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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 16 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Possible Bo Gentry link?
From: Billie R. McNamara
2. Re: Motown, the Mothers & more
From: Country Paul
3. Re: Holy TV themes, it's ROBIN WARD!
From: Phil Milstein
4. the Montanas "Let's Ride"
From: laughingmood
5. Re: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Girl Group Tribute
From: John Clemente
6. Appeal for Joey Levine information.
From: Guy Lawrence
7. Re: the Montanas "Let's Ride"
From: Mark Frumento
8. Re: the Montanas "Let's Ride"
From: Jeffrey Mlinscek
9. The Girls In Cleveland
From: John Rausch
10. The (current) Chiffons
From: Roger Hollier
11. Sunshine Pop
From: Buddy Love
12. Re: Le Sunshine Pop
From: Jed Dubois
13. Roger Nichols singles release info
From: Chris
14. More on girl groups' show; Mary Wilson
From: Country Paul
15. Stamping With The Girl Groups At The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame
From: Warren Cosford
16. Whatever Happened To BABY JANE & THE ROCKABYES?
From: The Spectropop Team
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 00:54:26 -0000
From: Billie R. McNamara
Subject: Re: Possible Bo Gentry link?
Country Paul wrote:
> I suggest going to http://www.lagunatunes.com and contacting
> Kenny Laguna via e-mail; they worked together. By the way,
> does this make Bo Gentry a relative of the legendary Roy Acuff?
Thanks for the suggestion -- I wrote to Mr. Laguna before I posted
here. Still waiting to hear from him.
We don't currently think Robert Ackoff and Roy Acuff were very
closely related. But finding out more about Mr. Ackoff might
enlighten us.
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 01:10:40 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Re: Motown, the Mothers & more
Leonardo Flores mentions "A Cellarful Of Motown: The Rarest
Grooves." Tonight's (8/23/02)"All Things Considered" on
National Public Radio did an incredible 15-minute segment on
it with the "curator" of the album. It's like discovering an
alternate Motown universe which is just as good as the first!
Gotta get this one.
Also, Leonardo, I was privileged to see the Mothers when
"Freakout" was first released. Vanilla Fudge opened the show -
and stayed for the middle and much of the end, too, leaving
Zappa & company with 45 minutes to play. So Frank spot-conducted
an instantly-composed digest of their set. It was brilliant and
tight, and a highlight of the half-dozen shows (with various
configurations) I was privileged to see by the various Mothers
aggregations. I know Zappa was a major doo-wop fan; was Ray
Collins around Frank in those early days?
Mary S., although I know Sandie Shaw made other records besides
"Girl Don't Come," I've never heard them. Despite her aggressive
vibrato on that song, I think it's one of the best of the "British
Invasion" years. It charted high in the US, yet our bland oldies
stations don't play it anymore. Shame on them....
Nick Archer - the WIBG list of 35 years ago was fascinating; I
knew a couple of the artists (Every Mother's Son, the Arbors
and their close harmony), but the only song I'm familiar with
is "The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven" by Chris Bartley,
which is a soul-style record, local to Philly, I think (I think
Vando was distributed by Cameo). Somewhere in the musty boxes
in my basement are a couple of "77 WABC" surveys from the early
1960's, with 77 songs charted and "7+7" pick hits. They didn't
play them all, but most got on the air back then when top 40
meant at least 40 songs or more.
(One I remember "getting to" #77 was Lucky Clark's "So Sick," a
white guy with a slick twist arrangement with strings. Actually
quite a fine pop record, but who'd expect a white guy on Chess?
The flip was avery serviceable version of Little Anthony's "Two
Kinds of People In The World.")
Ian Slater, thanks for the Murmaids' follow-up singles. Did any
of them ever make it to CD reissues? And how is the "newish" CD
of theirs - have you heard it?
Jean-Emanuel, for the "sunshine pop" part of your project - and
on Capitol - the gorgeous instrumental flipside of the Survivors'
"Pamela Jean," called "After The Game," is as perfect a Beach Boys
instrumental as you'll ever hear. (Like the Motown album above,
it's from an alternative universe as good as the first one.)
Dave Feldman, your Ellie Greenwich/Brian Wilson vignette is way
cool. And thanks for all the nifty "Imponderables" stuff over
the years! (Your website, http://www.imponderables.com , made for
some interesting diversions.)
Bozmartin, thanks for the Coasters' website. The links at the
bottom are worth the price of admission!
Onward,
Country Paul
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 09:08:38 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Holy TV themes, it's ROBIN WARD!
Mick Patrick wrote:
> Robin (Jackie) Ward may or may not have vocaled the
> stratospheric Star Trek leitmotif; she does, however,
> claim to have sung the TV themes for Flipper, Maude,
> Love American Style and BATMAN!
Perhaps she was lumping lead (?) and backing vocals
together. The theme to Maude was sung by Donny Hathaway,
although he had a female chorus behind him on the "And then
there's Maude"s. The other titles I believe were all choral
vocals throughout, although, as my memory grows leakier by
the day, there may in fact have been a lead or two in there
after all.
--Phil Milstein
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 13:59:02 -0000
From: laughingmood
Subject: the Montanas "Let's Ride"
If anyone out there has the Montanas comp, "You've Got To Be
Loved", could you please post whatever info it lists for their
version of the Nichols/Williams tune "Let's Ride"?
Thanks
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 11:02:32 -0400
From: John Clemente
Subject: Re: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Girl Group Tribute
Hello All,
I just got off the telephone with Margaret Ross Williams of The Cookies.
She was floating on air. She said the ceremony and the reunion was
wonderful. The Cookies sang "All My Trials", their Warner Bros. single,
because Earl-Jean has restricted herself to spirituals in the last
few years, but after the show, Margaret told me that she, Dorothy and
Earl-Jean talked and "Jeannie", as they call her, decided that it wouldn't
be out of character to resume singing her hits! So, although nothing is
set in stone, you may see The Cookies out there again soon. Margaret said
that all the ladies were phenominal. Congratulations to all of them! Does
anyone know the link to the Cleveland newspaper that carried the story on
August 23rd? I'd like to read it. Thanks!
Regards,
John Clemente
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026 03:00:27 -0700
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Appeal for Joey Levine information.
I am in the process of setting up an internet-based guide to the songs of
Joey Levine for the web's premier bubblegum site - Classic Bubblegum
visit the list at http://home.att.net/~bubblegumusic/joeysongs.htm
If any of the more sweet-toothed Spectropoppers know of any of Joey's
songwriting credits that I might have missed I'd really appreciate it if
they could contact me off list with as much information as possible.
All contributors will be acknowledged.
Thanks in advance,
Guy Lawrence
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 11:50:36 -0400
From: Mark Frumento
Subject: Re: the Montanas "Let's Ride"
From "laughingmood":
> If anyone out there has the Montanas comp, "You've Got To Be
> Loved", could you please post whatever info it lists for their
> version of the Nichols/Williams tune "Let's Ride"?
It doesn't list anything other than the fact that the recording is
unreleased. There is no writers credit and is listed as "unknown".
I think I mentioned this before and Kingsley Abott commented back
that this is being corrected in a future release by the band.
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 11:33:39 -0400
From: Jeffrey Mlinscek
Subject: Re: the Montanas "Let's Ride"
It seems that "laughingmood" has more info than the comp does.
The Montanas' CD lists the writers of "Let's Ride" as "unknown".
Also, there is no mention of the song in the liner notes.
Sorry,
Jeff M
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 11:48:42 -0400
From: John Rausch
Subject: The Girls In Cleveland
Damn, I didn`t know Nedra of the Ronettes was going to be present at
the R&RHOF celebration. And here I am, not more than 20 minutes outside
of Cleveland. Anyone who attended have any pics of Nedra ? Wonder why
Ronnie was not present, anyone know? She sure couldn`t have been THAT
busy to not attend. Thanks for the recent posts from those who attended.
John Rausch
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 13:20:27 EDT
From: Roger Hollier
Subject: The (current) Chiffons
Like several other people I have noticed that the All American Solid Gold
Rock N Roll Show which is touring the UK towards the end of this year with
Bobby Vee, Chris Montez, Brian Hyland and Johnny Preston also includes the
Chiffons. This is a great show and has toured the UK at least twice before
with Little Eva.
For anyone who wants to see the Chiffons perform live, they can be found on
the DVD Doo Wop 51 on Rhino Home Video, singing One Fine Day. The lead singer
is I think Judy Craig, supported by two younger singers and they are
introduced as "in their final television appearance together". The DVD which
also includes The Crystals and Shirley Alston Reeves was released in 2001 and
the show dates from 2000.
Roger Hollier
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 13:14:35 -0500 (US Eastern Standard Time)
From: Buddy Love
Subject: Sunshine Pop
Please, I am new here and I'm interested in sunshine pop.
What bands, what albums and what record labels should I
look out for? One of my friends said the Siesta record label
was neo-sunshine pop. Opinions?
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Message: 12
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 22:35:34 +0200
From: Jed Dubois
Subject: Re: Le Sunshine Pop
Buddy Love:
> Please, I am new here and I'm interested in sunshine pop.
> What bands, what albums and what record labels should I
> look out for? One of my friends said the Siesta record label
> was neo-sunshine pop. Opinions?
Siesta is great. Also check out Louis Philippe Records and Linus Of
Hollywood:
http://www.louisphilippe.co.uk
http://www.linusofhollywood.com
Saint Etiennne the cult UK band as well! Plus the High Llamas! And Pete
(Lee Hazlewood & High Llamas guitarist) Aves too! He is great!
JED
http://www.euro-visions.net
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Message: 13
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 03:12:30 -0000
From: Chris
Subject: Roger Nichols singles release info
Can anyone fill me in on the released dates of these Roger Nichols
Trio and Small Circle Of Friends singles?
Don't Go Breaking My Heart/Our Day Will Come A&M 801
Love Song/Love Song/Snow Queen A&M 830
Just Beyond Your Smile/I'll Be Back A&M 849
Can I Go/Didn't Want To Have To Do It A&M 876
Don't Take Your Time/I Can See Only You promo A&M 926
Let's Ride/Love So Fine A&M 946
The Drifter/Trust A&M 1029
Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!
Chris
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Message: 14
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 00:23:00 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: More on girl groups' show; Mary Wilson
Kingsley Abbott: I'm partial to Cowboy Junkies' "Ooh Las Vegas" on the Gram
Parsons tribute album. Their airy vocals and beautiful harmonies swim
through and over the much harder-than-usual rockin' backing track. Not truly
Spectro, but IMHO truly spectacular.
Dave: re Girl Groups @ HOF, wish I could have been there. Sounds like a
once-in-a-lifetime event. Incidentally, I had the pleasure of doing a radio
spot with Mary Wilson in New York a couple of years ago; she was as
wonderful and warm as one would imagine - and strikingly beautiful as well.
At the time, she was doing a DJ stint on WWRL 1600 AM and sounding great; I
believe she still is.
From her website, http://www.marywilson.com
"In June 2000, the Turtle Creek Chorale, along with the Women's Chorus of
Dallas and the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, premiered a new choral
symphony commissioned for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"Composed in 10 movements, it tells the story of those affected by breast
cancer from the perspectives of the patient, the partner and the family.
Narrated by Dr. Maya Angelou, this remarkable work is a double CD set.
"Mary Wilson performs the touching, childlike elegy, "Come to Me Mother," by
New Jersey composer Jill Galina.
"The CD can be ordered on the Turtle Creek Chorale Website,
http://www.turtlecreek.org The proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation."
And Stephanie, the girl-group show story you cite
http://detnews.com/2002/entertainment/0208/23/c01-568950.htm is indeed
exceptional; I e-mailed my thanks to the author.
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Message: 15
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 02:10:27 -0400
From: Warren Cosford
Subject: Stamping With The Girl Groups At The Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame
So...a few months ago I heard about this Girl Group Stamp Thing at The Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and marked the date on my calendar. And then
pretty much forgot about it. There's been a lot going on.
Then Monday came....and looking over The Week.... there was that "Girl Groups
in Cleveland" entry in my Daytimer on Thursday. Hell...I'd just come back from
NYC....and before that Toronto. Did I really want to drive some more?
But then....Cleveland's only a little over 3 hours away. And it's home to The
World's Greatest Record Man.....Steve Popovich.
http://www.clevelandintl.com/clevelandintl/ Haven't seen Steve in over a
year. I need my Steve Fix. He'll get me Pumped Up about The Business.
Besides.... I always come home with some Great Records. So I call Steve.
Steve's energy almost melts the telephone. Yea...he's heard something about
The Girl Groups. He'll check it out. When am I comin'? Well The Event is
1:30 Thursday. I can drive in that morning and drive back after a List Member
dinner that night. I get The Word out on Radiopro. Anyone else want to come?
The Week continues. Looks like Doug Thompson and Dave Tollington might come
from Toronto. Doug, Dave and I have had a lot of Adventures. I have a feeling
this could be another one. Wednesday morning Steve calls. If I can be in
Cleveland by 8PM tonight there's going to be a party for The Girls.
By 7:30 I'm with Steve at Sokolowski's. No that's not a typing error. It's a
third generation Polish restaurant. As with any restaurant in Cleveland they
greet Steve as if he's a member of the family. Which he may be. None of my
business.
At 8PM sharp the front door bursts open and we are inundated by a Pack of Girl
Groups....or is that a Herd of Girl Groups...... led by the knock down gorgeous
Mary Wilson of the Supremes. It quickly becomes clear that Mary is The
General. I now "flash" on the fact I've never heard of a woman General. There
she is.
How many "Girls"? It sounded like 100. But it was likely closer to 50 or 60.
Of course not all of them were Girl Group Girls. Some were Family.
Mary came over to introduce herself. Why are my knees shaking?
The Dinner was buffet style. Although we were invited, somehow it didn't feel
right to sit down with them. I hovered. Listened. And watched. Do you like
People Watching? You would have been in Heaven.
Girls began to walk up to the microphone and tell stories. About The Buses.
About Segregation. About having Hit Records. Mary brought up Maxine Powell who
worked with Motown's Artist Development Department. Forty years ago, Maxine
told The Motown Girls she was teaching them how to behave in front of Kings and
Queens. They thought she was crazy. Tell that to Queen Elizabeth.
Many told of hearing Arlene Smith of The Chantels sing "Maybe" when they were
growing up and being HUGELY influenced by it. Others mentioned The Shirelles.
A couple were there. Shirley would be in tomorrow.
But Arlene was at Sokolowski's. Right there. Holding court.
The Oldies Station Near You probably doesn't play "Maybe" by The Chantels. The
song likely doesn't "Research". Chances are The Researchers aren't hip enough
to test it. All you have to do is "sell" the audience on the significance of
that song.
Then The Records began to play over the sound system. We all joined in. Song
after Song after Song. Everybody singing everybody else's. Together. Man, it
doesn't get any better than this.
By now I'm trying to figure out who's there. Three of The Crystals...Mary, Dee
Dee and La La, have an emotional reunion. La La has spent much of her Life
after Crystals in Vienna. She was 15 when she sang lead on Da Doo Ron Ron and
Then He Kissed Me. I think I'm in love. Wait. She's with someone. A 20
something White Guy. Figures.
John Lennon and Brian Wilson both felt "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes was the
Greatest Rock and Roll Record ......Ever. Yea...I like it too. But listen to
La La Brooks on Da Doo Ron Ron. At the 1:45 mark. Go on...put it up and
listen. La La and drummer Hal Blaine have a "Defining Moment". One of the
best in all of Rock and Roll! And now La La's eating a pastry beside me. We
smile.
Speaking of Pastry....The Cookies were there.
If you want a list of the rest check out http://www.marywilson.com Yes, there
are some missing. But....now knowing Mary....I'm sure it was their choice. Of
the lead singers, only Diana Ross and Ronnie Spector were missed by my
friends. Most of The Shangri-Las are dead. I'm told Mary Weiss can be
difficult. But I'd be "difficult" too if I had no money and heard my records
on the radio all the time.
Wait..... there's Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes. Was that Motown's
first Girl Group Record? Everyone is singing it with Extra Vigor. Everyone
except that lady in the corner. The one Mary Wilson just moved over to sit
with. Now she's singing.
Mary Wilson has done a remarkable job. First she gets The Stamps. Then she
gets The People. This can't be easy. But it happened out of respect for her.
Her Talent. Her Humor. But most of all Her Heart. Love ya Mary.
The next day at The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was all the "official" stuff.
President and CEO Terry Stewart and his staff did a great job. A local TV
Station was there. Their interview was with who they probably thought was the
prettiest of all "The Girls"...."Lisa" Brooks. "Lisa"? GIVE ME A BREAK.
Later what I saw on CNN said everything I need to know about what's wrong with
News Reporting Today. Pretty People going through The Motions.........getting
too much of it wrong. (Sigh). But at least they were there.
La La Brooks said it all. "Hey Britney...we were first!".....
That night Doug, Dave and I lucked into seats at Fat Fish Blue to eat some
Cajun and see The Girl Groups go through it all again. Most of them have
still "got it". The "Next Move" is a National Tour.
Hey Radio. Support it!! And maybe play "Maybe" occasionally.
Warren Cosford
Radiopro (TM)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 25 Aug 2002 09:27:03 +0100
From: The Spectropop Team
Subject: Whatever Happened To BABY JANE & THE ROCKABYES?
Dear Spectropoppers,
For those who might have missed our previous announcement:
The Team is pleased to announce the installation at the
Spectropop website of a brand new feature, specially
written for us by John Clemente, author of the acclaimed
Girl Groups: Fabulous Females That Rocked The World...
In August 1962, Phil Spector took a bunch of the best
session-singers Los Angeles had to offer into Gold Star
studios to record a version of "Zip-A-Dee Doo-Dah". Few
could have anticipated the end result. By early 1963, Bob B.
Soxx & the Blue Jeans' space age gospel transformation of
the Disney ditty was sitting pretty in the Top 10.
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, Spector's former employers,
Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, presumably with tongues thrust
firmly into cheeks, hit upon a similar plan...
Intrigued? To read the full story of Baby Jane & the
Rockabyes, simply click below:
http://www.spectropop.com/BabyJane/index.htm
Enjoy!
The Spectropop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
