Customer Reviews

1 & 2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Back in 1981-82 I can recall this band getting a fair amount of airplay in my native Detroit. But for whatever reason, they never really made it (the liner notes blame a bad buisness deal). This CD contains the only 2 records the band recorded. "My Mistake", "Shake-bop" and the clever (She can make up her face, but) She can't make up her mind" are sure the jog the memory of anyone who listened to WRIF or the late WLLZ in the early 80's.

A great CD, two full albums. If you like rock-a-billy music this is for you. This trio, led by Jamie James, gets your toes tapping from start to finish. The energy from their live performances comes through on their studio work.

I'm 42 and when I was 18 my boyfriend took me to see the Kingbee's. I'd never heard sound like that from a 3 piece band.
I fell in love with them..Then a few year's later they became the house band at my favorite local bar in Hermosa Bch., Ca.
I thought I died and went to Heaven..Get it you'll love them as much as me!!!P.S. Hi Jamie XX

The Kingbees are the seminal rockabilly band of the last 30 years.
Jamie James' guitar work is still the greatest in its simple rockin' elegance. The band rocks tight like no other. Sorry they're gone.

Don't miss these tracks!

The Kingbees deliver a no-nonsense, rockin' good time with their stripped down Rock-a-Billy-esqe tunes. Songs like My Mistake, Shake Bop and Sweet Sweet Girl are classics and make the listener want to get up and dance.

The Kingbees, a rockabilly punk rock trio that first charted in 1980. Though they came from Los Angeles, we rockers in Detroit really took to their first album (which is the first half of this CD, and this CD was released by Schoolkids Records in Ann Arbor, Michigan). We'd have parties and playing The Kingbees was always the norm. I'm surprised that this album, and their one single song charted so low on the charts. "My Mistake" only charted as high as #81 on Billboard. We all thought that The Kingbees would have been a number one album because everyone I knew in Detroit had the album. This album and Cheap Trick's "Live at Budakan" was everybody's favorite albums. I saw the Kingbees at Harpo Lounge in East Detroit and the place was packed!

Anyway, on the radio, WRIF use to play "My Mistake," "Once is Not Enough," and "Shake-Bop." Everyone's favorite party song was "Everybody's Gone." When that song played, nobody was leaving.

Within a year, The Kingbees release their next album "The Big Rock" which everybody I knew in Detroit ran out to buy. We all thought that The Kingbees were just a popular local Detroit bands, especially because they played at such a small club as Harpo's.

When I left Detroit for Hickam AFB, Hawaii, it seemed that nobody I met in the Air Force heard of The Kingbees. I couldn't imagine that that could be possible! It's like, the rest of the world were deprived of great rock and roll. And the people I played their first album for in my dorm room, weren't really impressed. They'd rather listen to Rick Springfield and Culture Club. I was abhorred! Then, I suddenly heard "Rock This Town" play on the radio. Wow! I thought that The Kingbees had just released their third new album. But No. The Stray Cats? They were carrying on The Kingbees legacy.

So, I tell you now: If you love The Stray Cats, then you owe it to yourself to check out The Kingbees. I know this CD is probably out of print by now, but look for it used. You won't be disappointed.

I first heard the Kingbees in the early eighties on cassette and really liked the music, but cassettes didn't last long so I lost track of the Band. I did a search for them on Amazon and couldn't believe it was available on cd! Great music for someone in their mid forties. God, am I that old?

My friend bought this as soon as it came out. I recorded "My Mistake" (the hit off the first album)as soon as he did! It was so, minimalistic and 'old time R'n'R! Now that I've bought this 'double cd' of the first two albums, I am pleased to hear the whole thing is GREAT!