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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Murray the K
From: Donna Marie
2. Re: Murray the K
From: Hal Muskat
3. Re: Judgement Time for The Magoos
From: Bob Rashkow
4. 1966 Local Boston hits
From: Dave O'Gara
5. Copyright law
From: Diane
6. 60sgaragebands.com May Update
From: Mike Dugo
7. Another "Happy Together" Commercial
From: Art Longmire
8. Re: Tex & The Chex
From: (That) Alan Gordon
9. Re: Murray the K
From: Fred Clemens
10. Re: Murray the K
From: Peter Grad
11. Re: Girls With Guitars - The 2 Of Clubs
From: Mick Patrick
12. Re: 1966 Local Boston hits
From: Al Kooper
13. Anita Humes & the Essex
From: Al Kooper
14. Re: Girls With Guitars - Goldie & the Gingerbreads
From: Al Kooper
15. Re: Kit Kats / New Hope
From: Steve Harvey
16. Re: Bronx
From: Paul Levinson
17. Re: New Old 45s Purchase Questions
From: Gary Myers
18. Re: 1910 Fruitgum Company (and a question for Austin)
From: Austin Roberts
19. Re: 1910 Fruitgum Company
From: Gary Myers
20. Re: Steve Venet
From: James Holvay
21. Larry Weiss
From: Al Kooper
22. Re: Girls With Guitars - The 2 Of Clubs
From: Howard
23. Re: Three In The Attic
From: Frank Jastfelder
24. Re: Crime Story / The Ventures
From: Frank Jastfelder
25. Re: Blues Magoos' Pipe Dream
From: Javed Jafri
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 21:47:11 -0000
From: Donna Marie
Subject: Re: Murray the K
Paul Levinson wrote:
> I was a big Murray the K fan, too -- started listening to him on
> WINS right after Alan Freed's show, saw Murray at Freedomland...
Paul, I remember meeting and working with Murray around 1963. He
introduced me to his Mother who was a song writer and wrote a song
called "Little Snowflake" that I recorded for the Gateway label.
He was a great guy and helped alot of record artists.
Donna Marie
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 15:29:17 -0700
From: Hal Muskat
Subject: Re: Murray the K
Another Murray The K fan checking in. Saw him also at Freedomland, also
his were the first "rock concerts" I ever attended at the Brooklyn
Paramount I think it was. Must have been 1960- 61. Christmas shows? I
can't remember but do remember attending a bunch of his shows in a
couple year period and seeing and hearing incredible lip synch, for the
most part, music. First attended these shows as "field trips" with our
temple youth group. Bus rides back to Syosset were teenage make out
sessions. Field trips indeed!
Was also a card carrying member of the Submarine Race Watchers Club. A
yellow card it was?
Hal
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 19:26:45 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Re: Judgement Time for The Magoos
Flip of WAGNY was actually "Gotta Get Away", also from the Psychedelic
Lollipop LP, a great little tune......"Pipe Dream" kicks off Electric
Comic Book and was released as a separate record, but only after they
tried to have another hit with "One By One" from the first album.
Bobster
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 00:14:10 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: 1966 Local Boston hits
Ed B wrote:
> Growing up in Boston during the 60's quite a few records charted
> that don't appear to have been national hits aside from the
> Remains, Ramrods etc. As a footnote, I recall hearing Spencer
> Davis on radio with Gimme Some Lovin' and thinking why were they
> doing a cover of The Jordan Brothers, which was top 10 in Boston
> early 67.
Glad to hear someone mention Barry and the Remains. I believe they
opened for the Beatles in Boston back in '66. They had a super
rock/pop sound especially on "Why Do I Cry" and "Diddy Wah Diddy".
They should have been bigger. Last I heard, Barry Tashian had moved
into the country music field singing with his wife......Regarding the
Jordan Brothers version of "Gimme Some Lovin": With all due respect
to Steve Winwood, I love the production on the Jordan's version. The
vocal is much cleaner and right from the opening notes the song grabs
you as a listener AND as a dancer. I happened to have just played it
the past Saturday night at a sock hop and it packed the dance floor!)
Dave 0'
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 00:23:16 -0000
From: Diane
Subject: Copyright law
Stephen Zartman wrote:
> The whole idea of Copyright infringement and how it relates to a
> product that I buy and own is really hard for me to understand. How
> can some mega-bucks company tell me that I am not allowed to do with
> my own property what I want. If I want to make a few copies and give
> them to friends and relatives, why the heck not? I paid for it, I'll
> do with it as I feel. I would claim this as "public domain" if that
> is the correct term. If I am not participating in the business to
> sustain myself but only to entertain myself and friends, why should I
> be treated as a common thief, or have to live in fear of that. But
> again common sense is not used and as Eddy said earlier, the little
> guy is a sitting duck and easy to clamp down on.
Hey Stephen,
You are not alone. Most folks seem to have a hard time understanding
the difference between purchasing a lamp, for example, and purchasing
software or some other form of "intellectual property", which also
includes copyrighted photos, songs, recordings... In other words, the
creative work of an individual. You may share the light from your
legitimately purchased lamp with as many people as will fit in the
room. But, you only purchase the right to personally "use", "experience"
or what-ever, a software program, photo, video or song. These remain
the "property" of their creator. And, as such, for any "use" of same,
the copyright holder should be compensated. It is a strange, and
difficult, concept. And it hurts our song writers, arrangers and
performers. Most of these folks see very little income from what you
may consider a great work. The deck is stacked very much in favor of
the "house" (record company). So, it does hurt the artist when we buy
bootleg cds, used cd,s, etc. Because, the artists do not get a penny of
our money! A CD/DVD purchase is a vote of confidence for the artists we
love. It not only gives our beloved artists some much-needed dough, it
sends a message to the "company" that this particular artist is worth
holding on to, because they are making money for them.
Okay, I'm hopping off my soapbox now!
Wish you all well,
Diane
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 20:02:25 -0500
From: Mike Dugo
Subject: 60sgaragebands.com May Update
Here's a quick message to inform those interested that the May updates
to 60sgaragebands.com are now online. Included in this month's updates
are interviews with Jim Parker of The Kitchen Cinq, and with two true
Michigan garage band members: Ray Bane of The Bummers and Dennis
Girrbach of The Morticians.
All comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks.
Mike Dugo
60sgaragebands.com
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:32:01 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Another "Happy Together" Commercial
I don't know how many on the board have heard it yet, but there is
yet another commercial featuring Alan Gordon's "Happy Together"-this
time it's the original Turtles version in a Coldwell Banker
commercial. I have to say it's a bit more respectful of the song than
the Applebee's version, which seemed to rub more than a few people
the wrong way.
Another song I've been enjoying on commercials is The Who's "Happy
Jack"-and I still don't even know what product the song is
advertising.
And as for Bob Dylan hawking his CD on Victoria's Secret commercials-
I have a friend who worked for Victoria's Secret about a year ago...
she just turned twenty a month ago and she DOESN'T KNOW WHO BOB DYLAN
IS!
Art Longmire
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 18:35:45 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Tex & The Chex
Hi Phil, sorry it took so long to reply, I just got back from New York
today. I have no idea where the Chex name came from. When I was with the
group NO One ever mentioned there was even a Tex and the Chex record to
me. I never heard of the group, which leads me to believe maybe the
whole thing was a copy cat group, but Rod "Tex" Bristow had to be in the
group. I really don`t know and really do not care. I have enough guilt
issues to deal with from birth!!! How are you? Has spring sprung where
you are? It was 102 out here today. Be well and keep in touch.
Alan
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:55:45 -0000
From: Fred Clemens
Subject: Re: Murray the K
I knew of Murray growing up, but never really listened to him until
his WNBC days. I always loved the stories he would tell leading up to
the record.
About 10 years ago, digging up my kitchen floor, I came across some
old newspapers dating from 1956. One was the Newark Star Ledger
(September, 1956), and had an ad for Palisades Amusement Park,
showing that WMCA disc jockey, Murray Kaufman, would be hosting Micki
Marlo, and Sonny Til and the Orioles in what was probably the last
show of the season.
I've been in contact with Peter Altschuler over the past few years in
regard to a recording that Murray had done BEFORE becoming a DJ on
WMCA in 1956. BTW, Peter's got a web site dedicated to his Dad at
http://www.murraythek.com
Just about anyone familiar with Murray knows about the record he did
for Atlantic in the early 1960's called "The Lone Twister", as by the
Lone Twister. But few know of a record he did on Fraternity Records
in 1955, as by "Murray Kaufman". When I contacted Peter about it, he
was completely unaware of it.
The record in question was called "Out Of The Bushes". It was backed
with "Crazy Otto Rag", that side credited to "Ludwig Von Kaufman".
One might be familiar with "Out Of The Bushes", as he used part of
the song to describe the meaning behind his infamous "Ah-Bey" chant,
on a promo he did during his early 1010 WINS days in 1958, then still
going by "Murray Kaufman". (Peter did know of the "Ah-Bey" tie-in and
the promo)
I'd learned about it from a message posted on a radio board from
someone wanting to know if it was THE Murray Kaufman. He sent me a
low quality tape of portions of both sides. It was good enough to
affirm it was indeed Murray. After about 4 years of searching, I
managed to find a copy of the record. But the quality was little more
than the tape that was sent me, so the search was still on. About a
year later, a better copy came along, and I sent a recording of it
along to Peter.
Anybody else ever hear of it?
Fred Clemens
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 02:51:57 -0000
From: Peter Grad
Subject: Re: Murray the K
Paul.. Yep, small world.. I was right behind you at Columbus, I was a
student there from 64 to 67... and further coincidence, I attended
CCNY, too, from 67 to 74 (I got caught up in the antiwar years and
college newspaper, took an extra few years to get out)
I remember Krums and the famous ice cream parlor off Valentine Ave
(whose name escapes me at the moment - specialty was the Kitchen Sink
ice cream extravaganza))...I sw the dave Clark Five at the Vlentine
Theater on Fprdham Road.. and bought my first albums at at Spinning
Disk near Alexanders...
DO you remember the "wall" at Pelham Parkway and White Plains Road?
Very hip place to be in the warm months during 66, 67...
I don't know that I remember the New Outlook, but I will certainly
look it up... and I'm afraid I never heard of the Excellents... but I
will see if I can pick up their record as well...
I was a member of Murray the K's Submarine Race Watchers Club,
attended a show of his at the Brooklyn Paramount where the Zomnies
were performing, along with The Drifters, Dionne Warwick (I believe),
and the Shangri_Las... How's that for a lineup? The Searchers also
performed in one of those shows, possibly with the Zombies as well...
I'd love to hear the acetate.. please upload here or feel free to
email me... and sure, if you'd like to give Murrray's son my email,
I'd be happy to fill him in on what tapes I might have from those
years. I'm pretty sure I have, among others, a tape of Muerray the K
playing Sgt Pepper's the day it was released...
And sure, I remember Freedomland... I wound up living on those
grounds in what became Co-op City for many (too many) years
afterwards...
Peter
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 08:38:51 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Girls With Guitars - The 2 Of Clubs
Me:
> CD is subtitled "All-Girl Bands, Axe-Backed Babes and the like..."
> Get the picture? Here's what's on it:
> Girls With Guitars (Ace CDCHD 989)
> 12. The 2 Of Clubs - Heart (Fraternity) 1966
Joe Nelson:
> Interesting choice, since their biggest hit "Walk Tall" remains
> unavailable on CD AFAIK. Nevertheless this is a WAY cool cover of
> the Pet Clark track. Will be on the lookout.
Is "Walk Tall" not out on CD? Someone should remedy that! But given
the theme of "Girls With Guitars", "Heart" fits better.
>From the CD booklet:
"...A '60s punk classic written by Petula Clark? That was the
unlikely outcome when the Remains cut the 'Downtown' star's 'Heart'.
But to some the song belongs to Cincinnati's THE 2 OF CLUBS, a duo
comprising Linda Parrish and Patti Valentine... 'My younger brother
was the one who called our attention to Petula Clark's version of
'Heart',' says Patti. 'He liked it and said it might be good for us.'
Sure enough, 'Heart' was good for the 2 Of Clubs, selling well
locally and bubbling under the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1966..."
Pet Clark's version of "Heart" is the rockingest thing she ever did,
especially the French tongue original, "Le Coeur Qui Bat".
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:01:27 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: 1966 Local Boston hits
Ed B:
> Growing up in Boston during the 60's quite a few records charted
> that don't appear to have been national hits aside from the Remains,
> Ramrods etc. Looking for information on the following: Let's Call It
> A Day Girl/Avril(April) - The Razor's Edge Pow 101
Written by my ex partner Irwin Levine, I believe. I may have a copy.
Al Kooper
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:09:17 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Anita Humes & the Essex
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Anita Humes had a SOLO single!? I'm intrigued. The Essex
> was the bomb, I love everything they ever did, I'm desperately
> trying to find "What Did I Do?"/"Curfew Lover" on a single.
> It did not chart nor bubble under to 130 and I have not heard
> that cool record since 1964!
Pres:
> Not a single but Curfew Lover is available on Collectibles' "Easier
> Said Than Done/A Walkin' Miracle" CD, available at:
> http://www.oldies.com/product/view.cfm/id_62042.html
I wrote an Anita Humes single. It's called "When Somethings Hard To
Get". And guess what? It is.
Al Kooper
PS. I never brag about my Pat Boone or Tommy Sands singles.
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 00:58:45 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Girls With Guitars - Goldie & the Gingerbreads
Mick Patrick:
> I admit, I made Ace Records do it. Sometime soon, there should be a
> page of info on their website. I'll shout when that appears. The CD
> is subtitled "All-Girl Bands, Axe-Backed Babes and the like . . ."
> Get the picture? Here's what's on it:
> Girls With Guitars (Ace CDCHD 989)
> 5. Goldie and the Gingerbreads - Chew Chew Fee Fi Fum (Spokane 4005) 1964
> 14. Goldie and the Gingerbreads - Skinnie Vinnie (Spokane 4005) 1964
> 18. Goldie and the Gingerbreads - Take My Hand (Pricewise LP 4004) 1965
> 21. Goldie and the Gingerbreads - V.I.P. (Pricewise LP 4004) 1965
More coincidence, Genya Ravan just got back in touch with me to say she
was performing at The Cutting Room in NYC this week and all through the
summer. I sent her the above as she is Goldie of the Gingerbreads for
those that don't know. Oughta make her day.
Alkie & The Kooperheads
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 20:02:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: Kit Kats / New Hope
markt439 wrote:
> There's a New Hope single on MGM, around 1972 or 1973. Just
> wondering if this is the same group.
Probably not the same band. The discography in their CD release
says that Paramount was the last label they recorded on. By
1972/73 the party was over.
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 03:05:08 -0000
From: Paul Levinson
Subject: Re: Bronx
Absolutely I went to PS 96 (graduated in 1958, and formed a short-
lived doo-wap group called The Emeralds), JHS 135, and Columbus High
School. And that coal you saw was indeed being to delivered to my
building, 2830 Olinville Avenue. (And yeah, I remember that old guy
with the fruitstand -- he started with a horse-drawn cart -- I wrote
about him in one of my stories). I sang with the Tranists on the
corner of Adee and Bronx Park East, and then with the New Outlook in
front of the delicatessan on White Plains Road and Allerton Avenue,
under the El. We must've run into each other. (Did you by any chance
know Michael Weinstein or Ray Mignona?)
Speaking of Bronx singers and performers -- any one ever run into the
Turner Bros (one was named Alan), who came from Kingsbridge Road.
They had something to do with the Left Banke (maybe were back-up men
at some of their live performances).
All best,
Paul
www.sff.net/people/paullevinson
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Message: 17
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 21:03:28 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: New Old 45s Purchase Questions
David Coyle:
> The real surprise to me was hearing "Should I" by the Stringalongs,
> which taken by itself is pretty much a "Wheels" rewrite. But the
> beginning of the melody sounded awfully familiar! It's the "Itchy
> And Scratchy Show" theme from "The Simpsons"!
It's been a L - O - N - G time since I heard that Stringalongs record,
but my recollection is that it's the old song, probably from the 40's,
but also done by the 4 Aces in 1952 ("Should I reveal exactly how I
feel," etc.).
gem
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 00:10:58 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: 1910 Fruitgum Company (and a question for Austin)
Peter:
> Could I ask a question of Austin Roberts on this topic as well?
> Austin - did I read here a while back that you recorded one track
> under the 1910 Frutigum Company 'banner' at one stage, back in the
> late 60s/early 70s when the band was at their height of popularity?
> Any reminisces of the track or the session? I'd be real interested
> to hear more.
Hi Peter,
As I remember it,I wrote a song called Mary Wanna Go Round With Me.
Katz and Kassenetz had me sing it, not telling me anything else. It
then showed up as a cut on a new 1910 Fruitgum Album. Then they found
out the song was already published, and somehow it dissapeared from
the album. Long long time ago..
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Message: 19
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 22:13:50 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: 1910 Fruitgum Company
Peter McCray:
> I came across a website for these guys recently
This is a copy of a very funny letter that appeared in the L.A.
Times a few years ago:
>> The 1910 Fruitgum Company did not record "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy
(I Got Love In My Tummy)" (Pop Eye, Dec. 21). That bubblegum top
10 hit from the early '70s was, however, recorded by the Ohio
Express. As a touring member of the Fruitgum Co. in 1971, it has
long been a source of annoyance to be mistakenly held responsible
for putting to wax such a trite, disposable, insignificant number
when, in fact, the group was responsible for such historical,
important compositions as "Simon Says", "Indian Giver", "1, 02 , 03 ,
Red Light" and other esoteric hits filled with dark symbolism and
hidden meanings. LEN FAGAN, Booking Director, Coconut Teaszer,
Hollywood <<
gem
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Message: 20
Date: Mon, 26 Apr 2004 22:36:29 -0700
From: James Holvay
Subject: Re: Steve Venet
Al Kooper:
> I, too, would like to find Steve Venet. If his whereabouts surface
> on here, I promise to tell a great Steve Venet anecdote circa 63-'64.
I believe I saw an ad for a music seminar that he was giving a few years
ago, here in Hollywood. It was being held at the Scientology Celebrity
Center, on Franklin Blvd. You may be able to track him down thru there.
James
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Message: 21
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 01:03:17 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Larry Weiss
previously:
> I searched for a Ruby & The Romantics CD compilation, only to
> find that it omitted one of their (IMO) best tracks: "Your Baby
> Doesn't Love You Anymore". The only credit on my 45 is writer:
> 'Weiss'. Does anybody have any further information? The production
> has the flavour of Jerry Riopelle/Teddy Randazzo. It was arranged
> by Alan Lorber, produced by Tom Catalano.
Probably Larry Weiss. Same crowd. He lives in Nashville now.
Al Kooper
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Message: 22
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 04:28:01 -0400
From: Howard
Subject: Re: Girls With Guitars - The 2 Of Clubs
Joe Nelson:
> Interesting choice, since their biggest hit "Walk Tall" remains
> unavailible on CD AFAIK. Nevertheless this is a WAY cool cover
> of the Pet Clark track. Will be on the lookout.
I have this on a UK label, President methinks -- correct? My old
brain's not what it used to be. I have another feeling there was
a cover version, too.
Howard
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Message: 23
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 11:58:14 +0200
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Three In The Attic
The cover of the soundtrack is a definitive watcher! It shows the three
girls in very seductive poses. Music is composed by Chad Stuart and
performed by Chad & Jeremy.
Info for trainspotters: There was also a Three In The Cellar. Can't remember
which one was first. The latter has a nice title song sung by Hamilton Camp.
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Message: 24
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 11:41:11 +0200
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Crime Story / The Ventures
Al Kooper wrote:
> ... So we had a lil meeting in Mann's office and watched the seven plus
> minutes with my music behind it. Six days work. I was instantly
> encouraged as he let the entire 7 minutes play out. When it ended,
> I sat there poker-faced, and two seconds later Mann said, "Naaaaahhhh!!!
> I'm gonna go with The Ventures."
Al,
Working as a music supervisor for films, I know only too well how you must
have felt. Even if my job, besides working with the composer, is to find
original songs for certain scenes, sometimes it's very hard not to get loud
while sitting in the editing room with a director changing his mind every
minute or -- even worse -- knowing nothing about music at all but pretending
to do so in the most inappropriate way.
Temped films are always a big problem for me. They use all the big orchestral
scores or great hits. When I have to tell them what they get for their lousy
budget, they look at me like I'm the biggest spoilsport.
Frank
Temporarily Music Supervisor
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Message: 25
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 06:41:57 -0700
From: Javed Jafri
Subject: Re: Blues Magoos' Pipe Dream
Mike McKay wrote:
> "Pipe Dream" was in fact a subsequent single release for The Blues
> Magoos. If memory serves me, which it may not, the flip of "We Ain't
> Got Nothin' Yet" was "Gotta Get Away."
You are correct, Mike, but "Pipe Dream" was a double-sided near-hit, making
it all the way to 60. The flip, "There's A Chance We Can Make It", topped
out at 81.
Javed
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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