Kracker
Encyclopedia
Kracker were an American
rock
band active in the 1970s.
in 1972. Their second album, Kracker Brand, was produced and released the next year on ABC Dunhill.
In early 1973, Mick Jagger
and Keith Richards
developed an interest in Kracker, resulting in a deal whereby the band's second album was licensed for distribution outside America by Rolling Stones Records
, making Kracker the first band on that label. The association with the Rolling Stones continued when later that year Kracker moved to London and toured Europe as the opening act for the Rolling Stones. During their career, Kracker also toured with other notable acts, including Chuck Berry
, Sly and the Family Stone, J Geils Band, Lou Reed
, Styx
, Cheap Trick
, and REO Speed Wagon
.
In 1976, Kracker was signed by TK Records
, and the group recorded their third and final album, Hot, which was a compilation of dance-oriented rock.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band active in the 1970s.
Biography
The band was originally formed in South Florida in 1970, but moved to Chicago in April 1971, where they were introduced to producer Jimmy Miller. With Miller, they recorded their first album, La Familia, which was released on ABC DunhillDunhill Records
Dunhill Records was started by Lou Adler, Al Bennett, Pierre Cossette and Bobby Roberts in 1964 as Dunhill Productions, originally for the purpose of releasing Johnny Rivers recordings on Imperial Records. It became a record label in 1965 and was distributed by ABC Records...
in 1972. Their second album, Kracker Brand, was produced and released the next year on ABC Dunhill.
In early 1973, Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
and Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
developed an interest in Kracker, resulting in a deal whereby the band's second album was licensed for distribution outside America by Rolling Stones Records
Rolling Stones Records
Rolling Stones Records is the record label formed by The Rolling Stones members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman in 1970, after their recording contract with Decca Records expired. They were first distributed in the United States by Atlantic Records subsidiary...
, making Kracker the first band on that label. The association with the Rolling Stones continued when later that year Kracker moved to London and toured Europe as the opening act for the Rolling Stones. During their career, Kracker also toured with other notable acts, including Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
, Sly and the Family Stone, J Geils Band, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
, Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
, and REO Speed Wagon
REO Speed Wagon
The REO Speed Wagon was a light motor truck manufactured by REO Motor Car Company. It was an ancestor of the pickup truck....
.
In 1976, Kracker was signed by TK Records
TK Records
TK Records was an American record label started by record distributor, Henry Stone in Miami, Florida, one of several labels that he founded in the 1960s and 1970s...
, and the group recorded their third and final album, Hot, which was a compilation of dance-oriented rock.
Members
- Victor Angulo - Guitar, Vocals
- Art Casado - Drums, Vocals
- Carl Driggs - Lead vocals, Percussion
- Chuck Francour - Lead vocals, Keyboards
- Carlos Garcia - Bass, Vocals
Discography
- La Familia (1972, ABC Dunhill)
- Kracker Brand (1973, ABC Dunhill/Rolling Stones Records)
- Hot (1976, TK Records)