Rock Vocalist. He was the front-man for the 1960s British music group The Action. Raised by his widowed mother, King's initial experience in public singing was as a child at a local talent show. During his school years, he formed the band The Boys with friends Roger Powell, Alan 'Bam' King (no relation, he later went on to find success in the group Ace), Mike 'Ace' Evans, and later Peter Watson. They collaborated with singer Sandra Barry and recorded under the Decca label; later with Pye, they recorded their own single "It Ain't Fair" (1964). Now, well established on the English club-scene, undergoing the name change The Action, with a new heavily-influenced soulful sound, they came to the attention of The Beatles' legendary producer George Martin, who signed them to the Parlophone label. Under Martin's guidance, they became one of the leading bands in Britain's Mod subculture, with the recordings "Land of One Thousand Dances" (1965), "I'll Keep Holding On" (1966), "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" (1966), "Never Ever" (1967) and "Shadows and Reflections" (1967). King departed in 1967, following the release of their "Rolled Gold" album, to venture into producing and begin a solo career (both were unsuccessful). He continued as a performer in the group BB Blunder until their disbanding in 1971. King suffered serious head injuries following a fall down a flight of stairs, which forced him into retirement. He died from cancer.
Rock Vocalist. He was the front-man for the 1960s British music group The Action. Raised by his widowed mother, King's initial experience in public singing was as a child at a local talent show. During his school years, he formed the band The Boys with friends Roger Powell, Alan 'Bam' King (no relation, he later went on to find success in the group Ace), Mike 'Ace' Evans, and later Peter Watson. They collaborated with singer Sandra Barry and recorded under the Decca label; later with Pye, they recorded their own single "It Ain't Fair" (1964). Now, well established on the English club-scene, undergoing the name change The Action, with a new heavily-influenced soulful sound, they came to the attention of The Beatles' legendary producer George Martin, who signed them to the Parlophone label. Under Martin's guidance, they became one of the leading bands in Britain's Mod subculture, with the recordings "Land of One Thousand Dances" (1965), "I'll Keep Holding On" (1966), "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" (1966), "Never Ever" (1967) and "Shadows and Reflections" (1967). King departed in 1967, following the release of their "Rolled Gold" album, to venture into producing and begin a solo career (both were unsuccessful). He continued as a performer in the group BB Blunder until their disbanding in 1971. King suffered serious head injuries following a fall down a flight of stairs, which forced him into retirement. He died from cancer.
Bio by: C.S.
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