August Darnell
August Darnell | |
---|---|
Bass | |
Years active | 1965–present |
Spouse(s) | Eva Tudor-Jones (married 2019-present) Adriana Kaegi (married 1978-1991) |
Thomas August Darnell Browder (born August 12, 1950),[1] known professionally as August Darnell and under the stage name Kid Creole, is an American musician, singer and songwriter. He co-founded Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band and subsequently formed and led Kid Creole and the Coconuts.
Early life and career
Darnell was born in
Growing up in the multicultural area of the Bronx, Darnell was exposed early on to all kinds of music.[3] Darnell began his musical career in a band named The In-Laws with his half-brother, Stony Browder Jr., in 1965. The band disbanded so Darnell could pursue a career as an English teacher. He taught at Alverta B. Gray Schultz Middle School in Hempstead, New York after studying English and drama at Hofstra University. He later claimed that he established a musical career because he was a "frustrated actor".[4]
In 1974, again with Stony Browder, he formed Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, becoming its lyricist and bass player. Their self-titled debut release was a Top 40-charting album which was certified gold and was nominated for a Grammy.
Kid Creole
In 1979, Darnell left Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band. He joined the band Machine, and co-wrote their best known song "There But for the Grace of God Go I".[6][7] He also began producing for other artists, such as Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band and Gichy Dan's Beachwood No.9,[3] before adopting the name Kid Creole (adapted from the Elvis Presley film King Creole) in 1980. Darnell described the persona of Kid Creole as "a flamboyant, devil-may-care bon vivant".[8]
With his band and backing singers (including Darnell's then-wife,
In 1983, Darnell formed a new swing big band, Elbow Bones and the Racketeers, and gained the hit "A Night in New York".[9]
Later life
Darnell moved to England in the 1980s, and later lived in
References
- ^ "Kid Creole & the Coconuts - Music Biography, Credits and Discography : AllMusic:". Rovi Corp. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
- ^ a b c Anderson, Jason (July 29, 2008). "The man behind the Kid". CBC News. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ a b Liner notes from "Kid Creole and the Coconuts Redux" Sire Records (1992). Sire Records. 1992.
- ^ a b Pareles, Jon (May 19, 2016). "Dapper as Ever, Kid Creole Dresses Up His Songs for a New Musical". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- ^ a b Cornwell, Jane (April 22, 2010). "Kid Creole: back on the road less travelled". The Telegraph. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
- vice.com. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "There But for the Grace of God Go I - Machine". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ a b c Lester, Paul (7 September 2011). "Kid Creole: 'I'm not a party man any more'". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
- ^ Elbow Bones and the Racketeers retrieved 13 August 2021
- ^ "One to watch: Youngr premieres vertical Drive video". www.officialcharts.com.
- ^ "MUSIC REVIEW: TranSLatION please?". June 10, 2018.
- ^ "Weekly Interview Series 1/25/18: Dario Darnell (Youngr) - Pedal of the Day". www.pedal-of-the-day.com.