Kid Creole and the Coconuts are an American Latin-based band led by August Darnell. The band were born from the brilliant Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band. Their music encompasses a blend of Disco, Latin and South American style as well as Caribbean, Trinidadian and Calloway styles. They’re one of the bands leading the big band era with a classic band and trio of female backing vocalists and dancers.
August Darnell was born in 1950 in The Bronx, New York City. Living in such a diverse area meant he was exposed to loads of different kinds of music. At the age of 24, August started Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band with his brother Stony Browder Jr and they released their self-titled debut album which shot up straight to the top of the charts and was certified gold, even getting nominated for a Grammy.
Darnell started producing for other artists and quickly sought inspiration from Elvis Presley’s 1980 film King Creole for his stage name. As of then he was called Kid Creole or ‘The Kid’. His iconic stage presence would include wearing zoot suits and representing a multicultural, diverse band. The Coconuts refer to the glamorous vocalists which accompany Creole on the vocals, these vocalists aren’t usually set and the line-up will rotate.
King Creole and The Coconuts have released a total of 14 astonishing albums with more than a handful of hits across the discography. They’re still very active in terms of concerts, notably touring German with The Night of The Proms which was also starring Boy George. Their live set is not to be missed from such a legendry and diverse act that have shaped music so much.
