Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

JO JO ZEP AND THE FALCONS

Australian rock band headed by Malta-born sax- player and singer Joe Camilleri. Worked in '60s bands King Bees, Adderly Smith Blues Band, Lipp and the Double Decker Brothers, then Pelaco Brothers; formed Melbourne- based Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons '76, at first r&b sextet with Wayne Burt (ex-Alvin Stradust guitar), Gary Young (ex-Daddy Cool, drums), Wilbur Wilde (sax), others. Signed to EMI-Oz same year; early singles incl. covers of Chuck Berry's "Run Rudolph Run', Joe Liggins's "The Honeydripper', etc. On hit EP Loud And Clear '78 the band incl. Young, Wilde, Jeff Burstin, Tony Faehse (guitars), Camilleri sharing vocals with Faehse. Switched to Mushroom label early '79, had major hit with "Hit And Run', chart LP Screaming Targets. R&B style by then discarded; infl. by Elvis Costello, Graham Parker; chart LP Hats Off, Step Lively produced by keyboardist Pete Solley. More line-up changes followed; by '82 Camilleri performing as Jo Jo Zep with almost anonymous backup; hit single "Taxi Mary' '82; LP Cha on A&M USA; early '85 formed own Spirit label, mounted tour Balling Up In Zydeco with signings Jane Clifton, Nick Smith, Billy Baxter, Steve Hoy.