Commander Cody (aka pianist George Frayne) introduced his crew of country rock misfits on their debut Paramount album, Lost In The Ozone, in 1971.
The west coast band played an entertaining brew of rockabilly, western swing, jump R&B and country, mixing well-chosen covers with original songs about drinking and smokin’ dope.
Their outstanding albums included Hot Licks, Cold Steel and Truckers Favorites(1972), Live From Deep In The Heart of Texas (1974) and Tales From The Ozone (1975).
The band briefly changed their name to The Chromium Skateboard for their 22-line acting debut in a 1975 episode of television’s Police Woman.
A 1976 European tour produced the double album We’ve Got A Live One Here!and the band called it a day shortly thereafter.
Retaining his stage name of Commander Cody, Frayne had a subsequent solo career, touring and releasing albums from 1977 onwards.
Commander Cody (George Frayne)
Vocals, piano
Bill Kirchen
Vocals, lead guitar
John Tichy
Vocals, rhythm guitar
Bobby ‘Blue’ Black
Pedal steel guitar
Bruce Barlow
Bass
Billy C Farlow
Vocals, harmonica
Andy Stein
Fiddle, saxophone
Lance Dickerson
Drums
Norton Buffalo
Vocals, harmonica, trombone
