Zoot Money

George Bruno "Zoot" Money (born 17 July 1942 in Bournemouth, Dorset) is an English vocalist, keyboardist and bandleader. He is best known for his playing of the Hammond organ and association with his Big Roll Band. Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ray Charles, he was drawn to rock and roll music and became a leading light in the vibrant music scene of Bournemouth and Soho during the 1960s. He took his stage name 'Zoot' from Zoot Sims after seeing him in concert.[1]

Not to be confused with Zoot (band).

Zoot Money
Birth name	George Bruno Money
Born	(1942-07-17) 17 July 1942 Bournemouth, Dorset, England
Genres	R&B, soul, jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Keyboards
Years active	1960–present
Labels	Columbia, Indigo, MPL
Associated acts	Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, Dantalian's Chariot, Eric Burdon & the Animals, Kevin Coyne, Kevin Ayers, the Majic Mijits, the Electric Blues Company, Ruby Turner, Brian Friel, Humble Pie, Zoot Money Trio, Good Money, Widowmaker, the Hard Travelers, the British Blues Quintet
Website	Zootmoney.org

Money has been associated with The Animals, Eric Burdon, Steve Marriott, Kevin Coyne, Kevin Ayers, Humble Pie, Alexis Korner, Snowy White, Mick Taylor, Spencer Davis, Vivian Stanshall, Geno Washington, Brian Friel, the Hard Travelers, Widowmaker and Alan Price. He is also known as a bit part and character actor.[1]

Music career

Big Roll Band and Dantalian's Chariot

In autumn 1961 Money formed 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. Their first public performance was on Sunday 12 November 1961 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.[2]

Under its later line-up of Money on organ and vocals, Andy Summers, who later became a member of The Police, on guitar, Nick Newall and Clive Burrows (and later Johnny Almond) on saxophones, Paul Williams on bass and occasional vocals, and Colin Allen on drums, the Big Roll Band played soul, jazz and R&B, moving with musical trends as the now established R&B movement moved into the Swinging Sixties and became associated with the burgeoning "Soho scene". Money's antics as a flamboyant frontman were a feature of the band's act. During 1964 the Big Roll Band started playing regularly at the Flamingo Club in Soho, London until Money joined Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated. On 17 September 1966 Money with the band reached #25 in the U.K singles charts, with "Big Time Operator".[3]

In July 1967 the Big Roll Band became Dantalian's Chariot and in spite of a lack of chart success as such, the band found itself at the heart of a new counter culture, sharing concert line-ups with Pink Floyd, Soft Machine and the Crazy World of Arthur Brown. A single, "Madman Running Through the Fields", was released in 1967 and in April 1968 Dantalian's Chariot was disbanded.[4]

The album Chariot Rising was released in 1996, comprising both sides of the 1967 single together with eight other unreleased studio recordings. It is available on CD.

1968–1978

During 1968, Money moved to U.S.A. to join the lineup of Eric Burdon & the New Animals in time for their Every One Of Us album, and the group soon incorporated stretched-out, heavily-psychedelicised versions of Dantalian's Chariot favourites 'Madman Running Through The Fields' and 'Gemini' into their setlist. Money's erstwhile Big Roll Band and Dantalian's Chariot colleague Andy Summers also soon joined them for the recording of the album Love Is in late 1968, but The New Animals broke up shortly afterwards. Money then took time out to record and release his solo LP Welcome To My Head in 1969. Having returned to the U.K. by June 1970, Money contributed piano to the improvised studio session led by former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, which led to Green's release of the experimental The End of the Game. During the 1970s he played and recorded with the poetry and rock band Grimms, Ellis, Centipede, Kevin Ayers and Kevin Coyne.[5]

Solo album and Majik Mijits

Money signed to Paul McCartney's record label MPL Communications in 1980 and recorded Mr. Money produced by Jim Diamond. During 1981 Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane[6] formed a band with Money, bass player Jim Leverton, drummer Dave Hynes and saxophone player Mel Collins to record the album The Majic Mijits. The album features songs by Lane and Marriott but due to Lane's multiple sclerosis, they were unable to tour to promote it. It was eventually released nineteen years later.[7]

1987–1997

In 1987 Money was Musical Director for the BBC Scotland drama series Tutti Frutti and wrote the theme music.[8] In 1985 he wrote the incidental music for five episodes of the TV series Adventures Beyond Belief.[9] From 1990 to 1994 he was music controller for Melody Radio.[10] In 1994 Money recorded with Alan Price and the Electric Blues Company alongside vocalist and guitarist Bobby Tench, bassist Peter Grant and drummer Martin Wild, on A Gigster's Life for Me.[11] He continued to appear with Price at live appearances in the UK.[1] The Dantalian's Chariot album Chariot Rising was released in 1997, thirty years after it was recorded. In 1998 Money produced Ruby Turner's album Call Me by My Name,[12]

2002–2005

Money produced the Woodstock Taylor album Road Movie (2002), also contributing keyboards.[13] In 2002 he recorded tracks with Humble Pie for their album Back on Track released by Sanctuary Records.[14] In 2003 Money featured on the British Legends of Rhythm and Blues UK tour, alongside Long John Baldry, Ray Dorset and Paul Williams.[15] Money joined Pete Goodall to re-record the Thunderclap Newman UK hit single Something in the Air (2004) written by John "Speedy" Keene, which featured the last recorded performance by saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith.[16] In 2005 Money joined Goodall to record a CD of new songs by Goodall and Pete Brown. They went on to tour the UK under the name of Good Money.[17] In early 2006 Money and drummer Colin Allen joined vocalist Maggie Bell, bassist Colin Hodgkinson and guitarist Miller Anderson, in the British Blues Quintet.

2008–present

He appeared with the RD Crusaders for the Teenage Cancer Trust at the 'London International Music Show', on 15 June 2008.[18] In 2009 he appeared with Maggie Bell, Bobby Tench, Chris Farlowe and Alan Price, in the 'Maximum Rhythm and Blues Tour' of thirty two British theatres.[19] Money Joined the British Blues All Stars in 2014[20] and regularly performs with the latest version of his Big Roll Band at The Bull's Head music venue in Barnes, London [21] and elsewhere.

Acting career

He began attracting acting roles in the 1970s and started a parallel acting career with character appearances in film and TV dramas. He appeared in English tv show Londons Burning for one episode in 1989

Film appearances

• Red Hair, one of Leonard Rossiter's fellow commuters, in the 1978 short film The Waterloo Bridge Handicap
• Lotterby in the 1979 film Porridge
• a promotions man in the 1980 UK film Breaking Glass
• a music-publishing executive in the 1981 Madness film Take It or Leave It
• Dorking, alongside Eddie Kidd in the 1981 film Riding High
• Chalky White in the 1983 film Bullshot
• a pirate in the 1983 film The Pirates of Penzance
• a party guest in the 1984 film Supergirl
• the first taxi driver in the 1984 film Scandalous
• Supersonic Sam in the 1985 film Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire
• Chez Nobody Barman in the 1986 film Absolute Beginners

TV appearances

Sometimes credited as G.B. Money or G.B, he has appeared in a number of other small roles in British television programmes including Bergerac, The Professionals, Shoestring, “[Big Deal,1985,series 2,’breakthrough ‘]] ‘’ The Bill, The Piglet Files and EastEnders. In 1989 he played a New Age Traveller in the ITV drama Forever Green. In 1992 and 1993 he appeared in the BBC sitcom Get Back as a dim but well meaning family friend 'Bungalow Bill' alongside Ray Winstone, Larry Lamb and Kate Winslet. In 2000 he starred in a film based on guitarist Syd Barrett, as a fanatical fan stalking the rock star Roger Bannerman in the underground cult film Remember a Day.

Discography with The Big Roll Band

See Zoot Money's Big Roll Band

Solo discography

• It should have been me. Columbia (1966)
• Transition. Columbia (1968)
• Welcome to My Head Capitol (1969),
• Zoot Money Polydor (1970)
• Mr. Money. MPL (1980)
• Were you there live. Indigo (1999)
• Full Clothed & Naked. Indigo (2000)[22]
• As & Bs Scrapbook. Repertoire (2003)
• A Big Time Operator. Castle (2005)
• Full circle. Universal distribution (2007)[5]
• The Book Of Life... I've Read It. Treasure Island (2016) [23]
• Zoot Money's Big Roll Band: Big Time Operator (Box Set of 4 CDs) Repertoire (2017)

Discography as a sideman

Albums[5][22]

Alan Price

• I Put a Spell on You and Other Great Hits. CMC International/Sanctuary (2003)

Alan Price and The Electric Blues Company

• A Gigster's Life for Me. Indigo (1996)

Alexis Korner

• Accidentally Born in New Orleans’’ (1973)
• Alexis Korner (1973)
• Mr. Blues. Toadstool (1974)
• White & Blue Alexis Korner (1980)
• The Party Album. Intercord (1980)
• Alexis Korner and Friends. Amiga (1982)
• Alexis Korner 1972-1983 (1992)
• Alexis Korner Memorial Concert Vol2 (1995)
• Musically Rich...And Famous: Anthology 1967-1982. Castle (1998)

Alvin Lee

• ’’Let It Rock’’. Repertoire (1978)
• ’’The Anthology ’’ (2002)

Andy Roberts

• Urban Cowboy (1971)
• Andy Roberts & the Great Stampede. Elektra (1973)
• Nina and the Dream Tree.Pegasus/Philips (1971)

The Animals

• Ark. CBS (1983)
• Greatest Hits Live!. IRS (2007)

Brian Friel

• Arrivederci Ardrossan (1975)
• Ashes & Matchsticks (1976)

The British Blues Quintet

• Live in Glasgow. Angel Air (2007)

Centipede

• Septober Energy. RCA (1971)

Dantalian's Chariot

• Chariot Rising. Wooden Hill (1996)

Eddie Harris

• E.H. in the U.K. Atlantic (1973)
• Sold out (1974)
• Collectables Classics [Box Set] Eddie Harris (2006)
• Only the Best of Eddie Harris Vol1 (2009)

Ellis

• Riding on the Crest of a Slump. Epic (1972)
• Why not?. Epic (1973)

Eric Burdon

• Survivor . Polydor (1978)
• Good Times: A Collection Eric Burdon (1993)

Eric Burdon and the Animals

• The Twain Shall Meet. MGM (1968)
• Love Is. MGM (1968)
• Every One Of Us. MGM (1968)
• The Best of Eric Burdon & the Animals 1966-1968. Polydor (1991)

Marc Ellington

• Restoration. Philips (1972)

Grimms

• Rocking Duck. Island (1973)
• Grimms. Island (1973)
• Sleepers. DJM (1976)

Johnny Almond Music Machine

• Patent Pending. Deram (1969)

Jim Diamond

• Double Crossed. Cherry Pop (2009)

Georgie Fame

• Charlestons. Three Line Whip (2007)
• The Birthday Big Band (1998 55th-birthday concert). Three Line Whip (2007)

Kevin Ayers

• Yes We Have No Mañanas, So Get Your Mañanas Today. EMI (1976)
• Too Old to Die Young: BBC Live 1972-1976. Hux (1998)
• The BBC Sessions 1970-1976. Hux (2005)

Kevin Coyne

• In Living Black & White. EMI (1976)
• Heart Burn. Virgin (1976)
• Dynamite Daze. EMI(1978)
• Babble. Virgin (1979)
• On air Tradition & Moderne (2008)
• I Want My Crown: The Anthology 1973-1980. EMI (2010)
• Live At Rockpalast 1979. 2CDs + DVD - Mig Music/Indigo (2019; also previous editions without video, by other publishers.)[24]

Humble Pie

• Back on Track. Sanctuary (2002)

Juicy Lucy

• Pieces. Polydor (1972)

LaTour

• Home on the Range. Smash (1993 )

Long John Baldry

• Good To Be Alive. Casablanca (1973)

Lonnie Donegan

• Putting on the Style (1977)

Mike McGear

• Woman. Island (1972)

Peter Green.

• The End of the Game. Warner Bros. (1970)
• The Anthology (2008)

Pete York

• Pete York & Friends. Inakustik (2007)

Roger McGough

• A Summer with Monika. Island (1979)

Ruby Turner

• Call Me by My Name. Indigo (1998)

The Scaffold

• Fresh Liver. Island (1973)

Spencer Davis

• Extremely Live at Birmingham Town Hall. Inakustik/Inak Records (1995)

Thunderclap Newman

• Pick N Tell (2006)

Widowmaker (U.K)

• Widowmaker. United Artists (1976)
• Straight Faced Fighters. Sanctuary (2002)

Singles discography

• The Uncle Willie. Decca (1964)
• I Really Learnt How To Cry. Columbia (1967)
• No One But You. Polydor. (1970)
• Your Feets Too Big. Magic Moon Records (1980)[25]

Other discography

Inclusion on Various Artist compilations[5][22]

• Rattlesnake Guitar: The Music of Peter Green. Viceroy (1996)
• The Blues Scene. Decca (1996)
• Mod Scene Vol2. Polygram (1996)
• Peter Green Songbook. Seagull (2000)
• Confessin' the Blues. Indigo (1997)
• Fresh Blues Vol2. In-Akustik (1998)
• The R&B Scene. Deram (1998)
• Indigo All-Star Swing & Dance Party. Indigo (1999)
• Indigo Blues Collection Vol6. Indigo (2001)
• Story of Transatlantic Records. Metro Doubles (2003)
• Instro Hipsters a Go-Go Vol2. Psychic Circle (2003)
• Hammond Heroes: 60s R&B Organ Grooves. Ace (2005)
• This Is Mod. Castle (2006)
• Goodbye Nashville, Hello Camden Town: A Pub Rock Anthology. Castle (2007)
• The In Crowd: Original Mod Classics. Castle Pulse (2007)
• This Is the Blues Vol2. Eagle (2010)
• Electric Psychedelic Sitar Headswirlers Vol11. Particles (2012)[5]

Notes

1. Eder, Bruce. "Zoot Money biog". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
2. Kirtley, Al. "The Downstairs Club and the naming of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band". Retrieved 19 May 2009.
3. "Big Time Operator chart position". Books.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
4. Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 183. CN 5585.
5. "Zoot Money credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
6. Hellier, Joseph & Hewitt, Paulo. Steve Marriott: All Too Beautiful... p. 249.
7. "Majic Mijits. An interview with Jim Leverton". Wappingwharf.com. Retrieved 15 June 2007.
8. "IMDB Tutti Frutti (TV Mini-Series)". Retrieved 25 March 2017.
9. "IMDB Adventures Beyond Belief (TV series)". Retrieved 24 June 2018.
10. "Zoot Money's Big Roll Band Biography". Retrieved 25 March 2017.
11. "A gigster's life for me". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
12. "Call me by My Name". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
13. "Road Movie". Zootmoney.org. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
14. "Back on Track". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
15. "Guildford Civic Centre Review by Al Kirtley". Alkirtley.co.uk. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
16. "Dick Hecksall-Smith Obituary". Timesonline.co.uk. 21 December 2004.
17. "Zoot Money". Zootmoney.org. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
18. "RD Crusaders play at LIMS". Soundonsound. 5 January 2008.
19. "Maximum Rhythm and Blues Tour 2009". Flying music.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
20. "GTA artists/The British Blues Allstars". Gtamusic.co.uk. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
21. "Zoot Money at the Bulls Head music venue". Musicglue.com. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
22. "Zoot Money solo releases". Discogs.com. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
23. "Zoot Money book of life". Discovery-Records.com. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
24. "Kevin Coyne: Live At Rockpalast 1979". Rough Trade. 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
25. "Zoot Money. Singles". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2 May 2015.

References

• Hewitt, Paulo and Hellier, John. Steve Marriott – All Too Beautiful.... Helter Skelter (2004). ISBN 1-900924-44-7

External links

• "Official Zoot Money website".
• Zoot Money discography at Discogs
• Zoot Money at AllMusic
• Zoot Money on IMDb
• "Zoot Money on youtube.com".