COMMANDER CODY BAND
~For Bookings Contact~
Steve Barbuto
9 Penobscot Rd., Natick, MA 01760- 6068
Tel. (617) 803-2522
Email: Buto101@aol.com
www.commandercody.com
Commander Cody
& His Lost Planet Airmen History
The band was first conceived in 1968, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but arrived in San Francisco in 1969, just in time to catch the tale end of the summer of love. They were 8 pieces strong, with the Commander himself (a.k.a. George Frayne) on the piano, 3 guitarists, fiddle/sax, pedal steel guitar, bass and drums - out of which 4 sang lead.
The repertoire stretched from old time rock and roll; 20 FLIGHT ROCK, red neck country; TRUCK DRIVIN' MAN, boogie-woogie; BEAT ME DADDY 8 TO THE BAR, Cajun; DIGGY LIGGY LO, swing/jazz; SMOKE, SMOKE, SMOKE THAT CIGARETTE, plus their self-penned party anthems; TOO MUCH FUN, I'M DOWN TO SEEDS AND STEMS AGAIN, and LOST IN THE OZONE. Basically, they represented the essence of American roots music.
Eventually, they signed to Paramount Records, and the twangy HOT ROD LINCOLN was a runaway hit, reaching the top ten in 1972. A few more tunes breached the top 40 as they hit the concert trail, playing the legendary Fillmore Auditorium, and finding themselves on bills with the Grateful Dead, The Doors, The Jefferson Airplane, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and The Eagles. They also backed up legends Gene Vincent, Link Wray and John Lennon.
As always, the old Commander Cody himself is behind the piano, leading the musical mayhem and controlled chaos, and sporting his legendary antics and ability to spark up even the toughest crowds. Today, The Commander Cody Band is closely knit with the legendary George Frayne a.k.a. "The Commander" (leader /keyboards/vocals), Steve Barbuto (drums/vocals), (bass) and Mark Emerick on lead guitar and vocals. Frequent guest steel guitar appearances by Bobby Black, Tiny Olson, John Wingren and Don E. Curtis of Scotty's Music add to the fun. This new edition of the band harks back to the instrumental virtuosity and spontaneity of the original band, and the response from critics and crowds have been overwhelmingly positive.
-Positive Productions
COMMANDER CODY BAND
PERFORMANCE REPERTOIRE
Hot Rod Lincoln
Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette
Lost in the Ozone
Too Much Fun
Rock That Boogie
Seeds and Stems
House of Blue Lights
Truck Drivin' Man
Looking at the World Through A Windshield
What's the Matter Now
Hawaii Blues
River City Jumpin'
Don't Let Go
Lightening Bar
Midnight Shift
Oh Mama, Mama
Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar
Riot in Cell Block #9
Should Have Been Me
Lone Ranger
Kick Me Out of the Band
Good Morning Judge
Lose it Tonight
Mess Around
Paid in Advance
Midnight on the Strand
Back to Tennessee
We Used to Ride
Rockin' Over China
See See Rider
Honky Tonk Music
COMMANDER CODY
DISCOGRAPHY
1. LOST IN THE OZONE - PARAMOUNT 1971 / MCA 1984
2. HOT LICKS, COLD STEEL AND TRUCKERS FAVORITES - PARAMOUNT 1972 / MCA 1987
3. COUNTRY CASANOVA - PARAMOUNT 1973 / MCA 1987
4. LIVE FROM DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS - PARAMOUNT 1974 / MCA 1988
5. COMMANDER CODY AND HIS LOST PLANET AIRMEN - WARNER BROS 1975
6. TALES FROM THE OZONE - WARNER BROS 1976
7. GOT A LIVE ONE HERE - WARNER 1976
8. ROCK AND ROLL AGAIN - ARISTA 1977
9. FLYING DREAMS - ARITSTA 1978
10. LOSE IT TONITE - LINE (GERMANY) / PETER PAN (USA) 1980 / CD RELEASED 10/94
11. LETS ROCK - CD BLIND PIG (US) RELEASE 9/94 / TOPIC (UK) 1986
12. BEST OF CC&HLPA - SEE-FOR MILES (UK) 1987
13. COMMANDER CODY RETURNS FROM OUTER SPACE - 1988 EDSEL
14. SLEAZY ROADSIDE STORIES - 1988 RELIX INDIE C&W
15. ACES HIGH - 1990 RELIX INDIE C&W
16. THE BEST OF COMMANDER CODY - 1990 MCA
17. LOST IN SPACE RELIX 1993 - (1975 RADIO SHOW)
18. WORST CASE SCENARIO - AIM (AUS) / ROUNDER USA 1993
19. BEST OF COMMANDER CODY - RELIX 12/95
20. WE"VE GOT A LIVE ONE HERE - RELEASED BY WB 7/96
21. BEST OF COMMANDER CODY - RELIX RECORDS FALL 1996
22. 20 YEARS OF BLIND PIG ANTHOLOGY - "LET'S ROCK" March 1997
23. AIM RECORDS RELEASES UNAUTHORIZED VERSION OF SOME 1973 TAPES ,
SENT AS LIVE TOUR DEMO IN 1997 - BUYER BEWARE!! "Road trip from Hell"
24. LIVE AT GILLEYS QVC 2000
25. COMMAND PERFORMANCE BMG 2001
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Tracks Included on Other Releases
12/16/87 - ALIVE AND KICKIN - MCA - SMOKE, SMOKE, SMOKE THAT CIGARETTE
05/25/88 - ORIGINAL CLASSICS - COORS/MCA - HOT ROD LINCOLN
06/22/88 - OLDIES ARE GOODIES - MCA - HOT ROD LINCOLN
06/24/88 - HILLBILLY HOLIDAY - RHINO - "DADDY'S DRINKIN UP OUR CHRISTMAS"
05/12/88 - CLASSIC ROCK VOLUME 3 - MCA - HOT ROD LINCOLN
08/12/89 - ROCKIN USA: THE SOUTH - MCA R89-299SP - HOT ROD LINCOLN4/10/90 - CAR &
DRIVER MAGAZINE CD - HOT ROD LINCOLN
05/17/90 - SOUND OF THE SEVENTIES - WARNER - HOT ROD LINCOLN
06/06/90 - ROCKABILLY HITS VOL 2 "ROCK THIS TOWN" - RHINO -HOT ROD LINCOLN
06/26/90 - DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS - REISSUE MOBILE FIDELITY CD GROUP/MCA
01/03/91 - OPRYLAND MUSIC GROUP - CD SAMPLER LIMITED ISSUE (1500)PROMO PKG
03/13/91 - L'ALBUM-COUNTRY MUSIC - MCA FRANCE - LOST IN THE OZONE
06/12/91 - BEST OF SOUTHERN ROCK - POLYGRAM - HOT ROD LINCOLN
09/13/91 - CARGUIDE MAGAZINE PREMIUM (CANADA) - HOT ROD LINCOLN
03/20/92 - 70'S SMASH HITS - RHINO - HOT ROD LINCOLN
08/20/92 - COUNTRY COMEDY CLASSICS K TEL - HOT ROD LINCOLN
09/13/92 - MONSTER HOT ROD HITS GNP/CRESCENDO - HOT ROD LINCOLN
03/04/93 - ALL TIME CLASSIC LIVE PERF. VOL 1 - MCA Z92-158 - SEEDS AND STEMS AGAIN
05/04/93 - SPY MUSIC VOLUMES 1-3 - RHINO R93-228SP - HOT ROD LINCOLN
09/93 - BEVERELY HILLBILLIES (MOVIE) - HOT ROD LINCOLN
10/93 - WACKY FAVORITES HEARTLAND MUSIC - HOT ROD LINCOLN
11/93 - THE REF BUENA VISTA (MOVIE) - DADDY'S DRINKIN UP OUR CHRISTMAS
01/04/94 - ROCKABILLY REBELS - MCA - MIDNIGHT SHIFT
01/07/94 - JOURNEY THRU THE UNDERGROUND - MCA - LOST IN THE OZONE
02/94 - ROCKABILLY REBELS - MCA - MIDNIGHT SHIFT
03/94 - "COACH" SOUNDTRACK - MCA - HOT ROD LINCOLN
05/10/94 - MODERN COUNTRY - MCA - SEEDS AND STEMS AGAIN
05/11/94 - GUITAR ROCK ...EARLY 70'S - TIME /LIFE HOT - ROD LINCOLN
06/03/94 - GREATEST TOUR BANDS - MCA Z92-170 - HOT ROD LINCOLN
05/20/95 -"MEAN MACHINE" HIT BY SUGAR RAY Samples Cody's Lincoln Vocal for ATLANTIC
RECORDS
12/96 - BEST OF THE LITTLE BEAR - LIVE HOT ROD LINCOLN - SELF DISTRIBUTED
02/97 - ROCKIN DOWN THE HIGHWAY - K-TEL- HOT ROD LINCOLN
10/98 - A HARD ROCK CAFE ANTHOLOGOY OF ROAD SONGS PICKS HOT ROD LINCOLN FOR
ITS ROADHOUSE ANTHOLOGY
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Commander Cody Band Reviews
December '03 Issue
CD Review
River City Jumpin'
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 GRITZ: CD REVIEWS THE COMMANDER CODY BAND
" River City Jumpin' "
Too much fun! The commander and his band rocked Generations Night Club in St. Louis on February 4, 2003, and now you can experience the show thanks to the magic of digital recording. The excellent 12-song set begins with a romp through "House of Blue lights", and find the band hittin' the note time and time again on classic Cody and newer tunes alike.
"Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette," "Seeds and Stems Again,
"Lookin' At The World Thru A Windshield," "Lost In The Ozone," and of course, "Hot Rod Lincoln," all get 110% renditions from George "Commander" Frayne and his band, with lead guitarist Mark Emerick throwing down some of the coolest twang since the days of Bill Kirchen, Emerick tosses in a few Southern Rock licks as well, giving Cody an even broader appeal - not that the band isn't already pretty damned appealing.
A great live set from a living legend.
- Michael Buffalo Smith
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GRITZ ONSTAGE LIVE SHOW REVIEWS
The Charlie Daniels Band, Leon Russell,
& the Commander Cody Band
Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ,
08/2/02 and 10/18/02
The show began with Commander Cody and from the first note of "Too Much Fun" you knew these guys could still swing. Unfortunately somewhere between "Don't Let Go" and "Hot Rod Lincoln" a major thunderstorm with tornadic activity had gathered above the building. Cody finished the set and everyone headed to the lobby, we were trapped. Within a half hour lightning had knocked out the electricity to the area, CDB could not get out of the hotel and the rest of the evenings events were canceled.
Jump to Oct 18, 2002, Commander Cody takes the stage and rocks the house, they mixed up the play list so as not to duplicate, although it wouldn't matter if they did. George Frayne (The Commander if you will) still boogies with the best of them. The Lost Planet Airmen are lead by Mark Emerick on lead guitar . The rhythm section starts and ends with Steve Barbuto on Drums and Rick Mullen on base (lots of energy) and John Wingren on pedal steel (terrific). Unfortunately Leon never made the trip back.
As for Charlie Daniels, he has not lost a step. The last time I had seen him in concert was approx 17 years ago. Some people are blessed with great ability, and some folks get better with age. Charlie Daniels has been able to do both. He is a great musician but he is also a wonderful entertainer. He is a patriotic American and lets everyone know. The band is top rated and professional with Taz, Charlie Hayward, Pat, Sparky & Bruce. The fans were lovin it. When it came time for the closing "The South,s Gonna Do It Again," Charlie invited Mark Emerick from The Commander Cody Band to join in and play some slide guitar. That was all the people could take and at that point the crowd went into a bit of a frenzy. The show ended with "The Devil Went Down To Georgia."
It was a great night and worth the extra trip. I recommend you bring a youngster (my 12 year old son loved the show) to keep the music alive. Visit the web sites and keep reading GRITZ. -Rich Seibel
~ GRITZ Reviews Cont'd: COMMANDER CODY BAND~
Rick & Joann Pierce
Cody band took its name from a 1950 movie by the same name. After graduating in 1968 George Frayne (The Commander) took a job as an art instructor at the university of Wisconsin but returned to Ann Arbor every weekend to play gigs. Relocating to the cultural hotbed of San Francisco later that year they played many shows and were even involved in the 68 Berkeley Riots at one point.
Recording and touring has been a staple sine then for the Commander and the Lost Planet Airmen. Returning back to the Saratoga Springs NY area in the late 80s the band these days consists of a great group of top notch musicians .The Commander on keyboards and vocal, Mark Emerick on lead guitar and vocals who has played with many greats including Gregg Allman, Dan Toler and others. On Bass guitar is Rick Mullens and last but not least is drummer Steve Barbuto. Together they put out a very tight and great sound that will delight every fan from 8 to 80.
Our show opened with the always fun ,Too Much Fun and went into the classic Riot in cell block # 9 They played two sets of classics like Smoke Smoke Smoke that Cigarette , Rock that Boogie,and on the country rock classic Truck Driving Man, Mark was featured on vocals and some searing guitar licks. There were many other really great songs included in the show like Good Morning Judge dedicated to our fine law enforcement folks,and Midnight on the strand. Steve 's vocals were featured on Don't Let Go and the guitar work of mark on What's the matter now made it clear that this band is ready to rock and roll your night away. They did a 1949 Ray Charles number named Messing Around that showcased the commander keyboard talents. The night just picked up pace and the classics Down to seeds and stems again blues always a crowd favorite brought out the hoots and hollers from all in attendance.
The band built up to there best known song HOT ROD LINCOLN and as the crowd danced and sang in unison it was evident that the band are happy doing what they do, and as a group play some great music together. As the show wound down we heard the classic Beat Me Daddy Eight To The Bar and for the encore the anthem for so many of the baby boomers in attendance,"LOST IN THE OZONE".
This group is as talented as any we have seen and will delight. Despite many miles and personal changes if you get a chance to hear this band play you will not be disappointed. It's a chance to hear some great music and meet a bunch of really down to earth musicians that enjoy what they do and enjoy talking to the fans. It's boogie woogie rock n roll at it's best. -Rick & Joann Pierce
The Two River Times - October 18th, 2002
Music Scene Night Grooves, By Uncle Mike
While most of the music fans that filed into the Count Basie in Red Bank on the night of October 18th were there to hear headliner, The Charlie Daniels Band, by the end of their performance opening act, the Commander Cody Band, had easily won the crowd over.
Opening up the night's festivities with one of their signature boogie woogies entitled, "Too Much Fun" (hot pedal steel & cool keys), Commander Cody, aka George Frayne (lead vocals/keys), along with bandmates Mark Emerick (lead g./vocals), Rich Mullen (bass), Steve Barbuto (drums/vocals) and John Wingren (pedal steel g.), treated the audience to their uniquely uplifting style of lost in the ozone countrified rock and roll with inspired renditions of "It Shoulda Been Me" (smooth as silk/M.E. a monster on lead g.), "We Used To Ride" (Commander's ode to the bikers/crowd fave), "Oh Mama Mama" (another killer l.g./boys in the groove y'all), "Truck Driv'n Man" (great twanger), "What's The Matter Now?" (Mark's best vocal as J.W. steps up on pedal steel), "Don't Let Go" (Steve nails lead v./oh baby/way cool band #), "Lightnin' Bar" (brand new country ditty), "Paid In Advance" (C.C. shines/big band #/another crowd pleaser), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (classic Cody/ Mark rules) and "Beat Me Daddy Eight To the Bar" (whole band rocks/partial standing o).
Hey. Like I said back in August, Commander Cody hasn't lost a thing! His present day lineup, featuring Mark Emerick on electric guitar, is absolutely, positively Lost Planet worthy. Add to this the upbeat bass play of Rich Mullen, Steve Barbuto's big time d's. and John Wingren's stellar pedal steel, and you have one hell of a band! Take it from me, Commander Cody and the boys are much much more than just that Hot Rod Lincoln!
The Two River Times - August 16th, 2002
Music Scene Night Grooves, By Uncle Mike
Well this week's column is about a blast from the past, the Commander Cody Band, and the best show of the summer so far, Cracker's performance at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Before Mother Nature took center stage in Red Bank on Friday, August 2nd, and washed out the remainder of the scheduled concert, opening act the Commander Cody Band stormed in from the furthest reaches of the ozone and taught a few lessons of their own at the Count Basie Theatre. With tongue firmly planted in cheek and both feet solidly entrenched behind his ever present keyboard, Commander Cody, (aka, George Frayne) and his most excellent band featuring Mark Emerick (lead guitar/vocals), Rich Mullen (bass), Steve Barbuto (drums/vocals) and John Wingren (pedal steel guitar), ripped through revved up renditions of "Too Much Fun" (way cool tune & lead g.), "Riot In Cell Block #9" (hot lead g./big cheers), "Rock That Boogie" (C.B. would be proud), "Lone Ranger" (degradation & sin in the old west), "Truck Drivin' Man" (big time twanger with M.E. on l.v's.), "Don't Let Go" (oh yeah the boys can play), "Oh Momma Momma" (killer keys/hell of a boogie woogie), "Hot Rod Lincoln" (band rolls) and "Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar" (great band jam). Look. This was free spirited high flyin', good timin', rock 'n' roll played the way it used to be! Commander Cody hasn't lost any of his wit, irreverence nor musical talents from his early days. And his band mates are most certainly Lost Planet worthy! Like the Commander sez, He's not dead! He's just livin' in upstate New York! Rock on Commander! Rock On!
Communications Media - Jean-Paul's Corner
Veteran Radio host Jean-Paul Tertocha is the host of the popular internet radio program, "Jean-Paul's Things to Hear" and former member of local/unsigned band "The Arrowmatics". He may be contacted via his website http://www.thingstohear.com.
Jean-Paul's Corner by Jean-Paul from thingstohear.com
March 7th of 2002 marked the first time I was able to see Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen in person. This is significant to me since I have been listening to the band's music since the early seventies. The concert was webcast by WKRP.FM Entertainment Inc., in association with SGI Radio Productions, which is a division of Scotty's Music of St. Louis Missouri in the USA. Michael Scott, of SGI and Scotty's, did a fine job of putting the show together. The concert, if you want to call it that, was held in the Holiday Inn on Lindbergh in St Louis Missouri USA. And when I pulled up to the location that night, I experienced a bit of disappointment. Commander Cody in a hotel bar? Is that musical justice? Why would someone who has played national concerts want to play in a bar? To commune with the people is why. Younger folks who listen and watch the glitter boys and girls on television would do well by seeing an old rocker like Commander Cody perform. The music and spirit obviously comes from the soul with musicians like Commander Cody. Not from a script like the weasel music corporations promote.
Although the songs, and for that matter some of the musicians, are getting mighty old, the power is still there. Commander Cody started out in 1968, and has been rocking the world ever since. Earlier I brought up the question of why would someone like Commander Cody want to play in a bar? A nice one of course, but a bar non-the-less. Well, the Commander and the band are one of the people. The band and the Commander did not leave during breaks. They went out with the people. And of course the audience loved it. The Commander himself is a consummate entertainer that has never heard of the word aloof. As a matter of fact, the first break lasted over 45 minutes because Commander Cody was busily signing autographs. He never once turned down a person, and made everyone there know that he was pleased to entertain them. While listening to the music I also watched the audience. They were enthralled by the band and the music. A truly enthusiastic crowd.
The Lost Planet Airmen on this tour consisted of Steve Barbuto on drums, Mark Emerick on guitar, Don Curtis on Steel Guitar, and one of the best and most talented bass players I have ever heard or seen, Rick Mullen. The tour still goes on. So if you want to see a classic rock roll act, check out a Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen concert coming close to you. You won't regret it!
