Jump to content

Commander Cody has passed on


mellon

Recommended Posts

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Resident music legend George Frayne, leader of the band Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, passed away in Saratoga Springs at age 77 on Sunday, September 29. His high-energy music and countless local concerts left a legacy.

“Hot Rod Lincoln” hit number 9 on the Billboard hot 100 in 1972. The rockabilly cover featured the eight-member band with Frayne on vocals and the keys.

Frayne assembled Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen in 1967 in Michigan. The band moved to California and released their first album in 1971.

They opened for big names like Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, and the Grateful Dead. Although the band disassembled in 1976, Frayne played under the name Commander Cody throughout his life.

NEWS10’s Stephanie Rivas spoke with Steve Barbuto, who joined Frayne’s band as a drummer in 1997.

“The king of the boogie-woogie. No doubt,” Barbuto said. “While his right hand was soloing, he had that left-hand boogie-woogie bass thing going that not a lot of people can do these days.”

The band was never in one category, in a genre most can’t put their finger on. Some say it’s rock others say country or somewhere in between.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...