The Kingbees

Like <a href="spotify:artist:2ibPkysx2PXqWLmxFD7jSg">the Stray Cats</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0ySLj2XiEOFtixInK1GAD4">the Polecats</a>, the Kingbees revived rockabilly with an '80s new wave flavor. The band was formed by <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">Jamie James</a> (vocals, guitar) in 1979. Born in Toronto, Canada, <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">James</a> started playing guitar at the age of 13. He relocated to London, England in the '70s and released the single "Hello Little Girl." In 1973, he joined an R&B group in Detroit, Michigan. By the late '70s, <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">James</a> had moved to Southern California and became part of the area's rockabilly scene. With Michael Rummans (bass) and Rex Roberts (drums), <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">James</a> helped to return rockabilly to the pop landscape. The Kingbees signed with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22RSO%22">RSO</a>, and their self-titled debut LP appeared in 1980. The album was initially a commercial bust until the track "My Mistake" hit number one in Detroit. It became the Kingbees' first of two singles -- "Shake Bop" was the other -- that penetrated the Billboard charts. The Kingbees also recorded material for the soundtrack to 1980's The Idolmaker. However, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22RSO%22">RSO</a> went defunct just when their follow-up, The Big Rock, came out. <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">James</a> started performing with former <a href="spotify:artist:2ibPkysx2PXqWLmxFD7jSg">Stray Cats</a> members <a href="spotify:artist:5qDorluwjJoYGYfPo1skgs">Lee Rocker</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3HfEn2cgHnv9NDtw9tS6ps">Slim Jim</a> with regular gigs at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach, California. In 1993, <a href="spotify:artist:6TTsQcxSIqktlLkcgbFmCe">James</a> released Cruel World, followed by Crossroads in 2000. An expanded edition of the debut Kingbees album was released by <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Omnivore+Records%22">Omnivore Records</a> in 2015; the same label brought out an upgraded version of The Big Rock the following year. ~ Michael Sutton, Rovi