Back When the Beano Was Boss

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Back When the Beano Was Boss" by Buddy Whittington from his 2011 album Six String Svengali, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this Texas blues-rock gem. This opening track sets the tone for the album with its nod to the 1960s British blues revival, specifically referencing the iconic Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton album, often called the "Beano" album due to Clapton reading a Beano comic on the cover. In a 2012 interview with Vintage Guitar magazine, Whittington shared that the song captures his love for the era when British bands embraced American blues, noting, “a lot of young Americans hadn’t been hipped, but the blokes and the birds saw the blues as a gift.” The track’s lyrics are packed with witty references to the '60s, delivered with Whittington’s crisp Stratocaster tone, which he described as inspired by the “clear, brilliant” sound of his heroes.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song’s reception among fans and critics. On My Les Paul Forum, fans praised the track’s storytelling and guitar work, with one user noting it evokes the vibe of Atlanta Rhythm Section, blending blues with Southern rock flair. The song’s playful lyrics, like those referencing “blokes and birds,” reflect Whittington’s Zappa-esque humor, a trait highlighted in a 2011 review by The Blues Alone, which called the track a “waterfall of words” reminiscent of Frank Zappa’s lyrical style. Whittington recorded the song with his power trio, featuring drummer Mike Gage and bassist Wayne Six, at Hurricane Sound in Texas, where he aimed for a raw, live feel. He mentioned in a Blues Magazine review that the track was meant to be “short, pakkend en fris” (catchy and fresh), growing on listeners with each play.

Buddy Whittington, born December 28, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas, got his start in music as a kid mesmerized by the electric guitar’s magic—“you plucked a string…‘here,’ and the sound came out…‘over THERE,’” as he recalled on SonicHits. Growing up in a home filled with music from TV shows like Cowtown Jamboree and AM radio stations such as KXOL and KFJZ, he soaked up country, Western swing, and early rock. Though no family members played instruments, his parents’ love for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys shaped his eclectic taste. By age 14, Whittington was gigging in Dallas/Fort Worth clubs along Jacksboro Highway, playing in a band called Short Change that opened for acts like Point Blank, which he later joined.

His big break came in 1993 when John Mayall tapped him to join the Bluesbreakers after Coco Montoya’s departure. Whittington had opened for Mayall in 1991 with his band The Sidemen, and Mayall kept his contact info, leading to a 15-year stint from 1993 to 2008. Mayall praised him as “probably the greatest Bluesbreaker of them all,” a quote Whittington humbly acknowledged in a Vintage Guitar interview. After leaving the Bluesbreakers, he launched his solo career with a self-titled album in 2007, followed by Bag Full of Blues in 2010 and Six String Svengali in 2011. Fans can connect with him through his official website, Facebook, and X accounts, though he has no active Instagram presence. Devoted Zoo Freaks can also join the Buddy Whittington Fan Group on Facebook to share their love for his music.