The Robbins and Coman Band Story (1978-1981)
ROBBINS AND COMAN (Acoustic Duet) 1978-1979
In 1978, Jimmy Coman and John Robbins were asked to work as an acoustic duo in a bar in Schaumberg, Illinois called the Banana Boat. Sadly, the six-month-long gig at the Banana Boat spelled the end of the Hardly Middle Class Band but forged a partnership that became ROBBINS AND COMAN (R&C) and later the ROBBINS AND COMAN BAND (RCB).
Initially, the R&C line-up was:
Jimmy Coman: guitar, banjo, bass, vocals
John Robbins: guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals
After the long gig at the Banana Boat, Jimmy and John performed as an acoustic duet around the mid-west and in the Chicago area. They developed a large following and making many friends, including blues singer Dana Clark (immortalized in the song “Dana Sings The Blues”). They spent time in the studio and left behind many remarkable recordings. However as much R&C enjoyed the folks they met and entertained in the mid-west, the winters were too much for them and they moved to Tampa Florida in 1979.
R&C 1979
R&C hit the ground running in Tampa performed full-time in many local pubs, such as the Red Rose Pub, The Proud Lion Pub, The Library, The Wild Stallion and the Peanut Gallery. They also helped to start the live music scene at Skippers Smokehouse which was nothing more than a shack next to an empty sand-filled lot at the time.
The First ROBBINS AND COMAN BAND 1979-1980
Shortly after moving to Tampa, Jimmy and John convinced Tampa native Randy Cole to join forces with them. Randy had been successful with is own band The Lutz Public Band, but the chemistry between Randy and R&C was undeniable. Rather than rename the band Robbins, Coman and Cole (which was Jimmy and John’s first thought), Randy suggested they call themselves the ROBBINS AND COMAN BAND (RCB). That way if anyone asked which one Randy was, he could say he was the band! The line-up for RCB was:
Randy Cole: bass, guitar, banjo, vocals
Jimmy Coman: guitar, bass, vocals
John Robbins: guitar, bass, vocals
Click here for photos of the Robbins and Coman Band (with Randy Cole)
RCB with Randy Cole also left behind an extensive array of recordings, the most impressive set of recordings in the RCB legacy, which are collected on the Robbins and Coman Band CD.
The Second ROBBINS AND COMAN BAND 1980-1981
Occasionally adding a drummer into their live act, RCB eventually hired jazz drummer David Rauh as full time drummer. The quartet of RCB proved to be very successful and garnered RCB a fully booked schedule and accolades in and around Florida and the southeast. Unfortunately, artistic differences drove a wedge between Jim, John and Randy, and Randy departed some time in 1980.
With the departure of Randy Cole, John, Jim and Dave recruited friend Mitch Bucci to join as a full-time bass player. Mitch had been a part of the CBGB’s music scene in New York City in the 1970s but left for the warmth of Florida. The band moved to a straight Rock n Roll sound and were soon rejoined by Pat Herlehy (formerly with Hardly Middle Class) to form the final line-up of RCB:
Mitch Bucci: Bass, guitar, vocals
Jimmy Coman: guitar, bass, vocals
Pat Herlehy: guitar, alto sax, keyboards, vocals
David Rauh: drums, vocals
John Robbins: keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals
This final line up was by far the most well-known and most successful line-up of RCB touring around the southeast. However, the strain of constant performing caught up with Jimmy and John after years of touring and they eventually went their separate ways in mid 1981 with Jimmy leaving the group. John, Pat, Mitch and Dave continued on for several months as a quartet calling themselves the FLYING SHOES after a popular song written by Pat Herlehy, but eventually called it quits in late 1981.