After Dinner Speakers: King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys, Frederick Forsyth, Jethro Tull

One of several UK groups devoted to reviving the jump-jive music pioneered in the 40s by Louis Jordan, King Pleasure And The Biscuit Boys gathered a strong following across Europe in the late 80s. The group was formed in the Birmingham area in 1986 by ex-rockabilly bassist King Pleasure (b. 13 March 1966, Wednesbury, West Midlands, England; vocals, saxophone) and Bullmoose K. Shirley (b. 6 December 1967, Bilston, West Midlands, England; guitar). Other founder-members were P. Popps Martin (b. 23 February 1968, Wednesfield, West Midlands, England; saxophone), Piano-Man Skan (b. 22 March 1962, Birmingham, West Midlands, England; keyboards), Slap Happy (b. 5 November 1970, Rugby, Warwickshire, England; double bass), "Bam Bam" Beresford (b. 25 March 1968; drums) and Lisa "Sugar" Lee (vocals). They signed to local label Big Bear in 1988, following their debut album with a cover version of Jordan's "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens". The band played support gigs to B.B. King and Cab Calloway as well as appearing in 10 European countries. In 1991, Lee and Skan left to be replaced by Ivory Dan McCormack (b. 1974, Norton, Cleveland, England; piano), ex-Big Town Playboy Big Al Nichols (b. 1964, Wrexham, North Wales; tenor saxophone) and Cootie Alexander (b. 6 September 1969, Birmingham, West Midlands, England; trumpet). They are still one of the most exciting live bands on the circuit, and remain leaders in waving the flag for 40s jump R&B.