When Freddie Limbert flies out to the UK next month, one of NZ's best blues based bands will fold. Their farewell tour is this month.
Formed in the mid 90s by members of Midge Marsden's band, who wanted to do their own thing, while the boss was doing his, Sid Limbert, Freddy Limbert and Brian Harley became NZ's most powerful R 'n' B trio and rapidly gained a loyal cult following, nation-wide.
Avoiding the usual format, tempting for a blues based trio, of a Stevie Ray style, the Roosters success was based on several factors. The principal dimension was Sid Limbert's experience of the road, talents in singing, arranging, bass playing and a strong stage presence. Unusual in being a band led by the bass player, the arrangements were founded on Sid's strong rhythmic sense, tight arrangements with lots of rhythmic colour - "stops", "accents" and other rhythmic devices.
This powerful rhythmic foundation was powered by Sid's son, Freddy, a flamboyant percussionist whose stage grimaces and exuberance delighted the crowds. But it was Freddy's ability to introduce light and shade into the arrangements as well as the empathy that comes between father and son that made the Limberts a rhythm section force to be reckoned with.
Finally, the third member of the Roosters was Brian "H.B." Harley, proud of the moniker given him by Mississippi Willie Foster - "Honey Boy" - in tribute to his accomplished guitar technique. A pivotal member of the group, Harley always had the appropriate lick or phrase at his finger tips and won his own fans amongst the Roosters' audience.
With fans and friends in Mississippi, from their tours with Midge, to the length and breadth of NZ, popularity wasn't, though, enough to keep the band together. The rigours of the road, and the struggle for revenues worthy of this outfit finally led Harley to return to Christchurch, Freddy in Auckland and Sid at home in Picton.
Looking back over their short career, the high spot has to be their support gig for B. B. King at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre in May 1997. Coincidentally, Sid and Freddy had become friends with B.B.'s drummer, while on a fishing trip in Mississippi. The Beat Roosters played a monster opening set for B.B., winning the local audience. At the end of B.B.'s gig he called them back on stage and thanked them publicly - a rare accolade from the king of the blues.
Their only recording will become a collectors' item. "Live And Loose" was recorded in Sid's home studio in 1996. On CD and cassette, it is a cross section of their regular set material but the standout for me is Sid's original slow blues - "Blues Still Blue". If you see one, snap it up!
This winter they make a reunion and farewell tour all in one. Ending up in Auckland, Freddie flies off to the UK to make his fortune soon after the last gig.
The Remarkable Beat Roosters play Hamilton's JBC on Thursday 27 August and Auckland's Java Jive on Friday 28th August.
