Hollywood Fats with The James Harman Band

[jimmybryght]

This guy is a thief. In 1988, I sold Harman my 1963 Dodge Dart and then he said he'd take my Kramer guitar and get it painted for me. I never heard from him again. I have been writing him and ASCAP for YEARS and nothing ever came of it. He's a fucking thief. Don't trust him!

[darrenwatsonband]

@jimmybryght Mate. I obviously don't know you but did you think about... gee I don't know... going to the police at the time? I have to admit I'm having trouble seeing James Harman lusting in any way after a Kramer??!! Not exactly in character....LOL. Anyway, please don't post things here you can't prove. That could actually get YOU into serious trouble. It's called libel.

[JERI0K]

@jimmybryght That's very interesting, cuz in '89, a buddy & me went to buy a Kramer guitar off Harman. It was in Harman's car (an old Dodge) in the bar parking lot. I noticed his car ran real rough, so I told him I'd clean the points, plugs, & adjust the carb & timing if he threw in a couple of tapes of his band. I paid for the guitar, & began to work on his car while Harman went back in the bar to play. As soon as I heard the band start, I took off in his car & never brought it back. Hee hee...

[hugginsjack]

My Band opened up for James Harman with Hollywood Fats at the Last Day Saloon in S.F. in the mid 80s.Just when I was thinking whats all the fuss is about Fat,s ripped off a solo that blew my mind. I,ll never forget that moment. R.I.P. Fats.

[darrenwatsonband]

@hugginsjack ... Man, I so wish I got to hear him live. What a great memory to have. Thanks for sharing it.

[peteheckman13]

Awesome. This has to be around 1981. I first saw James at the Rumbleseat Garage in Long Beach. They opened with "Frenzy". James came crashing out on stage, did the splits, and ripped his pants. Willie J was wearing his turbin and viser's shoes. Just an incredible band at the peak of their awesomeness. I will always remember those days. We could only go about 10 days and we'd need to get another James fix, wether it be at Huck Finns, Santa Barbara or Solana Beach. Whooooo!

[BluesGeek]

@peteheckman13 actually, it's 1985 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solano Beach, CA.

I think I was at that Rumbleseat gig u mention...they opened for Butterfield.

[lowPaycheck]

Let me know where i need to go to buy one... i'll wear mine at the Fender booth at NAMM all day just to make him chuckle...

[lowPaycheck]

Agreed.... HM's for both JW and Kid !

[darrenwatsonband]

yeah, me and a friend are going to make a t-shirt with KR as a big, green mopnster guy with the text 'RAMOS SMAAASHHH!!' underneath... whadaya reckon? Killer player.

[lowPaycheck]

Folks, this is about as good as it gets..... Fats & Duke, for me, are the best ever....

[darrenwatsonband]

TOTALLY! With an honourable mention for Junior Watson.

[juniorfats]

I grew up with these guys in the late 60's in Orange County, was with Oakie and Fats the night they met Freddie kaplan backstage at the Whiskey at a Muddy show with Jimmy Rogers opening. Got some great pictures that night too. Fats ALWAYS tore it up. He and Watson really created the west coast blues sound blending country with Chicago adding a taste of swing.

[DOWJONI]

HA HA I LOVE ALL THESE GUYS in this band James, Hollywood, Kid,steve,Willy Jay(LOL) the turban thing was a crack up. This was one of the greatest group of guys, I didnt miss a show !!!!! THOSE WERE the GOOD OL DAYS!!

[Madnar]

My dad played bass with fats when they were with jimmy witherspoon and he was the best man at my parent's wedding! :D awesome player!!!

[soontobe1968]

Thanks for putting the two videos together and improving the sound!! Fats is a King!!

[jukeking1]

The Les Paul of west coast swing guitar, Michael Mann.

What a monster player!

[darrenwatsonband]

Yeah, he's totally the man in this style! Swings harder than any who followedIMHO. I teach a lot of my students how to play his version of Okie Dokie Stomp.

[FahQposeurfag]

sounds like he influence JR alot

[dunskie]

Awesome. Harman is a force and oh so true.

Great classic clip of him with Fats.

Thanks!

5*****

[WaukarusaKid]

Hollywood Fats could WAIL!!!

[darrenwatsonband]

Yeah man... Michael was the guy that inspired me to take an interest in the more swinging stuff. He had such amazing tone and swing.... There is an album called Hollywood Fats Blues Band on Crosscut Records out of Germany that is totally the shiz! Buy it!

[ch1naski]

How in the Hell can I not have heard about this guy?!? Another great musician who unfortunately rode that horse out of town......