Errol Kennedy

Musician

Errol Kennedy is one of the three original members of the 80’s funk/soul trio band, IMAGINATION. The Band’s first UK hit single, “Body Talk’ spent 18 weeks in the UK Singles Chart in May 1981, and was quickly followed by two other chart topping singles; “In and Out of Love” and “Flashback”.

With three hit singles reaching the charts in less than 6 months, Imagination were soon making numerous BBC Radio and TV appearances, including “Top of the Pops’, while gaining notoriety for great hits and outrageous on-stage costumes. Errol began his music career as a drummer with the jazz-funk band CENTRAL LINE in 1976, and three years later as a member of MIDNIGHT EXPRESS – who went on to support Ronnie Laws during his UK tour.

Unlike most drummers, Errol took a central role in the band IMAGINATION: he sang, danced and co-wrote some of their greatest hits, and became one of the most photographed members of IMAGINATION, including the first ever ‘Page 7 Fella’ [7/2/85] appearing in The Sun newspaper. “Body Talk” became the title of Imagination’s platinum selling first-album, produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolley. This was followed by the release of what became Imagination’s signature hit, “Just an Illusion” which was taken from the band’s second album, “In The Heat Of The Night”. This single became a classic all time hit from the 80s, and reached no 2 in the UK singles charts in 1982. It also topped European and other international singles charts and was later used as the title song to the 1986 movie, “FX – Murder by Illusion”.

From 1981 to 1983 IMAGINATION had chart hits in twenty-eight countries, earning four platinum discs, nine gold discs and over a dozen silver discs around the world. The band proved to be one of the most popular and influential on the British pop soul/funk scene of the 1980s. Imagination were massive in USA appearing with Marvin Gaye on the Iconic TV how ‘SOUL TRAIN’ and were regulars at STUDIO 54 and Larry Levan’s GARAGE.

By 1984 IMAGINATION had performed at the Royal Albert Hall in front of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, in aid of the Princes Trust charity. Included in the line-up were artists such as Phil Collins, Paul Young and Sade. Within months the band were on their world tour, starting with their first stadium concert in Algiers performing in front of over 100,000 people. They then spent a month touring France and performed at a private function for Princess Grace of Monaco’s birthday before spending another month touring Spain. In 1985 the Band continued their world tour, reaching afar a field as Hong Kong, Jakarta, Japan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain., before returning to the UK for IMAGINATION’S 5th Anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall in 1986.

Although IMAGINATION later split in 1987, Errol’s successes continued both as a musician and producer. He worked with Hugh Masekela at Bray Film Studios to produce the soundtrack for the movie SOWETO, and during the 1990’s either toured or produced with bands such as ODYSSEY, SHALAMAR, ROSE ROYCE, GRACE KENNEDY, JAMIROQUAI, FRANKIE KNUCKLES, ARTHUR BAKER and COLONEL ABRAHAM. ERROL KENNEDY’S IMAGINATION band was formed to compliment Errol’s passion for performing live so now – with the help of his band – he is again ready to meet the demand of his audience by performing the greatest hits of IMAGINATION – together with other songs, which emanate joy to those who appreciate live soul-funk music.

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