Jess Roden

Biography

Born in Kidderminster in Worcestershire, England, Roden's first band was The Shakedown Sound that included guitarist Kevyn Gammond and keyboard player August Eadon. In 1967, he joined the Alan Bown Set as their new lead singer. Although their records never charted nationally, he did pick up a fandom in London (and belatedly became something of a star on the Northern Soul scene) with the release of their single "Emergency 999". He remained with the Bown group through to the late '60s, but left...

Born in Kidderminster in Worcestershire, England, Roden's first band was The Shakedown Sound that included guitarist Kevyn Gammond and keyboard player August Eadon.

In 1967, he joined the Alan Bown Set as their new lead singer. Although their records never charted nationally, he did pick up a fandom in London (and belatedly became something of a star on the Northern Soul scene) with the release of their single "Emergency 999".

He remained with the Bown group through to the late '60s, but left after recording the album The Alan Bown! His vocals were re-recorded by his replacement Robert Palmer for the UK release of the album, although Roden's original vocals remained on the US release. There were clearly no hard feelings between the two singers as Roden later appeared on backing vocals with Palmer on his appearance on The Tube in 1983.

In 1970 Roden formed the band Bronco but left after two albums, and later worked on Wildlife, the third Mott the Hoople album, and sung lead vocals on Keef Hartley's 1973 album Lancashire Hustler. In the same year he teamed up with ex-Doors John Densmore and Robby Krieger in The Butts Band, and sang on their first album.

Roden finally emerged as a solo artist in his own right in the mid-1970s on Island Records, with his 1974 self-titled solo album, which was cut in New Orleans and included Allen Toussaint and Art Neville on keyboards.

He then formed The Jess Roden Band and continued to record and tour throughout the 1970s. His albums often got great reviews but he never saw any significant sales. In between his own work, Roden managed to sing and play on albums by Carol Grimes, Jim Capaldi, Stomu Yamashta, Sandy Denny, and Grace Jones.

He formed Rivits, for one album Multiplay, at the outset of the 1980s before relocating to New York where he found work as a graphic artist.

He unexpectedly returned with a new band - The Humans - in the mid 90s only to disappear from the music scene once more.

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