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American R&B Blues music legend Gary U.S. Bonds is to join Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings as a Special Guest on the 2009 UK tour, starting October 28 and running until December 6. Hailed by
Rolling Stone magazine as a singer "with a unique and expressive voice", Gary is an honouree of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, and was nominated for the Country Music
Association's Songwriter of the Year.
The announcement was made during a special show by Gary and his Roadhouse Rockers in New York's BB King Blues Club this week to celebrate Gary's birthday and 50 years in the music business. Gary
was joined in the show by Ben E King, Darlene Love, Southside Johnny and many more, with Mohammad Ali, Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Neil Sedaka and Bill Wyman sending special video messages.
"I'm anxious to return to the UK and sing with some of the best players the country has to offer and, along with Bill Wyman - who I've always admired - it will be a Rockin' Rhythm Kings Good
Time!" said Gary at the show.
Bill says Gary's addition to the tour is fantastic news for UK fans, telling the crowd in his special video message: "I’ve been a fan of Gary’s since the early 60’s. It’ll be a pleasure to have
Gary join The Rhythm Kings as a Special Guest on the UK Tour. I can’t wait to see him when the Tour starts in October."
Gary is famed in the US, achieving his breakthrough with the release of New Orleans at age 19. The follow-up was the now-legendary party record
Quarter To Three � a number one hit with a spirit and energy that would eventually inspire and influence a generation.
Over the next three years, Bonds co-wrote and recorded hit after good time hit: School is Out, School is In, Dear
Lady Twist, Twist, Twist Senora, Seven Day Weekend and others. He performed throughout the world, rising to a status so high that on
a 1963 tour of Europe, he headlined above a group of relative newcomers... The Beatles.
A rare distinction for Gary is that he managed to transcend the decades with hits. His inspiration for Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt, who had grown up on Bond's music, led to a chance
meeting in 1980. A friendship developed and shortly after, a musical collaboration which resulted in Bond's Dedication and On the Line LPs,
with singles: This Little Girl Is Mine, Out of Work, Jole Blon and Daddy's Come Home.
Reviews noted "His gritty and powerful vocals... even better than before."
Music critics know Gary U.S. Bonds as "a wonderful performer," and according to Rolling Stone magazine, "... with a unique and expressive voice," "impassioned, scorched
singing," "some of America's best rock and roll."
Gary tours with his group, the very highly regarded and powerful, Roadhouse Rockers, performing his hits, some new songs, some rockin' R&B Blues and generally thrilling
all audiences.
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