Geno Washington (born William Francis Washington; December 1943, in 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.
The group had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the 1960s, both of which were live albums.[1] Their most commercially successful album, Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live!, was in the UK Albums Chart for 38 weeks in 1966 and 1967, peaking at number 5 on the chart. The other album was Hipster Flipsters Finger Poppin' Daddies, which reached number 8 on the UK album chart.[2] The group had a number of moderate UK Singles Charthits during 1966–67 on the Pye label: "Water" (which reached no. 39), "Hi Hi Hazel" (no. 45), "Que Sera Sera" (no. 43) and "Michael (The Lover)" (no. 39).[1] They managed to build up a strong following with the crowds due to their energetic tour performances.[1] Like their Pye label mates and rivals Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, they became popular with the mod scene. The band broke up in the autumn of 1969, with the band members going their own ways while Geno Washington continued as a solo artist, prior to returning to the United States.[1] Keyboard player Geoffrey K. Pullum became an academic linguist, and is today a professor at the University of Edinburgh and a well-known linguistics blogger at the Language Log and Lingua Franca websites.[3]
The 1970s
Washington left the UK to return to the United States and disappeared from the music industry for a length of time. He 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), and That's Why Hollywood Loves Me (1979).[1]
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",[1] but he initially declined, as he was completing his degree in hypnotism. But soon he was back in the UK touring extensively and playing many gigs, particularly in south-east London.
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?".
As of 2021, Washington and his band could be regularly seen touring in the UK. 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.[4] In July 2009 he headlined the Kelvedon Free Music Festival. In August 2010, Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band were one of the headline acts at Rhythm Festival,[5] and appeared at the Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury in October 2010. More recently, in October 2014, they performed in the Spiegeltent at the Canterbury Festival of Arts.[6]
Television and film career
Washington has appeared on television since the 1960s. In 1966 he appeared in Episode 11 of Ready Steady Go! This episode also featured other stars such as Françoise Hardy, Cilla Black, Wayne Fontana and the Spencer Davis Group. In 1967, along with the Ram Jam Band, he appeared on The Record Star Show and doubtless others in the 1960s. Since then he has appeared on Top Ten (1980) in 2000 and the mini series S.O.U.L.—Sounds of Underground London in 2003.
Geno appears in the movie A Bit of Tom Jones?, which had its London premiere in 2009. The film, which was made by Tred Films in Tredegar in South Wales, stars Jonny Owen and Roger Evans, with a cast including Matt Berry, John Henshaw and Denise Welch. The film won the BAFTA Cymru "Best Film" award in 2010.[7]
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.[8]
Writing and public speaking
He is the author of The Blood Brothers, a war exploitation story. Washington has also written children's stories. He has appeared as a motivational speaker.
Hypnotism
Washington is a member of the Guild of Hypnotists.[9] He has also included hypnotism as part of his act.[1] In the past his show has consisted of some demonstrations of hypnotism in the first half and some "Get down soul music" in the second half.
Current and recent activities
He recently collaborated with comedian and musician Matt Berry for the track "Get Here in Time." Also in other activities involving Matt Berry,[10] Geno is featured on a 2012 song by Berry called "Theme From Snuff Box".[11]
Personal life
Geno met his wife Frenchie at The Bag O'Nails club in London, which is also where her sister met Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits, whom she married. This is also the same club where Paul McCartney met Linda Eastman.[12]
^Martin Roach (ed.), Virgin Book of British Hit Albums, 2009, p.292
^"Geoffrey K. Pullum: Curriculum Vitae". Lel.ed.ac.uk. November 9, 2009. Retrieved April 29, 2012.
^Sara Black (February 13, 2009). "Soul originals put glide into your stride". Archive.today. Archived from the original on August 4, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
geno, washington, confused, with, gino, washington, washington, this, biography, living, person, relies, much, references, primary, sources, please, help, adding, secondary, tertiary, sources, contentious, material, about, living, persons, that, unsourced, poo. Not to be confused with Gino Washington or Gio Washington This biography of a living person relies too much on references to primary sources Please help by adding secondary or tertiary sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately especially if potentially libelous or harmful Find sources Geno Washington news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2008 Learn how and when to remove this template message Geno Washington born William Francis Washington December 1943 in Evansville Indiana is an American R amp B singer who released five albums with The Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969 and eight solo albums beginning in 1976 Geno WashingtonPictured in 2007Background informationBirth nameWilliam Francis WashingtonBornDecember 1943 age 79 OriginEvansville Indiana United StatesGenresSoul R amp B pop bluesOccupation s MusicianInstrument s VocalsYears active1966 presentLabelsPiccadilly Marble Arch Pye DJMWebsitewww wbr genowashington wbr blogspot wbr com Contents 1 Music career 1960s to 1980s 1 1 Early to late 1960s 1 2 The 1970s 1 3 The 1980s 2 The 1990s to present 2 1 Television and film career 2 2 Writing and public speaking 2 3 Hypnotism 3 Current and recent activities 4 Personal life 5 Solo discography 5 1 7 singles 5 2 12 singles 5 3 Albums 5 4 CD single 5 5 CD album 6 References 7 External linksMusic career 1960s to 1980s EditEarly to late 1960s Edit Main article Geno Washington amp the Ram Jam Band Washington was stationed in England with the United States Air Force during the early 1960s 1 While stationed in East Anglia Washington became known as a frequent stand in at gigs around London 1 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 amp the Ram Jam Band 1 Gage later formed Vinegar Joe with Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer 1 The band s name came from the Ram Jam Inn an old coaching inn on the A1 Great North Road at Stretton near Oakham Rutland The group had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the 1960s both of which were live albums 1 Their most commercially successful album Hand Clappin Foot Stompin Funky Butt Live was in the UK Albums Chart for 38 weeks in 1966 and 1967 peaking at number 5 on the chart The other album was Hipster Flipsters Finger Poppin Daddies which reached number 8 on the UK album chart 2 The group had a number of moderate UK Singles Chart hits during 1966 67 on the Pye label Water which reached no 39 Hi Hi Hazel no 45 Que Sera Sera no 43 and Michael The Lover no 39 1 They managed to build up a strong following with the crowds due to their energetic tour performances 1 Like their Pye label mates and rivals Jimmy James and the Vagabonds they became popular with the mod scene The band broke up in the autumn of 1969 with the band members going their own ways while Geno Washington continued as a solo artist prior to returning to the United States 1 Keyboard player Geoffrey K Pullum became an academic linguist and is today a professor at the University of Edinburgh and a well known linguistics blogger at the Language Log and Lingua Franca websites 3 The 1970s Edit Washington left the UK to return to the United States and disappeared from the music industry for a length of time He 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 and That s Why Hollywood Loves Me 1979 1 The 1980s Edit 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 1 but he initially declined as he was completing his degree in hypnotism But soon he was back in the UK touring extensively and playing many gigs particularly in south east London The 1990s to present EditWashington 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 As of 2021 Washington and his band could be regularly seen touring in the UK 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 4 In July 2009 he headlined the Kelvedon Free Music Festival In August 2010 Geno Washington amp the Ram Jam Band were one of the headline acts at Rhythm Festival 5 and appeared at the Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury in October 2010 More recently in October 2014 they performed in the Spiegeltent at the Canterbury Festival of Arts 6 Television and film career Edit Washington has appeared on television since the 1960s In 1966 he appeared in Episode 11 of Ready Steady Go This episode also featured other stars such as Francoise Hardy Cilla Black Wayne Fontana and the Spencer Davis Group In 1967 along with the Ram Jam Band he appeared on The Record Star Show and doubtless others in the 1960s Since then he has appeared on Top Ten 1980 in 2000 and the mini series S O U L Sounds of Underground London in 2003 Geno appears in the movie A Bit of Tom Jones which had its London premiere in 2009 The film which was made by Tred Films in Tredegar in South Wales stars Jonny Owen and Roger Evans with a cast including Matt Berry John Henshaw and Denise Welch The film won the BAFTA Cymru Best Film award in 2010 7 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 8 Writing and public speaking Edit He is the author of The Blood Brothers a war exploitation story Washington has also written children s stories He has appeared as a motivational speaker Hypnotism Edit Washington is a member of the Guild of Hypnotists 9 He has also included hypnotism as part of his act 1 In the past his show has consisted of some demonstrations of hypnotism in the first half and some Get down soul music in the second half Current and recent activities EditHe recently collaborated with comedian and musician Matt Berry for the track Get Here in Time Also in other activities involving Matt Berry 10 Geno is featured on a 2012 song by Berry called Theme From Snuff Box 11 Personal life EditGeno met his wife Frenchie at The Bag O Nails club in London which is also where her sister met Peter Noone of Herman s Hermits whom she married This is also the same club where Paul McCartney met Linda Eastman 12 Solo discography EditSee also Geno Washington amp the Ram Jam Band Discography 7 singles Edit 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 The Lover 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 198812 singles Edit Baby Come Back Caught in the Middle DJM DJR 10926 1979 My Money Your Money Get Some Bad Tonight DJR 18005 1979 Michael The Lover Accept My Invitation Emergency 999 Soul Supply 12SS101 1984 Rock the Car Catch Me Mil MILST 1 1988 13 Albums Edit 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 1987CD single Edit The Blues Walks With Me Wake Me When the Morning Comes Thunderbird CSA 007 1998CD album Edit Change Your Thoughts You Change Your Life With the Purple Aces Thunderbird CSA 114 1998 13 References Edit a b c d e f g h i j k Colin Larkin ed 1997 The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music Concise ed Virgin Books p 1234 ISBN 1 85227 745 9 Martin Roach ed Virgin Book of British Hit Albums 2009 p 292 Geoffrey K Pullum Curriculum Vitae Lel ed ac uk November 9 2009 Retrieved April 29 2012 Sara Black February 13 2009 Soul originals put glide into your stride Archive today Archived from the original on August 4 2012 Retrieved March 11 2020 Rhythm Festival Rhythmfestival com Canterbury Festival 2014 Canterbury Times Archived from the original on September 23 2015 Retrieved October 20 2014 BAFTA Cymru Awards in 2010 The Highlights Bafta org April 23 2010 Geno Washington IMDb com Retrieved September 30 2019 The Brook Geno Washington amp The Ram Jam Band The Master of Soul Great performer Archived January 6 2009 at the Wayback Machine The Duchess York What s on Matt Berry The IT Crowd Mighty Boosh 26 Nov 2010 Archived from the original on November 26 2010 Retrieved September 29 2012 Shazam Shazam com High Tide The hypnotist Geno Washington interviewed Archived July 11 2011 at the Wayback Machine a b Leigh Spencer 2000 Geno Geno Geno Article 253 September 2000 No 253 ed Ealing London England Parker Mead Limited for Parker Publishing 75 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help full citation needed External links EditGeno Washington Official Facebook Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geno Washington amp oldid 1106108083, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
