Killer Flamingos

Bright, colorful, vibrant… those are some of the first things that come to mind when you think of flamingos. But they are also steady, firm, and well-balanced, which is exactly the combo you get with the Killer Flamingos.

After nearly 30 years of performing, the Killer Flamingos have established themselves as one of the premiere bands in the Midwest. Their reputation for excellence and professionalism precedes them, whether the Flamingos are playing a corporate event for Allstate Insurance in Chicago, keeping the dance floor hopping at an upscale wedding in Detroit, or entertaining crowds of people at an annual festival like Arts, Beats, and Eats.

It is a standard carefully crafted by five talented musicians. The Killer Flamingos consist of Todd Best, Darren Drake, David Gondoly, Alyssa Simmons, and Tim Webber. Darren Drake (keyboards) has been there since the start and remains the only original band member still playing with the group. He has been a musician since his youth, starting on trumpet before braces forced him to gravitate toward a Casio keyboard. Drake had his band in high school, well-known at talent shows and area venues.

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Also, products of Wayne State University, Todd Best (lead guitar) and David Gondoly (bass), came to the Killer Flamingos as a package deal. The jazz-trained Gondoly, who wasn’t familiar with the songs, didn’t even need to perform during the audition. He earned the job based on the quality of playing and the recommendation of Best. A 25-year connection, forged as friends and bandmates, is on full display as the pair slay their way through their respective guitar parts. Tim Webber (drums) is the only non-Michigan native, but one would never know. Webber grew up in California but moved to The Mitten during middle school. He was at one time a touring musician with none other than Chubby Checker but preferred the family-oriented vibe of the Killer Flamingos. So much so that he started helping them out as a fill-in drummer almost 15 years ago and hasn’t left since. The latest addition to the band is powerhouse Alyssa Simmons. She is a Detroit-based session vocalist as well as a high-energy live performer. Alyssa’s voice can be heard on two Ted Nugent albums, and she has opened for National acts with her original music. Alyssa has returned from a six-year music career in Austin, Texas, to reunite with the band for the next era of the Killer Flamingos.

This is no weekend bar band, the Killer Flamingos are made up of seasoned professionals, and their dedication is evident at every show. They cover the Top 40 across the decades, from the 80s to current hits, with some Motown and other familiar favorites sprinkled in. Their considerable versatility, combined with off-the-chart crowd interaction, has kept the Flamingos at the top of fan-voted lists like Hour Detroit Magazine’s “Best Band” and WDIV’s Click On Detroit’s “Best Local Band” for numerous years since 2008. In addition, they recently received the Metro Times 2017 “Best Cover Band” distinction and Hour Detroit’s 2018 “Best of Detroit” mention. There aren’t many jobs where one can get applauded every 3-4 minutes, but there aren’t a lot of bands out there who leave it all on the stage like the Killer Flamingos.”