Zoot Money's Big Roll Band

1961-1963

In early autumn 1961 Zoot Money formed the first version of the Big Roll Band with himself as vocalist, Roger Collis on lead guitar, pianist Al Kirtley (later of Trendsetters Limited), bassist Mike "Monty" Montgomery and drummer Johnny Hammond. The name 'Big Roll Band' derived from Money mis-hearing the phrase "big old band" from the third verse of Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode. Their first public performance was at Bournemouth's Downstairs Club. In 1962 drummer Pete Brookes replaced Hammond at the same time as bassist Johnny King replaced Montgomery and tenor sax player Kevin Drake joined the band. Kirtley left shortly afterwards, Money taking over on organ.

In late 1963 Money established a further version of the band with bassist Paul Williams (who also sang), guitarist Andy Summers (then Somers, later of The Police, who had played with Money in the Don Robb Band), saxophonists Nick Newall and Clive Burrows (Burrows and Williams had played together in the Wes Minster Five), and Colin Allen on drums. Burrows was eventually replaced by Johnny Almond and went on to play with Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band and The Alan Price Set.

1964-1965

In 1964 The Big Roll Band started playing regularly at The Flamingo Club in Soho, London. Their act featured Money's flamboyant frontman antics. The band signed to Decca Records and released a single that year before switching to EMI's Columbia label. In 1965 four more singles were released and their first album It Should Have Been Me, was issued in October of the same year.

1966-1969

At this time Money refused an offer to replace The Animals keyboardist Alan Price, preferring to remain as a vocalist. In July 1966 their single "Big Time Operator" became the group's most successful single, reaching number 25 in UK charts. Their album Zoot Live At Klooks Kleek, was released in October of that year promoting Money as an emerging solo artist and reached 23 in the UK charts. It was also released in the U.S.A by Epic Records label but lacked promotion.

During this period Money joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated for a short spell before returning to his Big Roll Band, but fashions were drifting from rhythm and blues towards more experimental sounds and an emphasis on songwriting. Although a popular fixture on the London club circuit in the first half of the 1960s, they had little commercial success. In July 1967 the Big Roll Band morphed into Dantalian's Chariot with a psychedelic direction. In 1969 Money accepted a second offer to join 'Eric Burdon and The New Animals'. Money revived the Big Roll Band under a new line-up in 2003 and the band performs regularly at The Bull's Head, Barnes and elsewhere.

Singles

Albums