Sam the Sham’s entire backing band quit towards the end of 1965, supposedly over financial disagreements. David Martin, Jerry Patterson, Ray Stinnett and Paul Gibson could not keep the Pharaohs name, and Sam recruited an entirely new Pharaohs lineup.
The remaining group cut one single as the Violations on Dot 45-16866, with Sam the Sham’s producer Stan Kesler, released in April, 1966.
Paul Gibson wrote the fast-moving r&b top side, “You Sure Have Changed” and collaborated with Ray Stinnett on “The Hanging”. The drumming is especially noticeable on both sides. I’ve read that “The Hanging” is a comment on the breakup with Samudio, but the lyrics are either oblique, like “People offer many persuasions/ Some offer gold as a prize / But they lie …”, or simply hard to comprehend over the slamming drums!
Cash Box reviewed the single in early May, 1966, giving it positive B+/B reviews, but the single faded without making any charts that I’m aware of.
Paul Gibson copyrighted two other songs in 1966, “A Long, Long Way” which was the B-side to Sam the Sham’s January 1966 single “Red Hot”, and “Like You Use To” which I’m not sure if anyone recorded.
I read Paul “Butch” Gibson left the music business after this single.
Ray Stinnett formed the 1st Century and released one 445 on Capitol produced by Don Nix featuring two of his original songs, “Looking Down” / “Dancing Girl”. He would work with Booker T. Jones and in 1971 cut his own album that would wait 40 years to be released with the title A Fire Somewhere.
Info from Ian Parker’s interview with Ray Stinnett at For Folk’s Sake.
Wowww great to see
So is Samiudo still living??
You fellas did buncha dick Clark shows with my band
“Like You Use To” was an Album cut on Sam the Sham’s “On Tour” LP
Hello Ray Stinnett, i am a musicman (71 years) from The Netherlands and meet in years Domingo Samudio ( Sam the Sham) in Memphis Tn. and Antwerp (Belgium). I have all the records of the grouip Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs. Is it possible that i can buy you vinyl longplay records and vinylsingles? I remember the good ol times the ‘midsixtees’. Will you send me please your mailadres and your phonenumber when it’s possoble?
You see by the message and questions my mailadres. For now i wish you all the best in music, and i will thank you for all the good music with the Pharaohs. Greatings from The Netherlands.
I bought a 45 rpm their first hit wich I probably still own, cant remember the title it’s been a long time since, here in Canada it did not turn on the radios, i bought it in a record shop who was selling it back then it was selling around 0.99 can. +tax. Bye. Iû
Awesome read! My grandpa is Paul Butch Gibson , this is amazing to me when I read these articles on him. He is definitely a legend and I’m very grateful to call him my Grandfather. I talk to him atleast once a week and he is doing great! Thankyou for this article. Much love from Memphis,TN 🤘