Here’s the scene: It’s 2007 on a Saturday night and legendary broadcaster and actor Craig Charles’ highly influential radio show ‘The Funk and Soul Show’ is in full swing on BBC Radio 6 worldwide. Craig tells the listeners “If you could choose a fantasy Funk band, who would be in it?” and the response was enormous and became a feature of each weeks show. Listeners would relish listing to all their favourite singers and musicians, and Craig would keep everyone updated with the poll. Of course the band was never meant to exist. How could it, with all those famous band-leaders and in-demand players? The task would be impossible wouldn’t it?

 

It’s October 2009 and the BBC are about to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of their world-famous Maida Vale recording studios in west London in a big way. Every important band and orchestra in the world has recorded in the studios at one point from Glenn Miller to The Sex Pistols. Craig Charles is to do a special broadcast of his show from there and he has the idea “It’s probably a crazy idea, but I wonder if we could get all the musicians together that the public voted for to actually form the Fantasy Funk band for a one-off session to help celebrate at Maida Vale?” The idea worked – ALL the musicians and singers were excited and available. The who’s-who of the UK Funk scene were going to play together for the first time, and WHAT a legendary line-up: 

James Taylor of JTQ on Hammond Organ

Eddie Roberts of New Mastersounds on Guitar

Snowboy on Percussion

John Turrell of ‘Smoove & Turrell’ on vocals

The Haggis Horns

Chip Wickham on Baritone Sax and Flute

Ernie McKone of ‘Push’

Dionne Charles of ‘Baby Charles’ on vocals

Mike Bandoni of ‘Funkshone’ on Drums 

Incredible!

It’s Friday October the 30^th and the band is assembled at Maida Vale studios. The songs have also been chosen by the listeners of Craig’s show and the band just have a chance to quickly rehearse before the songs are recorded live and broadcasted worldwide. With this quality of line-up ‘The Fantasy Funk Band’ sounded like they’d been together for years. The air is crackling with anticipation and Craig Charles is bouncing around with excitement. He’d done it – the dream team was finally going to play.

 

People crowded in to the studio and stood outside to listen. The buzz around the building was that this was the thing to be at. The band exploded through the listeners selections like they were second nature and the place went wild.  The repercussions of that day went on for months after, with offers of gigs, tours and recording deals and so this summer Craig Charles officially got ‘The Fantasy Funk Band’ to form officially. 

 

With an album recording imminent, ‘The Fantasy Funk Band’ have played many of the UK’s premier festivals this summer and this is JUST the beginning………….  

 

This September 2010 Eddie Roberts moved to the USA so Leigh Gracie of Speedometer has joined FFB on Guitar, also completing the band is Mick Talbot of Style Council on Fender Rhodes.

 

For further information about booking Craig Charles presents The Fantasy Funk Band

Please contact their Management

peter@thefantasyfunkband.com  or for their PR kayleigh@thefantasyfunkband.com

or to contact Craig Charles's, PA ema@thefantasyfunkband.com

Copyright February 17, 2011.