Big Al Downing
b. 9 January 1940, Lenapah, Oklahoma, USA. Downing was exposed to both R&B and country music as a boy, and taught himself piano on an instrument that he found on a rubbish dump. In 1958 he took the then unusual step of joining a white group, the Rhythm Rockers, led by Bobby Brant. Changing their name to the Poe Kats, they recorded the regionally successful Down On The Farm for Lelan Rogers' White Rock label in Dallas: leased to the larger Challenge label, it just missed the national charts but has become an acknowledged rock ‘n’ roll classic (as well as one of the shortest rock ‘n’ roll records, at one minute 31 seconds). Later sessions up to 1964 featured Downing's thumping piano and his deep voice with its Fats Dominoovertones on such excellent rockers as Yes I'm Loving You and Georgia Slop. During this period he recorded duets with Esther Phillipsand played piano for Wanda Jacksonbut he had to wait until 1970 for chart success when I'll Be Holding On was a soul hit. The versatile Downing has since reverted to his early roots and has scored several big USA country hits. He is a frequent visitor to rock ‘n’ roll festivals in Europe, where his broad grin and matching waistline are familiar sights.