Ray Charles has the distinction of being both a national treasure and an international phenomenon. He started out from nowhere; years later finds him a global entity.
Hundreds of thousands of fingers have hit typewriter and word processor keyboards telling and retelling his story because it is uniquely American, an exemplar of what we like to think is the best in us and of our way of life.
The Ray Charles story is full of paradoxes, part and parcel of the American Dream.Rags to riches. Triumph overcoming tragedy. Light transcending darkness.
He's in the Halls of Fame: Rhythm/Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll.
Self-taught pianist Johnnie settled in St. Louis in 1952 and formed the Sir John Trio. He asked Chuck Berry to sit in that New Year's Eve, and a magical, half-century collaboration was born. Johnson provided the driving undercurrent on many Berry classics. His inspired piano playing in the 1987 film "Hail! Hail! Rock & Roll" earned him a new generation of fans, including Keith Richards and Eric Clapton, both of whom played on his album Johnnie B. Bad. Other albums and international tours followed. Always a loyal sideman, Johnnie Johnson emerged as a star in his own right.
Paying tribute to these two great legends is a collection of Australia’s finest R & B players. Featuring the keyboard and vocal talents of Bill Blissett, well known for his performances in Australia and England where he played with many R & B lineups including the famous ”Screaming Lord Such” and Bob Patient on keyboards and vocals who has toured Australia on the success of his album “Let’s Get Into Trouble” which is identified as a similar style to the late Johnny Johnson. Bob is well known internationally for his recordings and appearances with Dave Hole, Eugene Bridges and Chris Caine.
And as an added bonus Bill Rogers (Vocals, Saxaphone and Harmonica) will be performing some of the classic Ray Charles hits. Bill is currently front man for the WA based “Zydecats” and can be heard on albums by “Cold Chisel and “Dragon”.
The Powerhouse rhythm section consists of Peter Slatter on Bass and Vocals (Troupadores, Jeff St. John and John Paul Young). Drums – “Ace Follington (Bondi Cigars, Dave Hole and Renee Geyer etc). And on guitar is Steve Garde (Jets, Riddum Shakers and Magnificent Seven).
The band will be performing a selection of hits from the legendary Ray Charles and Johnny Johnson. Ray and Johnny
