My Favorite Bands - A Social Network for Music Fans

Cyril Davies And His Rhythm And Blues All Stars

English blues combo active in the early-mid 1960s.

The group later evolved into The Immediate All-Stars.

The All-Stars were initially formed as a backing band for vocalist and blues harmonica player Cyril Davies after his departure from Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated in October 1962. With Davies on harmonica, 12-string acoustic or banjo, his early band line-up was Carlo Little [Drums], Ricky Brown [aka Fenson, Bass], Nicky Hopkins [Piano] and Jimmy Page [aka Price, Guitar]. Page's position was short-lived, as he became involved in session work, and he was replaced by ex-Savages guitarist Bernie Watson. The group took up residency at the Marquee in 1963, with Long John Baldry added on vocals. The band's stage presentation was also swelled by the inclusion of the vocal backing group "The Velvettes" with Peggy Phango, a trio that had finished touring a UK production of "King Kong". The band released their first single "Country Line Special" in February 1963. A number of further recordings were made before Davies tragically died on 7 January 1964, just before his 32nd birthday.

The name and format of the band continued under the aegis of Long John Baldry for a while and eventually evolved into "The Hoochie Coochie Men". Around eighteen months after Cyril Davies' death, Jimmy Page brought together former All-Stars Nicky Hopkins, Carlo Little and Cliff Barton to record with him and Jeff Beck. These later recordings are credited as The Immediate All-Stars due to their releases on Immediate Records. In 1999, the group reformed as the Carlo Little All-Stars.