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Some bands never get the recognition that they deserve. For one reason or another, usually bad deals, bad luck or bad management, they slip below the radar and no-one pauses long enough evaluate their true contribution to this wonderful passion of ours; rock’n’roll. The Royaltones are just such a band. They helped spearhead white rock’n’roll in Detroit, scored two marvellous instrumental hits and numbered master musicians George Katsakis, Dennis Coffey and Bob Babbitt within their ranks. Yet, somehow, they missed out on all the accolades and fame awarded to much lesser outfits.

In 1958 their leader, saxman George Katsakis, made his recording debut on Jack Scott’s double-sided smash ‘Leroy’ / ‘My True Love’ and featured on most of the excellent material that the singer cut for Carlton. His own band were already rockin’ their way through Detroit, and within a couple of months the Royaltones joined Scott in the US Top 20 with their catchy instrumental ‘Poor Boy’. It should have been a smooth ride from there but they went mostly unpaid and so were obliged to sue their management - who also happened to be caught up in the payola scandal - and then somehow got dragged into the resulting quagmire as the press enjoyed a field day. Their record company Jubilee, sensing trouble, quietly released them, leaving the band to start out all over again.

The Royaltones financed their own Detroit-made recordings and then set off to New York to score a deal with George Goldner’s Goldisc label. ‘Flamingo Express’, their second Goldisc release put them back in the US Top 100 with one of the best rock instrumentals of its time. More 45s followed but Goldner did not really get behind them: there was no LP issued and they missed the big tours and TV shows.

Somewhat dispirited they returned to Detroit where they were one of the city’s top draws, soon getting a deal with Embee Productions. Releases by the band on Twirl and Mala included ‘Our Faded Love’, a big regional hit in 1964, subsequently covered by Bobby Rydell with added lyrics by Wink Martindale. Embee owners Balk and Micahnik also saw the value of the group as a back-up band for their other acts, such as Don & Juan and Del Shannon. Uncredited, they appeared alongside Shannon on several of his major hits including ‘Little Town Flirt’, ‘Keep Searchin’’ and ‘Handy Man’.

After a succession of high quality 45s they finally called it a day in 1964 when, without prior agreement, Balk put out a single by the band under the solo name of group member Dave Sandy. The Royaltones felt that they had been hi-jacked and disbanded.

George Katsakis then followed a multi-pathed career, recording everything from Las Vegas style cabaret to avant-garde experimental music. Guitarist Dennis Coffey and bassist Bob Babbitt both became celebrated session musicians, appearing on many huge Motown classics, while Coffey also enjoyed several US Top 100 hits under his own name. The Royaltones continue to be revered by Detroit musicians who are aware of the pioneering role that the band played in the musical history of the city. This fine, all-embracing retrospective contains their complete recorded output including many rarities, formerly unissued tracks, and even the original acetate of ‘Poor Boy’. At last justice is done.

By Dave Burke (Pipeline Magazine)


This is the first release in Ace’s new higher priced ‘Deluxe’ series. Each title will be a limited edition of 1000 copies.

THIS LIMITED EDITION TITLE HAS NOW SOLD OUT, SOME RETAILERS MAY HAVE A FEW COPIES LEFT