All posts by Chris Bishop

Categories: Dayton, Leisure Time, LTD, Ohio, Prism, Smash, Sure Play

The X-Cellents / Vacant Lot

October 12, 2009 Chris Bishop 37 Comments

Here’s a group that went through several name changes over a few years, but kept the same lineup throughout:

Roger Sayre (guitar and vocals)
Ray Bushbaum (keyboards and vocals)
Jerry “Moon” Ditmer (or Jerry Dittmer) (bass)
Jerry Thomas (drums and vocals – replaced by Bill “Fuzz” Weicht)

Prior to starting this band, Roger Sayre had been in 50’s rockabilly Chuck Sims’ group (Chuck also recorded as Charles Vanell). Ray Bushbaum had played with Sonny Flaharty’s Young Americans.

Based in Dayton, Ohio, they started as the Original Playboys in 1962 and cut a disc “I’ll Always Be On Your Side” / “Hey Little Willie in 1965 on Leisure Time records. “Hey Little Willie” has their sound down – grooving r&b with shouts, jokes and frat calls. “hold it – let’s do ‘Go Little Willie’, ‘DOTW'” (see comments below for explanation!). It was picked up for release on Smash Records with their name changed to the X-Cellents.

Another name change to the E-Cellents for their next 45 on Sure Play, the ballad “And I’m Cryin'” backed with one I haven’t heard yet, “The Slide”.

Reverting to the X-Cellents, they cut a cool double-sider 45 for Sure Play in 1966. “Hang It Up” treads similar ground to “Hey Little Willie” though a little less convincing, maybe ’cause it lacks that great bass drum beat. More insider jokes and calls here – “DFTW”, “77” – that I don’t know the meaning of.

“Little Wooden House” is a repetitive vamp lamenting settling down, just the same two chords over and over. “Little Wooden House” is a Roger Sayre composition, “Hang It Up” was written by Sayre-Bushbaum-Weicht-Dittmer.

Still the band progressed with the times, and contributed one of their best songs, Roger Sayre’s original Walk Slowly Away” to a sampler LP on Prism Records called “The Dayton Scene”. Acts were from the 1966 battle of the bands promoted by Dayton radio station WONE and the band is listed as the Xcellents. To my ears “Walk Slowly Away” bears a resemblance to the Beatles’ “I Need You” from the Help! soundtrack, though that may be a superficial comparison, as the lyrics and chorus are distinct.

They changed their name again for their last 45, as the Vacant Lot, or perhaps R. Sayre and the Vacant Lot, the LTD label gives both as artists. “This Little Feelin'” is one of their best numbers, soulful and rocking, as Ray’s keyboards again drive the sound behind Roger’s vocals. It was backed with their version of Huey ‘Piano’ Smith’s “Don’t You Just Know It”, a song that had probably been in their repertoire for years with the same sound and arrangement. Production by Bill Leasure.

The band seems to have gone separate ways after this last 45. Sayre had another group with John Spitler at some point, but I don’t know if that was before or after the X-Cellents

Sources: List of 45 releases Soulful Kinda Music, and sleeve scan from It’s Great Shakes.

Thanks to Joe Kimball for sending in the photo from the WONE LP.

Categories: Chicago, Illinois, Mobie, Rockford

The Chy Guys and Mobie Records discography

October 11, 2009 Chris Bishop 20 Comments

Mobie Record Company letter — “If it’s on Mobie, you know it’s a wailer!”

Glenn Tracey sent in these cool promo sheets and transfers of a 45 by the Chy Guys.

The letter lists the members: Jerry Conley, 15, leader and singer; Stan Allen, 13, lead guitarist; Chuck Burgess, 13, rhythm guitarist; and Bob Lindgren, 12, drummer. I’ve read the band was from Rockford, IL, about an hour’s drive northwest of Chicago, though that wouldn’t go with their band name (Chy referring to Chicago).

The band went to MBS Recording Studios in Chicago to record demos of their songs, and the tape led to their signing by James Manning, Jr. of the Mobie Record Company. The letter doesn’t clarify if the band did a new session for their Mobie 45, or if the songs cut at the demo were used. J.H. Manning, Jr. is also listed as producer, but he didn’t seem to notice the imprecise nature of the band’s stops and starts during “Say Mama”, not to mention their tuning.

The top side, “You’ll Never Believe Me” was written by J. Weiss, and while I don’t think it’s an original by the band I don’t know the source for it.

“Say Mama” was an oft covered song since the original cut by Gene Vincent in the ’50s., with versions by Mike Waggoner, the Dicers and others, sometimes under the title “Hey Mama”. It’s hard to know if the Chy Guys were covering the Vincent original, or perhaps the Pattens of Wheaton, IL, who released their version as “Say Ma, Ma” also in 1966.

The promo schedules the release of their 45 on September 30, 1966, on Mobie 3423. They apparently played shows in Illinois, Ohio and even as far as Huntington, West Virginia at that young age.

Though this is a white-label DJ promo, I’ve also seen both blue and black label stock copies of this 45. The other releases on the Mobie label that I’ve heard are two by Bloomington, Indiana Illinois’s Cobblestones: Mobie 3424 “I’ll Hide My Head in the Sand” (written by Jim Jacobs) / “It Happens Every Time” (both written by Jim Jacobs and produced by Wayne Dennis, originally released on Den-Lay) and Mobie 3425 “Flower People” (written by Pearson – Lehmann) / “Down With It” (written by Pearson – McElroy).

Here’s an extensive but still incomplete Mobie discography from Gary E. Myers with additions from Davie Gordon, Chris Gilbert and Margaret Still.

Any help with this would be appreciated:

Mobie – owned by James H. Manning, Jr. (5/?/34; Normal, IL – 11/8/91; Largo, FL)

3419 Ron Jones & C Notes – Goodbye Linda (R. Shemberger) / Why (1966)
3420
3421 Ronnie Jones – Silly Little Fool / Little Jezebel (1967)
3422
3423 Chy Guys – Say Mama / You’ll Never Believe Me (9/67)
3424 Cobblestones – It Happens Every Time / I’ll Hide My Head In The Sand (1967)
3425 Cobblestones – Flower People / Down With It (11/67)
3426
3427
3428
3429 Iron Gate – Get Ready / You Must Believe Me (1968)
3430 Ravelles – Psychedelic Movement / She’s Forever On My Mind (8/68)
3431
3432 Shirt Tale Relation – The Reason Why (Bobby Sharp) / You Don’t Know Like I Know
3433 Summit – How You Move My Soul / Oh, What Can I Do (1968)
3434
3435 Skip Wulf – Soul Lovin’ Baby / Summer Love (1968)
3436 Deanna & The Here & Now Singers – Isolation / Attic Of My Mind (both songs credited to D. Edwards)

3419, 3421: Ron Jones (2/15/43; Davenport, IA) was DJ on Chicago oldies 104.3, had 2 earlier releases on Aurora.

James Manning also wrote a children’s Christmas book.

Thanks to C. Gilbert for the scan of the Shirt Tale Relation 45.

Categories: Ashland, Graves, Graves Recording Service (Eugene), Oregon, Unknown

The Ethics “She’s a Deceiver” / “It’s O.K.” on Graves

October 2, 2009 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

Another one on Graves, like the Sires I covered a couple weeks back. This group is more obscure, I don’t have any real info on them, other than that they were probably from southern Oregon: Ashland, Medford or Grants Pass possibly. Songwriting is listed to B. Watson and M. Kelsey. The publishing was listed under Arky Lewis.

Both original songs have fine arrangements, languid harmonies and excellent interaction between the two guitarists. “She’s a Deceiver” is slower and dreamier, while “It’s O.K.” is faster but still hypnotic with a raga-like guitar solo. The “It’s” of the title was left off the label and added back with a red stamp. The 45 would have benefited from clearer production.

Categories: Clarksburg, Raven (Clarksburg), West Virginia

The Esquires (on Raven)

October 2, 2009 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

Here’s a strange 45 by one of the many groups calling themselves the Esquires. One side is a ballad and the other a decent garage number, but neither one should be considered essential listening.

I wonder how many lyricists had passed on rhyming “make life brighter” with “like a zippo lighter” before the Esquires wrote it into the top side ballad “What Made You Change Your Mind”.

Better is the flip, “Boo Hoo Hoo”, where the band has a good stop-and-start rhythm going.

Oddly, both sides have been altered to fill out their run time. It appears that the band turned in performances of about one and a half minutes on each of these songs. The engineer deftly repeats sections to extend each closer to the three minute mark. This is especially noticeable on “Boo Hoo Hoo”, where a drum fill introduces a section that is repeated four times in the song.

Dick Welch wrote both sides, and publishing is by Pat Chipps for Panhandle Music.

I knew nothing about the band until Dick Welch commented below, so I’ll repeat it here:

This Raven label was located in Clarksburg, West Virginia in the late 60′s. I wrote both sides of this record and played guitar. It was a four track studio. I also recorded a record there with a group called Them Prodigals.

Them Prodigals’ 45 is “Icing Too” / “Cake Time”, released in February 1968 at Raven 101.

This Raven label is distinct from the Danville, VA label that released the Individuals “I Want Love” / “I Really Do” and the Lost Souls “For You” / “Minds Expressway” 45s.

Anyone have a photo of the group, or know the names of the other members?

Categories: Not garage, Unknown

Found photos – Moondog, and music on the streets of NY in the 1960’s

October 1, 2009 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

More of the photo negatives – these are various musicians on the streets of New York. If anyone can help identify any of the musicians in the photos below, I’d appreciate it. Please do not reproduce any of these without permission.

Other photos from the collection include acts at the Apollo Theater and Bud Powell’s funeral procession.

Moondog in front of the Underwriters Trust Company, 1340 - Sixth Ave? — Moondog in front of the Underwriters Trust Company, 1340 – Sixth Ave?

Jimmy Nottingham on trumpet in Harlem, late 1960's — Jimmy Nottingham on trumpet in Harlem, late 1960’s

Unidentified group in front of Chock Full o' Nuts - 125th St? — Unidentified group in front of Chock Full o’ Nuts – 125th St?

Unidentified musician in (I believe) Washington Square Park

Many thanks to all who have helped with IDs.

Categories: Not garage

Found photos – Bud Powell’s funeral procession

October 1, 2009 Chris Bishop 24 Comments

These photos are of Bud Powell’s funeral procession on August 8, 1966. I’ve added a few more photos since I first put these on the site. These are scans of negatives from an unknown photographer’s collection – see my other pages of photos from the Apollo Theater and of Moondog, Jimmy Nottingham and street musicians in Harlem, Greenwich Village and Central Park.

Dan Morgenstern reported on the funeral for Down Beat’s September 22, 1966 issue:

In the lead was Harlem’s own Jazzmobile, appropriately draped for the occasion, and carrying a jazz band … the members were Benny Green, trombone; John Gilmore, tenor saxophone; Barry Harris, piano; Don Moore, bass; Billy Higgins, drums, and at the last moment, Lee Morgan, trumpet. First came “Now’s the Time” and then, perhaps more appropriately, “‘Round Midnight”, followed by two Powell tunes, “Bud’s Bubble” and “Dance of the Infidels”.
The music stopped when the cortege reached the church. The pallbearers, including musicians Max Roach, Tony Scott, Eddie Bonnemere, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, Hayes Alvis and Claude Hopkins, brought Powell’s coffin into the church where, many years before, he had been an altar boy.

If anyone can help identify anyone in the photos below, I’d appreciate it.

Bud Powell's funeral procession at 7th Ave and 139th St August 8, 1966 — Bud Powell’s funeral procession at 7th Ave and 139th St August 8, 1966

Sam Price in tie walking next to cop car on 138th St.and 7th Ave by the Renaissance Theater

The theater in the background is the Renaissance Theater connected to ballroom of the same name (now demolished).
See here for a comparable photo of the theater.
For info on the deterioration and demolition see here, here and here

At the intersection of 135th St and 7th Ave

Bud Powell's pallbearers: on right, back to front, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, unknown; on left, unknown, Tony Scott, unknown. — Pallbearers: on right, back to front, Kenny Dorham, Willie Jones, unknown; on left, unknown, Tony Scott, unknown.

On the Jazzmobile: Benny Green trombone, Barry Harris on piano and Don Moore on bass. John Gilmore (face not seen) is on tenor.

From left: John Gilmore (with back to camera), unknown, Don Moore on bass, Billy Higgins on drums, unknown on right.

Bud Powell's funeral procession, August 1966 at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo on W. 141 St. in Harlem — Bud Powell’s funeral procession, August 1966 at the Church of St. Charles Borromeo on W. 141 St. in Harlem

Much thanks to all who have helped with IDs, including Vince Gardner, Hyland Harris, Dan Morgenstern, Ira Gitler and Mike Boone.

I do not know this photographer’s name. I have confirmed with Getty Images that the photographer is neither Don Paulsen nor Chuck Stewart.

Categories: Not garage

Found photos – The Apollo Theater, NY in the 1960’s

October 1, 2009 Chris Bishop 21 Comments

I found a very interesting batch of photo negatives by an amateur photographer working in New York City in the 1960’s and very early ’70s. I don’t know the photographer’s name, unfortunately, but I believe these are all unpublished. Since first posting these, I have confirmed with Getty Images that the photographer is neither Don Paulsen nor Chuck Stewart.

My negative scans aren’t professional quality, but they’ll do for checking these out.

Besides the ones below there are many others, especially of street scenes, street musicians and more at the Apollo – Ben E. King, Miriam Makeba, Cal Tjader, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack and others, and also of Machito at Town Hall.

I’ve had help in identifying most of the musicians in these photos, but there are still a couple I don’t have IDs for and I’d appreciate any help you can give. Please do not reproduce any of these.

The Shirelles at the Apollo, March 1963
from left: Micki Harris, Doris Coley (Kenner-Jackson), Beverly Lee, Shirley Owens (Alston-Reeves)

The Cookies, with Earl Jean, the Apollo, March 1963.

Unknown singer or emcee at the Apollo, March 1963

Bobby Byrd and Anna King with James Brown's group at the Apollo, early-mid 1960s. — Bobby Byrd and Anna King with James Brown’s group at the Apollo, early-mid 1960s.

Leo Wright and Dizzy Gillespie at the Apollo, during the week of April 27- May 3, 1962.

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Larry Ridley, bass (probably subbing for Jymie Merritt), Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and Blakey on drums, same show as above — Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Larry Ridley, bass (probably subbing for Jymie Merritt), Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and Blakey on drums, same show as above

The Jazz Messengers with Larry Ridley on bass and Curtis Fuller, trombone, same show as above.

MC or speaker at the show with Gillespie and the Messengers

I was able to date the photos of the show with Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey to 1961 or 1962 by the overlap between Freddie Hubbard joining the Jazz Messengers in 1961 and Leo Wright’s tenure with Gillespie ending in 1962. There are also photos of Cal Tjader from this show.

According to the online Chronology of Art Blakey, the Messengers with Hubbard played at the Apollo for some dates in beginning September 14, 1961, as well as a benefit show on September 13, 1962.

Chris Sheridan informs me that Leo Wright only played with Gillespie at the Apollo during the week of April 27 – May 3, 1962. An ad in the Amsterdam News includes both Gillespie and the Messengers on the bill for this week of shows.

Unidentified singer/guitarist at the Apollo, sometime in 1971

Unidentified duo at the Apollo, sometime in 1971

Many thanks to all who have helped with IDs including John Clemente.

Categories: Allied International, New Zealand, Wanganui

The Cresendos (aka the Crescendos)

September 24, 2009 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

The Cresendos, from left: Graham Johnston, Ian Irvine, Max Johnston and Bryan Stewart

The Cresendos (sic) consisted of Graham Johnston lead guitar, Max Johnston rhythm guitar, Ian Irvine bass guitar, and Bryan Stewart drums. The band began in 1965 in the small coastal city of Wanganui on the north island, about halfway between Wellington to the south and New Plymouth to the north.

In 1966 Allied International A&R man Fred Noad saw them at a talent contest. Supposedly they recorded their only 45 in a local warehouse. The label released it at the start of 1967 with their name misspelled on the label as the Crescendos – except their name was misspelled in the first place and you could say the label got it right.

“Now She’s Mine” is a great original by Ian Irvine. The vocals and lyrics are excellent and Graham Johnston really helps distinguish the song with the variety of sounds he lays over it. The neat buzzy tone comes from a home-made fuzz pedal created by someone from the local post office.

“I Want Your Love” is a ballad with a cool echo effect on the opening chords. It was written by Johnston – Irvine – Berryman.

Photo and most of the info from the liner notes to Wild Things vol. 1.

Categories: Connecticut, Mask, Stamford

The Madhatters

September 23, 2009 Chris Bishop 14 Comments

I know very little about this 45, other than these Madhatters were a group of high schoolers from Stamford, CT who traveled to New York City to record their only 45 in late February of 1966. They broke up soon after, with most members going to college that fall. I’ve also seen the band’s name given as two words, the Mad Hatters.

The Madhatters’ cool original “Just Won’t Leave” has credits to Sills, Young and Davidson. Copyright registration from April 28, 1966 shows words by John Sills, words and music by David Young and arrangement by John Davidson.

John Davidson was the Madhatters lead guitarist, Jim Cantor played bass, and they had a drummer named Eddie (surname?)

For the flip they do a better than average cover of Mike Hugg’s “Mister You’re a Better Man Than I”.

Released on Mask Records (a Jaysina Production, 143 W. 51st St., NY), with Lady Grace publishing. The only other productions I can attribute to Jaysina Enterprises are two 45s by Tommy Walters on Bardell and an Otis Rush session co-produced with Funtown and sold to Gamble.

A 10″ three-song acetate surfaced that contained the two songs from the single plus a version of “I’m a Man”, produced by Jaysina Enterprises, Inc. I haven’t heard the Madhatters’ version of “I’m a Man” yet.

There’s no connection to the Mad Hatters from Annapolis, Maryland (45s on Ascot and Fontana) or Minnesota (two 45s on Cardinal).

Categories: Hampton, Shoestring, Virginia

The Wild Cherries (Hampton, VA)

September 18, 2009 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

These Wild Cherries were a Hampton, VA band known for their ability to cover Beatles songs.

Members were:

Harold Souders (vocals, lead guitar, electric piano)
Carl Moore (vocals, guitar)
David Jenkins (bass)
Wayne Dale (drums)

Hal Souders and Carl Moore were cousins, and composed both songs on this 45. In December of ’65 the band went to Richmond Sound Stages to cut their only recording, “I Cried Once” / “Baby Baby”.

“I Cried Once” begins with jarring guitar chords, and continues at an urgent pace through verse and chorus and a beautiful and very brief reverbed guitar solo until the ringing chords at the finish. Hal Souders’ syncopated piano overdub is a nice touch.

The tender “Baby, Baby” on the flip begins with nicely articulated notes cutting to a drum and bass break before the verse begins. The singer confesses “all the lies I told to you, not a one was true.”

To me this is one of the most successful of all teen 45s of the ’60s, sincere original songs flawlessly performed and superbly recorded. The upbeat “I Cried Once” balances the sedate “Baby, Baby”. The instruments and harmonies create an atmosphere akin to the Dovers great recordings.

The band released the songs on the Richmond based Shoestring label, which also had 45s by the Fugitives and Panics. Publishing was by Bargem Music.

The record had some play on WGH 1310 AM in Newport News, though it didn’t make any charts that I know of. The band broke up by the time Hal Souders started college in the fall of ’66.

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