Biography
Born on 12 August 1939 in London, England, trumpeter Cotton fronted the Mike Cotton Jazzband amid the early 1960s ‘Trad’ boom, yet drew criticism from traditionalists for incorporating beat-oriented tunes. The ensemble, rebranded as the Mike Cotton Sound, achieved a Top 30 hit in 1963 with ‘Swing That Hammer’ and issued its only well-received album the next year. Among its members were keyboardist Dave Rowberry, born David Eric Rowberry on 4 July 1940 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, and deceased on 6 June 2003, who subsequently joined the Animals, along with bassist Jim Rodford, born 7 July 1941 in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, England, who would later play with Argent and the Kinks; trombonist Johnny Crocker, bassist Derek Tearle, and drummer Jim Garforth rounded out the fluid roster. In 1967 vocalist Lucas joined as the band pivoted from jazz-infused R&B toward soul, but by decade’s end Cotton abandoned the outdated moniker in favor of Satisfaction. Following the release of that outfit’s solitary album, the group disbanded, after which the trumpeter kept the horn section for studio sessions, including extensive work with the Kinks both onstage and in recordings during the early 1970s.
Singles
