Many years ago when the world was still young, rock 'n' roll was the music of the day. Real people making real music, music that was exciting, vibrant, humorous and always totally irresistible. Today, most music played lacks these essential ingredients. Two-piece electronic duo's, without a single spark of energy between them seem to be the order of the day.

But all is not lost however! Because for the true fan, rock 'n' roll will never die. One record company that has dedicated itself to promoting and (re-)releasing old and new rock 'n' roll is Raucous Records in the UK. Howard Raucous has re-issued great albums by my friend and lifetime idol Wild Bob Burgos and the bands he played in several times before. Great landmarks from the likes of Matchbox, Shotgun, Iain Terry, and now the much sought after album "Rockin' On The Railroad" from The Wild Angels, the line-up from 1988 with The Sledgehammer of Rock 'n' Roll on the drums, originally released on Valentine LP VAL8060.

The orginal front cover, and all the original songs, untampered with, from an era when rock 'n' roll was once again a very popular sound in Europe. Steel fisted Bill Kingston is terrifying piano tuners by hitting the keys with enormous power and skill, much like the way Bob Burgos hits his skins. Great guitar playing by Ray Firth and Dave Briggs and a steady bass line by Brian Francis. The album was a masterpiece in its own time, and it is still a fine example of true Britisch Rock 'n' Roll. Raucous added an extra bonus tracks titled "The Sledgehammer Strikes Back" which contains a three-minute drumsolo by the master of the skins, Bob Burgos.

The Wild Angels in 1988 were:
Bill Kingston - Piano
Wild Bob Burgos - Drums, Vocals
Brian Francis - Bass, Vocals
Ray Firth - Guitar, Vocals

Guest musicians:
Dave Briggs - Guitar
Johnny Angel - Vocals

Reviewed by The BlackCat, 2005

The history of this legendary Rock 'n' Roll band goes back to the summer of 1967 to an old roadside cafe in Biggin Hill Kent on the outskirts of South London that became one of the most famous haunts for Rockers & Teddy Boys... The one and only Nightingale Cafe.

It was here that they all first met up and played their very first gig as the Wild Angels, a name that founder member Mitch Mitchell came up with when the film 'Wild Angels' was released that was banned by sensors in the UK. The band had begun to attract an incredibly large following of hard core Rock 'n' Roll fans on the strength of all their performances, and were soon being booked around the South London area where they all lived.

It was now 1968, and it wasn't long before agencies and promoters started to contact the band because of their popularity, and being one of the very few Rock 'n' Roll bands playing in Britain at that time, were soon booked to work with the legendary Bill Haley & The Comets, and in 1969 were selected to be Gene Vincent's backing band on a British tour. By now the Wild Angels were keeping to a hectic schedule of live gigs both in Britain and Europe with many records being released, and in 1973 succeeded in reaching the No.1 spot in the Swedish charts with a single entitled 'I Fought The Law' with Keith Read at the helm. The band's material and stage act was and always has been based on the golden era of Rock 'n' Roll from the late fifties, and the Wild Angels namely Mitch Mitchell, Keith Read, Wild Bob Burgos (who was also in the early line-up) and newest member Rusty Lupton have proved that the appeal of music by artists like... Eddie Cochran, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent and Little Richard still lives on, not only with those who witnessed the meteoric rise of Rock 'n' Roll, but also with a new generation who want to see and hear this music in it's more realistic aspect.

It was back in the early 70's when I first started the Wild Angels fan club... We had members from all over the world, even reaching as far as South America. We sent out regular news letters, tour dates, arranged record sales, gathered lists of Rockin' venues, as well as news, interests and info of all the individual band members etc, etc... It was great fun, and today they are still recognised as one of Europe's top Rock 'n' Roll outfits... Entertainment, Nostalgia and Excitement... As it was, and as it should be... The Wild Angels Ride Again!!

Liner notes by Pam Russell (May, 2013)
(Former Wild Angels Fan Club Secretary)

The Wild Angels in 2013:
Mitch Mitchell - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Wild Bob Burgos - Drums, Vocals
Keith Read - Lead- & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Rusty Lupton - Piano

Maintained by Marijn "The BlackCat" Raaijmakers

[ Click here if the frameset is not loaded ]