan Spenner and guitarist Neil Hubbard from Joe Cocker’s Grease Band. Guitarist Jim Mullen joined after spells with Pete Brown & Piblokto! and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. Saxophonist Mel Collins entered the lineup after his early-1970s tenure with King Crimson.

Frank Collins and McHugh first worked together in Liverpool group the Excels. Collins recruited NEMS record-shop employee Birch after an introduction through shop manager John Banks. The singers moved to London, where O’Malley joined Arrival on piano through the Gunnells Booking Agency in January 1969. Arrival reached the UK Top 20 in 1970 with “Friends” and the Frank Collins composition “I Will Survive.” O’Malley left Arrival in 1972 for the Mick Cox Band, whose album also featured Birch, Collins and McHugh on backing vocals.

Spenner and Hubbard worked together in Wynder K. Frog before joining the Grease Band. Both accompanied Joe Cocker at Woodstock and played on the 1970 studio recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. Mullen moved from Glasgow to London in 1969 and recorded with Piblokto! before a three-album stint with the Oblivion Express. Stannard entered professional work with the Freddie Mack Road Show and recorded with Long John Baldry before the Kokomo sessions.

Kokomo played the first Pheasantry date on May 14, 1973 and continued with Monday appearances at the venue. Roadie Franky Blackwell proposed the name Kokomo from the Aretha Franklin song “First Snow in Kokomo.” The band reached Upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s that July and Dingwalls by December. Percussionist Jody Linscott joined after sitting in with Kokomo at Dingwalls, where she worked as a waitress and kept homemade congas in the cloakroom.

A&R man Paul Phillips brought Kokomo into Apple Studios on Jan. 23, 1974 for a six-song demo session intended to attract management. The group expanded London activity through the Hope & Anchor, the 100 Club and other pub-club venues, with a BBC session reaching John Peel listeners in August. Steve O’Rourke assumed management through Emka Productions by the end of the year. Kokomo joined Dr. Feelgood and Chilli Willi & the Red Hot Peppers for the Naughty Rhythms tour from late January into February 1975. CBS signed Kokomo after the tour and prepared the group for its self-titled debut album.

Discography: