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Razzle Dazzle

everybodyrazzledazzle

About Me

If you aren't keen on Bill Haley and his Comets avoid this band like the plague. On the other hand, if you enjoy jiving and listening to a variety of sounds that include tenor sax, piano, double bass and guitar stick around!

We play on the rock n' roll circuit, but also play at corporate events and festivals. A major gig for us for the past eight seasons has been the pre-match entertainment at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium - negotiations are underway to continue at the new Emirate's Stadium.

We also enjoy playing in Europe, and have appeared in France, Sweden, Switzerland and France.

Come and meet the band members...

Michael Douglas is the front man and plays guitar. He started group life way back in 1957 when rock 'n' roll was beginning to kick off in Britain.

Mick spent his art school days along with guitarist Eddie and sax man Greg. There he purchased his first guitar and desperately strove to come to terms with the three magic chords (he's almost mastered them).

Seeing Bill Haley live was the catalyst that saw Mick spiral downwards into the murky world of rock and pop. His first professional group was with Pete Chester, who started life with Hank and Bruce (from The Shadows), and his first tour was with the legend Gene Vincent.

Other big names Mick has recorded and toured with include Clarence Frogman Henry, Adam Faith, Chris Andrews and Sandie Shaw (sorry purists). In more recent times Razzle Dazzle have backed the likes of Freddy Bell, Wanda Jackson and veteran rocker Wee Willie Harris.

Greg MacGregor is the tenor sax man and like Mick he found rock 'n' roll at Farnham Art School. He actually did a gig at the Central Ballroom in Aldershot on the very day he purchased his first sax - lasting precious seconds before they realised he couldn't play and he was hooked off stage!

However, he went on to great things and has backed mega stars like Tom Jones and The Walker Brothers, and in France he was in Johnny Hallyday's band. On one occasion Greg even backed Charlie Chaplin, and there's a photograph to prove it!

Greg accurately reproduces the Rudy sound and is one of the original members of Razzle Dazzle.

Eddie Dry is the lead guitarist and does a great job of emulating those brilliant Franny Beecher solos. Eddie was yet another who went to Farnham Art School (that place has a lot to answer for) with dreams of a career with a paint brush and ended up getting hooked on that drug called rock 'n' roll.

He's done endless gigs and there's a film in the archives of Eddie playing with Billy Fury and Marty Wilde.

Apart from his band work with Razzle, Eddie teaches guitar at Farnborough College - so stand by for a new wave of Frannies, Scotties and Cliff Gallups. Eddie is the only member in the band who's played every gig.

Jet Hodgins, last but by no means least of the four original members of Razzle Dazzle. Terrific musician who was heavily influenced by Jerry Lee Lewis (but we try to stop him waving guns around and running the length of bars kicking drinks over).

Jet's piano skills were honed in a band called Freewheel, which had a country flavour, and he spent time on tours around Europe backing singers such as Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Jet was instrumental in forming Razzle Dazzle with Mick and they have played together now for at least 30 years.

Chuck Pengilley joined Razzle Dazzle about seven years ago and has been drummer and occasional singer ever since (although we try to limit the singing to the dressing room).

Like Jet, Chuck played in Freewheel and toured Europe. His first gig with Razzle was at the Cleethorpes weekender - he stepped in at very short notice and instantly made an impact with the rest of the band. He provides a relaible, solid rhythm to which the dancers respond well.

And lastly Emma Goss , the most recent member of Razzle Dazzle, who has been with us for about six years. She is half the age of the other members (at least) and probably twice as talented. Her bass slapping is something else and because she looks half decent as well she always has a clutch of eager old rockers at her end of the stage.

Emma's musical career started when was seven and she started learning to play classical guitar. She's also dabbled with other instruments, and when she was 16 got her first double bass - and she hasn't looked back since! As well as being a regular performer, Emma also teaches double bass and classical guitar.

You may think Emma looks familiar - if so, you have probably seen her playing in one of her other bands. She also plays with The Unknowns , Oo-Bop-Sh'Bam and The Roomates, and occasionally as a stand in for other bass players.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/5/2007
Band Members: Michael Douglas - vocals, rhythm guitar
Greg MacGregor - saxophone
Ted Dry - guitar
Chuck Pengilley - drums
Richard 'Jet' Hodgins - piano
Emma Goss - double bass
Influences: Bill Haley and the Comets, Little Richard
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: None