Franky Dell Rio

History



1987
The first band: Shakey & The Hunting Tones
Members: Jochen Donny (vocals), Luc Houben (guitar), Filip Casteels (drums), Eric Verberdt (guitar), Koen Verbeek (keyboard).
After the first gig Jochen leaves and Koen becomes singer.

1988
Jesus Likes Peppermint
Koen Verbeek (vocals), Luc Houben (rhythm guitar), Walter Raeymaekers (keyboard), Filip Casteels (drums).
They never get out of the rehearsal room, but it’s during these rehearsals that Koen starts playing drums, and Filip starts playing guitar.

1989
Koen (drums) and Filip (guitar) start up The Crawlin' Kingsnake Rhythm & Blues Band. Koen only lasts a few rehearsals. The rest of the band only a few months.

1990
Allemaal Beestjes.
Koen tries to get a band together in a De Nieuwe Snaar vein, but never finds the right members. They never get out of the rehearsal room.

1991
The Grasshoppers.
Members: Bart Wallenus (vocals), Filip Casteels (guitar), Hans Peeters (guitar), Luc Houben (double bass), Koen Verbeek (Drums).
They split up after only one gig.
The Crawlin' Kingsnake Rhythm & Blues Band (Part 2)
Members: Filip Casteels (vocals/guitar), Stefaan Hackelbracht (bluesharp), Luc Houben (double bass), Koen Verbeek (drums)
This was the first band ever to have a bit of success. At one time they had two gigs on one day. Quite an event at the time.

1992
The Mississippi Cotton Pickers. (later changed to Big Trouble)
Members: Filip Casteels (vocals/guitar), Werner "Big Brad" Braito (bluesharp), Peter Veekmans (piano), Ronny Wouters (double bass), Koen Verbeek (drums)
One by one all of the members got replaced.

June
Tiny Tinne & The Texas Jumpers.
Members: Martine Van Hoof (vocals), Ruben Block (guitar), Alain Van den Brande (double bass), Koen Verbeek (drums)
The Shuttlecocks, a well-known Flemish Rockabilly band, ask Koen to replace their drummer for one gig.

July
The Texas Jumpers do their first gig in Leuven. After the gig Koen is fired, being replaced by Alain (who is orriginally a drummer). Ronny Wouters takes over the bass.

September
Ronny leaves The Texas Jumpers again, and Koen is asked to rejoin.

November
The Texas Jumpers change their name to Sin Alley. Their style changes from "happy-go-lucky" Rockabilly to Desperate Rock'n'Roll.

December
The Shuttlecocks play their final gig at the Flamin’ Rock Festival in Turnhout (B), with Koen on drums.

1994
January
Sin Alley records a demo tape, produced by Seatsniffer Walter Broes. They record 9 songs, among which "I Need A Man", "Rockin’ In The Graveyard", "Let’s Dance", "A Dog Named Zach" and "Cheat On Me", at the Lime-House Studio in Kortrijk (B).

April
Sin Alley's debut EP "Let's Dance" is released. The 7" contains 3 songs from the demo tape. At the same time, a compilation EP is released with another song from the demo tape on it.

May
Sin Alley plays at the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender (UK), sharing the bill with amongst others Wanda Jackson and The Sun Rhythm Section. The start of a whole series of international gigs.

June
The first Rock'n'Roll Calendar is released, a magazine of which Koen is chief editor.

September
Lovesteaks
Members: Berry Hoogveldt (guitar), Bart "Bartman" Geevers (bass), Richard Schuurs (drums), Koen Verbeek (vocals)

1995
January
Sin Alley's debut CD is released on the Dutch Count Orlok label. A few months later the vinyl version is released by Nitro! Records.

February
Sin Alley is featured in "Roxy", a hip music show on the brand new TV station VT4.
They also play as support act for The Cramps at the Luna Theater in Brussels. They are being filmed for later use in the Dutch TV program "Loladamusica".

March
Koen leaves Sin Alley and is replaced by Batmobile's Johnny Zuidhof.
Koen imediately starts up a new Rockabilly band with Wan De Brabander, Joris Govers and Clark Kenis, a band that carries the work title "Big Boy Blubber & His Fine Young Skelletones, and will later evolve into Los Fabulous Frankies.

April
Sin Alley is featured in "Loladamusica", a reknowned Dutch TV program.

June
Lovesteaks record a 6 song demo ("Inside Marilyn", "6 Feet Underground", "Mad Man", "Bad Bitch Baby", "Higher" and "Dominic’s Secret"), produced by Walter Broes at Pop-Ei Studio in Eindhoven (NL).

July
Richard leaves Lovesteaks. Koen takes over the drums, and Jaap "J.J." Slyk joins the band as a singer.

August
Koen's voice turns out not to be fit for the Rockabilly genre, and Franky De Block is asked to join The Fine Young Skelletones as a singer. Koen now plays rhythm guitar. They change their name to Frantic Franky’s Capital Punishment.

September
Capital Punishment is joined by another guitarist, Steven Janssens. Koen now plays the drums, together with Joris, but after a while he does only percussion.

December
The Five Somethings.
Members: Bart Wallenus (vocals), Wan De Brabander (guitar), Ronnie Wouters (Bluesharp), Clark Kenis (double bass), Koen Verbeek (drums). They only perform twice.
On New Year's Eve Frantic Franky's Capital Punishment makes its first appearance at the "Democrazy" in Ghent (B), during the "Good Taste Rock'n'Roll Revue", featuring also The Who-Dads, The 50 Ft Combo, Fabian, and more.

1996
March
On March 29 they do their first show as The Fabulous Frankies at the birthdayparty of their good friend Luk Timmermans in Vosselaar (B). Also on the bill are The Seatsniffers. This gig also marks the first appearance of the ponchos and sombreros.

July
Steven decides to concentrate on The Who-Dads, and leaves The Frankies.

August
Steven got replaced by Kasper De Vos. Kasper's first gig is in Herent (B) on August 10, only two weeks after Steven has quit.
Koen joins Runnin' Wild.
Members: Patrick Ouchène (vocals/guitar), Kasper De Vos (guitar), Ben Aïssa (double bass), Koen Verbeek (drums).

September
Koen leaves Lovesteaks.


November
Also Kasper decides to concentrate on his other band, Runnin' Wild, and leaves the Frankies again.

December
Replacement is found in saxophonist Dries Van Hooydonck.

1997
March
Dries' first gig takes place at "De Blauwe Kater" in Leuven (B).
From then on the band is on a roll. They change their name to "Los Fabulous Frankies" and that year they play almost once a week.
The last Rock'n'Roll Calendar is released. Koen decides to quit due to lack of time.

June
Kasper leaves Runnin' Wild and is replaced by J.P. "Bull" Haye.

July
Koen also leaves Runnin' Wild.

November
Los Fabulous Frankies record a demo at the Lime-House Studio in Kortrijk under the Supervision of Walter Broes. They record 11 songs ("Honey Bunn", "I Don’t Love You No More", "Crawdad Hole", "Alexandria", "Cielito Lindo", "Wild Women", "The Wild Wan", "Come On", "I’m On Fire", "I’m In Love" and "Mean Litte Mama"). Only 6 of them are actually used on the definitive demo.

December
The Frankies Demo gets good critics in all kinda media, from leading radio-programs (Roots 66, ...) to important music magazines (Rif Raf, ...).

1998
January
By this time, Los Fabulous Frankies are playing almost two times a week.

March
Bull got badly hurt in a car accident, so Koen is asked back by Runnin' Wild to fill in while he's recuperating.

May
Bull returns, Koen stays, and they tour Scandinavia.
Koen fills in with Sèbi Lee, something he’ll keep on doing regularily from then on.

August
Dries announces he cannot keep up this pace, and decides to withdraw himself from the Frankies. They start looking for a replacement, but since it's not found immediately they decide to do lesser gigs in the future, in order to keep Dries in the band.
Runnin' Wild records two songs ("Everybody’s Got A Date But Me" and "My Heart") for a "Tribute To Gene Vincent" compilation CD. The recordings take place at Bull’s place, using a 4-track tape-recorder.

September
Wan starts a new band with harp player Wim De Vos, aka Howlin’ Bill. Koen, Clark and Joris also join the band, that from now on is called Greaseball.

December
Bull leaves Runnin’ Wild again. The rest of the band records five new songs ("Killer Taco Stomp", "Here Comes Johnny", Something’s Gotta Give", "Blue Mercury" and "That’s Your Daddy Yaddy Yo") at Marc François’ BSB Studio. The recordings are used as a demo to send to some record companies.
Wim leaves Greaseball.

1999
May
Los Fabulous Frankies are offered a CD deal by the German Part label. Dries concludes this will mean more gigs, and decides to quit definitely. The band can persuade him to still play along on the record.
This means the end of Greaseball. Several songs of their repertoire, such as "Gotta Be Free", get adapted by the Frankies.

August
Rock Therapy Magazine releases the compilation CD "I Sure Miss… Gene Vincent".
Los Fabulous Frankies record a CD at the Tobacco Sunrise Studio in Wespelaar, produced by Filip Casteels and Jan Ieven of El Fish. They record 15 songs ("Gotta Be Free", "Cotton Pickin’", "Goin’ Down To Tijuana", "I’m In Love", "Honey Bunn", "Come On", "My Baby Sez", "I Don’t Love You No More", "Help Me Make It Through The Night", "Nobody’s Guy", "Marie Marie", "Ain’t Got No Home", "He Lied To Me", "The Wild Wan" and "El Cuckarocko").

October
The Frankies CD is released on the same weekend they play the Hemsby Rock’n’Roll Weekender, where they play top of the bill on Saturday night, right after Rocky Burnette (son of Johnny) and Paul Burlison.
On October 29 Dries plays his last concert at JH "De Nok" in Vosselaar (B). The band, now a quintet, gets help from pianist Sébi Lee for a few concerts.

December
The Spanish El Toro Records releases a promo single to announce the 10" LP that will follow the next year. The single contains "Killer Taco Stomp", sung by Koen, and "Here Comes Johnny", sung by Patrick.
Runnin' Wild is asked by Belgian chansonier Guido Belcanto to accompany him in the studio. They record "Sommige Mensen" and a cover of "That’s All Right Mama" at the BSB Studio in Brussels.


2000
January
EMI releases a "Best Of" CD by Guido Belcanto, which includes his new recordings made with Runnin' Wild.

March
Hètten Dès.
Members: Koen Verbeek (vocals/guitar), Luc Timmermans (double Bass), J.P. "Bull" Haye (guitar), Patrick Rigolle (drums).
This band is actually Koen's project he's been thinking about for years. The original idea is to mix Johnny Cash and Flaco Jimenez with The Ramones and Alabama 3.

April
After three years The Rock'n'Roll Calendar makes a fresh start On April 1st.
El Toro Records releases the 10" LP "Lover Not A Fighter".
"Sommige Mensen", the brand new Guido Belcanto single that was supposed to promote the "Best Of"-CD, is banned from the radio beause it sounds too aggressive and not commercial enough.

May
Runnin' Wild plays at the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender(UK), sharing the bill with Ronnie Dawson and The Olympics.
The day after this festival Koen gets operated on his back, in order to get rid of the hernia that's been bugging him for over two years now.

June
Los Fabulous Frankies joined by mouthharp player Eric Nobels. His first gig takes place on June 11 in Arendonk (B), which is also the fist gig Koen did after his spinal operation.

August
Hètten Dès starts rehearsing again after the break forced on them by Koen's operation. Patrick Rigolle gets replaced by Davy Dekmijn and Bull gets replaced by Sam Malec.

September
Koen decides to leave Los Fabulous Frankies due to the well known musicians disease "musical differences". He does however finish all booked gigs till the end of the year.
In the meantime he fills in with Benvis & His Rockets, who recently saw their drummer leave.

2001
January
Donkey Diesel.
Members: Gunter Nagels (accordeon/vocals), Koen Verbeek (drums/backings), Kasper De Vos (guitars), Luc Houben (double bass), Tim Mouling (percussion).

April
Koen replaces The Blue Chevys’ drummer on a few concerts.

May
Koen replaces The Mighty Gordinis’ drummer on their German tour.

August
Hètten Dès plays its first concert at "El Metteco" in Brussels on August 5. After the concert Lenn decides to leave the band, and is replaced by Marc Spreckley. Gerry Scheys joins the band on drums, leaving Koen to playing rhythm guitar again.

September
Gerry leaves Hètten Dès again, being replaced by Marc (who originally is a drummer), and Ronny Wouters joins the band on bass.


October
Koen leaves Benvis & His Rockets.
Tim leaves Donkey Diesel, followed by Luc. Luc is replaced by Bruno Melon. Gregor Engelen joins the band on trumpet.

November
Now it’s Marc’s turn to leave Hètten Dès, being replaced by Peter Claessens.

December
Hètten Dès plays the Hullabaloo Festival in Leefdaal, with once again Koen on drums, as Peter is not yet ready to play live.

2002
February
Hètten Dès records a demo CD.
Line-up: Koen Verbeek (vocals, rhythm guitar), Sam Malek (guitar), Ronny Wouters (double bass), Peter Claessens (drums).
They record 6 songs ("Never Hold You", "Ace Of Spades", "Get Rid Of You", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Sea Of Heartbreak" and "The Devil In Mrs. Jones"). Only the first 3 songs appear on the demo CD.

June
Donkey Diesel is joined by sax-player Enrique Noviello.

July
Hètten Dès plays the Sjock Festival in Gierle on July 14, after which the band finally starts gigging regularly.
The same weekend Donkey Diesel records 4 songs ("Desert Blues", "Just Trying", "Josephat, The Rattle Saint" and "A Wiggly Bap-tease"), produced by DAAU’s Simon Lenski and Han Stubbe.

November
Donkey Diesel records another 5 songs ("I Broke Every Heart I Ever Stole", "I’m A Punk In The Army Of The Lord", "Bistro Belle", "Hoboken Bounce" and "Mr. P.C."), once again produced by DAAU’s Simon Lenski and Han Stubbe.

2003
January
Runnin' Wild records 2 songs ("Everything’s Allright" and a Bluegrass/Cajun version of Rockabilly classic "I’ve Got Another Love") at Mario Mattucci’s home studio. The first one will end up on the Boppin’ Around compilation CD.

February
Runnin' Wild records 10 songs (Buddy Holly’s "Love Me", Billy Lee Riley’s "Trouble Bound", Johnny Cash’s "Beans For Breakfast", Dorsey Burnette’s "Gypsy Love", "I’ve Got Another Love", and 4 self-penned songs: "Everything’s Allright", "I Dig Nylons", "The Burger Bop" and "Bad Day") at Marc François’ BSB studios in Brussels. The recordings will be released on CD by Part Records.

April
Hètten Dès makes its TV debut on "Man Bijt Hond". They get to come back 4 times (playing "Ace Of Spades", "Love Song", "Understand Your Man" and "Nebraska"), before they're forced to stop because of the end of the TV-season.

May
DAAU's violin player Bunny Lenski joins Donkey Diesel.

June
Donkey Diesel plays its first concerts. A try-out, opening for DAAU, and a festival featuring a.o. The Seatsniffers, Roland & Steven De Bruyn and Tony Joe White.

2004
January
The $1.000.000 Dollar Sunrise.
Members: Patrick Ouchène (Elvis/guitar), Sébi Lee (Jerry Lee Lewis/piano), Mario Mattucci (Carl Perkins/guitars), Koen Verbeek (Johnny Cash/drums), Ben Aïssa (double bass)
They record a demo video featuring "That's Allright Mama", "Folsom Prison Blues", "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Blue Suede Shoes" at Mario's Home Studio in Charleroi.

February
Sin Alley plays its first reunion concert, 9 years after Koen had left the band, at Hof Ter Lo in Antwerp. They share the bill with The Ugly Buggy Boys, Clark & The Aces and Batmobile.

March
Hètten Dès records the definite version of "Ace Of Spades" at Marc François' BSB Studios in Brussels.

June
Release of the compilation CD "Ode Aan Het Kinderlied : Kapitein Winokio Zag 1 Beer" featuring Donkey Diesel with "Den Boom Stond Op Den Berg".

July
Koen is asked to join The Rhumba Kings.
Members: Marc Spreckley (vocals/double bass), Patrick Ouchène (vocals/guitar), Koen Verbeek (drums).

August
The $ 1.000.000 Sunrise play their first concert in Wenduine (B).

September
The Rhumba Kings record 7 song demo ("Let's Go Boppin' Tonight", "Pink And Black", "Bitter Tears", "Louisville", "Snakebite", "Been So Long" and "Cuckoo Girl") at ArtSound Studio in Houthalen-Helchteren.
Later that month Hètten Dès records a videoclip for the soon to be released single "Ace Of Spades" at the Footloose Saloon in Leuven.

October
The Rhumba Kings play at the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekender, sharing the bill with amongst others Lee Rocker (USA), Wayne Hancock (USA), Joe Clay (USA), and Robert Gordon (USA).
The same weekend Donkey Diesel records "Swing De La Tourette" and "Mrs. Nightingale" in Amsterdam, without Koen.

November
Donkey Diesel embarks on a tour, supporting for DAAU, playing at Belgium's most prestigious theaters (Bourla Antwerp, Kladaradatsj Brussels, ...).


Well, That's all for now. But don't worry, we'll keep you up to date.



Dell Rio


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