Duke and the Drivers
As many a ’70s-era Boston-area music fan will be quick to point out, the most fun, hardest rocking party/bar band around was Duke and the Drivers. They were a favorite of club owners because they had a loyal following that was only too willing to travel, and they got people up and dancing from The Western Front in Cambridge to Sandy’s Jazz Revival in Beverly.
Conceived in the fevered brain of the near-mythical Duke, members of The Drivers were recruited from as far away as Del Ray Beach, Florida and as nearby as Duxbury, Massachusetts, inspired in their musical mission by the Duke himself. Though rarely seen on stage (or anywhere else in public), he encouraged his protégés from afar, often by way of messages sent in empty candygrams. He always promised he would be at the next gig, but somehow something always got in the way. That was simply how it was with the reclusive genius.
The Duke even gave the band members their stage names. Keyboardist Tom Swift became “The Mad Mississippi Buffalo,” rhythm guitarist Henry Eaton was “Cadillac Jack,” bassist Greg Morton was “Earthquake,” drummer Danny McGrath was “Dr. Feelgood Funk” and harmonicist-percussionist Ando Hixon was “Rhinestone Mudflaps III” (unless he was honking on sax, when he became “Felonious Monk”). Only Joe Lilly, the Duke’s Earthly representative and, as such, the band’s leader, lead guitarist and lead singer was allowed to use his given name (though he occasionally slipped into disguise as “Sam Deluxe”).
Gut-bucket rhythm and blues was Duke and The Drivers’ specialty. They played a mix of originals and inspired covers of underappreciated bands, especially Southern ones, and their energy was infectious; it was obvious they loved what they were doing and that the Duke had schooled them well. With his searing, inventive lead guitar parts and vocals filled with what sounded like the gravel taken from the crossroads where Robert Johnson made his satanic deal, Lilly had a sort of propulsive energy that made The Drivers’ brand of rock ‘n’ roll absolutely irresistible.
But the other Drivers were fully on board as well, each taking their craft very seriously while respecting their audiences. Their multi-part harmonies and rocking instrumental backing provided Lilly an acoustical atmosphere in which he could shine and shine he did, as did the whole band, giving audiences high quality and unforgettable fun. They cut some great albums, too, but it was always about the live show for Duke and The Drivers.
The guys in the band are much older now, as is the Duke. Some are lawyers, one is a chef and others do other things, but they have the good sense to regroup now and again just to show they still have it. Duke and the Drivers remain, the essence of Boston rock: music for dancing, drinking and good times.
(by Fred Johanson)
