ROKOTTO - BRICK HOUSE - 1977

Dundee's disco funksters, Rokotto, penned a good chunk of their material themselves, but occasionally they would top up their repertoire by dipping into a dance classic. They covered Banbarra's "Shack Up" for example, and this one below, The Commodores 1977 hit "Brick House" was another they added to their parties.
Rokotto's version is almost an identikit copy of the original, as I'm sure many of you who were regulars on the Sands dancefloor will spot, but nevertheless, a fine slab of funk it is, and a tune that just makes you want to go out clubbing!

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - LE PALACE - 1978

This full page spread comes from the Black Echoes music paper dated January 1979 and is another account of the same gig as the previous item - at Le Palace in Paris.
Among the entourage was a team from the Barracuda who travelled with the band along with several journalists.
Not all went to plan however, they had a set back before they even left the UK. Keyboardist Stewart Garden fell ill and was rushed to hospital with pleurisy, so when the band arrived in Paris one of the first things they had to do was find a stand-in keyboard player!
You can read all about the weekend voyage by clicking the image to view the large version.
The group called it a day in 1982.
And there ends my Rokotto scrapbook.
Fin.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - PARIS - 1978

Although this write-up appeared in the Blues & Soul magazine in January 1979, the review is about a show Rokotto did around Christmas 1978.

This prestigious gig took place at Le Palace in Paris. Le Palace at this time was THE place to be seen, attracting fashionable rich & famous celebs from around the globe. You know - Andy Warhol, Grace Jones, Mick Jagger, Paloma Picasso....the A list!!

The venue's light show back then was described as being like something out of Close Encounters!

Rokotto performed for 90 minutes, and you can read all the about their weekend trip by clicking the image to view the larger copy.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - MAG COVER - 1979

Rokotto pretty well established by now and one of the cover headline acts. This Blues & Soul magazine dating from January 1979 sees the Dundee band on the front page with the likes of Chic, Temptations, Heatwave etc.
The inside story will go up tomorrow.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - HAMMERSMITH ODEON - 1978

A review of a gig at London Hammersmith Odeon that appeared in the NME - June 1978.
Rokotto sharing the stage this time with original New York funksters, Brass Construction, and by all accounts, both acts working the crowd up into a party frenzy!!
Click on the image to read the large version.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - ADVERT - 1977

Wonder how many Dundee bands have played London's Albert Hall? Well at least we know Rokotto have back in 1977 when they were on tour with soul legends The Four Tops.
Their single "Boogie On Up" was a chart hit that had them performing it on Top Of The Pops.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - FASHION - 1977

Just a wee cutting from 1977 showing the band posing in another display of groovy gear, although I don't recall seeing these outfits on sale in McGills!!
If you want to catch up with an earlier item from last year about when a gang of us went up to Aberdeen to see Rokotto record a TV show, then you can back-track to August 2008 Archives, where you can also listen to one of their tunes and read a few comments.

ROKOTTO SCRAPBOOK - INTRO - 1977

Got a few magazine cuttings featuring Rokotto going back to the 70's, so will be putting them on view over the next couple of days.
Rokotto formed in Dundee in 1975 after some of the members left the Flamingos. Then with the addition of a few local musicians, they went on to become the colourful chart busting 7 piece funky disco band they set out to be.
This article appeared in "Blues & Soul" magazine in November 1977 when they were starting to get national recognition as a consequence of frequent touring and recording.
The line-up here is - Cleveland Walker - Howard "Bongo" McLeod - Lloyd Owen Wisdom - Derek Henderson - Stuart Garden - Hugh Paul and Sister B (Lorna Bannon).
A piece of music trivia now....Howie McLeod used to be percussionist with classy soul act, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds.
He's also usually the most flamboyantly dressed one!!
In 1986, Lorna B joined a band called Future. They ended up as one of the groups who were involved in "A Song For Europe" which was televised on the Wogan show.
You'd be best to click on the above image and enlarge it to read.

ROKOTTO ON TV - 1970's

In 1977, Cathie McCabe's record shop organised a bus to go up to Aberdeen - and I was invited along.
The event was Dundee based funky disco band, Rokotto, perform in concert at Grampian Studios.
Joan McCabe and the band members were also on the bus along with us punters.
I remember the studio had a scaffolding gantry at the side of the stage, which is where I chose to watch the show from, but most of the studio audience were at the front of the stage dancing along to the band.
The TV series was called "The Entertainers" and showcased a different act every week. Rokotto played for over an hour in Aberdeen but each episode was edited down to 30 minutes.
The show was broadcast on 17 June 1977.
I got in touch with Grampian quite recently to see if they had this episode in their vaults but unfortunately, although some of the acts on The Entertainers were kept, the one with Rokotto on has since been wiped.
Also, as well as appearances on Top Of The Pops in the 70's, Rokotto were featured on another BBC show in 1979 called "Roadshow Disco".
This was actually recorded in Dundee - Kirkton Community Centre in fact!
So if anybody out there has a copy of these shows, feel free to get in touch.
Vocalist, Lorna Bannon, went on to sing with Shakatak, Simple Minds, plus a few other acts after Rokotto.
Anyway, for those who are not familiar with Rokotto's sound or would like a reminder, here is a track & slideshow to tune into.