The Fatback Band (later, simply Fatback) is an American funk and disco band that was popular in the 1970s and 1980s. The Fatback Band is most known for their R&B hits: "(Do the) Spanish Hustle", "I Like Girls", "Gotta Get My Hands on Some (Money)", "Backstrokin'" and "I Found Lovin'".
Their 1979 single "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" is generally considered the first commercially released hip hop single.
Formed in New York City in 1970, the Fatback Band was the concept of Bill Curtis, an experienced session drummer, inspired to merge the "fatback" jazz beat of New Orleans into a funk band. In addition to Curtis, the band's initial line-up included guitarist Johnny King, bassist Johnny Flippin, trumpet player George Williams, saxophonist Earl Shelton, flautist George Adams, and keyboardist Gerry Thomas. The band specialized in playing "street funk". The group also later included conga player Wayne Woolford, vocalists Jayne and Gerry, Deborah Cooper saxophonist Fred Demerey, guitarist Louis Wright and George Victory.
Links to Peel[]
Peel played some of their material in the 70's and 80's on his radio programmes. He also saw them perform at Tiffany's, Great Yarmouth, in December 1987 and thought their performance was very good. He also reviewed that show in the Observer of that year.
Shows Played[]
- 18 July 1974: Fatbackin' (LP - People Music) Perception
- Olivetti Chronicles (Lena Zavaroni, p469 - Sounds article published on 1974-07-20): "Last night's Top Gear was, for me, one of those programmes that inexplicably takes off in such a way that getting back down again when it's all over is really a difficult, even unpleasant task. We started with a track from a Capricon LP by Grinderswitch (a fine new band) which featured Dickie Betts and moved on through Bryn Haworth, Sandy Denny, Magma, Don Covay, Cream, Sweet (yes, Sweet), Ry Cooder, The Fatback Band, Eric Clapton, Willie Mitchell, Bill Black's Combo, Kevin Coyne, Joni Mitchell and Sunny Ade and His African Beats (from Nigeria)."
- 1985
- 01 April 1985: '(Are You Ready) Do The Bus Stop (7")' (Polydor)
- 1987
- 21 December 1987: Soul March (LP - People Music) Perception
- 1988
- 12 January 1988: Fatbackin' (LP - People Music) Perception