|
Disco Music > Disco People Index > Artists-Producers... > August Darnell Jr.
August Darnell Jr.
Disco performer (b. 19-- - d. Present)
August Darnell Jr. A.K.A. KID CREOLE
In the mid-seventies, with DISCO at its peek of popularity, the main complaint was that it all sounded the same. Then DR.BUZZARD'S ORIGINAL SAVANNAH BRASS BAND came to your local DISCO. This wasn't your every day DISCO, far from it. It was a jazzy, swing-big band sound, that was incorporated into the DISCO movement. The brains behind this original, innovative group was West Orange, New Jersey resident AUGUST DARNELL Jr. Along with "Sugar-coated Andy Hernandez and Coti Mundae their Zoot Suit look and sound was a fresh injection of flavor. Like Chocolate syrup on vanilla ice cream. Their impact changed everyones taste buds. We wanted more, and there was plenty there. CHER CHEZ LA FEMME, SUNFLOWER and SOUR AND SWEET were on all deejays play lists. Their live shows were a spectacle of song and dance, with a 40's theme and look. There were problems, DRUGS!! The over-indulgence of it was seen by their record label as trouble, they had a hard time being sober enough to perform a stage show. Contract problems followed, soon DR BUZZARD'S was over. MACHINE and "There but for the grace of God" was August Darnell at his best, and he put out CORY DAYE as well. Then came KID CREOLE and the Coconuts. This unusual group was a take-off of DR BUZZARD, complete with his standard Zoot Suit. He put a rhythem behind some unusual lyrics about unusual topics. STOOL PIGEON was about a snitch that hurt him some way. ENDICOTT was about a pervert. MY MALE CURIOSITY was about his ability, or lack of ability to remain monogamous. I happen to love and resent AUGUST DARNELL. I have always loved his music, his talent and his style. Resented the fact that I thought with his talent, he would have reached SUPER STARDOM, but as we all now realize, too much drugs will ruin you. I welcome as much information as possible about AUGUST DARNELL III.
Please feel free to link to this page by using this URL:
http://www.discomusic.com/people-more/12725_0_11_0_C/
COMMENTS ON August Darnell Jr.
The late great Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. They never topped their first album.
Read this 1976 Time Magazine article about them: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,914640,00.html
I vaguely remember seeing them perform on the Johnny Carson show back in 1976. I'd love to see a clip of any of their TV appearances, though I doubt any still exist.
I'm not sure but I think that 2 or 3 of the band members have died.
Stoney died a few years ago, so has DON Armando Bonilla. That left me with a bad taste in my mouth, they were a very big part of the DISCO movement. Excellent musicians. AUGUST, THE KID, DARNELL as he is known still remains, thank GOD. His nephew is very angry at him to this day because of the way he treated his late brother STONEY!
Found these clips from the 1970s on youtube, you really need broadband to view them---
I'll Play the Fool-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js3FCBAKD48
Whispering/Cherchez La Femme/Se Si Bon-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CK-f-Hhij4
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE FORM BELOW
Exclusive Must Read Interviews
- Sharon Brown
- DJ John Ceglia of New York, New York and The Underground
- Tina Charles
- Vincent DeGiorgio of Power Records
- Carol Douglas
- Gloria Gaynor
- Loleatta Holloway
- Thelma Houston
- Frankie Knuckles
- Barry Lederer of Graebar Sound and writer of the Disco Mix column for Billboard
- DJ Robbie Leslie of The Saint
- Kelly Marie
- David Mancuso of The Loft
- Tom Moulton - Disco Remixer
- Meco Monardo
- Vincent Montana of the Salsoul Orchestra
- New York Remixer, John Morales (An M & M Mix)
- Melba Moore
- Laurin Rinder of El Coco
- Henry Stone of TK Records
- DJ Ray "Pinky" Velazquez of Vanguard Records
- DJ Bobby Viteritti of Trocadero Transfer
- Jody Watley
- Carol Williams
• Disco • Disco Vinyl Records • CDs / Downloads • People • Disco Charts • 101 • Books • Discotheques • Message Board