Artist: The Bop Cats, Album: The Bop Cats, Song: Kiss Goodbye

The Bop Cats were a country rockabilly group from Toronto that formed in 1979.  Their sound was similar to that of the Stray Cats yet they did predate that band...slightly.  Both bands actually released their full length debuts in 1981 and both would find immediate success in the U.K. as opposed to in their homelands of Canada and the U.S..  The Bop Cats first single actually hit #2 in England, charting higher than any Stray Cat single.  However, in 1982, the Stray Cats would have a Top Five U.S. hit of their own as a result of the re-release of their song, Stray Cat Strut.  The Bop Cats toured both the U.S. and Canada and were known for their energetic live shows.  The success abroad helped them land a record deal with Attic which led to the first of two releases.  The song, Kiss Goodbye, was actually released on an EP just prior to the band's debut where it was included again.  You can check out the song on You Tube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxD3pPD58as).  The band would release their sophomore album in 1982 before changing their name and sound to Rock Angels.  That band would have one EP that same year before breaking up.  There were a number of member changes within the band over the years but the four mainstays during their recording years were Sonny Baker, Teddy Fury, Jack DeKeyzer (see blog 3/15/11) and Zeke Rivers.  Jack, of course, would go on to become one of our country's most prominent blues guitarists.  You can purchase the debut album from the Bop Cats on Itunes.  Thanks for reading and enjoy!