A UK-based soul band, active from 1965 to 1968.
The Ram Jam Band evolved out of a group called Les Blues. Before taking on Geno Washington, they had been backing a British blues singer by the name of Errol Dixon.
Washington was a US airman stationed in East Anglia who became well known for his impromptu performances in London nightclubs. In 1965, guitarist Pete Gage needed a singer to replace Dixon and asked Washington to join, which he did after being discharged from the US Air Force.
They had two of the biggest selling UK albums of the 1960s, both of which were live albums. They also had some moderate hit singles released by the Pye label.
They managed to build up a strong following with the crowds due to their touring and energetic performances. They, like their Pye label mates and rivals, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, became popular with the mod scene.
The band broke up in late 1969 and the band members went their own ways while Washington continued as a solo artist before returning to the US.
Washington temporarily reformed the band in 1971 with new band members Dave Watts (organ), Mo Foster (bass), Mike Jopp (guitar) and Grant Serpell (drums).
The band's name supposedly came from the Ram Jam Inn, an old coaching inn on the A1.