Grit, flamboyance, hard work, and talent made Georgia-born Wayne Cochran a dominant stage performer who regularly packed supper clubs and big-money saloons from Miami to Vegas, and sundry points in-between. Although deemed the “white James Brown”, Cochran soared beyond the beehive of JB imitators.
From 1957-63 Cochran had struggled as a rockabilly singer. Singles released on forgotten labels went nowhere, although he did write “Last Kiss” an eventual chart-topper for J. Frank Wilson.
Cochran’s heyday ran from 1965-1973 instigated by a makeover involving a re-invention of his stage persona into a larger-than-life Soul Czar: The Personification Of Flash. The exclamation point was his immaculately-coifed, stretch limo-sized silver pompadour.
The Barn in Miami served as Cochran’s home base. He turned it into the area’s number one nightspot. Jackie Gleason loved the excitement there, and often dropped by with the June Taylor Dancers, figuring they might pick up some cool new steps from WC.
TV appearances on the Gleason, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Johnny Carson shows spread the word, and by the mid-60’s Wayne Cochran & The Cochran Circuit Riders were constant in-demand headliners.
From 1957-
Cochran’s heyday ran from 1965-
The Barn in Miami served as Cochran’s home base. He turned it into the area’s number one nightspot. Jackie Gleason loved the excitement there, and often dropped by with the June Taylor Dancers, figuring they might pick up some cool new steps from WC.
TV appearances on the Gleason, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, and Johnny Carson shows spread the word, and by the mid-
Cochran’s ascent was accomplished without benefit of a hit record—a rarity in those days. It wasn’t for lack of trying. Going Back to Miami, Big City Woman and Get Down With It cooked with grease groove, and deserved better fates.
By the early 70’s years of wailing had wreaked havoc on Cochran’s pipes and severely reduced his touring schedule. In 1981, Cochran found religion. He’s now a pastor somewhere in the south Florida area.
