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

KORNER, Alexis

(b 19 April '28, Paris; d 1 Jan. '84) Guitar, vocals; force behind UK R&B boom '60s. Educated in Europe; played in jazz and skiffle bands; opened London Blues and Barrelhouse Club '55 with Cyril Davies, jammed with visiting US bluesmen; formed Blues Incorporated '61 with future Rolling Stone Charlie Watts; others who played with or passed through groups incl. Graham Bond, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Long John Baldry, Mick Jagger, future members of Pentangle, Free, Led Zeppelin, etc. Worked '60s in TV with a rhythm section, formed trio Free at Last, went solo; formed New Church '69 (LP The New Church); large group CCS (Collective Consciousness Society) promoted by Mickie Most: hits incl. 'Whole Lotta Love' (both USA/UK). Formed Snape '72 with Mel Collins, Ian Wallace, and others from King Crimson (Accidentally Born In New Orleans '72 on WB; Snape Live On Tour on Brain). R&B From The Marquee '63 reissued '84; an Alexis Korner's All Star Blues Incorporated LP was issued on Transatlantic '69; Korner compilation Bootleg Him early '70s in USA; other issues incl. Get Off My Cloud '75 on Columbia/USA, Just Easy '78 on Intercord, Me '79 on Jeton, Profile '81 from Polygram/Germany, Juvenile Delinquent '84 on Charisma. On The Move '96 on Castle unearthed live tracks and out-takes '69--82. Alexis Korner: The Biography '97 by Harry Shapiro celebrated an influential writer, broadcaster and performer. Blues Incorporated's Red Hot From Alex '64 reissued on CD on Wooded Hill; tribute to Davies and Korner Knights Of The Blues Table '97 on Viceroy had almost everybody on it from the changing lineups and many more.