Considering the sad news re Roy Loney I am grateful these guys decided to continue. This was live music as it should be. Powerful,passionate and personal. The musicianship was first class. The venue excellent and of a size where you can feel the music.
Posted by Jonathan Barnes on 08/06/2019
Flamin' Groovies, Under The Bridge (at Chelsea Football Club), London - 7th June 2019
Formed in San Francisco in 1965, the Flamin’ Groovies are influential rockers known for bucking late-60s psychedelic trends in favour of raw 1950s-style rock & roll, later pioneering power pop.
Founded by Roy Loney (vocals) and Cyril Jordan (guitar), the band developed a raw, high-energy sound rooted in early rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and British Invasion influences like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Their early albums, including Supersnazz (1969) and Flamingo (1970), leaned toward gritty, bluesy rock, but the band’s style evolved significantly after Loney’s departure in 1971. With Chris Wilson stepping in as lead vocalist, the Groovies shifted toward a cleaner, melodic sound that helped define power pop. This era produced their most celebrated work, Shake Some Action (1976), whose title track became a cult classic and a defining anthem of the genre.
Despite never achieving major commercial success, Flamin’ Groovies earned a devoted following and critical acclaim for their song-writing, musicianship, and unwavering commitment to classic rock traditions during a time dominated by changing musical trends. Their influence can be heard in later punk, garage revival, and indie rock bands.
Over the decades, the band experienced multiple line-up changes and periods of inactivity, but their legacy has endured. Flamin’ Groovies remain a beloved cult act, recognized for their role in preserving and revitalizing the spirit of early rock and roll while helping shape the sound of modern guitar-driven pop.