Geraint Watkins

Wikipedia

Watkins was born in Abertridwr, near Caerphilly, Wales.

The 1980s and beyond found Watkins playing accordion and piano with The Balham Alligators, a band that has helped to keep the music of Louisiana alive in London's pubs, of which he is a founding member.

After time in the early 1970s at Portsmouth Art College, he returned to Cardiff and played with Red Beans And Rice and Juice on the Loose. The band, Red Beans And Rice, attracted attention and moved to London to further their career. When they disbanded Watkins played solo performances in London's pubs and with various bands, such as Southside United (with which he recorded an album), the Cable Layers, Klondike Pete and the Huskies, the band of Southend's, Micky Jupp on the 'Be Stiff Route 78' tour. He went on to record an album, Geraint Watkins & The Dominators (1979), produced by Andy Fairweather Low. Session work followed: recording and/or performing with Dr. Feelgood, Rory Gallagher, Andy Fairweather-Low, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Blues Band, Box of Frogs, The Stray Cats, Carl Perkins and Eric Clapton amongst others.

Route 55 now has a patron saint as well as an anthem. A new Welsh Born Icon is also inducted.

Easy to say "Bon temps rouler."

ROCKIN' THE CLAUDE HOTEL CARDIFF - RED BEANS AND RICE. Be still my beating heart.