Lanzarote Information

The Soul Commitments are a newly formed nine piece band about to start a regular Saturday night gig in Mulligan’s bar PDC. Their set list includes classic dance floor fillers such as Soul Man, Mr Pitiful, Dancing in the street, Heatwave and My Girl.

From left to right…….

Chipie - drums & vocals

Was lead singer in The Zephyrs who had a hit record “she’s lost you” which got to No 21 in 1963. They toured with Billy Fury, Del Shannon, Lulu, Herman’s Hermits and were the backing band for Jerry lee Lewis.

He retired to Lanzarote in 2007 having sold his drum kit. However Chipie confessed that soul is the musical love of his life and he’s delighted to dust off the drums sticks and play all the classics again.

Clint - vocals & sax

Is the band spokesman/ organiser who got together the current line up. He left the sax player till last as he wasn’t convinced he had the voice to carry off the male vocals and so may take the sax job. 

The rest of the band soon assured him his mega voice was outstanding when he carried of “Try a Little Tenderness” with such force and clarity. He’s from Dublin, and also plays tin whistle, fife, recorder, treble recorder, guitar and mandolin with the clarinet being his first instrument.

Derek - bass guitar

His musical career started with an older siblings acoustic guitar which only had two strings! Self taught he then bought a bass guitar age 17 and played in youth bands before the school disco. While still in Cork his blues band “The draw backs “played at Cork city hall.

Living in Jersey he played with trad-rock group “Life of Riley”, a successful working band which split when Derek came to Lanzarote in 1994. Since then he hadn’t played bass at all, concentrating on acoustic sets, one man and his guitar, which he plays 3-4 nights a week.

Chris - trumpet

Didn’t enjoy trumpet and keyboard classes as a child on Saturday mornings because he wanted to watch children’s TV instead! However he got into music with the arrival of punk and has never looked back.

In Lanzarote since 1982, he’s played keyboard in bands “mad for culture” and “skatoons”. He is enjoying playing only trumpet and it is a real pleasure to listen to such an emotive instrument.

Charlie – sax

Is a very experienced full time musician from Paisley.

He plays sax with the band but also plays keyboards and guitar during his one man gigs.

Dave -guitar

Has played in Europe, America and the other Canary Islands during the last 20 years. He can play keyboards, fiddle and sings as well.

The pull of family life brought him back to Lanzarote where he plays regularly in the Dubliner bar.

Carlton - keyboards

Is a very accomplished musician and has been in the business for many years. He currently writes a music page for an island magazine.

Frankie - vocals

From Surrey has lived in Lanzarote for 14 years, has horses and was a jockey until a major fall stopped her racing. She sang karaoke and was persuaded by professionals that she can really sing. She sings solo and in an Abba Tribute duo.

Deanne - vocals

Is a trained classical dancer with a family background in theatre.  She has always sung for pleasure but this is her first time singing on stage. Her voice is absolutely tremendous and during practice she has said at times that even she didn’t know she had this in her.

Deanne says that it’s the best thing playing in a big band with such talents and I absolutely agree with her.

Catch the Soul Commitments every Saturday in Mulligan’s bar situated on The Strip in Puerto del Carmen.

You can contact with the band via Facebook and their website Soul Commitments.

As well as being a staff writer on Lanzarote Information you can find Tracy on Facebook and her accommodation website Lanzarote Life.