The Flamin' Groovies tour to celebrate their soon-60th anniverary
Mon 20 Apr 2026As the Flamin’ Groovies approach their 60th anniversary, they remain one of rock’s rarest success stories: a band that began in the 1960s, reinvented itself in the ’70s, resisted trends, sidestepped mainstream fame, endured a 20-year hiatus, and has thrived again for over a decade—now drawing fans both longtime and newly converted.
Formed in San Francisco in 1966, the Groovies built a legacy that spans genres—garage rock, power pop, punk, and classic rock—all fitting labels for a sound that has always been distinctly their own. From cult staples like “Slow Death,” “Teenage Head,” and “Shake Some Action,” they’ve delivered infectious, guitar-driven rock ’n’ roll for nearly six decades.
Their current lineup—featuring founding member Cyril Jordan alongside Tony Sales, Atom Ellis, Sean Fitzsimmons, and Miki Rogulj—is, by Jordan’s own account, the strongest in the band’s history. Live shows pull from across their catalog, balancing early rockabilly-leaning material with their later, Beatles- and Byrds-inspired power pop era.
The band’s story began in 1965 as the Chosen Few before evolving into the Flamin’ Groovies, earning early attention with their self-released Sneakers and major-label debut Supersnazz. After the departure of original singer Roy Loney, Jordan steered the band toward a more ’60s-influenced sound, leading to key recordings in the UK and a celebrated run of albums on Sire Records, including Shake Some Action.
Now, nearly 60 years on, the Flamin’ Groovies are still doing what they’ve always done: playing real rock ’n’ roll, and giving new audiences a chance to discover why they’re considered one of the greats.