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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 15 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: The Prophets at the Metropole
From: Steve Jarrell
2. Re: The Frank Guida Sound
From: Steve Jarrell
3. Re: Promo Men - Jamie Bryant
From: Gary Myers
4. Re: The Cowsills
From: Gary Myers
5. Re: The Cowsills - alert!
From: Bill Reed
6. Cash Box singles charts online
From: David A. Young
7. Re: The Cowsills
From: Tom Taber
8. From Ed Rambeau
From: Ed Rambeau
9. Jack Nitzsche at Spectropop update
From: Martin Roberts
10. Re: Glen Campbell
From: Robert
11. Re: The Cowsills
From: Richard Havers
12. Re: Promo Men
From: Country Paul
13. Ron Dante interview with Steve Meyer
From: Laura Pinto
14. Re: The Prophets
From: Mikey
15. Re: The Cowsills
From: Tom Taber
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 14:08:43 -0500
From: Steve Jarrell
Subject: Re: The Prophets at the Metropole
> Hey, "I Still Love You" by the "Prophets" on Shell is a great garage-
> band song!
Thanks Dan Nowicki! I didn't think anyone would remember any of our
singles. None where ever national hits. "I Still Love You" on Shell
Records was our first single, "Fightin' For Sam" on Stonel Records,
our most popular. I think it made Billboard's bubbling under top 100.
Both were produced by Lee Stone and Syd Whyte and recorded in NYC.
All great memories for a 15 year old kid from Fredericksburg, VA.!
Steve Jarrell (The Prophets)
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 14:12:54 -0500
From: Steve Jarrell
Subject: Re: The Frank Guida Sound
Austin Roberts:
> ... the Frank Guida produced acts, Gary Bonds, Jimmy Soul, Tommy
> Facenda etc. were part of what came to be known internationally
> as the Norfolk (Va.) Sound. Though not clean, it was an exciting
> sound. I worked with Guida a couple of times and still have no
> idea how he managed to get this sound on one track and then two
> track machines. Magic room and mic placement I guess.
I was told by so folks from Norfolk that did work for Frank Guida
that Frank had his studio remodeled at one time. After the remodeling
was complete, the sound was lost and no more hits came out of the
studio. Austin, do you know or did you ever hear that story?
Steve Jarrell
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 13:29:46 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Promo Men - Jamie Bryant
James (or Jamie) Bryant (real name: Bartelme) was a guy from Manitowoc,
WI who did a lot of recording in Chicago, but also worked as a promo
man for Music Isle and/or Handelman. He also produced "Big Yellow Taxi"
by the Neighborhood. Even his family doesn't know whatever happened to
him. Has anyone in here ever heard of him?
Gary Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777/
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 14:08:01 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
Stephanie:
> The Cowsills never took themselves too seriously but they were good
> musicians ...
I think Jon Cowsill (who was too young to be in the group during their
hit days) is now playing drums for the Beach Boys. In the early-mid
80s, Jon played in a lounge trio at a Long Beach hotel where I played
a lot of casuals, so I got to know him a bit.
gem
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 22:26:32 -0000
From: Bill Reed
Subject: Re: The Cowsills - alert!
Last Wednesday I received the following press release. Waited for
someone else to post here, but I suppose I am "elected." And PUH-
LEESE, unlike the last time when my life was made a living nightmare
after I "broke" the news re: the death of Priscilla Paris as reported
to me by her brother-in-law. . .don't shoot the messenger. Just
contact the well-known PR guy from whose office it emanated: Edward
Lozzi , i.e. epl@lozzipr.com. Or better yet, the "contact" Louise
Palanker, 818 907 1753 , Palanker@pacbell.net. Maybe there is also
further amplification at: http://www.cowsill.com
REAL LIFE "PARTRIDGE FAMILY" TO REUNITE AFTER 30 YEARS FOR ONE NIGHT
PERFORMANCE
Cowsills Concert Proceeds to Benefit Ailing Brother
JUST ADDED: SHIRLEY JONES TO APPEAR WITH COWSILLS FOR THE FIRST TIME
WHAT: The Cowsills, the real-life singing family that inspired the
The Partridge Family, is reuniting to perform a benefite concert for
their oldest brother Billy. The event will be the second time in the
past 32 years that all seven Cowsills sibling have performed together
and the firt time Oscar actress and Patridge Shirley Jones appear
with the Cowsills.
The concert will feature The Cowsills, The Bangles, host Fritz
Coleman, and other special guests. All proceeds will benefit the
recovery of Billy Cowsill.
WHEN: Monday, September 13th 7:00 PM
WHERE: The El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd, L.A. 90036, 323 936
6400
WHY: Oldest brother Billy has spent the last 15 years in recovery
after years of struggle with drug problems. Recently, health problems
and medical complications have compelled his siblings and other
artists to come together and lend their support.
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 00:47:03 -0000
From: David A. Young
Subject: Cash Box singles charts online
Dear friends,
My friend and fellow 'popper Kevin Martin recently turned me on to
a site that I feel sure many of you will enjoy knowing about and
exploring. A fellow named Randy Price has compiled the data from
most all charts from Cash Box magazine from the '50s through the
'90s. Whatever information is missing from his site is solicited,
so maybe some of you could even help fill in some blanks. Anyway,
I hope y'all enjoy poking around as much as I did (I've bookmarked
it for easy future reference):
http://www.members.aol.com/_ht_a/randypny/cashbox/
David A. Young
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Message: 7
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 16:43:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
Clark Besch wrote:
> While we're at it, how bout the stereo version of the Tony Romeo
> (also wrote "I Think I Love You" oddly enough) Cowsills song "Poor
> Baby"??
Whenever I play "Poor Baby," I speed it up about 3%, and it suddenly
sounds like a hit record!
Tom Taber
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 03:12:32 -0000
From: Ed Rambeau
Subject: From Ed Rambeau
Hi folks. I just created an audio/video tribute to the heroes of 911
which I'd like to share with anyone who would like me to email them a
copy. The file size is 10.8 MB so it requires a decent provider.
Those who have yahoo or hotmail may be able to receive it as long as
there isn't too much in your inbox. I just emailed it to a friend of
mine who has yahoo and she received it intact. It does require
Windows Media Player to view it. It will not play using anything
else. So anyone interested can email me requesting a copy. Also,
for those who receive a copy, please feel free to pass it along to
all your friends. Hope all is well with everyone at Spectropop.
Sincerely, Ed Rambeau
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 05:49:54 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Jack Nitzsche at Spectropop update
Gosh, you lucky people, a myriad of delights for all visitors
to the site this week.
The Record of the Week playing now on the Home page is the
second outing for Joel Hill, with "I Ran" on Monogram.
http://www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/index.htm
The first track played on the site, "Secret Love", received
many favourable comments. The song this time is the a-side of
that record, is very different but just as good.
Karel Beer's early 1981 interview with Jack Nitzsche continues
on the Radio page, http://www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/radio.htm
Part two deals with his early days at Westlake College and
meeting Phil Spector.
Bob Lind recalls his time spent with Nitzsche on 'The Jack I Knew'
page. It's essential reading. The telling is powerful, honest and
long: http://www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/friends.htm#boblind
Click on the link to the Friends page, read my 'fluff' (if you
care to) and follow the link to the article. No more the 'elusive'
Bob Lind, he's back recording, performing and has just started his
own website complete with a message board.
Martin
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 03:57:43 -0000
From: Robert
Subject: Re: Glen Campbell
Country Paul:
> Glen Campbell had a significant hit with 1960's "Turn Around, Look
> At Me" (Crest). I forget - was he sitting in with the B Boys before
> or after he was trying for a country career?
Jens Koch:
> That would be before AND after! He recorded a couple of bluegrass
> albums and country singles, including "Truck Driving Man", "Dark as
> a Dungeon" and "Tomorrow Never Comes" before joining the studio scene
> big time and then touring with the Beach Boys. He recorded "Guess I'm
> Dumb" followed by "Less of Me" and "Burning Bridges" singles before
> charting with "Gentle On My Mind" and the rest is history. This
> information comes from Glen's discography in his Tom Carter-ghosted
> autobiograhy, Rhinestone Cowboy.
GUESS I'M DUMB is about as perfect as 60's pop gets. With an amazing
vocal by Glen, and production by Brian Wilson, this single should have
been a huge hit. This song is the reason I bought the Pet Projects
(Brian Wilson Productions) CD. I wish Brian could have produced a whole
album for Glen Campbell!
Rob
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 09:11:55 +0100
From: Richard Havers
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
Stephanie:
> The Cowsills never took themselves too seriously but they were good
> musicians ...
Gary Myers:
> I think Jon Cowsill (who was too young to be in the group during their
> hit days) is now playing drums for the Beach Boys. In the early-mid
> 80s, Jon played in a lounge trio at a Long Beach hotel where I played
Jon plays guitar and sings.
Richard
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 03:38:03 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Re: Promo Men
(That) Alan Gordon:
> I know all of us at S'pop love to talk about the song's, writers,
> performers, producers, and labels etc. I would like to bring up a
> topic that brings a smile to my face, The Promotion Men of the
> business.
Hartford was an interesting market because we'd get "overlapping"
promo people - a few in our own territory, and some from New York and
Boston. We were sandwiched between two major markets, but known as a
great test market for new product (both pop and album stations "took
chances" on new records, and had a lot of unique and/or early hits).
Thus, our local promo populace ran the gamut from eager newcomers
handling their first territory to seasoned old-timers with all the
color and flair you'd imagine.
We'd also get the occasional "placeholder": Bill Greenberg of Atlantic
was Jerry Greenberg's father, which is why he had the job. He was a
sweet older guy, dutiful and dependable, but discussing rock and roll
with him was like talking about it with your grandfather. We'd always
be nice to him because he was (1) a sweet guy, (2) a fish out of water,
and (3) a direct pipeline to the top.
Merv Amols of Capitol had the traditional "thundering" promo man style,
but he also had great ears and great honesty; he would tell you what
was really good, what was forgettable, and "what he needed." He also
helped the WHCN Music Director who preceded me, Ronnie Berger, get an
album on Capitol for his band, Exit 99, a horn rock group. (The album
"came out and went back in," however.) He also got a writer's credit on
an Al Martino album as a "stroke" for being a solid guy, which he was
and still is.
One of the most colorful local guys was Bill Beamish, who also handled
WEA product. He had been a well-known Top 40 DJ in New Haven through
the 50s and 60s, and was still a great partier and joker. While a fun
guy with a helpful and reliable ear, there was one particularly
"notable" promotion he did with us - but not for all the right reasons.
It involved "the McGearmobile." WHCN was a well-respected freeform
commercial progressive rock outlet and thus, for those of us who worked
there, the source of artistic satisfaction, miniscule salaries, and a
promotional budget of zero. Bill offered us a car to give away to
promote [Paul McCartney's brother] Mike McGear's album. Fine, we said,
but it needs to be something decent without a lot of promo paint on it;
we had our counter-culture reputation to live up to. Or - in this case
- to live down! This old bomb - some mid-60's GM monster that had
obviously not been well loved by its many former owners - showed up
with "McGearmobile" hype painted all over it in a freehand style best
described as "supermarket special." We swallowed hard, and were going
to take turns driving it for a couple of days apiece for a couple of
weeks before getting rid of it - I mean, giving it away - on the air.
I got it first. It made it a mile-and-a-half to where I parked it on
the busy street outside my apartment, where it died! After sitting there
for a day collecting parking tickets, it was towed to a shop, where two
days of repairs made it run again. (Of course, all this while the "look
for the McGearmobile" promos were running on the air.) Next jock took it
- same thing. My memory of the details and sequence of bad-news events
fades between here and the climax; we ultimately gave the thing to some
"lucky" winner over the air, who took it home and - you can imagine the
rest. I think Bill got Warner Brothers to give the winner a few hundred
dollars to make the promotion, and the McGearmobile, "go away."
Country Paul
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 14:47:38 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Ron Dante interview with Steve Meyer
Hi all,
Ron Dante recently did an interview for Stephen Meyer, who publishes
an email newsletter called Disc & Dat. The interview appeared in
last week's issue of Disc & Dat, and I've just posted the interview,
in its entirety, on my site.
To check out the interview, just go to Laura's Ron Dante Fan Pages at
http://snipurl.com/rondante and click on the appropriate link on the
homepage. Included at the foot of the article is an email address
for Stephen Meyer where you can contact him if you would like to
subscribe to Disc & Dat.
Enjoy,
Laura
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 09:18:27 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: The Prophets
Hi Steve!!
Can you PLEASE post your two Prophets 45s to Musica? This is the only
way we here on S'P will ever get to hear this stuff...
Many thanks,
Mikey
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 06 Sep 2004 08:24:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
Gary Myers wrote:
> I think Jon Cowsill (who was too young to be in the group during
> their hit days) is now playing drums for the Beach Boys. In the
> early-mid 80s, Jon played in a lounge trio at a Long Beach hotel
> where I played a lot of casuals, so I got to know him a bit.
John played with Jan and Dean, and when they appeared at the NY State
Fair in Syracuse about 5 or 6 years ago, I recognized him backstage
before the show. I said to him "I haven't been here since the summer
of 1969, and that's probably the last time you were here too!" He
corrected me (it was 1968) - the Cowsills were the first name rock
group I ever saw perform. I believe John is a bit older than Susan,
and they both were part of a very entertaining show - much better at
"show biz" than the ever-complaining Janis Joplin was in Rochester a
few months later.
Tom Taber
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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