“A Rose for Your Stone” by The Kings

The Kings’ “The Longest Story Ever Told” continues to build.  After months on regional radio stations and finding support even internationally, the group’s song “A Rose for Your Stone” is finding support on AAA/Americana radio. The music video features Western imagery and lead singer David Diamond performing solo on acoustic guitar. The idea behind the song is about a gunfighter returning home after hearing his former girlfriend has died.  He left her because he wanted to seek fame with his gun, but he never forgot her.  He’s chosen to not regret the choice he made, despite the tragedy.  All he can give her is a rose to put on her headstone.  

 

Mixed by Michael Vail Blum, who has worked with Madonna and Prince the western inspired song has found support on podcasts, blogs, and magazines. Michael's Record Collection is intrigued by the song, “It pays tribute to old country story-songs, such as ‘El Paso’ by Marty Robbins." Americana Highways raves about the song’s musicality, including its Spanish-flavored horns, and more, David Diamond’s voice is still as powerful as when he sang ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide’ on their first album.” Rave and Roll hears its cinematic quality, "How about some spaghetti western atmospherics? A Rose For Your Stone produces that vibe, underscored by an accordion and playful mariachi horns."

The Kings, originally formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Oakville, Ontario, are a Canadian rock band. The original lineup was David Diamond (lead vocals, bass, songwriter), Sonny Keyes (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Max Styles (currently Todd Reynolds) (drums), and Mister Zero (guitar, songwriter).

Before their breakthrough, they spent over three years as WhistleKing, refining their skills through rehearsals, club gigs, and songwriting, always with recording as the goal. Their journey led them to Nimbus 9 Studio in Toronto, where renowned producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS) joined the story.

Ezrin's involvement led to a worldwide major label deal with Elektra Records in Los Angeles. Their debut project, "The Kings Are Here," featured the smash hit 'This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide,' which received extensive major market airplay all over the USA and Canada, spending 23 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, earning them a Canadian Juno Award nomination, Platinum album and Gold single status and induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Kings continued their musical journey with the albums "Amazon Beach," "RSVP," "Unstoppable," "Party Live in '85", "The Lost Tapes of a Seventies Bar Band" and "Because of You," all of which showcase their energy and songwriting prowess. They also released a captivating documentary titled "Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder”, as well as the incredible concert film "Live at Heatwave".

Now, in 2024, "The Longest Story Ever Told," reaffirms the Kings’ status as a rock band with songwriting depth. With a history of hits, over 2000 North American shows and a devoted fan base, The Kings remain a hungry band with something to prove.

Love & Valentines

Love We Need You Here Tony Moore slow, acoustic with ambient sound, keyboards, electric guitar build up, like a Pink Floyd ballad, It's a prayer to a higher power, "love remove the fear... don't leave us lost and alone." 

Love Will Blind a Woman  Suzahn Fiering gentle acoustic song, sort of young Joni Mitchell tones, "Love will blind a woman though she knows it ain't right" about a gal smitten by a charming guy, 'even tho' she knows it ain't right" https://open.spotify.com/track/3SPPgUVPHOGOoCSC2l9ahE?si=ae6bb27a0f4b43a4

Tell Me, Elliott Murphy rock, song, electric guitar, male vocals like Lou Reed, "tell me" is the hook. The guy is fighting not to end a relationship, and find ways to stay close to his soon-to-be- ex lover

Made for You Phoebe Legere upbeat female vocal, made for you, can't you see I was made for you. From "Toxic Avenger"

 

Chasing Leaves Joe Matera instrumental, guitars and keys including synthesizer, treated guitar, ambient, midtempo, repeated themes with a little variation.

 Fallin’ In Love  Jenn Cristy  seductive female vocals, R&B, funky bass & drums, has majestic piano solo, similar rhythms to "Tighten Up" foreplay, losing myself in the music of love, "baby we could fall in love" 

A Rose for Your Stone The Kings  male vocals, Americana with horns and accordion, spaghetti western sounding, a winning gunslinger returns home to find his true love is dead, all he can give her is a rose for her (tomb) stone   

Love Killer  Jaclyn Bradley   lush, slow tempo, dream pop alto female vocals, ambient, Madonna tones, theme of loving and losing, love killer, let it all hang out, I'm here for the dream of love. 

Love the Bodies We’re In  Jaclyn Bradley  female vocals, acoustic guitar, gentle tempo, intimacy, song on self-love and intimate connection "love the bodies we're in" "crawl into my bones, give me your skin"

New Radio Single “A Rose for Your Stone” by The Kings

The Kings’ “The Longest Story Ever Told” continues to build.  After months on regional radio stations and finding support even internationally, the group’s song “A Rose for Your Stone” is finding support on AAA/Americana radio. The music video features Western imagery and lead singer David Diamond performing solo on acoustic guitar. The idea behind the song is about a gunfighter returning home after hearing his former girlfriend has died.  He left her because he wanted to seek fame with his gun, but he never forgot her.  He’s chosen to not regret the choice he made, despite the tragedy.  All he can give her is a rose to put on her headstone. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAfx_HbH9bc

 Mixed by Michael Vail Blum, who has worked with Madonna and Prince the western inspired song has found support on podcasts, blogs, and magazines.  Michaels Record Collection is intrigued by the song, “It pays tribute to old country story-songs, such as ‘El Paso’ by Marty Robbins."  Americana Highways raves about the song’s musicality, including its Spanish-flavored horns, and more, David Diamond’s voice is still as powerful as when he sang ‘This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide’ on their first album.” Rave and Roll hears its cinematic quality, "How about some spaghetti western atmospherics? A Rose For Your Stone produces that vibe, underscored by an accordion and playful mariachi horns."

The Kings, originally formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Oakville, Ontario, are a Canadian rock band. The original lineup was David Diamond (lead vocals, bass, songwriter), Sonny Keyes (vocals, keyboards, songwriter), Max Styles (currently Todd Reynolds) (drums), and Mister Zero (guitar, songwriter).

Before their breakthrough, they spent over three years as WhistleKing, refining their skills through rehearsals, club gigs, and songwriting, always with recording as the goal. Their journey led them to Nimbus 9 Studio in Toronto, where renowned producer Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS) joined the story.

Ezrin's involvement led to a worldwide major label deal with Elektra Records in Los Angeles. Their debut project, "The Kings Are Here," featured the smash hit 'This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide,' which received extensive major market airplay all over the USA and Canada, spending 23 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, earning them a Canadian Juno Award nomination, Platinum album and Gold single status and induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Kings continued their musical journey with the albums "Amazon Beach," "RSVP," "Unstoppable," "Party Live in '85", "The Lost Tapes of a Seventies Bar Band" and "Because of You," all of which showcase their energy and songwriting prowess. They also released a captivating documentary titled "Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder”, as well as the incredible concert film "Live at Heatwave".

Now, in 2024, "The Longest Story Ever Told," reaffirms the Kings’ status as a rock band with songwriting depth. With a history of hits, over 2000 North American shows and a devoted fan base, The Kings remain a hungry band with something to prove.

The Kings Still Reign: Canadian Rock Legends Defy 'One-Hit Wonder' Label as “Nowhere to Go But Gone” Climbs U.S. Charts

Forty-four years ago, they declared The Kings Are Here. Now Canada’s cherished rock legends are specifying exactly where “here” is: on the charts and rising.

This week, The Kings’ ridiculously compelling “Nowhere to Go But Gone” climbs to #42 on the Mediabase CHR Activator list—a nigh-on-miraculous showing for a Canadian classic-rock band on US radio. It’s a designation that shows the tune continues to spread like wildfire, receiving airplay in markets from Utah to Florida to Cape Cod. If this keeps up, the group might have to issue an official clarification that the title of their documentary, Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder, was meant with tongue planted firmly in cheek.

Because really, The Kings never went away. Yes, they’re still best known for their breakout double A-sided single, “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide,” which peaked at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980 and ultimately spent 23 weeks on that chart—not to mention earning the band a gold single award, a Juno nomination and induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. The success of the insanely catchy numbers also eventually drove their debut album, the aforementioned The Kings Are Here, to platinum-level sales in Canada. But in the ensuing decades, they’ve put out an absolute wealth of stellar material, on albums like Amazon Beach, RSVP, Unstoppable, Party Live in ’85, The Lost Tapes of a Seventies Bar Band and Because of You. Unstoppable alone yielded a cornucopia of Canadian hits, including the title track, “Lesson To Learn," "Shoulda Been Me," "Parting Of The Ways," and the killer ballad "If We Don't Belong Together."

“Nowhere to Go But Gone” proves that their mettle as hitmakers remains undiminished. It’s an appropriately driving little ditty in which lead singer/bassist David Diamond namechecks all the places he’s about to hit on a much-needed jaunt behind the wheel:

Gonna head out on the highway 

The highway is my friend 

Gonna head out west  

Where the highway ends

Then I’ll stop in Vancouver 

Turn south towards LA

Twelve hundred miles of surfers 

Waiting for a wave  

There is no trip like a road trip

Nowhere to go, nowhere to go

Nowhere to go but gone

But what gradually comes into focus is that he’s actually singing about taking a breather from a relationship, to get a better perspective on why it’s one worth keeping. This is a song not of freedom and the endless open road, but of renewal and the journey home.

Oh, but when I return 

The bridges I burned 

Have been reassembled

Good to take a breather

Good to get some air

Good to be reminded 

Of what it’s like out there

As recorded, the entire performance is a tour de force of moxie by Diamond, guitarist/co-composer Mister Zero, keyboardist Sonny Keyes (all three of them cofounders of the group) and drummer Todd Reynolds (who’s been firmly entrenched in the lineup since 2007). The track was co-produced by the band and recording engineer Chris Snow (a veteran of sessions with the likes of Barenaked Ladies, Big Wreck and Arkells) and mixed by Garth Richardson (who has produced Rage Against the Machine and engineered records by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nickelback and numerous other heavy hitters).

The song comes from The Kings’ most recent album, 2023’s The Longest Story Ever Told, which kept the faith with the group’s hardcore following while earning widespread critical acclaim. “Call it a comeback if you will, but regardless, it’s clear The Kings still rule,” raved American Songwriter.

With more than 2,000 live shows under their belt, these boys are perpetually in demand as a concert act throughout the Western hemisphere. The latest jewel in their crown was an August gig at the Kitchener Blues Festival Canada, and come November 8, they’ll be “gettin’ gone” all the way down to Planet Hollywood Cancun for the five-day The Sands festival, where they’ll appear alongside fellow ’80s survivors Rick Springfield, Bret Michaels, The Fixx, Level 42, Lou Gramm and Ace Frehley.

And believe it or not, they’re even bigger virtually: The official video for “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide” has surpassed 6 million views on YouTube. In a further test of the hit’s enduring appeal, Chicago DJ Bob Stroud included it in his audience poll of the greatest one-two punches in music history—songs no listener or programmer would ever dare separate. The Kings landed at #1 on that list, above ubiquitous musical conjoined twins like “Living Loving Maid/Heartbreaker” by Led Zeppelin and even “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions by Queen.

Now, with “Nowhere to Go But Gone,” The Kings are back to prove there’s plenty more gas in their tank. More than four decades later, we’re all still “holding hands as David Diamond sings” (as they once sang on their haunting “Love Store”). To say this beat goes on is an understatement: Once the world switches to glide, apparently, it just never switches back.

###

 

Christmas in July

I'm thankful to be promoting superhero musicians and songwriters--most lately The Kings, Brian Tarquin, The String Revolution, Robeone, Jaclyn Bradley, The Bluestone Sisters, Tony Moore, Refestramus, Joe Deninzon.....  

First, here are some of my holiday songs--all of which I'd love you to consider.

Happy December Jaclyn Bradley  Affectionate singalong that mentions every big holiday: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Year’s into one song! 

Kwanzaa’s Pure Light Yocontalie Jackson & the Jennifer Tibbetts Singers  gospel, percussion, flugelhorns piano, mid-tempo, spoken word and singing, female leadsinger & teenage children choir describes what Kwanzaa is and how it's related to "our African past." celebrate community & words that rhyme like unity, responsibility   

Peace A Dream Robeone  (instrumental, multi keyboards, including acoustic piano and synthesizers, notably a moog. instrumental, slow and steady tempo, flowy, mystical, adventures music starting with a piano and then a range of electronic keyboards  

Tchatchkes Latkes  Rachael Sage She sings the ingredients in this festive ditty which sounds good late night/early morning. Gypsy Oom PahPah Waltz with festive instruments. “Onions Peppers Oy Gevalt!”  

This Christmas  The Kings Harmonic pop rock. Elvis Costello, Smithereens-y, celestial chimes.  the theme of the song is wishing for love for your family who is so far away and for strangers that are alone. Canadian Content.   

Auld Lang Syne Tony Moore  Gentle thoughtful, elderly British-sound voice, tenor,"we'll take a cup of kindness"  piano is lead instrument.  It builds into dramatic orchestral key change.

 Jody Quine & the Big Mr. C's recording of my song “Got My Eye on You, Santa” is a dream come true for me as writer.  It's perfect pop song inspired by 1960s girl groups and beloved Katrina and the Waves. 

 Brief updates on some of my artists.

 Jaclyn Bradley's new single, Hometown is live on streaming media. 

Robeone, who's been cheerleading for the Moogseum, is finding interviews about the Moogseum's 5th Anniversary and Bob Moog's 90th Birthday.  He's due an album, "Optimistica," late September on Transglobal Music/Orchard-Sony. Visit his new storefront at https://thebandwagonusa.com/collections/robeone. If you're in Asheville, Robert's got a storefront at the Moogseum at The Moogseum is at 56 Broadway Street, Asheville, NC 28801.  

Tony Moore's "Awake" is a one-man multi-media story with music and metaphors about being a caregiver for his mum, who was struggling with dementia during the pandemic. Iron Maiden's Steve Harris is one of his angels. He performed the show in Somerville, MA; Albany, NY; and New York City at The Cutting Room, and throughout the UK opening for Steve's band British Lion .  Here's the Trailer:  

The Kings' new album "The Longest Story Ever Told" is finding airplay, including on Voice of America, which interviewed the group this past week for Larry London's show, "Crossings." Their song "Nowhere to Go But Gone" is The Summer #RoadTrip Song! 

Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius signed a record deal with Trey Gunn's 7d Media (City Hall Distribution), which is home to the new Michael Shrieve album "Drums of Compassion."  Joe’s "Impostor!" album will be out on October 11 with the single "Outrage Olympics" out September 6.  Joe's available to record strings for your music. 

Refestramus, a stupendous prog rock band, helmed by Wizard/drummer/songwriter Derek Ferguson. ProgUK says the group's “Intourist” is “likeable, uplifting… a home-cooked slice of melody rich prog… the smile on its face is infectious.” The new single "Side Hustle" has a Jethro Tull flute sound, and is being promoted to radio by Powderfinger. 

I help with tour press for Grammy winning The String Revolution, who will be in Texas, Florida, California, Virginia before the end of 2024. Some of the dates will be opening slots for the California Guitar Trio, the others for Tommy Emmanuel, who shared the Grammy with TSR for "Folsom Prison Blues."  The group does its own music licensing, Check out their cover of Michael Jackson's "Billy Jean."

Brian Tarquin & Heavy Friends' "Beyond the Warrior’s Eyes" album is mainly fusion with collaborations with electric violinist Jean Luc Ponty and great guitarists including Robben Ford and Steve Morse. The final track on the album is a vocal by Phil Naro, “These Colors Don’t Run.” Flag patriotism. 

“Nowhere to Go But Gone” New Music Video by The Kings

(Animated and Fun Production in Time for Spring Break)

Today The Kings’ new music video, “Nowhere to Go But Gone” is officially out in support of spring break (March 11-April 8).  Watch the video with the message, “There is no trip like a road trip.”

Lead singer/bassist Dave Diamond says, “There’s nothing like the feeling of freedom driving in your old set of wheels with a couple of your best buds on spring break. Maybe somewhere out there you’ll meet the one of your dreams that feels exactly like you do, maybe not. But things always have a happy ending. That’s what spring break is about.  Partyitis all the way.”

“Nowhere to Go But Gone” picks up where their recent production, “Always Off the Deep End” left off with bandmates Diamond, keyboardist Sonny Keyes, drummer Todd Reynolds, and guitarist Mister Zero in animated settings relevant to the songs’ stories.

In the case of “Nowhere to Go But Gone,” the band’s taking an electrifying road trip throughout North America in a van. We see humorous connection with sites including the Pacific Coast Highway, Vancouver and even Mount Rushmore but with the band members instead of Presidents!  Plus the video features live performances of the band. Peter Grecco handles the creative production of the video animation and editing.  Visit grecco.ca.

Written by Diamond and Zero, “Nowhere to Go " is, according to Zero, “about a road trip as a way to take a break from a relationship that is getting stale.” It appears on the band’s new album, "The Longest Story Ever Told."

Rave and Roll’s Miss Sparker loves Diamond’s “purposely unique voice. There’s no question that you’re listening to a Kings track when David revs up his vocal cords. It’s kind of like being at a monster truck show and turning up the volume to eleven. This is especially the case on the tracks that really rock out, such as on ‘Nowhere to Go But Gone.’”

"The Longest Story Ever Told" is The Kings’ 7th studio album with ten tracks, that feature support from iconic music industry veterans handling the mixing console, including Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, Deep Purple), Terry Brown (RUSH). Garth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine) handles the mix on “Nowhere to Go But Gone.” 

Originally known as Whistleking, The Kings formed in Vancouver, British Columbia and Oakville, Ontario, Canada. In 1980, after signing with Elektra Records, The Kings released the Bob Ezrin produced, platinum selling album "The Kings Are Here." The single “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide” caught on all over North America, with huge airplay in every major market. It stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 for nearly six months, prompting an incendiary appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Now certified gold, “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide” was recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has received other accolades including the SOCAN Classic Award. The amazing video for it has over 5,700,000 views. 

Now, in 2024, The Kings, with their history of hits, over 2000 North American shows, and a devoted fan base, remain a hungry band with something to prove. "The Longest Story Ever Told" reaffirms their status as a rock band with songwriting depth. Writes Miss Sparker, “None of the lyrics are throwaway–the songs are well-written, relate to the crazy world-at-large, and draw the listener in by their relevance. If I’ve roused your interest, read up more on The Kings at their website, and definitely consider adding their music to your play list."

Holiday Music Christmas and New Years

Come On Christmas by Elliott Murphy: slow-mid tempo Christmas, holiday, male singer, acoustic slide guitar, mention of Santa's iPhone & It's a Wonderful Life. "Come on Christmas, bring us some good news for heaven's sake." modern, topical

First Day by Michael Veitch  gentle tempo, male tenor, acoustic guitars, and light background vocals and strings  "first day of a new year" a motivational song about a new life in the new year. simple and effective lyrics.  

New Lang Syne by  Dean Friedman    piano, harmonica, male voice.  reflective lyric about the end up the year with observations of champagne and drinking vessels and personal growth amongst the universe, love's affections & rejections 

 

A Christmas Song  Jack & Lara Hicks  father & daughter singalong,  some annoying things that grown men do like snore and sing off key with a sense of humor, laughter, bells, piano and guitar

Ave Maria Aeone / Stephen Melillo  gentle soft, new age voice, like Clannad, an alto Eva Cassidy with a classical orchestra.

 

This Christmas  The Kings Harmonic pop rock. Elvis Costello, Smithereens-y, celestial chimes.  the theme of the song is wishing for love for your family who is so far away and for strangers that are alone. Canadian Content. 

 

Love & Valentines (plus one fun Birthday song)

I Know So The Kings   Upbeat with influence of 1960s power pop, rock & roll beat with horns and rock and roll guitar, Hammond b3. Male vocals. Tempo like J. Geils "I Do" and Syndicate of Sound “Little Girl” "She wants me, I want you.  I know so!"   

According to the Plan Dan Berggren  mid to up tempo folk music, baritone male, acoustic guitar w/ picking, you can't plan love, for better or for worse.  according to the plan, keep your eyes wide open, lifelong love with ups and downs.  

Beautiful Dream  Jann Klose  Midtempo, orchestral pop, male vocals, violin solo hook: I don't want to wake up this beautiful dream. feeling predestined for true love & how good it feels.  (Contact: Royalty Network) 

Long Lost Ghosts Emily Hurd  Similar to Dolly Parton, literate writer, piano, full band, Traveling song, linen sheets, ghosts, “I have come for you because.”  Her repeating herself about various things in her experiences intensify the stories actions.  For instance—she sings "I gave you a kiss that I hoped would save your life, and it did."  OR “I thought you were all there was… and you were.”  They also move the story along.  

 

FI  The Slambovian Circus of Dreams  male vocal band, horns, Tom Petty meets John Denver meets Oasis! Cosmic love song with tempo like "Sunshine on My Shoulders." If I were any more high.  “FI” is pronounced “If I.” 

 slambovia.bandcamp.com/track/fi

You Are the Best Gunhill Road mid to uptempo, male vocals chamber pop band piano and Nilsson-like tempo of "everybody's talking" a song praising you "you are the best" & "I'm in love" both repeated. 

   Halos Robert Schindler  Instrumental   acoustic piano solo, flowy, midtempo  some gorgeous synths for background,rich, epic.   

Carry Across Jessie Galante  female vocals, Anthemic, upbeat gospel-y, "Honey, you carried a cross... I'll carry you across" soulful song about compassion and strength, any sex can sing 

soundcloud.com/leightonmedia/carry-across  

Just Another Birthday Song Dean Friedman music hall pop, tenor, fun jabs at the birthday boy during isolation, "give thanks that your dad wasn't shooting blanks." "thank your mom for pushing you out."   

 

  

Fall for the Holidays

SUDDENLY IT’S CHRISTMAS Slambovian Circus of Dreams  Joziah Longo's voice feels like Tom Petty meets Neil Diamond.  Majestic comforting light sleighbells, band, “Nat King Cole,” “Suddenly it's Christmas Have we lost another year.” Lightly lifts lyrics of “O’ Come All Ye Faithful” “O’ Holy.”

 

 TAKE A HOLIDAY  Emily Hurd  Intimate and lilting Allison Krauss voice, piano, waltz tempo, all the different images and upbeat attitudes about the holiday. Hymnals & Candlestick, condos & tenements  Let's take a holiday and give it a name. thoughtful transition

WONDERS Emily Hurd Wonders never cease, the glories and beauty of Christmas wrapped up with Chicago soul--horns and hammond B3  Christmas eve is the setting. Christmas bells understated.  Little children fast asleep  Balsam Tree. Tempo like James & Bobby Purify’s “I’m Your Puppet.”

 

THIS CHRISTMAS The Kings Harmonic pop rock. Elvis Costello, Smithereens-y, celestial chimes.  the theme of the song is wishing for love for your family who is so far away and for strangers that are alone. Canadian Content. 

AVE MARIA by Aeone classical, gentle and slow

 

CHRISTMAS TIME Jon Mullane Upbeat! About the joys of Christmas, and getting ready for it 

and happy new year from Tony Moore.  

Auld Lane Syne is sung by a tender tenor with

 the theme, "We'll take a cup of kindness."

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgmh1TkNO6k

 

The Kings: 40th Anniversary Celebration

 

It’s Been 40 Years Since The Kings Closed the Show at Heatwave & To Celebrate,

They’ve Got Unseen, Exclusive, Remastered Footage!

 

The Kings: Live at Heatwave is Set to Add to The Kings’ Already 7.3+ Million Streams Across Spotify & YouTube

August 2020 marks not one, not two, but three crown-worthy milestones in the land of Canada’s long-iconic band, The Kings:

1. 40 years ago this month, they released their Bob Ezrin produced debut album, The Kings Are Here on US major label Elektra Records.

 

2. That same month, their smash hit single “This Beat Goes On / Switchin’ to Glide” first entered the Billboard Hot 100.

 

3. And on August 23rd, 1980, The Kings closed the now-legendary Heatwave Festival, holding court alongside fellow rock royalty Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Nick Lowe and Rockpile, Teenage Head, the B-52’s, and more.

It’s that third one — their midnight appearance at the now-storied Toronto-area festival — produced by John Brower--that’s inspired the exclusive release of The Kings: Live at Heatwave, a 30-minute concert movie available on YouTube. 

“The Kings and Teenage Head were the only bands that gave permission to be filmed,” recalls founding member Dave Diamond. “As Teenage Head’s audio has disappeared, this is the only surviving, authentic, and original sync footage from that day.”

“It was digitally restored frame by frame from its 16mm color negative, and combined with authentic, remastered sound,” adds fellow founder Mister Zero. Sonny Keyes also chimes in: “The sound was recorded onsite by Comfort Sound’s Doug McClement on 8 track half inch analog tape and sounds amazing!”

 

“We’d worked hard and were ready for a gig like this," says drummer Max Styles.

The Heatwave Festival at Mosport Park turned heads from the onset between its high profile roster, ultimate crowd size, and that it sat at a cultural turning point in the evolution of new wave music. (It was also marred with some scandal, but… Aren’t they all?)

“For some reason, they didn’t film our whole 55 minute set,” Diamond muses. “But there’s almost half an hour here, and we’re very proud of it.”

Speaking of restored and remastered footage, The Kings’ video for “This Beat Goes On / Switchin’ to Glide” holds more than 4.1+ Million views on YouTube for good reason; it’s a digital masterpiece featuring more than 40 sources of live recordings that took upwards of 140 hours to edit together.

The single continues to hold four decades of knockout radio success, has stacked around ~ 2 Million streams on Spotify and counting, was named by the Toronto Star as the “#1 almost official song of Toronto,” and one of the “Top 100 U.S. Radio Programmers Picks of the Decade” by Album Network Magazine.

Also on the required syllabus in study of The Kings is their documentary, The Kings: Anatomy Of A One-Hit Wonder. “This is the film we made about our biggest hit,” the band says. “We felt it was something people who like ‘behind the scenes’ music films would like, and there is a lot of never heard before stories told in it about the writing, recording and performing of our best-known work.”

The documentary delves into the history of the band, the amount of diligent effort put in before getting their big break, and features the original lineup of Max Styles, Sonny Keyes, David Diamond and Mister Zero sharing personal memories with their trademark humor and honesty. “This documentary was over three years in the making. This is our story, told by us.”

That story is of a hard-working band hailing from Vancouver, BC and Oakville, ON that appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, was nominated for a JUNO Award, named ‘Most Promising Group’ by Cashbox Magazine, hit Platinum-selling status, and has released five studio albums, two live albums, a live DVD, an anthology, a documentary, and numerous hit singles — including “another rocking two-fer,” “Circle of Friends / Man That I Am.”  The 2018 single was somewhat like arriving full circle; it was mixed in Nashville by industry legend Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper, KISS), who also helmed the same role on their 1980’s debut, The Kings Are Here, and sophomore follow-up, Amazon Beach.

“We were originally known as WhistleKing,” Zero recalls. “We rehearsed, did club gigs, and wrote lots of songs for more than three years before we went into Nimbus 9 Studio in Toronto to record our first album.

“While we were there recording, Bob dropped by to visit and liked what he heard,” Diamond continues. “He agreed to mix the tracks we had done, but soon discovered that the whole thing needed to be re-done. He approached Elektra Records in Los Angeles with our tapes, and we were then signed to a worldwide deal.”

The Kings have continued to rock fans around the world through the release of archived footage and current releases and vlogs; their YouTube channel has a total stream stack of more than 4.5+ million.

This year, February 2020 saw the unveiling of The Lost Tapes of a Seventies Bar Band, a 17-track audio LP featuring live recordings from the Flamingo Lounge and an instalment of what has become The Kings’ Live Trilogy — including audio release Party Live in ’85 and DVD release No Covers: Live at O’Tooles Roadhouse.

And now August 2020 both celebrates and continues to cement the band’s 40 years of Canadian music legacy status with the release of The Kings: Live at Heatwave on their YouTube channel. 

"Switchin to Glide" w/ The Kings in NYC, January 19

 A Perfect ‘80s Night at Bowery Electric W/ the Band that Gave Us "Switchin' to Glide"/"This Beat Goes On"


The Kings return to New York City for a concert at Bowery Electric on January 19, at 6:30 pm. Bowery Electric is at 327 Bowery (next door to Joey Ramone Place), in New York City.

Tickets are $10 ADV with service fees/ $12 at the door.The Ticket Buy Link is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-kings-tickets-82294267369?aff=odwdwdspacecraft. The Facebook Event page is https://www.facebook.com/The-Kings-Are-Here-129367440437699/. The venue phone is 212-228-0228.The website is https://theboweryelectric.com.

The Kings last played New York City on September 11, 2011 to support survivors from Ground Zero. Originally known as WhistleKing, the group (made up of three members from Toronto, and one from British Columbia) formed in Vancouver, BC and Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

The Kings feature original members David Diamond (lead vocals, bass guitar, songwriter), Mister Zero (guitar and songwriter), and Peter Nunn (keyboards) who joined in 1994, and Todd Reynolds (drums) since 2009.  

While recording their first album at Nimbus 9 Studio in Toronto, world famous producer Bob (Pink Floyd) Ezrin dropped by to visit and checked the band out and liked what he heard. He agreed to mix the tracks The Kings had recorded but soon discovered that the whole thing needed to be re-done. He approached Elektra Records in Los Angeles with The Kings’ tapes and the unknown band was signed to a world-wide deal. Ezrin and The Kings re-record the songs for the album “The Kings Are Here."  

Radio picked up the infectious, 5:43 song “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ to Glide” and it caught on all over the USA and Canada with huge airplay in every major market, staying on the Billboard Hot 100 for six months. It was named one of the Top 100 U.S. Radio Programmers Picks of the Decade by Album Network Magazine and The Kings were named most promising group by Cashbox Magazine, and nominated for a Juno Award.

An amazing appearance on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand” helped spread the word as well. The album “The Kings Are Here” went gold in Canada, and since it was re-released on cd as “The Kings Are Here and More,” combined sales have passed platinum status.
The second Ezrin-produced Elektra effort “Amazon Beach” did not fare as well and the band left the label and signed with Capitol Canada which released “RSVP” which contains the holiday classic “This Christmas” which gets lots of airplay every yuletide season.

The next studio project was called “Unstoppable” and the title track reached the Top 10 in Canada.

Next came the studio album “Because of You,” which once again showed the depth and versatility of the songwriting from The Kings. After that came other different projects, “Anthology One” which is a collection of rare early unreleased tracks, and what has become The Kings amazing “Live Trilogy,” “The Lost Tapes of a Seventies Bar Band,” “Party Live in ’85,” both audio only, and the DVD “No Covers-Live at O’Tooles Roadhouse,” all of which document the energy of the band in concert. And also the great documentary about the band’s biggest hit: “Anatomy of a One-Hit Wonder” where the guys tell their own story with trademark candour and humour.

Earlier 2019, The Kings released a two-song segue, “Circle of Friends/Man That I Am” which has all the energy and feel-good hooks the band is known for, and mixed in Nashville by their champion Bob Ezrin.

In 2020 The Kings will release "Live at Heatwave" a half hour concert movie shot in 16mm film at the famous 1980 "Heatwave Festival" which was held at Mosport Racetrack near Toronto which featured Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, The Pretenders, the B-52's….  The Kings’ footage is the only surviving film from the event.  The lead-off single is a bodacious cover of the Beach Boys classic "California Girls."  

https://thekingsarehere.com/




L to R:  Peter Nunn, Todd Reynolds, David Diamond, Mister Zero.

The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary U.S. Tour, January 17-25

Leading World Music Band Returns to the USA to Kick Off 25 Year Celebration

The Gipsy Kings will be kicking off their 25th Anniversary in support of the group's new album SAVOR FLAMENCO on Knitting Factory Records, with dates starting on the East Coast in January 2014.  SAVOR FLAMENCO is the group's first new release in six years. The project marks The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary of their first U.S. Release, GIPSY KINGS in 1987.  It is also the first time in the group's storied career that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of their material.

Please stay tuned to the band's web site www.gipsykings.com for more show dates.

The group is conducting advance interviews on SKYPE for the 25th Anniversary Tour.  We will have a translator on hand because group members speak fluent French and minimal English.

Based on Camargue, the very famous land by the Mediterranean Sea, the Gipsy Kings are made up of two families--the Reyes family from Arles and the Baliardos from Montpellier.  The musical adventure of these two families started in the 1960s when Jose Reyes was singing with Manitas de Plata (Ricardo Baliardo) performing all around the world in theaters including Carnegie Hall in New York City. There is music by Manitas de Plata y Jose Reyes on youtube.  Their fans included Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Miles Davis and Charlie Chaplin.

When the duo parted ways, Jose Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, Los Reyes.  His sons backed him up.  When the elder Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Andre began playing with the Baliardo brothers in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer during the The Gypsy's Pilgrimage.  They traveled, busking nearby on the streets of Saint-Tropez, performing on beaches during the day and for celebrities such as Brigitte Bardot by night. "Los Reyes" means "The Kings," and the band changed their name to The Gipsy Kings.

The Gipsy Kings' musical style has been called "Rumba Flamenca" which allows The Gipsy Kings to combine traditional flamenco styles with Western Pop and Latin rhythms, Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic, reggae, jazz, and--of course--gypsy styles!

The band speaks French, and performs music in Spanish dialect of Gitane, the native Gipsy language, that is a mixture of Spanish, French, and Catalan.  The root of the Gitane culture is in the southern part of Spain that includes Seville and Granada. One of the economically depressed areas of Europe, this region has given the world flamenco music, bullfighting and Moorish-influenced Architecture.  The people in that area are known as "Gitanos,"  Spanish Romani people who fled Catalonia during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).  (The term "gitano" comes from "Egiptano," a Spanish term for "Egyptian" as the English word "Gypsy" comes from "Egyptian.")

The Gipsy Kings have sold over 25 million albums worldwide.

The Gipsy Kings' first U.S. album, GIPSY KINGS was released in the United States in 1987, and charted for 40 weeks. This 25 year old album has been certified gold or platinum in at least 15 countries.  The group is a multi-GRAMMY-nominated act.

The single from GIPSY KINGS was "Bamboleo," which was used in a Burger King commercial and recently covered on the TV show, GLEE.

The Gipsy Kings' "Hotel California" is in the movie, THE BIG LEBOWSKI and HBO series ENTOURAGE. 

The 2010 film TOY STORY 3 featured a Gipsy Kings version of the movie's popular, Randy Newman-penned theme, "You've Got a Friend in Me."  The band also performed the song on DANCING WITH THE STARS.

PBS filmed a documentary about The Gipsy Kings called TIERRA GITANA.   

CONFIRMED GIPSY KINGS TOUR DATES JANUARY 2014

FRI 17 Atlantic City, NJ - Revel  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
SAT 18  Mashantucket, CT - Foxwoods  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15, 10 am)
SUN 19 New Brunswick, NJ - State Theatre  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
MON 20 Alexandria, VA - Birchmere  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 12 noon)
WED 22 Northampton, MA - Calvin Theater  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 15 at 10 am)
THU 23 Lynn, MA - Lynn Auditorium (Tickets on sale: Nov. 14 at 10 am)
FRI 24 NYC - City Winery  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at  3 pm)
SAT 25 NYC - City Winery  (Tickets on sale: Nov. 21 at  3 pm)


This video is a short documentary on The Gipsy Kings' 25th Anniversary.  It has subtitles.