Ken Gamby
Encyclopedia
Ken Gamby was the drummer for The Fixations
from 1977 to 1980. Originally joining the band in 1975 with a new new kit, new haircut, new scooter, new everything! He left the band temporarily during a period when the line-up was incomplete and joined a mod trio called Relay who played a number of school discos and pubs around Islington.
In 1977, following a Relay gig, Paul Cattini was spurred on to find a bass player and complete the line-up for The Fixations. Ken was explosive on stage, and often explosive off stage too. Between Gamby, Cattini and Sharp a gig was rarely finished without the sacrifice of some not-yet-paid-for equipment; expensive but immense fun.
Considered by many to be the soul of the band, he would often finish the set by trashing his kit in an aggressive and usually alcohol fuelled frenzy.
After leaving the band Ken went on to breed a new generation of Mods! His son Martin plays drums for Blind Hands. Having gained control of his drinking and his life, Ken now plays congas at Green Street Green Baptist Church and runs drum workshops for people with disabilities, working with organisations such as Bromley Mencap, CASPA and Leonard Cheshire Homes.
Ken had a mention in the mod fanzine Maximum Speed.
The Fixations
The Fixations were a mod revival band from North London that formed in 1978. An early incarnation of the band, including Ken Gamby , Paul Cathcart , Paul Cattini and Noel Hughes started in summer 1976. The line-up changed in 1978 with Richard Sharp joining the band on rhythm guitar...
from 1977 to 1980. Originally joining the band in 1975 with a new new kit, new haircut, new scooter, new everything! He left the band temporarily during a period when the line-up was incomplete and joined a mod trio called Relay who played a number of school discos and pubs around Islington.
In 1977, following a Relay gig, Paul Cattini was spurred on to find a bass player and complete the line-up for The Fixations. Ken was explosive on stage, and often explosive off stage too. Between Gamby, Cattini and Sharp a gig was rarely finished without the sacrifice of some not-yet-paid-for equipment; expensive but immense fun.
Considered by many to be the soul of the band, he would often finish the set by trashing his kit in an aggressive and usually alcohol fuelled frenzy.
After leaving the band Ken went on to breed a new generation of Mods! His son Martin plays drums for Blind Hands. Having gained control of his drinking and his life, Ken now plays congas at Green Street Green Baptist Church and runs drum workshops for people with disabilities, working with organisations such as Bromley Mencap, CASPA and Leonard Cheshire Homes.
Ken had a mention in the mod fanzine Maximum Speed.
Sources
- http://www.boredteenagers.co.uk/FIXATIONS.htm
- http://groups.msn.com/MARCHOFTHEMODS/thefixations.msnw
- http://www.recordcollectormag.com/reviews/review-detail/3091
- http://www.purplehearts.freeola.net/sounds_mar_79_article.htm
- http://www.thechords.co.uk/biography/biog03.htm