Zoot Money's Big Roll Band

Zoot Money's Big Roll Band
Company type	Musical ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1961
Founder	Zoot Money
Defunct	2024
Headquarters	England, United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Products	Rhythm and blues, modern jazz, rock and roll music performances and recordings

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025

Zoot Money's Big Roll Band was a British ensemble blending rhythm and blues with modern jazz elements, infused with rock and roll influences. The group was established in England by Zoot Money in the early fall of 1961. Throughout its existence, the band experienced numerous lineup changes and remained active until 2020. Money passed away in 2024 at the age of 82.

Cultural References

In the novel The Final Programme by Michael Moorcock, the main character Jeremiah 'Jerry' Cornelius is portrayed as an admirer of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. The book opens by mentioning "Zoot's Suite" (which appears as "Zoot's Suit" on Spotify) as the initial musical piece referenced.

1961–1963

The original Big Roll Band was formed by Zoot Money in autumn 1961, featuring himself on vocals, Roger Collis on lead guitar, pianist Al Kirtley (later associated with Trendsetters Limited), bassist Mike "Monty" Montgomery, and drummer Johnny Hammond. The band’s name stemmed from Money mishearing the phrase "big old band" in Chuck Berry’s song "Johnny B. Goode". Their first performance took place on 12 November 1961 at the Downstairs Club in Bournemouth. In 1962, the lineup changed with Pete Brookes replacing Hammond on drums, Johnny King taking over bass duties from Montgomery, and tenor saxophonist Kevin Drake joining the group. Shortly thereafter, Kirtley departed, prompting Money to take on organ responsibilities.

By late 1963 or early 1964, Money assembled the most recognized formation of the band, which included bassist and vocalist Paul Williams, guitarist Andy Summers (who later gained fame with the Police), saxophonists Nick Newall and Clive Burrows—both formerly of the Wes Minster Five—and drummer Colin Allen. In autumn 1965, Burrows left to join Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band and the Alan Price Set, with Johnny Almond stepping in as his replacement.

1964–1965

Starting in 1964, the Big Roll Band became regular performers at The Flamingo Club located in Soho, London, where Money’s dynamic frontman presence was a highlight. The group secured a deal with Decca Records, releasing a single before transitioning to EMI's Columbia label. During 1965, they issued four additional singles along with their debut album titled It Should Have Been Me.

1966–1969

Money turned down an opportunity to succeed Alan Price as keyboardist for the Animals, choosing instead to concentrate on his vocal performances. In July 1966, their single "Big Time Operator" climbed to number 25 on the UK charts. The album Zoot Live At Klooks Kleek, released in October that year, showcased Money as a solo performer and achieved number 23 on UK charts. This album was also released in the United States by Epic Records, although it received little promotional support.

During this timeframe, Money briefly collaborated with Alexis Korner's group Blues Incorporated before returning to lead the Big Roll Band once more. However, evolving musical tastes increasingly favored experimental styles and songwriting over traditional rhythm and blues, which constrained the band's commercial achievements despite maintaining a strong presence within London’s club scene. By July 1967, the Big Roll Band transformed into Dantalian's Chariot, adopting a psychedelic music approach. In 1968, Money joined 'Eric Burdon and The New Animals'. He later reformed the Big Roll Band with new members in 2003; since then they have continued to perform regularly at venues such as The Bull's Head, Barnes.

Singles

1964: "The Uncle Willie"/"Zoot's Suite" Decca F 11954
1965: "Bring It On Home To Me"/"Good" Columbia DB 7518
June 1965: "Please Stay"/"You Know You'll Cry" Columbia DB 7600
September 1965: "Something Is Worrying Me"/"Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" Columbia DB 7697
November 1965: "The Many Faces Of Love"/"Jump Back" Columbia DB 7768
March 1966: "Let's Run For Cover"/"Self-Discipline" Columbia DB 7876
July 1966: "Big Time Operator"/"Zoot's Sermon" Columbia DB 7975 – Reached No. 25 on the UK
December 1966: "Star Of The Show"/"Mound Moves" Columbia DB 8090
April 1967: "Nick Nack"/"I Really Learnt How To Cry" Columbia DB 8172

Albums

October 1965: It Should've Been Me –

Includes tracks such as "I'll Go Crazy", "Jump Back", "Along Came John", "Back Door Blues", "It Should Have Been Me", "Sweet Little Rock And Roller", "My Wife Can't Cook", "Rags And Old Iron", "The Cat", "Feelin' Sad", "Bright Lights, Big City", and "Fina". Released by Columbia, catalog number 33SX 1734.

October 1966: Zoot! (live recording at Klooks Kleek) –

Features songs like "Chauffeur", "One And Only Man", "I've Been Trying", "Florence Of Arabia", "Let The Good Times Roll", a "James Brown Medley", "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A.", "Nothing Can Change This Love", and "Barefooting". Issued by Columbia SX 6075, later reissued in 2017 by Repertoire V245. Peaked at No. 23 on the UK.

2017: Zoot Money's Big Roll Band Box Set, released by Repertoire REP 5343:

CD 1:

Live at Klook's Kleek along with singles from 1965 – including tracks such as "Chauffeur", "The One And Only Man", "I've Been Trying", "Florence Of Arabia", "Let The Good Times Roll", the "James Brown Medley", "Mashed Potatoes U.S.A.", "Nothing Can Change This Love", "Barefootin'", plus singles like "Good", "Bring It On Home To Me", "Please Stay", "You Know You'll Cry", "Something Is Worrying Me", "Stubborn Kind of Fellow", and "The Many Faces Of Love".

CD 2:

Live At The Flamingo accompanied by singles from 1966 – containing songs such as "I Got You (I Feel Good)", “Smack Dab In The Middle”, “Boot-Leg”, “Train Train”, “Ain't That Peculiar”, “People Gonna Talk”, “It Should've Been Me”, “Hallelujah I Love Her So”, “Self-Discipline”, “Rock Me Baby”, “Stormy Monday Blues”, “Oh Mom (Teach Me How To Uncle Willie)”, “When I Meet My Baby”, “Blues March”, “You Don't Know Like I Know”, “Big Time Operator”, “Hide Nor Hair”, “Haunted House”, “La La La La La/The 'In' Crowd”, and “Let's Run For Cover”.

CD 3:

Live At The BBC plus studio recordings from 1964 – featuring tracks like “Cool Jerk”, interviews, “Big Time Operator”, “Barefootin'”, BBC announcements, “I Can't Turn You Loose”, more interviews, “Chauffeur”, “Picture Me Gone”, additional interviews, “Star Of The Show”, and “Let The Good Times Roll”.

CD 4:

It Should've Been Me album alongside studio sessions from 1966 to 1968 – including songs such as “I'll Go Crazy”, “Jump Back”, “Along Came John”, “Back Door Blues”, the title track, “Sweet Little Rock And Roller”, “My Wife Can't Cook”, “Rags And Old Iron”, “The Cat”, “Feelin' Sad”, “Bright Lights, Big City”, “Fina”, “The Star Of The Show”, “The Mound Moves”, an EP version of “It Should've Been Me”, plus tracks like “Nick Knack”, “I Really Learnt How To Cry”, ”Stop The Wedding“, ”Just A Passing Phase“, ”What Cha Gonna Do 'Bout It“, and ”Coffee Song“.

References