Bman's Blues Report

Larry "Big Twist" Nolan heartily epitomized the image "300 pounds of heavenly joy." Based in Chicago, the huge singer and his trusty R&B band, the Mellow Fellows, were one of the hottest draws on the Midwestern college circuit during the 1980s with a slickly polished sound modeled on the soul-slanted approach of Bobby Bland, Little Milton, and Tyrone Davis. Twist started out singing and playing drums in rough-and-tumble country bars in downstate Illinois during the late '50s and early '60s (chicken wire-enclosed stages were a necessity on this raucous scene). Young saxist Terry Ogolini jammed often with the big man at a joint called Junior's in a Prairie State burg called Colp. Ogolini and guitarist Pete Special spearheaded the nucleus of the first edition of the Mellow Fellows in the college town of Carbondale during the early '70s, with Twist doubling on drums. After taking southern Illinois by storm, the unit relocated en masse to Chicago i...

Larry "Big Twist" Nolan was the titular leader of the horn-dominated band, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows. He got his name from his 6' 4" stature, his weight (often in excess of 300 pounds), and his booming voice. Prior to joining the band in 1970, Twist was living in Carbondale, Illinois and playing drums for a country band. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1937, Twist was a journeyman musician who performed everything from blues to pop in Midwest bar bands. As their stature increased, Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows moved from small, private fraternity parties to concert stages and blues clubs throughout the country. Throughout the 1970s, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows built their repertoire on a blend of soul, R&B, blues and rock. They performed at college fraternity parties, beer halls, and clubs throughout the Midwest. In 1978 the band relocated to Chicago and a year later they recorded their self-titled debut album for the Flying Fish label. Their bra...