The Boogie Kings
Formed in Eunice, Louisiana in 1956 as three-piece garage band, the Boogie Kings lineup has included a number of talented musicians over its long existence.
The first three members were Doug Ardoin (guitar), Harris Miller (guitar), and Bert Miller (drums). From its inception, the band was dedicated to playing black rhythm 'n blues exclusively. As the band entered the decade of the sixties it grew to twelve members and the music was identified as "Blue Eyed Soul", a term coined by the Righteous Bros.
The band performed with such groups as The Righteous Bros., BB King, Otis Redding, and Ray Charles. In the sixties the band toured the country three times, specifically 1965, 1966, and 1967. The band has recorded eight albums, four of which are on CD's. Ned Theall succeeded Clint West as leader in 1965. Some of the musicians who have performed with the Boogie Kings include Bert Miller, Skip Stewart, Clint West, Tommy McLain, G.G. Shinn, Jerry (Count Jackson) Lacroix, Duane Yates, Little Alfred, James Anderson, Jon Smith, Dale Gothia, and Gary Dorsey.
The group called it quits in 1972-73. The first of many "reunions", organized by Theall, began in 1974 at the Texas Pelican Club between Lake Charles, Louisiana and Orange, Texas, setting the style for various reunions over the subsequent years. They reformed in 1975 and 1982. In the late 1980s, the band released "Cajun Soul" in 1988 and "Nine Lives" in 1989. After that recording, the band disbanded. They reunited in 1991 and went back to recording swamp pop music. The band released three albums in the 1990s and another in 2007. Yet another has yet still to be released and was recorded in 2008.
Ned Theall passed away in 2010, but other members of the Boogie Kings continue to perform.
The Bookie Kings perform live.
