r.cajun and the zydeco brothers

"Widely regarded as the most authentic and exciting Cajun band in the country" - The Observer

"Britain's best Cajun band" - The Stage

"A Cajun equivalent to The Beatles at the Cavern" - The Daily Telegraph reporting on RCZB at the Swamp Club, Derby

Formed in 1980 by accordion player Chris Hall, R. Cajun were one of the first Cajun bands outside America and played a major role in creating interest in this infectious Louisiana dance music in Europe. From modest beginnings the band's prowess and following grew steadily. The addition of bass, drums and electrification transformed the original 5-piece acoustic line-up into a hard-hitting, highly authentic-sounding Cajun, zydeco and swamprock dancehall band - R. Cajun & The Zydeco Brothers.

Could it be a coincidence that after Clive joined in 1985 the British and European Cajun boom really started to take off? Probably (Clive grins) but take off it did. Audiences of 50 in folk clubs became 500 at the legendary Swamp Club in the band's hometown of Derby, and they started to pull large crowds at other venues and festivals across the UK and then Europe. They did TV and radio and made 7 well-received albums. They played at Sir Paul McCartney's Christmas party and at his daughter Mary's wedding. They supported Van Morrison, Debbie Harry, Canned Heat, Lonnie Donegan and Cajun legend D.L. Menard. The band's recording of traditional Cajun song "Jolie Blonde" was chosen by Sir Peregrine Worsthorne as one of his selections when he was the castaway on Radio 4's legendary Desert Island Discs in 1992. And their "Ossun Two Step" was used as the theme music for BBC2 TV's Cooking Oils series in 1994.

Clive provided guitar, backing vocals and some lead vocals. He also wrote several songs for the band: "Jean Le Serpent" always went down a storm at gigs while "Shadow On The Wall" is now well established and a firm favourite in the repertoire of Li'l Jim, a star of the current Cajun scene and son of Beeds who originally sang the song in RCZB.

In 1997 Clive left the band when he relocated to Surrey, although he has made a couple of guest appearances since. Less active these days, the band still plays the occasional gig.

 Adam Conway 2011, updated 2023

See RCZB in action - Clive takes lead vocal performing "Jambalaya" (in French!) on Channel 4 Wales: https://youtu.be/m9yQVauV7GU

And here's a full gig! https://youtu.be/rfvAriWUp-k