Monday, November 25, 2013

Monday Morning Madness

A few items that didn't make our massive, King-Sized Sunday Comments this week ...  

re:  NEW RELEASES:  
I just got word of a brand new book that'll be released in April of next year and I've got to tell you ... written by our Forgotten Hits Buddy Harvey Kubernik, it looks absolutely AMAZING!!!  (And EXACTLY the kind of things our readers will LOVE!)   

Details are just starting to come in ... but here's what we know so far ...   

On April 15, 2014, Santa Monica Press will be releasing "Turn Up the Radio! Rock, Pop, and Roll in Los Angeles 1956–1972" by Harvey Kubernik with a foreword by Tom Petty.
Packed with exclusive interviews and featuring hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs, this one-of-a-kind keepsake of rock, pop, and roll in the City of Angels is a must-have for any music fan.  Combining oral and illustrated history with a connective narrative, "Turn Up the Radio!" captures the zeitgeist of the Los Angeles rock and pop music world between the years of 1956 and 1972.   
Featuring hundreds of rare and previously unpublished photographs and images of memorabilia, this collection highlights dozens of iconic bands and musicians, including the Doors, the Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, CSN, the Monkees, the Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Ritchie Valens, Sam Cooke, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Thee Midniters, Sonny and Cher, and many others.
But recording artists heard on the AM and FM dial are only one part of the rich history of music in Los Angeles. "Turn Up the Radio!" digs deep to uncover the studio musicians, background vocalists, songwriters, producers, and engineers who helped propel the Los Angeles rock and pop music scene to such a legendary status. Bones Howe, Barney Kessel, B. J. Baker, Merry Clayton, Jack Nitzsche, Hal Blaine, Tommy Boyce, Bobby Hart, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Bobby Womack, Kim Fowley, Bruce Botnick, Dave Gold, and Stan Ross are just a few of the names recognized for their crucial contributions to the music created and produced in the recording studios of Los Angeles.  
Finally, "Turn Up the Radio!" pays tribute to the DJs who brought the music of Los Angeles to fans throughout Southern California -- and, ultimately, the world -- including Art Laboe, Dave Hull, Robert W. Morgan, the Real Don Steele, Jim Ladd, and Dave Diamond. Their dedication to the music they played at such iconic radio stations as KHJ, KFWB, KRLA, KMET, and KLOS was critical to the development of popular music. 
Packed with exclusive interviews, this one-of-a-kind keepsake of rock, pop, and roll in the City of Angels is a must-have for any music fan.

$45.00 
Hardcover 
336 pages 
10 x 12 
Hundreds of black-and-white and color photographs 
978-1595800794   

Hi Kent - 
I thought you might like to know the new 2 CD set reissue of the "Fankhauser Cassidy" "On The Blue Road" is out! It features our first album from 1994 and our second "Further On Up The Road" from 1998. Its a nice tribute to Cass and has one of the last interviews I did with him included. He was the oldest Rock N Roll drummer in the world when he passed away last year at 89! They styled the artwork around a 57 Chevy, that was his car.   
All My Best,    
Merrell  
You can purchase from here in UK Pounds (£) you may wish to check out our US site with prices in US$ athttp://www.gonzomultimedia.com/   
That's Merrell Fankhauser and Ed Cassidy, by the way, for those interested.  In fact, if you'd like to see a snippet of the interview that Merrell is referring to, drop me a line and I'll forward you his full email.  (kk)


RELEASED 27 JANUARY 2013 · CHARLY110BX• 4 CDs - 75 songs remastered from original tapes
• 72-page hardback book, lavishly illustrated
• 3 rare singles in red, white & blue vinyl
• Olympic Studios 7-inch replica acetate
• 64-page soft cover illustrated lyric book
• 5 postcards with rare photos & artwork
• Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake facsimile press kit
• 2 large-size reproduction posters
• 2 exclusive Gered Mankowitz fine art prints
“A complete delight!”  PETE TOWNSHEND

Personally signed by Kenney Jones & Ian McLagan - limited to only 3,000 copies worldwide!  

In celebration of the Small Faces’  induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Charly Records are proud to present Here Come The Nice, a deluxe heavyweight 4 CD box set chronicling the group’s career on Andrew Loog Oldham’s pioneering Immediate Records label, curated by surviving band members Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan.
A whopping 75 songs includes every hit single, A & B side released worldwide on Immediate Records plus a generous bounty of unreleased material, outtakes, early and alternate versions, live tracks and previously unheard recording sessions from Olympic, Trident and IBC Studios, all sourced and remastered from recently discovered original master and multitrack tapes.

The lavish 72-page hardback book, with a heartfelt foreword by Pete Townshend and introduction by Kenney and Mac, is full of previously unseen photos and rare memorabilia, a career overview by esteemed Mojo magazine scribe Mark Paytress, copious and revealing track-by-track annotation, new testimonials from the likes of Robert Plant, Paul Weller, David Bowie, Paul Stanley (KISS), Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Andy Fraser (Free), John Waite, Peter Frampton - and much more!
The box is crammed full with exclusive extras, such as replicas of three of the rarest Small Faces EPs in colored vinyl, an impossibly rare Olympic Studios acetate, large-size repro posters, fine art prints, 64-page fully illustrated lyric booklet, collectors postcards and more, all paying testament to the enduring musical genius of the Small Faces.
"Here Come The Nice" is the ultimate, indispensible tribute to Swinging London’s finest and best-loved pop heroes!

“I loved ’em then and still do! I always will.”  PAUL WELLER
For further information, photos etc.. www.thesmallfaces.com/promo/  

What's In The Box?  
Lavishly illustrated 72 page hardbound coffee table book:   
Introduction by Kenney & Mac plus a foreword by Pete Townshend.  
Over 90 classic, rare & previously unpublished photos & memorabilia.
Definitive sleeve notes include new & archive interviews.
Written contributions from Robert Plant, Paul Weller, David Bowie, Nick Mason, Peter Frampton, Chris Robinson (The Black Crowes), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Paul Stanley (Kiss) & many more.

Exclusive Gered Mankowitz interview on photographing 'Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake'.
Track-by-track illustrated guide to every song on the box set. Lyric Booklet: 
64-page fully illustrated song booklet with rare photos & memorabilia.
Complete lyrics transcribed & endorsed by band members for the first time ever. 

Red, white and blue coloured vinyl: 
Three replica 7-inch EPs of the rarest Small Faces vinyl originally released in 1967:
• Small Faces album sampler - Excerpts from the Small Faces LP
• Here Come The Nice 4 song French EP in picture sleeve
• Itchycoo Park 4 song French EP in picture sleeve
Replica Studio Acetate: 
Olympic Sound Studios one-off acetate pressing for Andrew Loog Oldham for the song "Mystery"
Two large reproduction posters: Reproductions of original posters for the Tin Soldier single featuring photography by Gered Mankowitz
Newcastle City Hall live concert from 1968 

Press kit for Ogden's Gone Nut Flake: Rare 6-panel Immediate Records Press Kit from 1968
Double sided postcards: Five collector's edition postcards with rare photos of each Small Faces band member backed with memorabilia from the Immediate Records Archive
Fine art prints: Two beautiful prints provided by Gered Mankowitz from his 1967 Itchycoo Park photo sessions
Signed Certificates: 
Kenney and Mac signed certificates replicating an original Olympic Sound Studios Small Faces tape box 
CD1 - Small Faces Singles Worldwide As Bs & Eps: 1. Here Come The Nice (mono) 2:55
2. Talk To You (mono) 2:05
3. (Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me (mono) 2:15
4. Something I Want To Tell You (mono) 2:07
5. Get Yourself Together (mono) 2:16
6. Become Like You (mono) 1:56
7. Green Circles (mono) 2:32
8. Eddie's Dreaming (b-side edit) (mono) 2:41
9. Itchycoo Park (mono) 2:44
10. I'm Only Dreaming (mono) 2:22

11. Tin Soldier (mono) 3:19
12. I Feel Much Better (mono) 3:55
13. Lazy Sunday (mono) 3:02
14. Rollin' Over (Part II of Happiness Stan) (mono) 2:12
15. Mad John (single version) (mono) 2:07
16. The Journey (single version) (mono) 2:51
17. The Universal (mono) 2:42
18. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (mono) 2:47
19. Afterglow Of Your Love (single version) (mono) 3:22
20. Wham Bam Thank You Mam (mono) 3:18
Original Immediate single versions. Taken from original mono master tapes.
CD2 - Small Faces In The Studio - Olympic, IBC & Trident Sessions - Part 1: 1. Shades Of Green (mono) 0:38
2. Green Circles (take 1) (mono) 1:04
3. Green Circles (take 1 alt mix 1) (mono) 2:45
4. Anything (tracking session) (stereo) 3:46
5. Anything (backing track) (stereo) 3:06

6. Show Me The Way (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:09
7. Wit Art Yer (tracking session) (mono) 2:50
8. Wit Art Yer (backing track) (stereo) 2:27
9. I Can't Make It (alt mix) (stereo) 2:26
10. Doolally (tracking session) (mono) 4:06
11. What's It Called? (overdub session) (mono) 0:36
12. Call It Something Nice (take 9) (stereo) 2:04
13. Wide Eyed Girl (take 2) (stereo) 1:43
14. Wide Eyed Girl On The Wall (alt mix) (stereo) 3:28
15. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (stripped down mix) (stereo) 3:21
16. Red Balloon With A Blue Surprise (take 5) (stereo) 0:46
17. Red Balloon (alt mix) (stereo) 4:29
18. Saieide Mamoon (tracking session) (stereo) 9:36
All tracks previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio multitrack and session master tapes
CD3 - Small Faces In The Studio - Olympic, IBC & Trident Sessions - Part 2: 1. Wham Bam Thank You Mam (alt mix) (stereo) 3:22

2. I Can't Make It (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:33
3. This Feeling Of Spring (take 1) (stereo) 1:43
4. All Our Yesterdays (backing track) (mono) 2:09
5. Talk To You (alt mix) (stereo) 2:22
6. Mind The Doors Please (mono) 5:01
7. Things Are Going To Get Better (stripped down mix) (stereo) 2:43
8. Mad John (tracking session) (stereo) 3:58
9. A Collibosher (take 4) (stereo) 3:31
10. Lazy Sunday Afternoon (early mix) (mono) 3:00
11. Jack (backing track) (stereo) 3:35
12. Fred (backing track) (stereo) 3:06
13. Red Balloon (stripped down mix) (stereo) 1:33
14. Kolomodelomo (take 1) (stereo) 2:45
15. Donkey Rides, A Penny A Glass (alt mix) (stereo) 3:34
16. Jenny's Song (take 2) (stereo) 4:04
All tracks previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio multitrack and session master tapes

CD4 - Alternate Small Faces Outtakes & In Concert: 1. Itchycoo Park (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:50
2. Here Come The Nice (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 3:01
3. I'm Only Dreaming (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:23
4. Don't Burst My Bubble (mono) 2:24
5. I Feel Much Better (stereo) 3:56
6. Green Circles (take 1 Italian version) (mono) 2:44*
7. Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow (alt mix) (stereo) 1:50*
8. Piccanniny (alt mix) (stereo) 3:02
9. Get Yourself Together (alt mix) (stereo) 2:18*
10. Eddie's Dreaming (take 2 alt mix) (stereo) 2:44*
11. (Tell Me) Have You Ever Seen Me (take 2 alt mix) (stereo) 2:08*
12. Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire (US alt mix) (mono) 2:00*
13. Afterglow Of Your Love (alt single version) (mono) 3:36*
14. (If You Think You're) Groovy (mono) (The Lot Version)- P.P. Arnold & Small Faces 2:55
15. Me You And Us Too (mono) 3:32
16. The Universal (take 1 stereo mix) (stereo) 2:39

17. Rollin' Over (live) (stereo) 2:29
18. If I Were A Carpenter (live) (stereo) 2:29
19. Every Little Bit Hurts (live) (stereo) 6:12
20. All Or Nothing (live) (stereo) 4:05
21. Tin Soldier (live) (stereo) 3:19
All tracks rare or * previously unreleased versions. Taken from original studio and session master tapes.
Live tracks recorded at Newcastle City Hall 18 November 1968. Taken from Pye Studios master tape, pitch and speed corrected.  

Small Faces Box set vinyl:   
• Small Faces Album Sampler - One-sided promo single - Excerpts From The Small Faces LP (mono)
The original 7" vinyl was issued as a promotional single for the debut Immediate album. Featuring excepts from Get Yourself Together, Green Circles, Talk To You, All Our Yesterdays, Up The Wooden Hills To Bedfordshire with DJ Tommy Vance announcements, the original vinyl has gone on to become the rarest Small Faces single amongst collectors.
• Here Come The Nice - French E.P.

Here Come The Nice (mono) - This is the same performance as the regular 'Here Come The Nice' mixed to mono but similar to other releases at the time, was subjected to varispeed so plays slightly faster.
• Talk To You (mono)
Become Like You (mono)
Get Yourself Together (mono)
• Itchycoo Park - French E.P.
Itchycoo Park (mono)
I'm Onky Dreaming (mono)
Green Circles (mono)
Eddie's Dreaming (mono)
- Mystery - Replica acetate
Intended to be a single, a handful of acetates of Mystery were produced for the band and Andrew Loog Oldham to check the mix. For unknown reasons, the single wasn't released, and Ronnie went back into Olympic to record a new vocal during April 1967 for the newly entitled Something I Want To Tell You. This is a replica of the acetate delivered to Andrew Loog Oldham back in 1967.

http://www.charly.co.uk/ http://www.immediate-records.com/

Hi Kent ...  
Check this out.
Best ...
John    
On-Demand Special: 60 Degrees' Philly Fillies (The Music of Madara and White)

10 years before Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff became known for creating The Sound Of Philadelphia, there were other guys on the block making popular music that defined the city. There were the Cameo/Parkway record labels, and also the writing / producing team of Johnny Madara and David White. Their best known hits include the rock and roll classics At The Hop by Danny & The JuniorsYou Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore and Len Barry’s 1-2-3 
Madara and White also wrote and/or produced many great girl group records for artists who are now considered One Hit (or even No-Hit) Wonders - The Pixies Thee, The Sherrys, The Secrets and Maureen Gray.  Even though they may have only scored single hits, there is a wealth of great recordings by these artists that are highly coveted by girl group fans - records that were originally overlooked as the British Invasion swept through the US and crowded them off the charts in the mid-1960’s. 
Today on 60 Degrees, we will be taking an extended look at these groups, along with Cindy Scott (Sundray Taylor) and The Sweet Three. In addition, we have some of the best known songs by Madara and White as performed by Joey Heatherton, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield and Annie Markan.
The Secrets / The Boy Next Door / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Big Lovers / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / At The Hop / Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Bear Family
Dusty Springfield / You Don't Own Me / Stay Awhile/I Only Want To Be With You / Taragon
Lesley Gore / Don't Call Me, I'll Call You / The Mercury Anthology / Mercury
Annie Markan / Un Deux Trois (1-2-3) / EP / Mercury
The Pixies Three / Cold Cold Winter / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Bobbi-Pins / Why Did You Go? / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Ann D'Andrea / Johnny's Back In Town / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Joey Heatherton / Live And Learn / Joey Heatherton / Hip-O Selects
The Secrets / The Other Side Of Town / Growin' Up Too Fast / Mercury
The Secrets / Hey Big Boy / Growin' Up Too Fast / Mercury
The Secrets / Learning To Forget / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / Here He Comes Now / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / Oh Donnie / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / He's The Boy / 45 / Philips
The Secrets / He Doesn't Want You / 45 Philips
The Sherrys/ Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / No No Baby / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / New Cha Cha Cha / Pop Pop Pop-Pie / Bear Family
The Sherrys / That Guy Of Mine / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / Saturday Night / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sherrys / That Boy Of Mine / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / Today's The Day / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / I Don't Want To Cry / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Maureen Gray / Come On And Dance / Party Lights / Collectables
Maureen Gray / There Is A Boy / Party Lights / Collectables
The Pixies Three / Birthday Party / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Pixies Three / 442 Glenwood Avenue / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Pixies Three / Gee / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / The Hootch / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / Orphan Boy / Our History / Crystal Ball
The Pixies Three / Love Me, Love Me / Our History / Crystal Ball
Joey Heatherton / When You Call Me Baby / Joey Heatherton / Hip-O Selects
Cindy Scott / I Love You Baby  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / In Your Spare Time  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / I've Been Loving You  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
Cindy Scott / Time Can Change A Love  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / That's The Way It Is  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Bluer Than Blue  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Mellow Moods (The Sweet Three) / Who's Afraid Of The Big Bad Hurt?  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / I Would If I Could  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound
The Sweet Three / Don't Leave Me Now  / Those East Coast Girls / That Philly Sound  

re:  THIS AND THAT:  
Kent,
I thoroughly enjoyed the video you posted on Joel Whitburn and the collection of musical memorabilia he has in his vault. I had not really thought about what he had or didn't have, but was simply amazed at the records he does have.
I am like Clark in that I wouldn't trade my records for his. I have what I want.  I also would say that if you put my records next to Joel's, one would not see mine even if one had a microscope.
I was kind of curious if Joel had his vault of musical memories insured and if so, for how much. I wouldn't even want to hazard a guess as to the worth of his collection. Priceless!!
Larry Neal  

Priceless indeed ... and I'm sure it's both heavily insured AND heavily protected.  (It truly is his "record vault"!!!)  Cool to see it up close like that ... looking forward to seeing it first hand in person.  (kk)  

MTV Networks and Major League Baseball said Monday they are collaborating on a weekly 30-episode series that melds pop culture and baseball. Ortiz and Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star outfielder Andrew McCutchen are both executive producers of the series, set to begin next spring around the start of the new season.
The untitled series will likely air on MTV2, which tends to have a higher proportion of male viewers than its sister station. It will be shot at the MLB Fan Cave, a facility built at an abandoned Tower Records store in Manhattan.
This is an insult to the memory of Tower Records!
Dave Barry  

A couple of weeks ago we ran a link for the Kickstarter Donation Page for "The Wrecking Crew" documentary.  A quick check of that page today shows them at just over $90,000 (a good $160,000 shy of goal) with only 25 days to go.  (That doesn't leave a lot of time for them to hit their goal.)  We ask again that you please show your support by visiting the page and contributing what you can.
Click here: "The Wrecking Crew" Doc; Untold story of Rock & Roll Heroes by Denny Tedesco — Kickstarter  

Meanwhile, there's a fundraiser in the works for the next edition of "Wages Of Spin" now, too ... that information is shown below:  

Hi Everyone -
Be the first to get the "Wages of Spin" Premiere Tickets and DVD's thru Indie Gogo Crowd Funding Site. Any help in distributing the link is appreciated.
Bob Charger
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/wages-of-spin-ii/x/5390203#share  

FH Readers were blown away when the saw the list of studio credits wracked up by session guitarist Vic Flick in Jolly Ol' London back in the day.  If you'd like to received a PDF Report (about 45 pages long!!!), just drop me an email at forgottenhits@aol.com and I'll be happy to send it along.  (kk) 


Kent - 
I do not wish to correct Clark Weber, but Roulette Records was most certainly NOT a Philadelphia label. The label was originally owned by New Yorkers Morris Levy, George Goldner, Joe Kolsky and a 4th person (who may have been Morris Gurlak or Jack Hooke).  Morris Levy eventually owned 100% of the label, but the constant rumor was that it was controlled by outside influences. Clark was right on the money about the representatives that he was visited by from the label, however.  They were not someone you wished to say No to. 
CLAY PASTERNACK
Rocky River, Ohio
Some of the confusion may be coming from the fact that when Tommy James first headed east after a Pittsburgh disc jockey started playing "Hanky Panky" on his show, he was ultimately signed to Roulette Records by Morris Levy, a notorious "business man" with (shall we say) outside influences.  James interviewed with several different record labels at the time, looking for a national distribution deal for his hot new record before Levy laid down the law that the record was HIS ... at which point EVERY other label interested in Tommy backed off to let Morris have it.  As you stated, Roulette was actually located in New York. (kk)
 

Anheuser-Busch LLC is facing an infringement suit filed in California court from the owner of the copyright to the track "Lady" by the rock band Styx, which alleges part of the hit song was used without permission in a commercial posted online. 
Wooden Nickel, purported owner of composition and sound recording "Lady" written by Dennis DeYoung and performed by Styx, sue for copyright infringement. Plaintiffs allege that defendant Anheuser-Busch used the recording unauthorized in a Bud Light commercial.
Here's a link to legal docs:
-- Dave Barry  

FH Reader Ken Voss sent us this one ...   

Here's a story on one-hit wonder The Crazy World of Arthur Brown ...
“I am the god of hellfire,” shouted Arthur Brown, the one-hit wonder with his 1968 hit “Fire”. The song topped British charts for 14 weeks, reaching #2 on the American charts. Today, the crazy man still tours and records.


Now The Crazy World of Arthur Brown will once again deliver a first with Arthur Brown's Psycho-sonic Thought Control Headgear innovation being showcased to UK audiences for the first time ever on stage at Hard Rock Hell Festival on 28th November 2013.


In 2011, Brown released a live recording on vinyl only “High Voltage Gig” that included the three-song “Fire Suite” that was comprised of “Nightmare”, “Fire” and “Fire Poem” recorded live at the High Voltage Festival.


His 2012 release “The Magic Hat” joined by Rick Patten features 19 songs and includes a full-color comic telling the story which is the context of the songs on the CD.


And he continues to tour the world:
Nov. 28  Hard Rock Hell Fest, Hafan Y More, Wales
Dec. 5     Debaser Hornstulls, Stockholm, Sweden
Dec. 6     Burghof, Lorrach, Germany
Dec. 7     Truckstop Alaska, Gothenburg, Sweden
And he’s promising a North American tour in 2014

This is kinda cool.  (Actually got it from a couple of readers so it must be making the rounds.)
A visual look at what some of our favorite, dearly-departed rock stars might look like today, were they still around ...
Click here: Rock & Roll Heaven  

Don't know if this is old news, but around Thanksgiving it seems to be a tradition for the last 10 years in St. Louis to recreate THE LAST WALTZ with musician imitators looking and sounding the roles.  Port Chester, Long Island, NYC is also doing the same this for the first time.  Sounds great.
I'm just wondering if it's common knowledge because everyone is doing it and this is the first time I've heard of it.
GARY RENFIELD
P.S.  I JUST GOOGLED IT ... SEEMS ITS A 'COTTAGE' INDUSTRY!  


re:  FIRST 45's:  
We STILL get 'em from all over the world ...   

In 1956 I was coming to the end of my service in the Royal Air Force.  When I went in on Oct. 11, 1952, I had quite a collection of records (78s) going back to the first one I bought with my own money (which was ‘Buttons and Bows’ by Dinah Shore on my 15th birthday in 1948.)  Through the early fifties I was buying Guy Mitchell, Frankie Laine, etc., and any that caught my fancy, such as Les Paul and Mary Fords’ 'Mocking Bird Hill’, Earl Bostic’s ‘Flamingo’, Bell Sisters’ ’Bermuda’, Sonny Terry Trio ’Hooting Blues’, Rusty Draper’s ‘Wabash Cannonball’ and a lot more of the same, not just the popular records of the day. Up till then 45’s were hardly issued over here in the UK, but around ‘56 I managed to get my first ones.  They were ‘Gone’ by Ferlin Huskey, and ‘Since I Met You Baby’ by Ivory Joe Hunter, which I still have to this day.
Mike Prescott
Minehead
Somerset England

In 1963 I was 10 years old and had three older sisters. They always had the radio or phonograph on and they bought all the popular hits. However they refused to buy an instrumental I heard and liked ... Washington Square by the Village Stompers.
"It's too hillbilly (banjos) ... too Dixieland ... and an instrumental ... whew! ... no way!"  Since my sisters had dozens of 45's and I didn't have a one, I pleaded my case to my Mom and she gave my oldest sister 89 cents with orders to "buy your brother's record".  
A day or two later my sister came home from being downtown, handed it to me and said, "Here's your stupid record ... just don't play it while I'm around". My Mom and I liked it and I think even one or two of my sisters might have also ... but would never admit it. I think it may have made it into the "top 10". Not bad for a Dixieland instrumental.  
Duke
It did, indeed, make the Top Ten ... #2 as a matter of fact in Billboard in late 1963.
Not one you hear much at all anymore ... unless, of course, you're reading Forgotten Hits!  (kk)