Coast to Coast (British rock’n’roll revival/rockabilly band from Northamptonshire)

Coast to Coast were a British band from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, that was signed to Polydor Records. They are best known for their 1981 top 5 hit in the UK with "(Do) The Hucklebuck". The band were formed in 1977 by bassist Bud Smith and guitarist Bob Debank, who recruited Alan Mills as lead vocalist, Graham Woofe on drums and, later, saxophonist Sonnie Torlot. Earl Barton replaced Woofe at a later date. The band's best-known single, a cover version of the rock and roll classic "The Hucklebuck", was recorded in 1980 and reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart the following year. However, tensions surfaced between band members and Mills left before the song became successful, to be replaced by Sandy Fontaine (born Alex Giannini). Although the British Hit Singles & Albums book cites Fontaine as the singer for the single, it was actually Mills' vocal that appeared, with Fontaine's vocal dubbed onto the album version.[citation needed] The follow-up release, a cover version of "Let's Jump the Broomstick", peaked at number 28 in June 1981. The group disbanded in 1982. Lead singer Alan Mills died on 21 July 2016, whilst replacement lead singer Sandy Fontaine (Alex Giannini) died on 2 October 2015. Alan Mills (vocals) 1975–1980 Sandy Fontaine (vocals) 1980–1982 Sonnie Torlot (sax, vocals) 1978–1982 Jamie Ling (guitar, vocals) 1976–1982 Bud Smith (bass, vocals) 1975-late 1979 then rejoining in 1980 to late 1982 Earl Barton (drums) 1980–1982 Bob Debank (guitarist, vocals) 1975–1979 (founder member along with Bud Smith) departed from the band before signing a record contract with Polydor. Coastin' (1981) "The Year is 1981". amitty.co.uk. 7 February 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013.[self-published source] "(DO) THE HUCKLEBUCK | by COAST TO COAST". Official Charts. Retrieved 28 June 2026. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). Guinness World Records. p. 112. ISBN 978-1904994107. Weaver, Stephanie (22 July 2016). "Tributes paid to well-known councillor who served Rothwell and Kettering". Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Cllr Ash Davies [@CllrAshDavies] (21 July 2016). "Saddened to hear about the passing of my colleague Cllr Alan Mills. He will be missed" (Tweet) – via Twitter. "Alex Giannini, actor - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 19 October 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2026. "COAST TO COAST Songs". Official Chart. Retrieved 28 June 2026. "Coast To Coast | (Do) The Hucklebuck". Offiziele Deutsche Charts. GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 28 June 2026. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book (publ.). ISBN 9780646119175. Coast to Coast at AllMusic