THE HISTORY OF THE BAND: A BLUES LEGACY

The precursor to The Hollywood Fats Band was a duo consisting of Al Blake singing and playing guitar and harmonica and Fred Kaplan on piano. They were joined by guitar genius Michael Mann, christened “Hollywood Fats” by Junior Wells and Buddy Guy. Fats had previously toured with blues greats such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Witherspoon Albert King and J.B. Hutto. The new trio called themselves The Headhunters, in honor of a historical group of Chicago blues greats. The Hollywood Fats Band was born when bassist Jerry Smith and drummer Richard Innes joined Fats, Blake and Kaplan. Later, Larry Taylor replaced Jerry Smith, completing what would become the group’s legendary lineup. The combination of these extraordinary musicians would make musical history.

The Hollywood Fats Band toured mostly in California, attracting a devoted following of bluenatics from San Francisco to San Diego. However, it was difficult for even the most brilliant musicians to make a living by playing traditional blues. Therefore, the band played mostly in the Los Angeles area so that the members could work day jobs. In 1976, The Hollywood Fats Band recorded and self-produced their now-historic album. Thanks to Larry Taylor, it was released on PBR International Records as an LP in 1979. Taylor also organized the artwork with John Juke Logan and the comic book with Joel Milky. It was also Taylor’s idea to produce the record itself in eye-popping blue vinyl. This original record is a rare collector’s item. The recording has been re-released as a CD and double-CD set numerous times by various companies around the world. It is still popular today internationally.

The band also performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, where their blazing talent decimated audiences and other blues performers alike. They became the house blues band of the annual festival, backing up other artists at the Saturday blues afternoon sessions. The band also played at the first Long Beach Blues Festival. News traveled fast throughout the country that there was a smoking blues band in L.A., causing touring blues artists coming to Los Angeles to request The Hollywood Fats Band to back them up.

The Hollywood Fats Band achieved international acclaim, and credit for inspiring a West Coast traditional blues revival. Hollywood Fats was recognized for his unparalleled genius and contribution to blues. Tragically, he did not live to enjoy the accolades. Hollywood Fats passed away unexpectedly in 1986. The remaining band members went on to other musical ventures. Eventually, with the addition of guitarists Junior Watson and Kirk Fletcher, they morphed into The Hollywood Blue Flames, making the original members one of the longest-standing bands in any genre.

The Hollywood Fats Band lives on in a precious handful of recordings, and in the soul-stirring music of The Hollywood Blue Flames.  Vintage Hollywood Fats Band recordings have been and continue to be restored and released by The Hollywood Blue Flames. So far, bonus CDs featuring these sensational archival recordings, entitled Larger Than Life, Volumes One and Two accompany, respectively, Road to Rio and Deep in America.