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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 18 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. IMDB
From: Einar Einarsson Kvaran
2. Les Emerson
From: Clark Besch
3. Bobby Stevens and the Dukes
From: Bill
4. "Road Bands"
From: Stewart Epstein
5. Re: bubblegum reunion
From: Clark Besch
6. Re: C'mon, Let's Live A Little
From: Peter Lerner
7. Chris Curtis, songwriter too
From: Peter Lerner
8. Re: Canadian R&R
From: Davie Gordon
9. Re: Teddy Boys
From: Joe Nelson
10. Re: Canadian R&R
From: Denis Gagnon
11. Farmer's Daughter's revenge / Canadian Content Rules
From: Javed Jafri
12. Re: Basil Swift / Farmer's Daughter
From: Bgas
13. Re: "Studio Groups"
From: Bill Mulvy
14. Re: Alma Cogan's "Snakes And Snails ..."
From: Eddy
15. WWKB/WKBW - from the source
From: Country Paul
16. Cameo Parkway Story (1957-1967)
From: Ray
17. Beatle girls and other rarities - 'Flabby Road' home made series
From: Andres
18. Re: Ohio Expresses / Rare Breed
From: Max Weiner
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 12:05:13 -0800 (PST)
From: Einar Einarsson Kvaran
Subject: IMDB
Dave Feldman wrote:
> For those Spectropoppers with access to American Movie Classics, don't
> miss "C'mon, Let's Live A Little," showing at the felicitous time of
> 4:15-5:45 a.m. this Sunday morning.
For those of you who don't know about the Internet Movie Data Base, http://imdb.com/ , this is a great time to introduce you to it [I
learned about it from my daughter, who just knows about these things].
If you look up "C,mon, Let's Live a Little" you'll get there and see
the entire cast, and lots more. If you then click on "Jackie
DeShannon" you will discover that this was not her first movie, that
honor going to "Surf Party" (1964) in which she co-starred with Bobby
Vinton. Click on him and you'll learn, . . . . . . . .
but don't take my word for it, try it yourself.
Einar
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 17:54:09 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Les Emerson
Country Paul wrote:
> Les Emmerson's Five Man Electrical Band was right at the end of the
> 60s, and they were a successful export.
Actually pre-5 Man Les Emmerson group, the Staccatos was very big
there in Canada. Their "Half Past Midnight" is FANTASTIC!
Clark
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 19:32:19 -0000
From: Bill
Subject: Bobby Stevens and the Dukes
Does anyone have any info on an LP I recently found entitled "Tribute
to Cliff" by Bobby Stevens and the Dukes. It was recorded in England
and was released on the ARC International label out of Toronto. It is
a tribute to British rock artist, Cliff Richard. I would like to know
when this LP was released? Also any info on Bobby Stevens and the
Dukes as far as other recordings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Bill
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 05:37:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Stewart Epstein
Subject: "Road Bands"
Dear Bill, Thank you very much for your "take"/perspective on things
and for your EXCELLENT thoughts and suggestions. You are correct---
back in 1969, I was told by many rock band managers/agents that the
artists, at least on a group's first hit and sometimes on all of their
hits, were studio musicians who craked all out kinds of songs, and
that if a song become a hit, then they looked for people to become the
band...sometimes this put-together band was also called "the road
band"...that is, there was a recording studio group, and then another
group that was the band "on the road" ( during tours)..I vividly
remember Julie Rifkind giving me a vinyl record and saying to me "try
to sound exactly like the lead singer on the record" (which was called
"Sweets for my Sweet"----a hit song...I was recently told that the
singer on the reord was actually Tommy West of Cashman, Pistilil, and
West...so, while I thought I was a full member of the band (called
"Central Park West"), at that time I was only a member of the "road
band" which no one ever bothered to mention to me...but Julie Rifkind
did tell me that a lot of rock bands were "put-together" bands
including one that he played a large role in called "The Strangeloves"
who claimed to be from Australia, but who were really a bunch of
performers from New York City using fake accents...so what you said
is absolutely CORRECT...again, thanks for the great e-mail.
Gratefully,
Stew
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 18:09:18 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: bubblegum reunion
Boomer wrote:
> I am hoping to create a "reunion" of about 4 or 5 former Bubblegum
> Music performing artists who might be interested in performing
> together ...
Bill Mulvy:
> Having seen the Raspberries in concert this past January, I would
> definitely not classify their music as "bubblegum", whatsoever.
> The McCoys do not strike me as bubblegum either. I'll add one for
> you -- The Yellow Balloon.
I agree with you Bill. Raspberries bubblegum?? NO WAY. McCoys
might have done a few songs ("Little People") that are definitely
bubblegum sound, but they would be from before that phrase was
common. I don't think I heard the sound categorized as bubblegum
until 1968 when it was Buddah's middle name. Yellow Balloon is at
least near that era and is of that sound.
> I do like your idea, though a lot of groups might take offense to
> the reference that their music would be considered "bubblegum music".
Certainly, Professor Morrison's Lollypop's "You Got the Love" and
Shadows of Knight's "Shake" get somewhat of an unfair labelling of
bubblegum due to their Kasenetz-Katz connections. Both are more rock
than bubblegum. I like bubblegum, but some would just as soon not
have that label, like the above 2 songs.
> I recently heard "Down At Lulu's" in stereo on XM and it brought
> back fond memories from the Kuma Sutra label.
Brings to mind the fact that altho I love stereo, the mono 45
versions of "Down at Lulu's", "Yummy", "Jelly Jungle" are much more
powerful and less echoey than the stereo versions. I'll take those
mono 45 version anyday.
> My understanding was that a lot of these groups did not play on
> their records. It might be easier to get their lead singers and
> have one backup group to do all the music.
Certainly, we were excited to get the 1910 Fruitgum Co booked to out
local YMCA in small town Dodge City in 1969, but I doubt now that we
really saw the true group. Thus, not only did the groups play on
their records, but many really didn't exist even on the road in any
way. Often a local group was signed to play as a bubblegum act in
their area. And we think today's group masquerading as the Vogues
(and such) are a ripoff....
> I live in the Chicago area and every summer there are these town
> festivals that would be a perfect place for an all-star bubblegum
> line-up to perform. It's called the outdoor circuit and it probably
> exists in other parts of the country as well. I'd like to see a
> group like The Rascals who I believe perform on the East coast. We
> get a lot of Midwest groups like the New Colony Six, Mauds, Cryan
> Shames and The Ides of March playing every summer. It would be
> great to see groups from the other circuits come our way.
Bill, you should be ECSATIC just to have these 4 groups to see. I
worked on many of these fave groups' Cds, yet have only seen 2 of
these and only once each. Love that Chicago sound....
Clark
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 22:42:46 -0000
From: Peter Lerner
Subject: Re: C'mon, Let's Live A Little
Frank asked:
> With Bo Belinsky, Kim Carnes, Russ Conway ... Is this the UK piano-
> playing chartoppper Russ Conway, of "Sidesaddle" fame?
Definitely no, but Kim Carnes (then known as Karnes) is definitely the
1980s chart topping Kim, who I would suggest probably. at that stage
in her career, had no inkling of the fact that some 20 years later she
would have her greatest international success with a song written by
the female lead of the movie.
Peter
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 22:29:10 -0000
From: Peter Lerner
Subject: Chris Curtis, songwriter too
Scott wrote:
> In addition to his footnotes in pop history as The Searchers' drummer
> and for assembling the original lineup of Deep Purple, Chris Curtis
> also made a stab at being a record producer. He joined the Pye Records
> staff in April 1966 although I only know of 3 Pye singles produced by
> him.
Chris also formed a songwriting relationship with Sharon Sheeley, after
he left the Searchers. I'd be interested to know if any of their
compositions were ever recorded.
Peter
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Message: 8
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:23:35 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Canadian R&R
Will Stos wrote:
> I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but Canada also introduced
> domestic talent content regulations at some point in the 60s or 70s.
> I think it might have been '71 or '73. Broadcasters had to play a
> certain percent of music that originated in Canada or was made by
> Canadians (artist, producer, or writer). Does anyone know when
> these rules went into effect?
"After intense music industry lobbying in Ottawa, fanned by
continuing support by RPM. the CRTC's radio regulations were revised
in 1971 to mandate 30 percent domestic quotas on radio airplay. The
package also gave rise to the adoption of Stan's MAPL coding to
identify Music, Artist, Production and Lyrics - any two of which in a
record qualified it as "Canadian"."
from:
http://www.broadcasting-history.ca/personalities/personalities.php?id=341
Davie Gordon
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 19:14:22 -0500
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: Teddy Boys
Rex Strother asked:
> Anybody know about this group: Teddy Boys, with John Reynolds
> as lead singer.
Barry Margolis:
> Do you mean these Teddy Boys?:
> * Jezebel/It's You (MGM 13515, 1966)
> * Where Have All The Good Times Gone/La La (Cameo 433, 1966)
> * Mona/Good Morning Blues (Cameo 448, 1967)
> * Don't Mess With Me/? (No label #1 616, 1967)
Barry, Any chance they had any records on Meteor? That was the big
local label here in Poughkeepsie at the time. I wonder if any of
these guys are still in the area.
Joe Nelson
(actually lives in Pleasant Valley, but with a Hyde Park mailing
address.)
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 19:36:43 -0500
From: Denis Gagnon
Subject: Re: Canadian R&R
Will Stos wrote:
> I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but Canada also introduced
> domestic talent content regulations at some point in the 60s or 70s.
> I think it might have been '71 or '73. Broadcasters had to play a
> certain percent of music that originated in Canada or was made by
> Canadians (artist, producer, or writer). Does anyone know when
> these rules went into effect?
I did some research (in fact, just a few minutes) and came up with the
following. Between 1959-1961, the CRTC (Canadian Radio-Televison &
Tecommunications Commission) created a regulation about Canadian
contents: "a least 45% of broadcast hours to be devoted to Canadian
programs". In 1962, the regulation was revised up to 55%. In 1972, it
was revised again to 60% (50% during primetime). No significant
changes since then.
Denis
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 23:22:23 -0800
From: Javed Jafri
Subject: Farmer's Daughter's revenge / Canadian Content Rules
Previously:
> I have since heard the record. Honestly, I think it's ghastly. (Not
> a word I - or I guess anyone - uses often anymore.) A second listen
> didn't change my mind. Did it sell any copies? Does anyone here who
> knows it like it? Please feel free to try to convince me. (And it's
> not that I categorically dislike loud music or parody - just this
> one.)
I have to agree with you on this one Paul. What a let down when I first
heard this record. Basil Swift & The Seegrams was such a cool name for
a group. BTW my fave cover of this song is by Yo La Tengo.
Regarding Canadian content regulations on Canadian radio. This from
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/ :
"Considering the high quality of singing and songwriting that Canadians
took to the U.S. in the 1960s, it bothered people here that our musicians
could not make much money in Canada, where they had to compete for radio
airplay with well-known American or British groups. So in 1970, the
Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission announced
Canadian content regulations for radio. These rules require AM radio
stations to fill 30% of their music broadcasts with records in which two
of the following jobs were done by Canadians: the writing of the music,
the arrangement of the music, the production of the recording, or the
writing of the lyrics".
I have mentioned this before on this list. The above rule, in addition
to encouraging Canadian recording artists, has also meant that anything
written by a Canadian has a long shelf life on the radio. Matthew's
Southern Comfort's versions of Woodstock and Tell Me Why and Junior
Walker's version of "These Eyes" still get regular air play and there
are a number of other examples. Recordings which were marginally Canadian
by acts such as CSNY, Buffalo Springfield, The Band and BS&T live on
forever on Canadian radio.
There were plenty of Canadian artists that had local hits during the mid
to late 60's before the advent of these rules. Some even got air play in
the U.S. Here's a partial list and I know I have left out names :
Jack London and The Sparrow
The Beau Marks
The Stitch in Thyme
The Lords of London
The Mandela
The Ugly Ducklings
Motherlode
Mashmakan
The Poppy Family
The Big Town Boys
The Quiet Jungle
The Collectors
The Staccatos
The Last Words
Terry Black
The Esquires
The Paupers
Tranquility Base
Kensington Market
A Passing Fancy
Barry Allan
Bobby Taylor & The Vancouver's
Grant Smith and The Power
The Sugar Shoppe
Jackie Shane
Shirley Mathews
Javed
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 19:44:13 EST
From: Bgas
Subject: Re: Basil Swift / Farmer's Daughter
Previously:
> I've known and loved the Basil Swift record for years, but it wasn't
> until Eddy forwarded us Brad Elliott's comments that I had any idea
> there was anything "off" about it. Granted that might say more about
> my abilities to hear music than it does about the record itself, but
> I'm quite content to let it remain as such -- in fact, I'm going to
> avoid relistening to the record until I'm able to purge my memory of
> the idea that it is off, so that it doesn't start ruining my
> enjoyment of it. Sometimes we need to trick ourselves into
> maintaining our happy illusions, but if that's what it takes then
> so be it.
I'm not sure from whence those comments from Brad Elliott came, but
at some later point in time he must have amended them; Danny Hutton
did the vocals on that record with no contributions from Brian Wilson
at all (no matter what it sounds like).
Bgas
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 08:53:27 -0600
From: Bill Mulvy
Subject: Re: "Studio Groups"
One of the groups who originally did their own songs in the studio and
then later sometimes didn't, was Paul Revere and the Raiders. I don't
think Paul Revere liked the studio, he just wanted to play live. They
were kind of the reverse of the Monkees, who fought their label to
play their own instruments on "Headquarters", after just singing on the
first two albums.
What type of sound did Central Park West have? I think I saw a CD from
Rhino or Sundazed out awhile back.
Bill Mulvy
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 08:25:17 +0100
From: Eddy
Subject: Re: Alma Cogan's "Snakes And Snails ..."
Anthony Parsons:
> I absolutely LOVE this record! Never heard it until I got the Dream
> Babes Vol. 1 CD but it has become one of my all-time faves.
Here's the line-up for the song:
Bobby Ore: drums
John Paul Jones: bass
Jimmy Page: guitar
Vic Flick: guitar
Joe Moretti: guitar
Dusty Springfield, Rosetta Hightower, Doris Troy, Chris Curtis:
backing vocals
The Chris Curtis solo single was:
Aggravation / Have I done something wrong (Pye 7N 17132) and has Jimmy
Page, Joe Moretti, John Paul Jones and Vick Flick.
Chris on the Alma Cogan 45: She didn't realise that she'd have to sing
over a heavy rock backing and she loved it.
And on his solo 45: I knew I had a voice that would record well but it
wouldn't have worked with Tony Hatch as he was not a funky chap. I just
did the one single 'cause I'd had enough. I'd shown I could do it.
Eddy
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Message: 15
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 23:50:35 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: WWKB/WKBW - from the source
Previously:
> I understand from a contact of mine that they could have
> regained the WKBW call sign with the consent of WKBW-TV. But, from
> what he tells me, they wanted a large sum of money for this. Perhaps
> you could confirm this with Don. Perhaps I can ask Hank Nevins, KB PD,
> about this. But to listen to them, they are "WKBW" except for the
> legal ID. Check out their tribute web site: http://www.wkbwradio.com/
I passed the message along to Don Berns, and here's his reply:
"The person in your group is almost completely correct. The station
doesn't actually call itself WKBW - everything is KB Radio except the
old jingles, which are "WKBW".
"Channel 7 has no control over anyone calling themselves "KB", but they
are definitely money hungry. They almost lost the Jim Carrey movie
"Bruce Almighty" because they were asking for some ridiculous amount
just for the production to use their call letters (the actual film was
done on a set in L.A.). But Jim Carrey grew up watching channel 7 and
used his clout to get the prodcuers to negotiate, otherwise it would
have ended up being set at channel 2 (WGR).
"Otherwise your guy is on target. The only time KB uses it's actual
call letters is in the top hour IDs.
"We have a [WKBW] reunion coming up this weekend. Joey's [Joey Reynolds]
show is live from KB Friday night and I should be on with him (again)."
Country Paul
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 09:13:13 -0000
From: Ray
Subject: Cameo Parkway Story (1957-1967)
Cameo Parkway Story (1957-1967) 4 CD Box Set Coming May 3, 2005
full details and tracklistings can be found at
http://www.oldies.com/product/view.cfm/id_192232.html
ray
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 08:29:01 -0000
From: Andres
Subject: Beatle girls and other rarities - 'Flabby Road' home made series
Here we go again:
THE BEATLES ARE COMING! (Flabby Road Vol. 17)
1. I'D RATHER SEE THE BEATLES...
2. The Trixies - WE LOVE YOU BEATLES, 1964
3. The Detours - BRING BACK MY BEATLES, 1964
4. Polly Perkins - YOU TOO CAN BE A BEATLE, circa 1964
5. The Patty Cakes - RHYTHM BACKGROUND OF "I UNDERSTAND THEM", 1964
6. The Minute Men - PLEASE KEEP THE BEATLES IN ENGLAND, 1964
7. Aileen Frances - WAITING FOR PAUL TO CALL, 1964
8. The Mustang - IT'S RINGO BY GEORGE, 1964
9. Sharon Lynn Kuhn - A LETTER TO THE BEATLES, 1964
10. The U.S. Beetle-Wigs - SHE'S SO INNOCENT (OH YEAH), 1964
11. Little Lady Beetles - DEAR BEETLES, 1964
12. The Del 4's - THE BEATLE SONG, 1964
13. Vice-Roys - LIVERPOOL, 1964
14. Bobby Wilding - SINCE I'VE BEEN WEARING MY HAIR LIKE A BEATLE, 1964
15. John And Paul - WOULD YOU TELL HER, 1965
16. The Sidewalk Skipper Band - STRAWBERRY TUESDAY, 1968
17. John Lennon & The Bleechers - RAM YOU HARD, 1969
18. Zacharius & The Tree People - WE'RE ALL PAUL BEARERS, 1969
19. The House Of Love - BEATLES AND THE STONES (single version), 1990
20. A Northern Band - REMEMBER JOHN LENNON, 1997 (Canada)
21. Popland - NEVER LIKED THE BEATLES, 1998
22. The Tigers Of Instantaneous Death - NOW THAT I'M IN THE BEATLES, 1999
23. Jerkwater - CAN'T ESCAPE THE BEATLES, 2001
24. Wellves - C'MON C'MON, 2004 (Germany)
25. Dice - GOD BLESS YOU JOHN LENNON, 2004 (Germany)
26. The Beatmas - A BAIRN IS BORN IN BEATLEHOME, 1994 (Denmark)
bonus track
27. Chugunniy Skorohod - YOKO ONO (ANTI-RADIO EDIT), 2001 (Russia)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Look for more here http://www.monstr66.narod.ru
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 04:35:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Max Weiner
Subject: Re: Ohio Expresses / Rare Breed
Austin Roberts wrote:
> I'm pretty sure there was another lead singer, other than Joey
> Levine, on "Beg Borrow And Steal."
Michael Thom:
> Joey Levine wasn't involved with the Ohio Express until their second
> LP, which was their first on Buddah. "Beg, Borrow and Steal," which
> is on their debut LP on Cameo, was actually recorded by the Rare
> Breed for the Attack label, owned by Kasenetz and Katz and then
> "credited" to the Ohio Express, though the Rare Breed was a totally
> different group. The group that became Ohio Express on the Cameo LP
> was originally known as Sir Timothy & The Royals, and Levine wasn't
> involved with them, either. K&K brought him into the picture when
> Ohio Express went to Buddah.
Michael; I have heard this particular debate before concerning the
Rare Breed vs The Ohio Express. However, the one thing that I have
never found out is exactly who the Rare Breed were. I have heard that
they were originally from New York, but little else. I would be
curious to find out who these gents really were.
max
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