LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Savoy Brown upon the occasion of
its induction into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame on March
3, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
talented individuals within our midst, who have had a significant impact
on the arts and culture of our communities through their outstanding
musical entertainment; such individuals include the members of the band,
Savoy Brown; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Savoy Brown upon the occasion of its induction into the Syracuse
Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) Hall of Fame to be celebrated at a Ceremony
on Thursday, March 3, 2016, at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Syracuse, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) were first estab-
lished in 1993 to annually recognize and honor Syracuse's most prominent
musicians and music educators, aiming to bring these individuals to the
forefront of public attention; and
WHEREAS, As one of the earliest British blues bands, Savoy Brown has
and continues to produce a gripping boogie, blues, and rock sound, along
with an exciting live stage show which has wowed audiences for over 50
years; and
WHEREAS, The Savoy Brown band was formed in 1965, by guitarist Kim
Simmonds and harmonica player John O'Leary, following a chance meeting
at Transat Imports record shop in Lisle Street, Soho; and
WHEREAS, The Savoy Brown band's initial constant line-up adjustments
were attributed to the "creative accountancy" employed by the band's
manager, Harry Simmonds; the original members were Kim Simmonds, who
played guitars, keyboards, harmonica, and sang vocals; John O'Leary
played harmonica; Leo Manning played drums; Bruce Portius sang vocals;
and Ray Chappell played bass; and
WHEREAS, Savoy Brown was instrumental in launching the 1967 United
Kingdom blues boom movement which brought blues music back to the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Savoy Brown has been a success nationally, internationally,
and in Central New York; from London's Soho night clubs to performing at
the world's most famous venues such as Carnegie Hall, Cobo Hall, and
Fillmore's East and West; the Savoy Brown band has forever changed the
music industry and, to this day, continues to tour worldwide; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, after nearly a decade of singing lead vocals and
wanting to again concentrate on the guitar, Kim Simmonds brought in Joe
Whiting, of the Greater Syracuse area, as the band's lead singer; the
band thus became a four-piece aggregation with Garnet Grimm on drums and
Pat DeSalvo on bass; the new changes coincided with the release of the
album, "Too Much of a Good Thing," which covered the years 1992-2007;
and
WHEREAS, After several changes in the lineup over the years, many
Savoy Brown members have gone on to launch their own successful individ-
ual careers; today, the band consists of Kim Simmonds who continues to
play guitar, keyboards, harmonica, and sing vocals; Pat DeSalvo on bass;
and Garnett Grimm who plays drums; and
WHEREAS, With deep appreciation, this Legislative Body is pleased to
have this opportunity to recognize the spellbinding talents of Savoy
Brown, and to wish them continuing success in all their future endeav-
ors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Savoy Brown upon the occasion of its induction into the
Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame on March 3, 2016; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Savoy Brown.