Casino Band Birmingham
Birmingham was radically developed in the 60s. There was a new ring road system, which, like most city centres, was of a unique design and took practice to master. Smallbrook Ringway, left, was one of the first sections built. IP Casino Resort Spa 850 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, MS 39530 Grill At Wind Creek 303 Poarch Rd, Atmore, AL 36502 Beau Rivage Resort & Casino 875 Beach Blvd, Biloxi, MS 39530 Horseshoe Tunica 1021 Casino Center Drive, Robinsonville, MS 38664.
In 1962, from the Ensley Highlands section of Birmingham, Alabama, Robert Alexander (rhythm guitar), Ned Bibb (song writer, vocalist and lead guitar), and Bobby Marlin (drums) started playing together as a band while they were still in high school. The group started out as The Counts and grew in numbers to include Henry Lovoy doing vocals and maracas and Jimmy LaRussa on bass.
During the years of l964 through 1966, they backed Travis Wammack, a rock – rockabilly recording artist and guitarist, who had earlier recorded a hit entitled “Scratchy.” The group took the name The Distortions from Wammack’s recording of “Distortion Part 1.” Their first 45 was recorded at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama under the SEA label (Southeastern Attractions). A Ned Bibb original, “Can You Tell,” was featured as the A side and a slow, loopy take on “Hound Dog” on the flip side. The band later added Roy (Zac) Zachry on keyboard and along with Travis Wammack recorded “Take This Ring/You Know I’m On My Way,” at Roland Jane’s Memphis Studio, also on the SEA label.
After Ned Bibb left the band in 1966, Eddie Rice joined the group on guitar and played with the Distortions for about a year. They recorded “Smokestack Lightning/Hot Cha” on the SEA label. Another Distortions favorite, “Thank You John,” was recorded under the Malcolm Z. Dirge label and reached the charts on WSGN radio, broadcasting out of Birmingham. The Malcolm Z. Dirge name was coined by Zac Zachry, the keyboardist and vocalist for the group. On the flip side, they recorded a fine version of the Rascals’ oft-covered “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” with both songs featuring Robert Alexander, Zac Zachry, Bobby Marlin and Eddie Rice. After Eddie left the band, Bo Fowler played guitar, followed by Joe Rudd.
When their next 45- “Behind My Wall”- was picked up for national distribution by Smash, the Distortions had their biggest hit, selling 12,000 to 15,000 copies according to their producer, Ed Boutwell. It was written by Robert Gregg. They had great success with a good Bill Haney original, “I Found a Girl;” the flip side was a version of “I Don’t Really Like You,” originally done by Baton Rouge’s Canebreak Singers on Montel and written by Mike Crespo. It was produced by Haney and Richie Becker, recorded at The LeFevre Studio in Atlanta and released on Casino, a subsidiary of the Dover Records Company of New Orleans.
In 1967, the Distortions added Dale Aston on guitar, Roy Alexander and Steve Saylord on saxophone. Henry Lovoy took over on drums in 1972. Their last release was a cleaned up version of the Stone’s “Let’s Spend the Night Together,” retitled “Let’s Spend Some Time Together.”
Casino Band Birmingham Hotel
Several other musicians, including Barry Beckett, and Eddie Hinton were players over the years. Zac Zachry, Roy Alexander, Clif Payne and Ed Finn continued to play college and club shows as the Distortions into the 1970s.
| Birth name | Adam Zindani |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 March 1972 (age 48) Birmingham, England |
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| Labels | |
| Associated acts | Stereophonics Casino Hip Parade |
| Website | Stereophonics Official Casino MySpace |
Adam Zindani (born 5 March 1972, Birmingham, England) is the rhythm guitarist for the Welsh-based rock group Stereophonics, and the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Birmingham-based band, Casino.[1]
Casino[edit]
The band were signed to Polydor Records in 2006 and changed their name to SpiderSimpson, after a character from a cult film. They recorded what was then going to be their debut album at Studio 606 in Los Angeles with record producer Nick Raskulinecz. The band were not happy with the original track order of the album, and saw the recording rejected by Polydor.
In the autumn 2006 they completed the Kerrang Radio Breakthrough Tour with other newly signed bands, followed by a UK tour in December. But in 2007, Zindani became involved with touring with Stereophonics as their live guitarist. Then in 2008, the future of Casino was put in doubt when Zindani was made a permanent member of Stereophonics. In May 2011 Adam announced on Kerrang! radio that the band signed a record deal and they were going to release an album. Since then they have done several gigs in Birmingham and London in between Stereophonics gigs. In late 2012 two singles were released 'Runaway' and 'Rise and Fall' followed by the release of album 'Heavy Fever'.
Stereophonics[edit]
On 20 May 2007, at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Preston, Zindani joined Stereophonics on stage. Zindani continued to tour with the band for the remainder of the Pull the Pin tour, playing lead guitar and backing vocals. He was credited for writing and performing on two of the band's tracks, 'You're My Star' and 'My Own Worst Enemy'. On 'You're My Star', he sang backing vocals and played lead guitar, whereas, on 'My Own Worst Enemy', he only played lead guitar. He was made an official member of the band leaving the future of Casino hanging in the balance. Casino's debut album was funded by the money Zindani made touring with Stereophonics.
Birmingham Alabama Casino Hotel
With the group he has recorded the albums Keep Calm and Carry On in 2009, Graffiti on the Train in 2013, Keep the Village Alive in 2015, Scream Above the Sounds in 2017 and Kind in 2019.
Personal life[edit]
Zindani still lives in Birmingham, even though the other members of Stereophonics have all moved to London. Not much is known of his personal life but in Stereophonics interviews he has mentioned his children on various occasions. He has also appeared on Soccer Am with fellow Stereophonics member Kelly Jones.
Adam is a Birmingham City F.C fan. Adam attended Baverstock School, Druids Heath, Birmingham. He was a keen snooker player, going to his local club in Kings Heath. He didn't start to play the guitar until after his 16th birthday.
References[edit]
- ^Pasini, Aurelio (2012). Brit Rock (in Italian). Giunti Editore. p. 112. ISBN9788809778610.