Supercharge (band)
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Supercharge was a 1970s rock band from Liverpool, U.K., founded by singer/saxophonist Albie Donnelly.
[edit] History
Founded in Liverpool in 1974, Supercharge soon built up a loyal local following at a city centre pub ("The Sportsman") which became THE place to visit on a Sunday/Monday night when the band packed the place out! They also quickly established themselves as a major attraction on the UK College/University-circuit, where their live-shows invariably caused a sensation. Their first locally produced album was 'Between Music And Madness' (available from www.jjrecords.co.uk)
To attract interest from the major record companies, Supercharge decided to also commence regular gigging on the London circuit at such venues as the "Hope & Anchor", Nashville Rooms and the Marquee club where again they built up a following. Supercharge were soon signed by Virgin Records, and with the company's new producer, "Mutt" Lange, they had a hit in Australia with their 1976 single "Get Up and Dance". It was also in Australia that their first album, Local Lads Make Good went 'gold' - resulting in a number of successful major tours 'down-under'. In the UK - although their record sales were disappointing (due mainly to the inept handling of the band by Virgin Records)Supercharge achieved a fearsome reputation as one of the UK's best-ever live bands, the result of which was that many so-called 'major' UK stars refused to perform with them. One notable (and well documented) exception was Supercharge's opening set for Queen in the mid-70's at the Hyde Park Festival, in front of an estimated 70,000 spectators.
Supercharge were dropped by Virgin during the punk-era.
The next chapter in the band's history was the "invasion" of Europe, which began at the end of the 1970s-early 1980s. It was during this period (in late 1983) that Liverpool band Juke struck a deal with Albie and his (then) manager, "Memo" Rhein to work together for the next twelve months as 'Supercharge '84'. This version of the band was so successful, that at the end of 1984, Albie and "Memo" persuaded Juke to stay on for a further three months.
During the 15 months that Juke and Albie were together they managed to clock up well over 200 gigs; many of these were for Europe's 'Jet-Set', and included Tina Onassis' wedding (resulting in the 1984 album "Groovers In Paris" - which is Supercharge's top selling Rhythm and Blues album to date, and still available from www.jjrecords.co.uk); parties for Gunter Sachs at the 'Dracula' Club' in St. Moritz; and even a New Years eve party in Marbela for Adnan Kashoggi.
After Juke left, the next (1985) version of Supercharge was an almost total disaster; but guitarist Dave Shepley and newcomer, guitarist/vocalist John "Fat Ted" Lewis quickly helped Albie Donnelly to convert Supercharge into a major feature of the late 1980s-1990s European blues-scene. Tours, playing support for artists such as Chuck Berry and B.B. King, soon took the band back to stadiums and big concert halls
The next line-up with Nashville keyboard-player and singer Greg Barrett showed more of the soulful side of Supercharge; but this line-up unfortunately made no recordings.
With the beginning of a new millennium, Albie Donnelly decided to return to the material that had achieved the most success for the band in former times - strong and powerful Rhythm'n'Blues; with a version of the Supercharge that now consists mainly of German musicians.
In late 2007 Albie Donnelly was heavily featured on a new CD release, 'Return Cargo'. In addition to Supercharge regulars, bassist Wolfgang 'Bolle' Diekmann, and guitarist Roy 'The Boy' Herrington, the recording also features the original Supercharge drummer, Dave Irving.
[edit] Discography
- Between Music And Madness, 1974
- Local Lads Make Good, 1976
- Horizontal Refreshment, 1977
- Body Rhythm, 1979
- The Best Of Supercharge, 1993
- Groovers In Paris - Live At Tina Onassis' Wedding At Maxim's Paris, 1984
