Words by Peter RelicWhen your handle derives from the name of Bruce Lee’s character in The Green Hornet, chances are you’re one cool dude. Washington, D.C. native Kevin “Kato” Hammond more than fits the bill. Growing up in the Chocolate City in the 1970s and ‘80s, Kato witnessed the evolution of D.C.’s syncopated sound known as go-go up close. A guitar player in thrall to Frankie Beverly and Eddie Van Halen, he flaunted his chops in groups including Pure Elegance, Proper Utensils, and Little Benny & The Masters. Kato eventually became the king of go-go media with his magazine-turned-website. His fantastic new memoir Take Me Out To The Go-Go (Otakcity Publishing, 2015) features first person stories of then-Mayor Marion Barry, pre-fame Denzel Washington, and just about every go-go luminary you could shake a drumstick at. Perfect for your summer reading rampage, player. In this Mass Appeal exclusive, Kato runs down his personal picks for 10 mandatory go-go songs. Now get steppin’.
