- Geno Washington
Geno Washington (born William Francis Washington, December
1943 ) is an AmericanR&B singer born inEvansville, Indiana , who released five albums with The Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969, and eight solo albums beginning in 1976.Early to late 1960s
Geno was stationed in England for the 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 club in 1965, he asked Washington to join his new group that was to become a popular live British group called the
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band . that had a number of moderate UK chart hits during 1966-1967 on the PYE label. The Ram Jam Band took their name from the Ram Jam Inn, an old Coaching Inn on the A1 at Stretton, Leicestershire. Gage later formed Vinegar Joe withElkie Brooks and Robert Palmer.The 1970s
He left the UK to go back to the United States and disappeared from show business for a length of time, studied hypnosis and meditation, hung out 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 (DJM 1979)The 1980s
Geno 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.The 1990s to present
Geno has been active on stage and 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", "What's In The Pot", etc.
He has embraced acting, taking a role in
Paparazzo , a 1995 Independent Film starringNick Berry andFay Masterson . There has been talk of more work in film, possibly a movie role.Fact|date=July 2008 In 2007 he appeared as himself in an episode of "Midsomer Murders" entitled "The Axeman Cometh" that also featuredSuzi Quatro and Veteran British DJMike Read .He is also the author of ‘The Blood Brothers’, a type of fast paced war exploitation story starring Robbie Jones, a rough talking Black Vietnam Vet who is thrust into a world of danger and intrigue that takes him from the jungles of South East Asia to the deserts of Mauritana fighting slavery and injustice alongside a colourful cast of characters.
He has also penned children's stories and appeared as a motivational speaker.
As of summer
2007 Geno and his band can still regularly be seen touring and performing in the UK.He recently collaborated with
comedian and musicianMatt Berry for the track "Get Here In Time".Personal
Geno is a member of the Guild of Hypnotists.
References
* "The Genius of Geno http://www.besonic.com/Geno_Washington
External links
* [http://www.phoenixfm.com/blackmore-music-festival-2006.php Interview with Geno Washington at the 2006 Blackmore Music Festival]
* [http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Geno%20Washington.html Geno Washington] on soulwalking.co.uk
* [http://genowashington.com/ Geno Washington official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/genoramjamband] Geno Washington and current backing band on My Space
* [http://blogs.citypages.com/pscholtes/2005/10/gino_washington.asp "Gino Washington vs. Geno Washington] biography at Complicated Fun, October 20, 2005
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