KINGFISH -2010
Since 1974 KINGFISH has long been associated with quality entertainment, with high caliber musicianship and great rock and roll, worthy of it's place as a premiere GRATEFUL DEAD family band. Formed by DAVE TORBERT (of THE NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE) and his longtime friend Matt Kelly, they were not just starting a band but creating a brand name that would be the vehicle for GRATEFUL DEAD members as well as the start to many careers on a national level.
Through all it's configurations, keyboardist BARRY FLAST has been there for most. As the second most tenured member of KINGFISH, Barry's career with the band spans from the 70's and on thru to 2010. Starting in 1974, shortly after KINGFISH started gigging, Barry replaced pianist Mick Ward (who had been killed in a car accident) for the remainder of their summer tour in Alaska. Because of prior commitments this was a short stay. When the GRATEFUL DEAD took a vacation in late 1974, Matt Kelly called upon his childhood friend BOB WEIR to join KINGFISH, giving the band almost immediate national recognition,and releasing their first album "KINGFISH" on the Grateful Dead record label. When Weir returned to the Dead in 1976, Barry once again was asked to join the band adding vocals on the bands second album "LIVE N KICKIN', and a national tour for Jet Records followed.
With new management the band made several personnel changes and in late '77 Barry once again left the group. At the end of 1978, after an extensive tour opening for ELO promoting their third album "TRIDENT', Tobert and Kelly parted ways.
In 1979 a new version of KINGFISH emerged on the east coast with Dave Torbert and MICHAEL O'NEILL, featuring DANNY DeGENNARO. With an infusion of Danny's original material as well as added lead vocals and guitar work, this would signal the start of his many stops along the Kingfish trail. This version of Kingfish lasted until 1980 when Torbert returned to the west coast and once again teamed up with Kelly and Flast for a series of gigs. These would be Dave's last with the band. With the sad passing of their leader in 1983, Kingfish would reform with Kelly and Flast leading the band into the 1990's. Thus began an era of multiple lineup changes with Flast assuming the lead vocal work on all of Torbert's infamous Kingfish standards. During this period, BOB WEIR rejoined the band for dozens of shows and they even had GRATEFUL DEAD members BILLY KREUTZMANN and BRENT MYDLAND for a 1985 tour. Other stars in the making who got their start in Kingfish were STEVE KIMOCK and BARRY SLESS. DANNY DeGENNARO would jump in at various times to front the band as well.
But there was one final record to be released called "SUNDOWN ON THE FOREST", released in '99, that showcased Danny's awsome vocal talents on tracks like the title song (written by BARRY FLAST) amongst others. Barry actually wrote five of the songs including "PADLOCK CUFFLINKS" which had Weir on vocals.
Now after a ten year hiatus, KINGFISH is back, with it's San Francisco style rock, blues and Jam-band sound formed around BARRY FLAST(keys) and DANNY DeGENNARO(Lead Guitar), the two lead vocalists from the 70's, 80's and 90's. This version of the band will feature special guest PAUL J. BIONDI on horns, as well as PETE "THE BEAT" BURGER on Drums and MIKE BREWER on Bass. As always, KINGFISH will continue to bring in the finest musicians from it's past and present which has been its tradition since 1974.
Through all it's configurations, keyboardist BARRY FLAST has been there for most. As the second most tenured member of KINGFISH, Barry's career with the band spans from the 70's and on thru to 2010. Starting in 1974, shortly after KINGFISH started gigging, Barry replaced pianist Mick Ward (who had been killed in a car accident) for the remainder of their summer tour in Alaska. Because of prior commitments this was a short stay. When the GRATEFUL DEAD took a vacation in late 1974, Matt Kelly called upon his childhood friend BOB WEIR to join KINGFISH, giving the band almost immediate national recognition,and releasing their first album "KINGFISH" on the Grateful Dead record label. When Weir returned to the Dead in 1976, Barry once again was asked to join the band adding vocals on the bands second album "LIVE N KICKIN', and a national tour for Jet Records followed.
With new management the band made several personnel changes and in late '77 Barry once again left the group. At the end of 1978, after an extensive tour opening for ELO promoting their third album "TRIDENT', Tobert and Kelly parted ways.
In 1979 a new version of KINGFISH emerged on the east coast with Dave Torbert and MICHAEL O'NEILL, featuring DANNY DeGENNARO. With an infusion of Danny's original material as well as added lead vocals and guitar work, this would signal the start of his many stops along the Kingfish trail. This version of Kingfish lasted until 1980 when Torbert returned to the west coast and once again teamed up with Kelly and Flast for a series of gigs. These would be Dave's last with the band. With the sad passing of their leader in 1983, Kingfish would reform with Kelly and Flast leading the band into the 1990's. Thus began an era of multiple lineup changes with Flast assuming the lead vocal work on all of Torbert's infamous Kingfish standards. During this period, BOB WEIR rejoined the band for dozens of shows and they even had GRATEFUL DEAD members BILLY KREUTZMANN and BRENT MYDLAND for a 1985 tour. Other stars in the making who got their start in Kingfish were STEVE KIMOCK and BARRY SLESS. DANNY DeGENNARO would jump in at various times to front the band as well.
But there was one final record to be released called "SUNDOWN ON THE FOREST", released in '99, that showcased Danny's awsome vocal talents on tracks like the title song (written by BARRY FLAST) amongst others. Barry actually wrote five of the songs including "PADLOCK CUFFLINKS" which had Weir on vocals.
Now after a ten year hiatus, KINGFISH is back, with it's San Francisco style rock, blues and Jam-band sound formed around BARRY FLAST(keys) and DANNY DeGENNARO(Lead Guitar), the two lead vocalists from the 70's, 80's and 90's. This version of the band will feature special guest PAUL J. BIONDI on horns, as well as PETE "THE BEAT" BURGER on Drums and MIKE BREWER on Bass. As always, KINGFISH will continue to bring in the finest musicians from it's past and present which has been its tradition since 1974.