Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band

Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band
Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1964; 62 years ago
Founder	Pete Gage, Geoff Pullum
Headquarters	England
Products	Soul music albums and singles

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 29 November 2025

Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band is a soul ensemble originating from England.

Background

Formed circa 1964 by Pete Gage and Geoff Pullum, the Ram Jam Band initially featured Jamaican Blue Beat vocalist Errol Dixon as their frontman. Subsequently, they brought in Geno Washington, whom Gage encountered while performing at the RAF Bentwaters US Air Force base. Gage aimed to secure an American lead singer to authentically deliver US soul music, setting the band apart within London's music landscape.

Geno Washington, serving as a US airman based in East Anglia, gained attention through spontaneous appearances at London nightclubs. Following his discharge from the US Air Force in 1965, he assumed the role of lead singer for the group.

Career

The band's debut single featuring Washington, "Shake, Shake, Senora" / "Akinla" released on Columbia, failed to chart commercially. They also recorded a demo version of the Barbara Lynn track "You'll Lose a Good Thing".

They produced two live albums: Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live! (1966), which climbed to number 5 on the UK Albums Chart and remained for 38 weeks, and Hipster Flipsters Finger Poppin' Daddies (1967), which reached number 8. Their moderate charting singles under the Pye label included "Water", "Hi Hi Hazel", "Que Sera Sera", and "Michael (the Lover)".

By delivering high-energy tours and performances, the band cultivated a dedicated fan base within the mod community, competing alongside contemporaries such as Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. The group's name was inspired by the Ram Jam Inn, a historic coaching inn located on the A1 near Oakham, Rutland.

In 1966, "Hi Hi Hazel" attracted favorable industry reviews with expectations of commercial success. By 1968, Record World recognized Geno Washington alongside Jimmy James as leading UK soul acts and among the highest earners in the field.

The ensemble dissolved in late 1969; Geno Washington embarked on a solo path before relocating back to the United States. Keyboardist Geoffrey K. Pullum later pursued an academic career and holds emeritus status at the University of Edinburgh.

The album Sifter Shifters & Finger Clickin' Mamas was highlighted by Cash Box in 1969 as one of Pye's top-selling records.

In early 1971, Washington briefly revived the band with new members including Dave Watts and Mo Foster.

From 2005 onward, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band have sustained active touring engagements. The lineup for early 2024 includes Greg Lester (guitar/backing vocals), Nick Blake (brass), Geoff Hemsley (drums), Steve Bingham (bass/backing vocals), alongside Geno Washington as lead vocalist.

Former members

Geno Washington – lead vocals
Pete Gage – guitar
Lionel Kingham – saxophone
Buddy Beadle – saxophone
Geoff Pullum, also known as Jeff Wright – organ
John Roberts – bass
Pete Carney – bass
Herb Prestidge – drums
Clive Burrows – saxophone
Paul Turner – bass guitar
Keith O'Connell – Hammond Organ (1968–1969)

Early Les Blues lineup

Tony Coe – double bass (subsequently replaced by John Game)
Colin Gilbert – piano/keyboards
Morton Lewis – guitar
Gerry Gillings – drums

Albums

Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt ... Live! – Piccadilly NPL 38026 – 1966, reached UK chart position No. 5
Shake A Tail Feather – Piccadilly NPL.38029 – 1967
Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin' Daddies – Piccadilly NPL.38032 – 1967, peaked at UK No. 8
Running Wild – Pye NSPL.18219 – 1968
Sifters, Shifters, Finger Clicking Mamas – Marble Arch MAL 816 (Mono) / MALS 816 (Stereo) – 1968
Uptight – Marble Arch MALS 1162 – 1969
Golden Hour of Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band – Golden Hour GSH 594 – 1975
Reissued Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt ... Live! – PYE NSPL 18618 – 1980

CDs

Hip Shakin' Soul Breakin' Earthquakin' Live – PYE PYC 4018 – 1988
Hand Clappin Foot Stompin' Funky Butt Live – Repertoire REP 4189-WZ – 1991
Hipsters, Flipsters, Finger-Poppin' Daddies! – Repertoire REP 4190-WZ – 1991
Geno Washington VS. Jimmy James ... No Holds Barred – Sequel NEX CD 169
Compilation Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt ... Live! & Hipsters Flipsters, Finger Poppin' Daddies! – C5 CD 581 – 1995
Geno – Spectrum 5507692
My Bombers, Mey Dexy's, My Highs (The Sixties Studio Sessions) – Sequel MEMCD 973 – 1998
Geno! Geno! Geno! ... Live in the 60's – Sequel NXTCD 295 – 1998
Foot Stompin' Soul – Castle 1304 – 2006
Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band Live at The Half Moon Putney – PQFMusic/Pete Quaife Foundation – 2014

EPs

Hi – Piccadilly NEP.34054 – 1966
Different Strokes – Pye 7N.17425 – 1967
Small Package of Hipsters – Pye NEP.24302 – 1968
Que Sera Sera – Flashback FBEP.103 – 1980
Holding On with Both Hands – Acid Jazz Records – 2012

Singles

"Shake, Shake, Senora" / "Akinla" (Ram Jam Band only) Columbia 7621, 1965
"Water" / "Understanding" Piccadilly 7N 35312, May 1966, UK charted at No.39
"Hi Hi Hazel" / "Beach Bash" Piccadilly 7N 35329, July 1966, UK No.45
"Que Sera Sera" / "All I Need" Piccadilly 7N 35346, October 1966, reached UK No.43
"Michael (the Lover)" / "Gotta Hold on to My Love" Piccadilly 7N 35359, December 1966, UK No.39
"Always" / "If You Knew" / "She Shot a Hole in My Soul" / "I've Been Hurt by Love" Piccadilly 7N 35392, 1967
"Tell It Like It Is" / "Girl I Want To Marry You" Piccadilly 7N 35403, 1967
"Different Strokes" / "You Got Me Hummin'" Pye 7N 17425, 1967
"I Can't Quit Her" / "Put Out The Fire Baby" Pye 7N 17570, 1968
"I Can't Let You Go" / "Bring It To Me Baby" Pye 7N 17649, 1968
"My Little Chickadee" / "Seven Eleven" Pye 7N17745,1969

External links