Here is Chuck Conlon on two fascinating 1967 45s on Henry Stone’s Marlin label after leaving the Nightcrawlers and relocating from Daytona Beach to Miami. “I Won’t Tell” reworks the opening guitar line of “Little Black Egg” and adds similarly odd lyrics like “A teaspoon holds more than the fork does”, sung in the same naive style.
“You’re Comin’ On” has fine production, opening with distinctive percussion, allowing the bass carry the melody and keeping the distorted guitar as decoration. Though credited to Conlon and the Crawlers, I don’t know if any of the his former band the Nightcrawlers actually played on these songs. I’ve heard that Ron and the Starfires were backing him on some of these tracks.
The A-side of the second 45, “Won’t You Say Yes to Me Girl” is a pop gem. I don’t usually object to horns on songs but I wish the producers had kept to the simple arrangement of the intro for this one. The piano trills and organ are excellent and the trombone player’s solo lines blend well.
“Midnight Reader” is more obscure, an ode to introspection as far as I can tell: “He goes behind closed doors every night / all that shines is a small intensity light / there’s no one inside the room but him”. Another verse goes “All the persons who are drunk are asleep / he cares not if they leave him in peace”: the scholar surrounded by hedonistic students maybe?
Compare the opening lines to another that Conlon wrote for the Nightcrawlers, “A Basket of Flowers”: “She sits in a cell at the midnight hour / gatekeeper tied in the darkest hour / she seems so lonely there”.
“I Won’t Tell” entered the charts of Orlando AM station WLOF in April ’67 and reached as high as #19 in May. The first 45 was a Bard Shapiro / Steve Alaimo Production, the second credited to Marlin Productions. All four songs are Conlon originals, though “Won’t You Say Yes to Me Girl” is co-credited to Brad Shapiro.
Chuck released a few solo 45s that I haven’t heard about once every ten years beginning with “When God Comes to Call” in 1965, all as Charles Conlon. He also wrote “Eric Cleveland” which appears on a 45 by the Yak on Tooth 533 and Avco Embassy AVE-4514 with a cover of the Beatles “Every Little Thing” on the flip. I don’t know if he had any involvement with that group, it was pressed at Queen City Album Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio in August, 1969. There seem to be some unreleased recordings as well, including one titled “Poor Little Mixed Up Kid”.
Thanks to Joe Emery for suggesting this post way back in February.
“When God Comes To Call” was a song poem, which was Bob Quimby of Tropical Records’ specialty. Conlon did many song poem recordings in the 60s, including several that were released under names such as the Earthmen and Surftones. On those he was joined by Marshall Letter (a later Nightcrawler, and member of the Yak), Lee Hazen (Nightcrawlers engineer), and sometimes Johnny Redd (50s rockabilly guy).
I remember you! And Bob Quimby..is he still around? Remember, I almost sang with you guys. Mike Stone talked with me. I was too young. WIsh I had..Wish I had..My best to you guys! Sincerely, Sylvia Prevatt, Jacksonville.
I have a few questions about a Chuck Conlon tune recorded by The Nightcrawlers titled “If You Want My Love.” The recording of the tune as heard on ‘The Little Black Egg’ LP does have an awkward beginning. And I have read online there is only a dubbed version of the recording available. Why would such a seemingly simple folk-rock recording have been dubbed? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
Secondly, does anyone know if Conlon himself sang lead vocals on “If You Want My Love” or if the recording featured the band’s usual lead vocalist Robbie Rouse?
Lastly, does anyone know where one may obtain the lyrics to “If You Want My Love,” a hauntingly beautiful tune about a guy talking with his lover from the grave?
Chuck Conlon is my cousin and he was the songwriter and lead vocalist in The Nightcrawlers. Judge Robert Rouse (now retired) did sing on some songs and often sang lead on stage. The band originally was called Chuck Conlon and the Nightcrawlers, but my cousin, who is a humble, sweet guy, dropped his name from the title so as not to upset the others. The lead guitarist, Sylvan Wells, another retired lawyer, is back in the area and is a luthier. You may wish to check out his website, Wells Guitars. If anyone would like me to ask my cousin any questions about those times back in the day, just let me know.
Hello Joe,
I happened to look closely at my copies of the Nightcrawlers and the Music Explosion 45’s… and was shocked 😳 seeing that Chuck Conlon’s name had been replaced on the song writing credits of the Music Explosion’s version with the name: MICHAEL S. STONE!!! What’s with that! ? Are the more recent versions credited to Chuck? Jeeeeze!
Steve in SLC , Utah…. Where I was at age 6 when the Nightcrawlers were at number one on our local radio survey! January, 1967!
Did Chuck live or work in New York City in the 80’s? In particular, near the “Carnegie Deli” on 7th ? I lived across the street in the Wyoming bldg, and was
working at a recording/ rehearsal studio downtown. I frequently ordered take out from Carnegie, but couldn’t one week (because Woody Allen
was filming “BroadwDanny Rose” there?).
Long story short, I ordered from the Stage Deli a few doors away, and I had a music conversation with a nice gentleman who told me that he wrote the song, “Little Black Egg”. To which I replied ” I love that song!” That’s all . So did I speak to your cousin or anybody associated with the song “Little Black Egg”?
Wish I had seen this sooner. Would have been fun to solve mysteries about some of the more obscure songs. Sincere condolences on the loss of your cousin.
Chuck Conlon was my father and passed away on August 22, 2023 in Kirkland, Washington.
Hello Ben,
I’m sorry to read of your father’s passing. Please accept all my condolences. His records on Marlin are highly regarded now, as they deserve to be. Please let me know of any corrections or additions this article may need.
Rats, really sorry to see this confirmed. The NightCrawlers were instrumental in my getting into record collecting. Sincere condolences.
Hi Ben. I’m sorry for your loss.
I had the pleasure of meeting your mom about a month ago. I drive for kyft/uber and she was a passenger of mine. We got talking about music and she introduced me to your father’s band. Was the first time listening to them. Won’t be the last. Take care and if you could, please tell your mom hi for me and give her my condolences. If she remembers tell her I was the driver with the long beard in a white honda insight. Nate
Ben, I am so very sorry he is gone, His music was a pivotal moment in my youth when I lived in Ormond Beach. Hope his music plays in heaven.