Rocket 88

There is more than one band using the name Rocket 88: 1) a British boogie-woogie band formed in the late 1970s 2) an American rockabilly and rock 'n' roll band formed in the early 1990s 1) Rocket 88 was the name of a British boogie-woogie band formed in the late 1970s by Ian Stewart, Charlie Watts, Alexis Korner and Dick Morrissey. The continuation of an ad hoc band (called the Boogie Woogie Big Band) formed by Stewart, Watts and Bob Hall, George Green, Colin Smith, and John Picard...

1) a British boogie-woogie band formed in the late 1970s
2) an American rockabilly and rock 'n' roll band formed in the early 1990s

1) Rocket 88 was the name of a British boogie-woogie band formed in the late 1970s by Ian Stewart, Charlie Watts, Alexis Korner and Dick Morrissey. The continuation of an ad hoc band (called the Boogie Woogie Big Band) formed by Stewart, Watts and Bob Hall, George Green, Colin Smith, and John Picard, the band featured many top British musicians from different backgrounds who would meet up whenever possible during the late 1970s and early 80s for what was in effect an ongoing jam session. Other "regular" members of the band included the above-mentioned founding members, plus Jack Bruce, Danny Adler, Don Weller, Colin Hodgkinson, Zoot Money, Chris Farlowe, Hal Singer, Mickey Waller, Pete York, Dave Markee, Harvey Weston, Charlie Hart, Willie Garnett and Malcom Everson.
The band recorded a live album, Rocket 88 at the Rotation Club, Hanover, while on tour in Germany, in November 1979. It was released in March 1981 on the Atlantic Records label (SD 19293). Ian Stewart wrote the sleeve notes on the back cover of the album, giving not only a brief history of the band, but also an interesting history of boogie woogie and rock 'n' roll in general

2) Florida's legendary band Rocket 88 originally formed in Orlando in 1992. The band consists of vocalist Michael Bales, guitarist Marko Zayas, bassist Chuck Zayas, drummer Steve Plotnick, and pianist Terry Mooney. In 1994 the band released a four song EP, Mission to Mars, which received favorable reviews from national publications, such as Alternative Press and Blue Suede News. Two songs from the EP were featured on a compilation CD of American rockabilly, Stateside Rockabilly, released by NV Records and distributed throughout Europe and Japan. The following year, the band released its 15 song CD, Rock Around, which also received numerous favorable reviews. Selected by Florida's JAM Magazine, the CD won the annual Jammy Award for the "State's Best Independent Release". Furthermore, Rocket 88 also received a "Best Band" Jammy Award. Over the years, in addition to garnering many local music awards, Rocket 88's eccentric performances on stage have become notorious. The band has performed at some of the most prominent venues in the U.S., including The Windows on the World, The Roxy, and The Supper Club in New York City; The Aragon Ballroom and The Liquid in Chicago; Clutch Cargo in Detroit; and several national House of Blues. In addition, they have performed with such national veteran musical acts as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Cramps, Southern Culture on the Skids, Reverend Horton Heat, Sleepy LaBeef, Dick Dale, Royal Crown Revue as well as many others. 2005 marked the release of Rocket 88's new CD, Alien Attack, which exemplifies the band's talent for juxtaposing vintage rockabilly with outer spaced themes. The CD features ten original, wigged-out "B movie" influenced tunes with a harder-edged sound. Their rockin' high energy stage shows are guaranteed to put a bop in your socks and a shakin' in your shoes. So strap yourselves in, Daddy-O's and Lil' Mamas--you're goin' into orbit with Rocket 88.