Drummer #29 - Allyn Robinson- Wayne Cochran CC Riders - Jaco Pastorious
100 Drummers I’ve seen and heard in my lifetime
Drummer # 29
Allyn Robinson
I think this will be my final (1972) period remembrance of drummers I’ve seen in my lifetime. (Maybe not) My time spent working and performing in the Saint Petersburg area was productive. The musicians I played with were all very high quality. They were seasoned professionals with more experience and regular employment than I had. Most of them were in long standing groups with booking agents or managers.
Looking back, it’s amazing that a musician could make a living working a nightclub 5-6 nights a week. (Most bands were 4-piece rhythm sections. Some had horn players or a front man singer/vocalist)
My gigs were in groups with all of the above. I’ve written about my first gig (1969) in Saint Petersburg with Vic Waters and Don Gregory at the Blue Room. In 1972, I was again at the Blue Room with Don Gregory. The Blue Room and The Office were two of the most popular nightclubs in the area.
The band worked 5 or 6 nights a week. On our night off, usually Sunday night, the club would occasionally book special artist.
Wayne Cochran and The CC Riders would be performing (One Night Only) at The Blue Room.
I’d heard about Wayne Cochran and his band. My experience had included working with “Blue Eyed Soul” singers. Vic Waters and Don Gregory. Wayne Cochran (1939-2017) was sometimes referred to as The White Knight of Soul.
Wayne Cochran gained early recognition for writing the tune Last Kiss. J. Frank Wilson had a radio record hit when it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
Cochran also had a signature recording called “Goin Back To Miami” Cochran performed in South Florida, including The Jackie Gleason Show.
Before Wayne Cochran and his group played at The Blue Room, there was folklore about the bass player. His name was Jaco Pastorious. (1951-1987)
I was at the club when the tour bus arrived and the band set up. That was the first time I’d seen a real professional travelling road group with a bus.
Playing drums in the rhythm section with Jaco was Allyn Robinson. Documentation shows that he was on that gig for many years. He played great. Wayne Cochran brought everything he was famous for. He had the pompadour hairstyle and outfit.
His band included a tight horn section. The economics of the nightclub music business was still influenced from the success of Blood Sweat & Tears and Chicago. (aka) Chicago Transit Authority
There are several Youtube videos with Wayne Cochran and The CC Riders. Quentin Tarantino used a version of Cochran’s song ‘I Can’t Turn You Loose” in his film, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Wayne Cochran retired from music to become an evangelist minister in Miami, Florida.