PLEASE LISTEN TO A FEW SECONDS OF THE FOLLOWING VIDEO
TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH JERRY BLAVAT'S VOICE AND DJ STYLE:
BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.
And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for
GEATOR GOLD
on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)
"Gravy (With Some Cyanide)" - John Zacherle
(from 1962 album Monster Mash)
Greetings and salutations! I am the Geator with the Heater. I am the Boss
with the Big Hot Sauce, and you're tuned to S-P-M-M, the station that's #1
for music and fun. Welcome to my first bombastic show - a special Halloween
edition of Geator Gold. Kicking it off and setting the mood was Philadelphia's
own TV ghost host, John Zacherle, and his novelty record "Gravy (With Some
Cyanide)," a parody of the song "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)," a hit single
by another of Philly's Phinest, Miss Dee Dee Sharp. Now let's check out the
teen kings and queens on my good friend Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
They're dancing to the sound of a fantastic, bombastic Philly group.
These are The Orlons and their monster hit-- "South Street!"
"South Street" - The Orlons (Mar./Apr. 1963,
highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#4 R&B)
highest chart pos. #3 Hot 100/#4 R&B)
and Mary-Francis Hayes, who performed together as
The Du-ettes. From the late 50s through mid 60s,
the girls released half a dozen singles, none of
which made the chart.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
Here on Geator Gold we don't play 'em from the chart -
we play 'em from the heart - and here's a lost treasure
that's a fave at Memories in Margate and my other
record hops, a red hot platter I spin time and again.
Gimme a big strong line and start the stomp as
The Du-ettes sing- "Please Forgive Me!"
"Please Forgive Me" - Du-ettes
(July 1964, uncharted)
(July 1964, uncharted)
Now for some Fiction and Fact from The Geator's Almanac: When you talk about 50s doo-wop, New York was home to many fine groups. The Jesters and The Paragons were two of the best. The Jesters came from the street corners of Harlem and the Paragons from the street corners of Brooklyn. Both groups recorded for the label founded by Paul Winley whose brother Harold was the bass man of another great doo-wop group The Clovers.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
First let's hear from The Jesters, discovered by Paul Winley on amateur
night at The Apollo. Arranged by Davey Clowney aka Dave "Baby" Cortez,
this is The Jesters' first release, a doo-wop classic called-- "So Strange."
"So Strange" - The Jesters
(July 1957, uncharted)
(July 1957, uncharted)
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
The Jesters brother group, The Paragons, should
not be confused with The Paradons, a California
doowop act that had a hit with "Diamonds And
Pearls." Here are The Paragons with their first
record, another great ballad-- "Florence."
"Florence" - The Paragons
(March 1957, uncharted)
(March 1957, uncharted)
You're listening to Geator Gold on S-P-M-M radio and yours truly Jerry Blavat, The Geator with the Heater. Now here's one that I am willing to bet you haven't heard very often. In fact, this might be the very first time. It's a different version of the familiar song "Hitch Hike" which was a top 30 hit for Marvin Gaye in 1963. Marvin's Motown label mates, Martha and The Vandellas, sang background vocals on that single and in 1965 covered the song on their album Dance Party.
CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!
I wanna see everybody out on the floor 'cause here they are...
Martha Reeves and the fabulous Vandellas, with solid Geator Gold,
a monumental girl group remake of-- "Hitch Hike!"
Martha Reeves and the fabulous Vandellas, with solid Geator Gold,
a monumental girl group remake of-- "Hitch Hike!"
"Hitch Hike" - Martha And The Vandellas
(from Apr. 1965 album Dance Party)
(from Apr. 1965 album Dance Party)
CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
And as all good things must come to an end, so has my first show, a special Halloween
edition of Geator Gold. Don't touch that dial because Shady Green is coming up
on the flipside of news to take you on a ride in his Wayback Machine here on
S-P-M-M, the station that's #1 for music and fun. I'll see you next time and,
until then, this is the Geator with the Heater, the Boss with the Hot Sauce,
reminding you to keep on rockin', 'cause you only rock once! Bye y'all!
"Mope-itty Mope" - Boss-Tones
(1961, uncharted)
(1961, uncharted)
He has a lot of energy!
ReplyDeleteThink the Gravy song wins it for me today. It is getting closer to Halloween...
Hi, Alex!
DeleteYou grab early bird honors again this week, good buddy. Thanks for coming over to catch the first blogcast on SPMM by one of my heroes, radio and TV legend Jerry Blavat. Jerry's DJ style is a mix of excited, high energy rapping and a calm, laid-back approach when he introduces ballads.
In my youth I watched horror movie host John Zacherle on TV and owned the vinyl album that included "Gravy (With Some Cyanide)" and other creepy parodies of hits by Cameo-Parkway artists.
I got the jump on Halloween with this post. From now thru early November every post on SPMM will be H-ween themed, so stick around!
Thanks again for joining the fun, good buddy Alex!
Oh my goodness!! I am totally adding the Gravy with cyanide song to my Halloween play list!!! Very fun post today Shady.
ReplyDeleteMope-itty Mope cracks me up to be title of a song, they sound good singing it though.
Have a wonderful week.
Hi, Holliberry!
DeleteThank you very much for coming to meet Jerry Blavat aka The Geator with the Heater aka The Boss with the Hot Sauce, one of my all time favorite radio and TV personalities.
You can find more of John Zacherle's song parodies on YouTube. I owned his 1962 Monster Mash album and played it all year 'round.
"Mope-itty Mope" is a stomp ditty distributed by New York based Ember Records. It was an East Coast hit but failed to chart nationally. In keeping with my Halloween theme (which will continue thru Oct. and into Nov.) the song includes these nonsensical lyrics:
Well I just got back from outer space
Mopity mope mope de mope mope mope
I met a baby that had no face
Mopity mope mope de mope mope mope
With 3 pair of arms and 4 left feet
Mopity mope mope de mope mope mope
Well when she walked she skipped a beat
Mopity mope mope de mope mope mope
Took her to a record hop
Showed my baby how to bop, doin'
Mopity mope mope de mope mope mope
Thank you again for coming, dear friend Holli, and have a super week!
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas are the only familiar name to me this time, Shady. I sure did enjoy Gravy, though. What a fun song!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kelly!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks for coming over for the premiere of Geator Gold on SPMM Radio, starring the one and only Jerry Blavat - The Geator with the Heater. Like Hy Lit's show Natural Hy, Geator Gold will dig deep into the catalogs and vaults to bring you the authentic sounds of doo-wop, R&B and soul that were extremely popular in Philly and up and down the East Coast including my neck of the woods, Central PA.
I hope you enjoyed The Vandellas version of "Hitch Hike" and I'm happy to know you liked "Gravy (With Some Cyanide)." Zacherle recalls the golden era of the "ghost host" from the 50s through the 70s when costumed ghouls and gals hosted Saturday afternoon and evening TV shows that aired horror flicks, most of them low budget.
Thanks again for dropping by, dear friend Kelly!
Hi Shady, Great Doo Wop and a good "Mope-itty Mope" outer space song (almost as good as "People from another world" by the Jive Five. It is hard to believe that some people have never heard of the Paragons and Jesters. It is good you introduce these type groups to the younger people. I also enjoy the ongoing attempts to revive Doo Wop by some of the young singers like Kid Kyle. I saw what is left of the Earls and the Mellokings at Hershey Park last weekend. Mellokings could still sing, but Larry Chance was having problems. It is good that some of the youth is maintaining the old style ballads and harmony. Looking forward to more Geator Gold in future posts.
ReplyDeleteJerre
Hi, Jerre!
DeleteThanks for coming, good buddy! I'm glad you could be here for volume 1 of Geator Gold as Jerry Blavat, the newest member of The Shady Bunch, takes to the air on SPMM Radio.
I remember you telling me about "People From Another World, the song by your favorite group, the Jive Five. I think I might have posted it years ago, I'm not sure. I remember first hearing "Mope-itty Mope (Stomp)" by the Boss-Tones on a Wibbage album I bought around 1970 - Joe Niagara Presents 20 Knocked Out Nifties Of The Past. It had bunches of great Philly doo-wop tunes including the Orlons song featured in this post, a song by your buddies the Crests and one by the Jive Five:
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Joe-Niagara-Presents-20-Knocked-Out-Nifties-Of-The-Past/release/5354286
That Joe Niagara album was responsible for igniting my passion for doo-wop, a genre I had largely ignored until then.
I realize that you and Buppy (below) will be the two guys most interested in the material presented on Natural Hy and Geator Gold. I have found that people only a few years younger than Shady, people in their 50s, are far less likely to know and love doo-wop, especially if they were born and raised in a part of the country where the style was not nearly as hot as it was in our area. I've said it many times and I'll say it again, and I know Buppy will agree. Guys like us were very lucky to have been at the right place (York-Harrisburg) at the right time (the 50s and 60s).
As you might recall, I worked with Larry Chance & The Earls in 1984 when they took part in one of the oldies shows I helped produce. Just watching the guys rehearse before the actual show was the thrill of a lifetime. Like you I am excited by young artists who are embracing the sounds of old and performing them authentically, not in a mocking style.
That's right, Jerre. There are at least 24 more volumes of Geator Gold and Natural Hy coming up, so please stay tuned for more great tuneage. Thanks again for coming and enjoy your week, good buddy!
Yo Shady, First off let me say The Geator is a good friend of mine!
ReplyDeleteSome years back Jerry called me and asked would I come to Philly and do Peace Of Mind on a big show at the Kimble Center. He said don't worry,
I'll have a back up band for you. Well, the back up band turned out to be PURE GOLD out of Pittsburgh. They back up the singers on those PBS specials on Doo-wop & Soul. They are great singers and musicians. Jerry added 4 violins. They were great. We have become friends. Beside me on the show, there was BILLY PAUL(RIP), THE STYLISTICS,THE TYMES, FRANKIE AVALON(Who I got To Meet), SOUL SURVIVORS(Ritchie RIP), THE ORLONS, and BARBARA MASON. Great time had by all to a SOUL OUT AUDIENCE! The Magmen did the Blavat Show at least 10 times. Alrighty Then, Later Shady!!
Hi, Davy!
DeleteThanks so much for coming by to comment as the mic goes live and your friend and mine, The Geator with the Heater, The Boss With the Hot Sauce, begins blogcasting here on SPMM Radio.
It doesn't surprise me that Jerry Blavat is a good friend of yours. I remember his sound bites in that testimonial promoting the documentary about the Mag Men. Jerry said something like: "Good music knows no color. Good music knows no race." I always admired him for expressing that.
What a thrill it must have been for you to do a command performance at the Kimmel Center at Jerry's request, appear along with all those other name acts, and to be backed by the musicians who play for vintage artists and vocal groups on the PBS specials. By the same token, I imagine every artist with whom you shared the stage at that venue was equally thrilled to meet and perform with you, a vocalist known and held in the high esteem by lovers of soul and doo-wop the world over.
Thanks again for contributing your stories, Dave. Every tidbit you have to offer, every anecdote, helps educate readers who are not familiar with legends like Jerry Blavat and Hy Lit and have had little or no exposure to genre recordings like these. If we don't keep the music and memories alive, who's gonna?
As I told Dell Rat Jerre (above) there are at least two dozen more volumes (each) of Geator Gold and Natural Hy in the pipeline, so please stay tuned for more great sounds of the past on SPMM Radio - "where all the cool oldies go to live forever." Later, Davy!
Hi Shady and Jerry! Nice way to start Monday off, eh! he Orlons and "South Street" was a pretty good hit! A great song to dance to, as the video shows! I really like the video that shows all the girls dancing the same steps...I mean, their feet are all in unison! "South Street" is almost like a school cheering song, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteNever heard of The Duettes, but they are a pretty good duet team. Their vocals were perfect, and the song had a good beat.
Marvin Gaye was great! And, his "Hitch Hike" rocked! I'm so fond of Martha and the Vandellas, so naturally I like their version. I could actually see them performing the song. They were so great!
I have to tell you, Shady, that Jerry Blavat is a real cutie! His video is so cool. I get a kick out of the way DJs can deliver their dialect out. "The Boss with The Hot Sauce". And, the "Gravy with some Cyanide is pretty cool...I'm still a "Monster Mash" fan!
The Jesters and The Paragons were a couple of good groups also. Of course, I had never heard of them, but both groups had good style, and, "So Strange" is one that had a good slow dance beat.
So, Shady, I'm glad I got to see Jerry and his style! It's so amazing to have this on video. Some of us didn't know about these cool DJs. I remember how I enjoyed listening to some of them from my radio stations growing up. But, I can't even remember any names now, and we didn't know what they looked like.
Great post, Shady. And, your closing Boss-Tones "Mope-Itty Mope" was too much, lol! Great lyrics, though! Have a great week Shady, dear friend! Take care!♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteI'm excited to see you, dear friend! Thanks for swinging over to experience vol. 1 of Geator Gold starring Delaware Valley broadcast legend Jerry Blavat, one of my heroes since I was a teenager. In the 60s Jerry's American Bandstand style TV show was called Discophonic Scene. In the 70s I watched Jerry's show while working in the newsroom at my first TV station.
I'm glad you enjoyed the clip from American Bandstand showing those girls dancing in unison. I can imagine "South Street" being modified and used by a high school cheering squad at a sporting event. The Du-ettes were a terribly underrated duo. They had a great sound and deserved to become consistent hit makers. Instead they struggled and remained hitless throughout their brief recording career which lasted from 1963 to 1965. I was thrilled to find this cover of "Hitch Hike" by Martha & The Vandellas. I discovered it on YouTube six months ago and knew it would work well in the lineup of Geator Gold.
I'm glad you enjoy Jerry Blavat's look and DJ banter. He is one of the best. You were raised in the midwest and southwest and therefore it comes as no surprise that you didn't know about The Geator before now. John Zacherle is also a product of East Coast broadcasting and might not be familiar to you. His was a household name in my region. I feel fortunate to have been able to watch Zach on TV and listen to his wacky, Halloween friendly parodies of songs made popular by artists on the Cameo-Parkway roster. I'm delighted to know you enjoyed the ballads by the two featured New York doo-wop groups, the Paragons and the Jesters. "Mope-itty Mope" is a song that reminds us how popular songs about space aliens were during the space race years of the late 50s thru early 60s.
I'm delighted you got so much enjoyment out of Jerry Blavat's new series Geator Gold here on SPMM radio. Thanks again for coming, dear friend Suzanne, and have a terrific week!
This music and those times and values still speak of rules and innocence … Shortly after that the music and the times and values changed much, friend Shady … and innocence was lost … at least on the surface it seems like that … doesn't it ? Much love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thank you very much for coming down for the debut of Geator Gold, ace deejay Jerry Blavat's new radio program here on SPMM!
Wow, cat, this is a great comment! You took the words right out of my mouth (or right from my fingertips). Of the seven songs on The Geator's play list, five were released during the pre-Beatles era - "the age of innocence" - as I like to call it. Rules, etiquette and formality still mattered to most people. The rule book went out the window after the Beatles exploded, and pop rock bands, many of them British, captured the imagination of American radio listeners and record buyers more so than traditional doo-wop and R&B vocal groups. Surely that helps to explain why a great girl duo like the Du-Ettes failed to catch on and their exciting single "Please Forgive Me" sold poorly during that first summer of Beatlemania and the British Invasion in 1964.
Thank you again for this wonderful comment, cat. I hope your knee is well on the way to being completely healed and that your week is off to a fine start. I'll be connecting with you again soon, dear friend!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Jerry Blavant, had radio panache! I didn't listen to the radio much as a good because the signal wasn't the best where I lived and come to think of it I didn't do much radio listening as an adult, either. There are pockets of time I where I was fortunate to hear DJ intros. I can't think of any locals who can rival with Jerry's style. I do remember listening to Casey Kasem the summer of '76. I spent it with my uncle and aunt in Columbus, Ohio. I also listened to him a bit in the early to mid 80s. DH loved listening to WLS out of Chicago as a boy. From the top of the mountain of Paynesville, WV they had great reception. It was through him I learned the name Wolf Man Jack. Of course, as you may recall DH had a summer gig at a local radio station DJing and his older brother was a DJ for years. Unfortunately, I never heard either live on the air. That would've been super duper cool. Anywho, I enjoyed this lively edition hosted by Jerry and the mewsic is all new-to-me. Being born in the early 60s the Doo-Woop era was beginning to wane by that time but oh what a fun sound it was! The lyrics of songs from yesteryear are so sweet and pure over what's topping the charts now. Wouldn't it be great to be able to turn the hands of time back? That's lost forever, I'm afraid. *sigh* "Gravy" reminds me so much of "The Monster Mash" that I almost thought it was the same song but I think I like Bobby Pickett's voice and song over all better. Thanks for the introductions, my friend. Have a doo-woop fun week! :)
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you for coming over today, dear friend! I am happy to welcome you here to experience the exciting DJ style of Jerry Blavat - The Geator with the Heater - as the curtain goes up, the mic goes live, and he launches his new series on SPMM called Geator Gold.
Thanks for sharing some great info and stories with us, dear friend! I don't remember you telling me that DH and his brother were radio station deejays. That is very cool indeed, and it's a shame no airchecks were salvaged from that period that would enable you and your family to hear what he sounded like on the radio. I was just getting ready to accept a DJ job when I got what I believed to be a better offer working in television, and so I missed the chance to find out what radio work was like. Sometimes I regret it but, by means of my six new radio shows on SPMM: Geator Gold, Natural Hy, Stuck Like Glue, Wayback Machine, Top Tunes Time Tunnel and Jukebox Giants, I can pretend that I am a DJ, and so can you!
In my younger years I too listened to WLS and CKLW along with my local station, and was exposed to music via American Bandstand and similar music & dance TV shows out of Baltimore, Philly and Los Angeles. I admired Casey Kasem, but I prefer jocks with more pizzazz, more personality like The Wolfman, Jerry Blavat and Hy Lit.
If figures that these old doo-wop tunes from the 50s and early 60s are new to your ears. I was coming of age when these songs were popular and yet I didn't really get into music passionately until the Beatles and the British Invasion came along. The first three records I bought were 45s by bands, not vocal groups or solo artists. It took until I was in my early 20s for me to look back and get interested in genre recordings I had missed. These included early rock 'n' roll, 50s doo-wop, 50s R&B "bird groups" and rockabilly. All of those style will be well represented in future posts here on SPMM.
Yessum, I often wish we could turn back the hands of time. That reminds me of a favorite song by Tyrone Davis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-opxZJvIZ0
Thank you again for coming to visit and for sharing so much with us today, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Tom,
DeleteI think DH and his brother have a DJ style more like Casey Kasem. DJs with more pizzazz are definitely fun to listen to or even those with interesting stories like Peter Noone on SiriusXM radio. He's very entertaining! Did I ever tell you that he sent me an email once thinking me for the invite to visit my blog? Unfortunately, I accidentally deleted it. :( I'll probably not get a chance to communicate with the man again. Drats, my mistake!
Tomorrow you won't find in Blogosphere. I'm undergoing a routine colonoscopy since it's been three years since my last one and I felt it was time to get it done. This is one procedure I'm not looking forward to...actually it's tonight's prep I'm not looking forward to because I'll be under anesthesia for it and won't no anything about it. Have a good week, my friend.
Oops, I made several typos. Darn! I need to refill my coffee cup asap!
DeleteHi again, dear Cathy!
DeleteThank you very much for making time to return and chat, dear friend!
As I think I told you, I met Peter Noone circa 1990 when he came to the TV station where I worked. Peter was there to be interviewed and to shoot promos for an oldies tour in which he was appearing. He wore that trademark broad grin, just like he did in the 60s when he was known better as Herman. I don't remember you telling that story about getting an email from Peter. What a thrill! It really is a shame that you accidentally deleted it. Over the years I have received emails from a few celebrities including Irish recording artist Jackie Lee, Chi-Chi McCauley, all four women who were members of the girl group The Pixies Three, Jeri Lyn Stapleton, my favorite Action Kids dancer on Dick Clark's Where The Action Is, and Cynthia Myers, the former Playboy Playmate who co-starred in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls. Sadly, Cynthia died seven years ago of lung cancer at the age of 61.
I applaud you for having a colonoscopy tomorrow and I wish you well. You should be the poster girl for courageous living. You meet challenges head on and that is one of the things I admire about you.
I look forward to reconnecting with you on the other side of your procedure, dear friend Cathy, perhaps in time for Friday Sillies. I'll be thinking about you!
Tom,
DeleteI didn't sleep well past 11pm last night and then I had to get up at 2am to drink my last bottle of bowel prep. UGH! It didn't necessarily taste bad but the slightly thick, flowery flavor consistency probably played tricks on my brain. I've had a very busy morning and I'm a bit tired. I figured I would take a nap but I have too much to do. I'm sure by the time 8pm rolls around I'll be more than ready for bed. Everything went super well. In fact, my doctor said nothing changed since my last one in 2015 which is excellent mews. That really puts my mind at ease with my intestinal health.
I know you've had great success reaching out to celebrities over the years and I do recall now that you met Peter Noone after you mentioned it. He's really fun to listen to on the air; always good to have just the right lead in story to his song selections. Thanks for visiting today. I'll see you tomorrow over coffee and giggles!
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteWhat great mews! I am thankful that you checked-out AOK as a result of your colonoscopy. Too many people hide their heads in the sand and don't get tested. I admire your commitment to staying fit and healthy. It shows in the picture of yourself that you posted a while back. It makes sense that you feel tired after flushing out your system with "antifreeze" and going through the procedure. Get something to eat and have a good night's rest. I will meet you for coffee at your place tomorrow morning and I look forward to your Friday Sillies!
Thanks again for reporting in, dear friend Cathy!
Tom,
DeleteI indeed slept very well last night. I could've gotten a few more hours but DH had to work today. This is his normal Friday off but he's on a hot project all weekend. I often tell DH the worse part of a colonoscopy is the prep. Believe it or not, it has greatly improved over the years. It used to be even more aggressive to the system than it is now. I actually was concerned about it this time but I reckon it did what it was supposed to do. Thank you for the sweet compliments. I try to not skirt my responsibilities regarding my health. There are so many things that can be diverted if caught quickly enough and that's what I'm after. That being said, I'll probably wind up dying a healthy woman and something strange will happen like a meteor will fall out of the sky on my head. lol I'll do my best to return on Sunday to see your latest post. Have a good weekend, my friend and thanks for joining for some laughs this morning.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI am delighted to see you again today, dear friend. Thanks for popping back over!
I am happy to learn that the "lethal cocktail" you needed to drink to prep for your colonoscopy is not as bad as it used to be. My last scoping was five years ago and I remember the stuff tasting pretty awful.
I do admire you for being so health conscious, Cathy. "Take care of your body and it will take care of you." Fortunately I was able to take control of my life 26 years ago and rid myself of some bad habits that might have led to disaster. I certainly hope you will be around a long long time and that you don't get beaned by a meteor. :)
Thank you again for spreading cheer, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy your weekend and be ready to retro rock into Halloween when I introduce a fantastic young band in my Sunday post!
Jerry has some great radio style. He seems to really enjoy what he's doing! Fun post. I liked listening to the Doo Wop. Have a terrific rest of the week!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sherry!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thank you very much for dropping in to catch show #1 of Geator Gold, featuring Delaware Valley radio and TV legend Jerry Blavat spinning platters that prove once and for all that old school is cool.
I'm glad you like The Geator's style. When I was young the deejay was an important part of the radio listening experience. Jerry was and still is one of the greatest of all and he obviously has as much fun as his audience.
I'm glad you enjoyed Jerry's doo-wop offerings. Thank you again for joining the fun, dear friend Sherry, and enjoy the rest of your week!
So "Monster Mash" had a B-side! That song cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming to the party, good buddy! I'm so glad you dropped by for the debut of Geator Gold starring the wildly popular radio and TV personality Jerry Blavat - The Boss with the Big Hot Sauce. Jerry's Halloween themed show is the first in a string of H-ween posts that runs from now until early November here at Shady's Place.
Horror host John Zacherle aka Zacherley aka Roland had a top 10 hit in 1958 with the novelty single "Dinner With Drac." Other recordings followed in the same VEIN. (See what I did there?) They include "Coolest Little Monster," "Monsters Have Problems Too," "Igor," "Eighty-Two Tombstones," "I Was A Teen-Age Caveman" and "Hurry Bury Baby." Zach's album Monster Mash is filled with creepy song parodies of familiar hits by Philly-area artists.
I'm glad you had fun, good buddy Kirk. Thanks again for coming and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi, Shady!
ReplyDeleteDelightful to come here today and find myself pondering Halloween decorations – fun little flip-side of Gravy. Numbers crunch so much easier when hopping to South Street at the Veridesk. Have to say Florence almost sent me to the To Be Filed pile, but then Boss-Tones got me back on track to deep (what a voice!) space just time for an upcoming project I’m working on. No moping around here, my friend – terrific post!
Hi, diedre!
DeleteI am excited to see you, dear friend. Thanks a lot for coming by!
Yessum, it's getting to be that time, and I have so many H-ween themed posts stacked up and waiting to run that I needed to get the jump a little earlier than usual.
I'm happy to know you enjoyed the horror parody of the Dee Dee Sharp hit "Gravy." John Zacherle aka "The Cool Ghoul" released an entire album of these creepy covers in 1962. I owned a copy! It included Zach's version of "Monster Mash," "Hurry Bury Baby, a parody of "Hully Gully Baby," "Popeye (The Gravedigger)," a parody of Chubby Checker's "Popeye The Hitchhiker," "Pistol Stomp," a parody of "Bristol Stomp" and Zacherle's top 10 charting 1958 hit single "Dinner With Drac."
I'm glad you enjoyed the Orlons biggie "South Street" and the Boss-Tones' stomp record about an alien girl from outer space.
I'm delighted to know you had some fun with the post, dear friend diedre. Thank you again for coming and enjoy the rest of your week!
You're on board with my favorite holiday...Halloween! Loved "Gravy"...thought it was "Monster Mash" at first! I remember "South Street" and you know I love those videos of the dancers so I can check out the styles. I do believe I danced those same moves back in the day in Chicago! I have to give a thumbs up to the Vandellas. I don't know if you remember that Annette Beard Simmons is a part time resident of Ashland, Ohio. I knew her hubby Dan when he worked at our hospital and then the nursing home where I was on the board of directors. I had the pleasure of meeting her when Dan had surgery...oops..hope that's not a HIPA violation! Anyway, I'll look forward to more spooky tunes and Halloween fun here! Have a good rest of this week!
ReplyDeleteHi, YaYa!
DeleteThank you very much for popping in early this week to experience volume 1 of Geator Gold, presenting the authentic sounds of doo-wop, R&B and soul that were (and still are) played by Delaware Valley broadcast titan Jerry Blavat who now takes his place as a member of The Shady Bunch here on SPMM Radio.
"Monster Mash," the novelty number made popular by Bobby "Boris" Pickett, was a #1 hit single just before Halloween in 1962. However, four years earlier, it was John Zacherle who rode high on the chart with the sick record "Dinner With Drac," one of several horror and sci-fi themed records to make it big that year.
I knew you would enjoy watching that line of girls dancing the "South Street" on Bandstand. It's a great clip and I couldn't wait to post it. Yessum, I remember you telling me a couple years ago about Annette Beard of Martha & The Vandellas fame having ties to your community. I did some reading just now and see that her husband is an RN and spells his name with two "n's" - "Dann." The Wiki article also states that one of Annette's stepchildren, Nikki Simmons, also lives in Ashland. I'm happy to learn that Annette has had a better life than many of her contemporaries. In the 2010s Annette and her "splinter group" called "The Original Vandellas" have performed all over the world with Roschelle Laughhunn as lead singer in place of Martha Reeves.
Thank you again for visiting early, Yaya. I know how much you love Halloween, and I have a string of spooky posts coming up in the weeks ahead, so stick around. Enjoy the rest of your week, dear friend!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteBefore I even read your intro, I thought "THE GEATOR WITH THE HEATER!" I'm giggling a bit over here. One of my dad's co-workers used to work as a DJ on the side and knows Blavat personally or so he claims. Dad's co-worker likes to exaggerate, but he gave dad dozens of oldies CDs that were part of Blavat's collection - we still listen to them from time to time.
I loved this selection of music this week! I am slowly getting into Halloween spirit; I have to get my costume this weekend and decorations - your playlist has helped me move the spirit along! I am bookmarking this so I can listen throughout the season.
Have a great Wednesday, dear friend!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteIt's great to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming! I remember you telling me a few months ago that you have had a few "brushes with greatness" where Jerry Blavat is concerned. I see no reason to doubt your dad's co-worker. If he once worked as a DJ in the Philadelphia market then there's a good chance he ran into The Geator on occasion, and it isn't a stretch to believe he knows The Boss with the Hot Sauce personally. If he really gave your dad a collection of CDs that once belonged to Jerry Blavat, then I would say they are valuable collectibles and your dad should hang onto them and take good care of them.
I'm glad you enjoyed the batch of Geator goldens presented in volume 1 of this new series. Everybody seems to be getting into the Halloween spirit and I have a treat for you coming up soon in another post. I don't want to be a spoiler.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend JM, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Shady,
DeleteDad keeps all of his CDs in a case out of sunlight. I gave him dozens of CDs over the years and it always amazes me how pristine he keeps them! I'm thinking of getting him a few hip-hop CDs this year for the holidays. ;)
I can't wait to see the next post! This weekend I am going to buy some Halloween decorations and start decorating my room and my desk at my full-time job! Tis the season and it's my favourite season!
Have a great Thankful Thursday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI hope you are doing well today and I thank you very much for returning to chat.
I regret not taking care of my vinyl records when I was young. Like many I was shortsighted. I did not think ahead and realize that many of the items I owned would be valuable some day. I left my 45s out in the open to gather dust, placed them in a stack instead of storing them upright in individual sleeves, took them outside in the hot sun where some of them warped, and scraped them across each other producing scratches. Worst of all, I "autographed" my records - wrote my name on the labels with pen or Magic Marker, thereby automatically diminishing their worth by 90%. CDs are not as vulnerable as vinyl, but they still need to be kept dust free and scratch free (including the jewel box case), and free of stickers and labels to retain their value.
I have been following you through at least three and probably four or more Halloween seasons, and I know how much you like to decorate your cubicle at work and your room at home. I can't wait to see this year's displays. Thanks again for checking in. My next post begins Sunday morning and it is guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit. Take care and see you soon, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady,
DeleteTwo days after the procedure and I'm starting to return back to normal, although I still don't really have an appetite.
I know what you mean - we still have a record player and vinyl records downstairs, however, with all the rain this summer, our basement flooded. We are not sure what it did to the record player and records! Wish mom re-thought putting them in the heater room, but I guess she didn't think there would be a need for it again. It's a shame. :(
I have to get my Halloween decorations tonight before the orchestra. If not, tomorrow. I look forward to posting and I look forward to reading your new entry on Sunday!
Have a great Saturday, dear friend.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteHow are you this morning, dear friend? Thanks for coming back over!
I am happy to know you are bouncing back from your procedure. I hope your appetite soon returns so that you can become energized, get out and about and do all the things you enjoy.
Two of the worst threats to a vinyl record collection are heat and water. Many a collection has been ruined by storing the vinyls too close to a heat source, and flooding stains and rots the covers and degrades the vinyl. I hope you and your dad didn't lose your collectibles in the basement flood.
I know you will enjoy decorating for H-ween. Thanks for letting me know that you plan to attend my special Sunday "services." :) Have a great Saturday and I'll see you tomorrow, dear friend JM!
Hiya Tom,
ReplyDeleteWell, this doo-wop post sure put some pep in my step this morning. I especially loved watching the American Bandstand dancers as they moved and grooved to the Orlons' "South Street". I loved seeing the girls' hair-dos and the dress styles of the time. Watching their fancy footwork was fun, although I wished the video had shown more of the guys moves. I caught glimpses of a few of them and got a kick out of one of the guys who seemed to have no rhythm...either that or he was just plum tired. A fun little tune this was, South Street.
I also enjoyed the Duettes song "Forgive Me". I especially liked the photo of the gals in their polka-dot dresses. I love me some polka dots!
As for the Paragons vs the Jesters: I listened to both twice each and at first thought I preferred the Paragons' "Florence" but then after going back to the Jesters' "So Strange" I think I'll shift my vote to them. The piano, which I love, was evident in both songs but it figured more prominently in the Jesters song and that swayed my vote. Hearing someone who knows how to tickle those ol' ivories really makes my heart sing!
I would guess you won't be surprised that my favorite song presented here is "Hitch Hike" by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.
Although if I'm to include your bumper songs, I'll have to say that my ultimate favorite is "Gravy (with a Little Cyanide)" by John Zacherle. :)
(and I'll add: while with some of these songs it's hard to understand how they didn't chart, I can completely see why "Mope-itty Mope" by the Boss-Tones didn't chart! Ay-y-yi, that voice! That was hard to listen to... :)
Great Geater Gold show Tom.
I'll look forward to your next post.
Have a great rest of the week,
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteThank you very much for making time to check out Geator Gold, dear friend. That was very nice of you!
I started working in television in 1971, and I can testify how primitive broadcasting methods and quality still were even then. That old clip from American Bandstand taped several years earlier was typical of 50s and 60s shows that featured teenagers from the studio audience "dancing on air." The logistics was/were a nightmare. The cameraman needed to maneuver around gyrating, gesticulating dancers while someone wrangled the cables, keeping them out of the way to avoid tripping the kids, and avoid them being seen by the viewers at home. That might help explain the long stationary "locked-down" establishing shot of the girls dancing in a line. Around 40 seconds in, the director punches up camera 2 for a close-up, then back to cam 1 for the wide shot, enabling cam 2 to get a wide shot of a different set of dancers which, in turn, enabled cam one to push in tight on a different set of dancing feet. It's fun to watch and brings back memories of my early years in television.
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed the underrated Du-ettes along with old school New York doo-woppers The Paragons and The Jesters. I am equally thrilled with the job that Martha & the Vandellas did on their version of "Hitch Hike." It should have been released as a single!
All of the readers seem to be getting a kick out of the Cool Ghoul, John Zacherle, and his horrific song parody of Dee Dee Sharp's "Gravy." Perhaps Weird Al drew inspiration from Zach's creepy covers. Sorry you didn't like the gravel-voiced Boss-Tones and their novelty H-ween ditty. I actually made an error with the release date of that single. It was first released in 1959 but was reissued in 1961 and again in 1962, probably around Halloween each of those years.
Thank you again for joining the fun on Geator Gold starring one of my all time favorite record spinning personalities, Jerry Blavat. Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend Michele, and be ready to rock into Halloween when I present my next post this Sunday! :)