Grand WaZoo’s Glorious Xmas Soul Special

Sydney-based, international Soul Man, DOUG WILLIAMS, will feature with mighty MAY JOHNSTON to create a formidable vocal duo on the frontline at The Flying Saucer Club, for Grand WaZoo’s Glorious Xmas Soul Special. GRAND WAZOO-Kings of Soul is a legendary 13 piece band, which has provided the most authentic and entertaining Soul Music experience in Australia since 1981, featuring the great hits and dance tunes of the 60s-70s, with rare gems, along with Grand WaZoo originals in that same big brassy style. The combination of the amazing and unstoppable Grand WaZoo,with the magnificent experience and vocals of Soul Man, Doug Williams and marvellous May Johnston will provide a high water mark in your year of Music enjoyment!
BOOK EARLY to dance, romance and experience the most memorable Soul Show in town!

Singer, Douglas LeAllen ‘Doug’ Williams started life as an American gospel musician, as part of The Williams Brothers, performing gospel with his family. Doug’s early influences were: The Staple Singers, The Five Blind Boys of Mississippi, The Caravans, The Gospelaires and The Hutchison Sunbeams (who later became The Emotions with Earth Wind and Fire). Legendary Ray Charles taught Doug to play left handed swing bass, and he played bass for Ray in recording sessions.

Doug formed his first band with brother Emery Williams, Von Ryan’s Express, and its overwhelming success resulted in Motown Records taking the band to California, to record and enjoy tours with Stevie Wonder, Ike and Tina Turner, Billy Eckstein, James Brown and many others. After VR Express ended, Ironhorse was formed and worldwide touring followed – through Europe, Japan, Australia in 1974 and Canada .In Europe Ironhorse supported Solomon Burke, The Stylistics and went on to headline shows in their own right.
With The Younghearts, Doug toured with Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Shi-lites and others. He also became ‘Dave’ in famous Sam and Dave, following the death of Dave, touring the show and finally deciding to form his own bands and start another era in his career. He settled in Australia in 1975 and worked with the cream of Australian and international artists, here and overseas, established a solo career as musician and songwriter in 1995, and was nominated for Grammys.

May Johnston moved to Australia from Singapore in her teens, already passionate about singing and performance. Highly versatile and influenced by a plethora of great female artists, she delivers dynamic vocal ability and a strong stage presence. Whether singing the repertoire of Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Etta James, Diana Ross, she is the ‘real deal’. She can belt it out, or come up close and personal – always moving the audience.
May is a truly fine Soul artist and song writer, has recorded internationally and garnered worldwide reviews. She has also toured Europe, with the highlights being performing with Deep Street Soul and singing up a storm at Glastonbury and St Paul’s Soul & Jazz Festivals. May is in demand by many Soul outfits and projects, and has been a valued leading lady and feature singer in Grand WaZoo-Kings of Soul for more than five years, while also writing for her own albums and vocal coaching.