The Cadillac Kings

The Cadillac Kings are a UK swing-blues group formed in London in 2000. The line-up is drawn from experienced musicians with backgrounds in the James Hunter Band, Otis Grand’s band, Paul Lamb’s Kingsnakes and Big Joe Louis’ band. The founder member is vocalist and songwriter Mike Thomas, who writes most of the group’s material, blending 1940s and 1950s rhythm and blues with contemporary humour.

Style and reputation

The group play swing blues, jump-jive, harmonica blues and related roots styles, with a live approach that places emphasis on musicianship and performance. They become regular favourites on blues and jump-jive scenes and tour across the UK, Europe and Scandinavia, appearing in clubs, arts centres, dance halls and major festivals. The band also perform with four individual vocalists and feature guitarist Mal Barclay, described as a west coast-style guitarist.

Early releases and recognition

Six months after forming, The Cadillac Kings release their debut CD, Lou Ann. The record receives radio play around the world and makes the shortlist for the 2001 UK best new blues band awards. Their second CD, Highway 17, appears in 2004 on the UK jazz and roots label 33 Records and is included by The Times among its top 24 releases of the year, where it is also named best blues CD.

Later albums and live work

In 2009 the band release Trouble in Store, which attracts strong reviews in the UK and North America and is named best non-American blues album of the year by Canada’s Real Blues. Their first official live CD, Gonna Tell Your Momma, follows in 2012 and is recorded in Hamar, Norway by Rune Halland. The album is noted for capturing the energy of the group’s live show.

Broadcasts and major appearances

Following wide radio airplay, the band appear in live sessions for BBC radio, Norwegian television and Dutch radio. They also open shows for artists including Lazy Lester, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza, Magic Slim, Lil’ Ed & His Blues Imperials, Louisiana Red, John Mayall, Larry Garner, Nappy Brown, Little Feat and Delbert McClinton. Notable live dates include a lunchtime concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall during the 2010 Proms season and a co-headlining appearance at the Bliuzo Naktys Festival in Lithuania, where they play to more than 15,000 people.