365 Days #291 - The Redcoats (mp3s)

MP3:
01 Should I Care (1:51)
02 Blue Fire (2:07)
03 Girls Girls Girls (2:13)
04 She's My Baby (2:30)
05 Blue Skies (2:27)
06 Teardrops in My Eyes (live) (3:12)
07 Lawdy Miss Clawdy (live) (3:20)
08 Tequila (live) (3:28)
09 Home By Eleven (2:12)
10 Big Name Button (live) (2:57)
11 Jelly (2:53)
12 Shake Rattle and Roll (2:40)
13 Let's Have a Party (2:26)
14 Hayride (2:40)
15 Bird Dog (2:53)
16 House of Blue Lights (2:38)
17 Lonesome Road (2:17)
18 Honky Tonk (4:16)

One of the earliest facts I ever heard about my father-in-law (at the time I first heard this fact, he was not yet my father-in-law) was that he was a drummer in the 50s and 60s for a band called the Redcoats. There was little opportunity to hear the band - all the singles that my wife owned as a child seemed to have disappeared over the years and I figured since they were a local band (from Rochester, NY) from decades ago, their music would be very hard to come by.

I have, through several sources, been able to track down the long forgotten vinyl, but most importantly, my father-in-law himself, drummer Jim Christy, came upon some old recordings the band had done, including some live ones that probably hadn't been heard since the day they were committed to tape.

There is also another sidenote in the tale of the Redcoats. Their lead singer was a guy named Steve Alaimo. At some point, Alaimo left the band behind - the band included his brother, Jimmy - and embarked on a solo career that scored him a couple hits and regular spot on "Where the Action Is" with Paul Revere and the Raiders. He never quite achieved stardom and, I believe, moved onto production work in the music industry.

My father-in-law is now a successful painter (check him out: www.jimchristy.com).

This is very rare stuff and to anyone who digs 50s rock and roll, a fun find. Enjoy!

- Contributed by: John Mitchell

Images: Fan Club

Comments

[The Paradine Kasem]

Odd trivia fact about Steve Alaimo-- he has the most Billboard Hot 100 singles (9) without ever reaching the Top 40. His highest-charting song peaked at #46.

[evil pain clown]

wow this is great stuff love it!!

[Malcolm Rieck]

Thanks John. I really enjoyed the Redcoats tracks.

[Jim Lewis]

Steve Alaimo played a guitar playing race car driver in the movie "Wild rebels". This film was on Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[Duncan Walls]

Steve Alaimo had a pretty big hit with Arthur Alexander's "Every Day I Have To Cry Some", recorded on Chess and ABC (I Believe) and was an owner and operator of T.K Records, most notoriously home of KC & The Sunshine Band ["Get Down Tonight', "Shake Your Booty',etc], Anita Bell [Ring My Bell}, The Stylistics [disco version of 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight'] and even James Brown [Rapp Payback].

I have lived in Rochester area since 1958 and worked in three used record stores of note, collected almost all of those years and though I have seen Steve Alaimo & The Redcoats 45s I have never seen the LP. A Truly rare find even in its own hometown

[RICHARD YANNOTTI]

I have been a REDCOATS fan since the mid 50's when they played Club86 in Geneva, N.Y. This past August I traveled to Miami to see Steve perform at a benefit concert. (GEEZERPALOOZA)
as Steve and I were talking about the great turnout. (Over 3,000)To make a long story short...we decided that Steve and the 2 remaining REDCOATS should do one last show at Club 86 in Geneva. After a ton of phone calls and emails it is all set for April 11th. Admission will be $40 and includes a full sit down dinner and 2 other groups for dancing! The food at Club 86 is first class and the party room is just plain gorgeous! Check it out.
http://www.club86partyhouse.com/
For more info or to purchase tickets please call me @
251-645-9297 or email me [email protected]

[Tracy]

Steve Alaimo also has a writing credit for the Allman brother's hit "Melissa".