Hollywood Fats with The James Harman Band

The hottest of the hottest West Coast cats . . . my favourite swingin' blues guitar player Michael Mann aka Hollywood Fats with frontman and king songwriter James Harman.

Fats didn't make it past his 30s and that's a crying shame.

I've juiced up the sound from the original files uploaded by bluesintruder. Hope that's cool dude.... did it so more people could really hear what Fats was all about . . .

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hollywood
• Fats

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[jukeking1]

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

What a monster player!

[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...

[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.

[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!

[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...