featuring Amos Chang
In 1975 Darryl Rhoades formed the now legendary Hahavishnu Orchestra, a twelve piece musical comedy troupe that traveled nationally until June of 1978. During their 3 1/2 years of touring, Rhoades and band received critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Playboy, Village Voice and many others. In a review of an appearance in New York, Rolling Stone/MTV critic Kurt Loder proclaimed Rhoades "one of the most savagely gifted writer/performers in the country today".
The group performed a two week stint at The Other End (now called the Bitter End) which were attended nightly by rock luminaries such as Robert Palmer, Phoebe Snow, Leon Redbone, etc. Rhoades knew good things were ahead when Phoebe Snow stated that it was one of the most disgusting shows she'd ever witnessed while he had spit hamburger buns on simply irresistible Robert Palmer. When word of the incident spread many more artists were drawn such as members of Kiss, Martin Mull, and Iggy Pop who sat in with the group.
In Jan. 1978 Rhoades did a guest set with the act that opened for the Sex Pistols American debut where he satirized the punk movement in general and the Sex Pistols specifically by performing a song with a four foot safety pin running through his body. The early versions of the Pistols documentary tour (DOA) contains part of that performance.
In 1989 Rhoades started touring as a standup comic/one man show. Working non stop and receiving airplay from syndicated radio shows such as THE DR. DEMENTO SHOW & THE JOHN BOY & BILLY BIG SHOW has helped to create a large following and leaving little time for Rhoades to perform with musical groups. He performs on rare occasions as the drummer for THE ELECTRIFYIN' SISSIES which include record producer BRENDAN O'BRIEN, RICK RICHARDS from the GEORGIA SATELLITES, and radio personality/rock historian REX PATTON.
