AHHHOOOOO!!!
Mercy mercy me! This here's
Wolfman Jack, baby, sittin' in
for my good friend Shady Del
Knight here at the greatest
little station in the nation,
the all new S-P-M-M Radio.
I'm your doctor of love, you understand, and I got
the cure you're looking for - the best oldies you
ever heard and the best oldies you never heard!
While the moon is full and stars do shine
Cuddle and dance to these tunes of mine.
Grab that special someone, start squeezin'
and let the Wolfman's music do the pleasin'.
Now, you pay close
attention to
these songs,
baby, or
the Wolfman's
gonna GETCHA!
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie - that's amore - and these are The Capris, an Italian American doo-wop group from Queens, New York, getting us in the mood for love with their big hit and signature song - "There's A Moon Out Tonight!"
"There's A Moon Out Tonight" - The Capris
(Feb. 1961, highest chart pos. #3)
Those were The Capris starting off the show with their snugglin' song "There's A Moon Out Tonight." You're tuned to the Wolfman on S-P-M-M Radio. This is swingin' school and I'm gonna teach you a lesson. In 1964, soul singer Betty Everett reached the top of the Cash Box R&B chart with "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)." Now if you think Betty's version is the original you're wrong. A year earlier, another soul thrush, Merry Clayton, was the first to record the song. Merry's single didn't make the chart, but it earns the Wolfman's zeal of approval. Yes, gracious... Merry Clayton sings-- "It's In His Kiss!"
"It's In His Kiss" - Merry Clayton
(June/July 1963, uncharted)
Merry Clayton there with a great record thatshoulda been a hit-- "It's In His Kiss." Now
listen to this. Another version of that same
song was recorded in LA by Ramona King,
a fine R&B singer from San Francisco.
Ramona's "It's In His Kiss" single was
released in February 1964, one week
before the version by Betty Everett
hit the street, the one that was destined to become a hit.
Like Merry Clayton's record, Ramona's single was a swing
and a miss. A few months later, Ramona released a record
that sounds a lot like "When You Walk In The Room."
This one's called-- "Run Johnny Run!"
"Run Johnny Run" - Ramona King
(July/Aug. 1964, uncharted)
That was teen queen Ramona King and"Run Johnny Run." Now listen here.
This next little lady, Beverly Washburn,
is not only a great singer, she's an actress,
too. Around Halloween, 1959, Beverly
guest starred on the TV series Leave
It To Beaver as Jill Bartlett, a girl
who needs Wally Cleaver's help
finding a blind date for the dance. In the same vein,
Beverly released this record at Halloween, 1963,
called "Ev'rybody Loves Saturday Night (but me)."
The Wolfman thinks Beverly sounds a lot like
Shelley Fabares... and if I'm lyin'... I'm dyin'.
Here's Beverly!
"Ev'rybody Loves Saturday Night"
Beverly Washburn (Oct. 1963, uncharted)
a singer who also acted in more than two dozen
episodes of Loretta Young's TV show and had
a role in the Disney tear-jerker film Old Yeller.
Now I want all you Dell Vikings and Dellettes
to put your ears close to the radio and listen
to the Wolfman. In 1959 the Brooklyn based
Laurie label doo-wop quintet The Mystics had a hit with
"Hushabye." I'll bet you never heard the fab flip side.
It's all about "Adam And Eve!"
"Adam And Eve" - The Mystics
(July/Aug. 1959, uncharted B side of "Hushabye")
Oh Eve, you don't know me from Adam, but I'm your snake in the grass, and as long as you got the curves... baby I got the angles! The Mystics with the story of, and the glory of... "Adam And Eve." Now here's the prolific and terrific Neil Sedaka with a ditty that makes me shout and knock myself out, and that's a fact or my name ain't Wolfman Jack!-- Just in time for Halloween Neil sings-- "Little Devil!"
"Little Devil" - Neil Sedaka
(June 1961, highest chart pos. #11)
Oh my my, I see by the old clock on the wall
there's a dead fly. The sun's coming up
and the Wolfman gotta go.
If you've been listening to the show at the
diner on the outskirts of town, be sure
to tip your waitress when you leave.
She works hard for the money, honey.
This is your old friend Wolfman
Jack sayin' see you next time
here on the greatest little
station in the nation, the
all new S-P-M-M radio.
I guarantee we gonna
rock 'n' roll ourselves
to death, baby.
AHHHOOOOO!!!
Who doesn't know Wolfman Jack? Way before Howard Stern was even a thought. Is he still alive? I need to look it up.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alex!
DeleteTo answer your first question, there is NO ONE ON EARTH who doesn't know Wolfman Jack. :) To answer your second question, The Wolfman was only 57 when he suffered a heart attack and died in 1995. However, the legendary DJ and long time host of The Midnight Special will live on here at Shady's Place. Don't touch that dial because Jack will be back with more SPMM radio shows!
Thanks for being the early bird, good buddy Alex!
I used to love the Midnight Special! Loved Wolfman Jack. Of course when you started with the Ahhhoooo- I thought the next line would be Werewolves of London. I liked Little Devil - that was fun.
ReplyDeleteHi, Holli!
DeleteHow are you, dear friend? Thanks a lot for coming over to sample the sounds played by Wolfman Jack!
I worked for an NBC TV station in the 70s and 80s. Every Friday night I reported to the control room and watched The Midnight Special with the director and sound man.
Neil Sedaka is one of my favorite artists, both as a singer and a prolific songwriter. I'm glad you enjoyed his hit single "Little Devil."
Thanks again for coming, dear friend Holli!
Tom,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for not visiting much in the past week. My little blog hiatus didn't go quite as well as planned but it is what it is and you'll understand when you read today's mews. I stopped by yesterday evening with the intent to read & listen but got side tracked. I'll revisit your previous entry in a few minutes but first let me go through today's introductions.
The only artist I know by name is Neil Sedaka but I didn't recognize his song or any of the others except for 'Everybody Loves Saturday Night' sounds a little familiar. I might be getting it confused with something else. We watched 'Old Yellar' many years ago, so I was curious to see what Beverly Washburn looked like because I couldn't recall her being in it. Which did she primarily stick with singing or acting? Great mewsic! Thanks for sharing. :)
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteI just returned from CAAC where I read the very good news. You had a frantic weekend, didn't you? I was overjoyed to read how everything and everyone came together at the right place and time to produce a magical moment in your family's history. Your happiness is mine, dear friend!
Yessum, Wolfman Jack spins older records, and I didn't expect these tunes to be familiar to you. Truth be told, the only recordings I remembered before doing research for this post were the first one by the Capris and the last one by Neil Sedaka. All the rest are new to my ears in the last couple of years.
I vividly recall Beverly Washburn in Old Yeller and on that episode of Leave It To Beaver. Beverly seemed to build a career on playing the "plain Jane" type of girl (with no make-up). The song featured in this post is the only record Beverly ever released. Therefore it is safe to say that she is primarily an actress. In fact, she has a long list of acting credits and had roles in two movies and one TV series that were released in 2018!
Thank you again for returning from your hiatus and reconnecting with me here at Shady's Place. It's great to have you back, and once again congratulations on the birth of that bundle of joy - your new granddaughter!
Tom,
DeleteI'm sorry if I alarmed you with my first comment but I just wanted to pique your curiosity. I was glad you hopped over immediately to share in my joy, too.
I checked out Beverly Washburn's filmography at IMDb. I probably saw her in some of the old western style TV series from the 60s as a kid and possibly even the 1980s series Scarecrow and Mrs. King. All the other series and titles don't ring any bells with me. It's surprising with all that she's done over the years that I haven't seen her in much, though. That's quite interesting. It's also interesting that as good as she is vocally that she only recorded the one record. She did play the plain Jane a lot but was actually quite lovely. It just goes to show you the power of cosmetics. :)
We plan to take more time off next week hopefully to do the things that we didn't get to last week. Thanks for the warm congrats, dear friend. I'm looking forward to being a Mimi (gramma)! ;)
Hi again, Cathy!
DeleteI've been thinking about your new bundle ever since I first laid eyes on her yesterday. What a beautiful baby! I hope you will post new pics of her from time to time so that we can follow her growth.
I just looked at Beverly's IMDB acting credits same as you did. I probably saw her in Superman and the Mole Men, The Greatest Show On Earth, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Dragnet, Science Fiction Theatre, Fury, Lone Ranger, Millionaire, Father Knows Best, G.E. Theater, One Step Beyond, Playhouse 90, The Texan, Thriller, Wagon Train, Hawaiian Eye, 77 Sunset Strip, Patty Duke, Gidget, McMillan and Wife and Streets of San Francisco. It's interesting to me that Beverly appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows from 1950 until the mid 70s but over the 30 years that followed only acted in 4 projects. Since 2007 she has been working much more regularly again. Perhaps she took a hiatus to raise children she had with husband Michael Radell.
Thanks again for returning to chat, dear friend Cathy, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Tom,
DeleteI plan to share picture of my precious granddaughter in future posts. We were able to take DD#1, baby, & the baby's papa to dinner last Thursday. DD#2 and DS were unable to join us. It would've been so nice to have the whole family sit down for dinner again which is now very difficult to do with DD#2 living in Maine. Oh well...perhaps we'll get a chance to do it another time. I did get a chance to see her again last night when DD#1 and her brother stopped by for a quick visit. It's hard to believe she's a week old already but then we know how fast time gets away from us.
Hi, Cathy!
DeleteYessum, soon your granddaughter will be a month old, then a year and, before you know it, off to school and growing into a young woman. I hope you and your family remember to take pictures of her on a regular basis so that you will have a permanent record of her development. I am eager to see pics of her on your blog.
Enjoy your week, dear friend Cathy!
Let's clap for the Wolfman!
ReplyDeleteOf course I know Neil Sedaka, but everyone else is new to me (I think!) Ramona King sounds so familiar I feel like I should know her.
Hi, Kelly!
DeleteThanks for coming over, dear friend. I'm pleased to see you!
You just triggered a fond memory, Kelly. The Guess Who single "Clap For The Wolfman" was climbing the chart and being played heavily on the radio the second and third weeks of September 1974. I was vacationing in Myrtle Beach at the time and the song is linked in my mind to those carefree days at the seashore enjoying an extension of summer's warmth. I got anchored to several other charting songs on that trip, including "I Shot The Sheriff," "(You’re) Having My Baby," "Then Came You," "Tell Me Something Good," "Beach Baby" "Sweet Home Alabama," "Sugar Baby Love" and another novelty recording "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)."
Ramona King was a great singer. From 1962 through the mid 70s, Ramona released ten singles, but didn't catch the break she needed to become a successful recording artist. I can't find any of her records on the Hot 100, on the R&B Singles chart or on the Bubbling Under chart.
Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Kelly, and enjoy the rest of your week!
I remember my childhood as far back as 2 years old … and for sure remember 1963 … and Merry and "The Kiss" … and how my family was working their fingers to the bone on various fair grounds. Happy Wednesday, friend Shady. Much love, cat.
ReplyDeleteHi, cat!
DeleteThanks for coming, my feline friend!
You have a sharp memory if you can recall things that impressed upon you at age two. If you remember Merry Clayton doing the original of "It's In His Kiss" in 1963, then your memory is better than mine. The only version I knew until recently was the hit cover version by Betty Everett. I'd been interested in learning more about your family working at the fair grounds in the years of your childhood.
Much love (aka lubbins) to you as well, dear friend cat. Thank you again for coming!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/k4u91JlJFwQ?rel=0&controls=0&showinfo=0 …. Much love, cat.
DeleteHi again, cat!
DeleteThank you for sharing the link to that inspiring story about rescue cat Mason who found a purpose in life, joy and fulfillment as grandpa to rescued kittens. Love has the power to transform a life whether it be human or animal. I want to be smothered in slobbery kitten love! :)
Don't mean to jump in on your convo here but I had to take a peek at the video; how could I resist when you mention being smothered in kitten love?! What a precious story! I LOVE that video. And it is so heartwarming to see how happy and fulfilled Grandpa Mason is! So glad Cat shared that video with you...
DeleteI agree, Michele!
DeletePeople of all ages, animals and plants thrive on love and attention. Mason's life was transformed when he was given a forever home and kittens to love and to love him right back.
I'm glad you watched cat's video. Thanks again for coming by, dear friend Michele!
Shouldn't the Wolfman had dedicated a song to Suzanne Somers?:)
ReplyDeleteMerry Clayton's version of "It's In His Kiss" isn't that much inferior, or inferior at all, than Betty Everett's. Odd that it didn't become a hit.
But then, ALL of these songs should have been hits. Great selection, as usual.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for coming, good buddy!
IMO, casting Suzanne Somers in American Graffiti as "The Blonde" in the T-Bird, the object of Curt's desire, was a mistake. There are many other actresses who would have been a better choice.
I think Merry's version of "It's In His Kiss" is great, but the Betty Everett recording has a certain sparkle that makes it definitive. As I noted in the text, Ramona King also waxed a version of the song, and it's not too shabby either:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKIjffgoDsg
I think all three versions of "The Shoop Shoop Song" deserved a place on the chart, but only Betty's made the grade. I'm glad you enjoyed all the songs spun by Wolfman Jack. The Wolfman will be back with more great oldies in the doo-wop, girl group, teen pop, rock 'n' roll, R&B and pop soul categories, so stick around.
Thanks again for joining the fun, good buddy Kirk!
Oh, I love Wolfman Jack! I'm just stopping in quickly as we're packing and heading off to Oregon, Portland in the wee hours of the morning. It's been a bit crazy getting everything squared away and I'm so grateful Jordan is staying here with Arnie for the week we're gone. So take care and I'll be back to celebrate Halloween next Wednesday. AHOOOOOOO!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Yaya!
DeleteThanks for coming over on the first night of the post's run, dear friend. I am very happy to see you!
I'm happy to know you remember and loved Wolfman Jack, a great radio personality, TV host and actor who left us too soon.
Thanks again for dropping by. I wish you a safe trip out to Oregon, Portland. (Does your granddaughter still remember saying it that way all these years later?) It's good to know that Arnie will be taken care of by Jord while you guys are away. I hope the little guy doesn't experience separation anxiety.
Have a wonderful week. I look forward to your safe return and to your post about the trip out west. Take care and God bless, dear friend YaYa!
I have heard "Adam and Eve", but not the other versions of "In His Kiss". I actually listened to the flip sides of my 45s, and as you would say, found many killer Bs. Jerre
ReplyDeleteHe, Jerre!
DeleteWelcome back for another dose of Wolfman Jack, good buddy! As you might recall, The Wolfman guest hosted three times on Shady Dell Music & Memories.
Dell Rats left no record unturned. They prided themselves on discovering killer bees. I'm glad you remember "Adam And Eve" by The Mystics, the B side of the group's hit "Hushabye." I listened to the B sides of all the 45s in my personal collection. In some cases I played the fab flips more often than the A sides. "Big City Lights," the B side of "Ju Ju Hand" by Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, is the best example I can think of off the top of my head.
Thank you for contributing to the discussion, good buddy Jerre, and enjoy the rest of your week. More Halloween memories are coming in my next post on Monday!
B side of "So Fine" by the Fiesta called "Last Night I Dreamed" is one of my favorite Bs. Jerre
DeleteHi again, Jerre!
DeleteThanks for recommending that dreamy B ballad on the back side of "So Fine." The example I gave in my comment, “Big City Lights” by Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs, is ranked #12 on my list of The 200 Greatest Hits of the Shady Dell. As such it is the highest ranked "stand alone" B side on the survey. There are other B sides ranked a little higher, but their position is not as high as their corresponding A sides. The A side of the "Big City Lights" single does not even appear on my list because I don't remember it being played at the Dell, only that super B side. "Mustang Sally" by The Young Rascals is another great example. Ranked #22 on my list, that B side is considerably higher up the ladder than it's more famous A side, the Rascals' cover of "Good Lovin'," originally by the Olympics. The Rascals' version of "Mustang Sally" is ranked much higher on the Dell survey than the hit version by Wilson Pickett which holds down the #114 spot.
Thanks again for your support, good buddy Jerre. Stay tuned for a special post featuring YOU coming up on December 3!
I've been stressed out for the past few days and this has helped me de-stress a bit. Once the Halloween party is over and done with, I'll sit down and give this more of a listen. I love the selection, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thankful Thursday!
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteI am very happy to see you, dear friend. Thanks for coming over to catch Blood Curse Revenge of the Wolfman, the 4th guest host stint on my blog by the one and only Wolfman Jack!
I'm sorry to learn that you have had some stressful days. Join the club! I do hope you return and listen to the songs on the Wolfman's play list. I guarantee they will chase the blues and lift your spirits.
Thanks again for joining the fun, dear friend JM, and enjoy your Friday and weekend!
Hi Shady!
DeleteGeezalo, I now wish the moon was still shining brightly in Philadelphia! We have had two days of rain and it hasn't been the time to watch the moon or orionids. The Capris song would be the perfect song to listen to again once the clouds dissipate!
I absolutely love this selection, dear friend! I've always loved "It's In His Kiss," but never knew who performed it! I used to watch Tiny Toons and Animaniacs all the time as a kid and those two shows loved covering "It's In His Kiss"! Thanks for the flashback. I've heard the others before, but never knew who performed them.
I can't wait to listen to the playlist again on my travels tomorrow! I hope you have a good Saturday evening and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Shady.
Hi, Jessica Marie!
DeleteWhat a nice comment, dear friend. Thank you very much!
I know about the chilly, soggy weather in PA this week because other friends back home have been telling me about it. I hope you can soon sing "There's A Moon Out Tonight."
Thanks for sharing the interesting tidbit about the song "It's In His Kiss" being used in old children's TV programs. I didn't know that.
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed The Wolfman's hit parade. Stick around for future Wolfman Jack shows coming to Shady's Place and SPMM Radio.
Thank you again for dropping by, dear friend JM, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Oh these fun songs from the late 50's and 60's put a smile on my face. I used to love listening to Wolfman Jack and it was such a shame he died so young. He looks like someone I dated after about 14 years ago(wow that long??)..I called him my alcoholic boy toy:) Anyhoo, loved listening to all of these and I know the song, "It's in his kiss" made famous by Cher from that movie, "Mermaids". This is a great song and sung so well. I was not much into Ramona King because her voice sounded shrill to me but who the hell am I? :) So much fun to listen to and sorry for my delay-busy weekend and I am travelling all over the place at work...hopefully that will stabilize soon. Anyway, you have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi, Birgit!
DeleteThank you very much for making time for a visit this week, dear friend! I'm glad you were on hand to listen to the batch of tuneage picked JUST FOR YOU by Wolfman Jack himself! :)
WHAT??? You dated a man who looked like The Wolfman? Was he "your doctor of love?" :) Did he use the line "If you got the curves, I got the angles" on you? :)
I did not see the 1990 Cher film Mermaids and therefore did not realize Betty Everett's version of "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" is in the soundtrack along with a dozen or more oldies of the 50s and 60s.
Ramona King's records were mixed "hot"- on the shrill side, a production technique I am not fond of either. Nor do I like recordings that are bass heavy with the highs sheered off. There is a pleasing balance somewhere in between and those are the records I favor.
I especially liked the reply you wrote on my latest comment on BB Creations. I will be over to see you shortly. Thank you again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend BB!
Love that Wolfman Jack! He's so right about waitpersons. A lot of them work very hard and earn the few extra bucks they might get. I was always amazed by Wolfman's voice, and enjoyed listening to him when he was performing/announcing. I guess I got more of him from "American Graffiti" movie-he was a classic from day one!
ReplyDeleteOh, The Capris..."There's a Moon Out Tonight"! Who wouldn't like dancing to that sweet number?
Sorry, Shady...gotta go for now. We've got a "trunk or treat" festival at Scootie's school, and he's all goblin-ready. I'll come back when we return with the goods
Good to see you.♫
Hi, Suzanne!
DeleteI'm so glad you could make it over this week, dear friend. Thanks for coming to see and hear the one and only Wolfman Jack!
Folks of all ages could relate to Wolfman Jack. He was "real people," down to earth, and he had a good heart and plenty of wisdom to dispense. In those ways he was a lot like John Ettline.
I'm glad you enjoyed The Capris' recording "There's A Moon Out Tonight," one of the prettiest and most memorable doo-wop ballads of the early 60s.
"Trunk or treat"? I am eager to learn what that entails. I hope Scootie enjoys himself at the school's Halloween festival and gets lots of praise for his costume.
Thank you again for dropping in, dear friend Suzanne. Take care and have a safe and happy weekend!
Hi again, Shady! The "Trunk or Treat" was a hit. The teachers backed up their vehicles in the parking lot of the school, opened their SUV hatchbacks or put down tailgates and had baskets of candy for all. They had various games for the kids and lots of music. Anyone who wanted, could wear a costume and wander around to visit! It was pretty crowded, but a good time.
DeleteI didn't care much for the Mystics "Adam and Eve", but always liked "Hushabye". It's sometimes not easy to remember the names of some of the groups, but, you don't forget a song you liked. I guess as young teens and preteens, we were pretty wrapped up in the romantic aspect of a song! I wasn't aware that "It's in His Kiss" was previously recorded. I listened to both songs, and although Merry Clayton's is good, I like Betty Everett's recording better. It just has more bite to it!
You're right about Beverly Washburn, Shady. Her voice is a lot like Shelley Fabares'. "Ev'rybody Loves Saturday Night" is a pretty song.
Really good post Wolfman Shady! Always glad to see you! And, I always like to hear Neil Sedaka. He has a great talent and unique voice.
I apologize for cutting out quickly the other day. I didn't realize you had already posted, and was thinking you would be here on Friday! Well, you were, lol! We had Scootie's birthday party today. He is now "officially 10"! I think he's had a nice Birthday.
Thank you Wolfman and Shady! I look forward to seeing you again. Have a great weekend! ♫
Hi again, Suzanne!
DeleteThanks for coming back, dear friend! I am grateful that you returned to expand on the comment you wrote previously. As a rule, I publish a new post every six days. Occasionally there will be fewer days between posts and sometimes there will be seven days more more, but those instances will be rare. Most Shady's Place posts will have a six day run. Therefore my next new post arrives this coming Monday, my final post for Halloween.
Thanks for explaining what "Trunk or Treat" entails at Scootie's school. May I assume it is a safer alternative offered in place of the traditional door-to-door trick-or treating in neighborhoods?
Yessum, there were three recordings of "It's In His Kiss" all recorded and released within a few months of each other - Merry's, Ramona's and Betty's. With the Beatles and the British Invasion clogging the pop chart early in 1964, there wasn't room for all three versions. Like you I believe Betty Everett's record has the most zing, zest and commercial appeal. It doesn't surprise me that it was the most successful of the three and that it performed well against the English Moptops, finishing close to the top 5 on the Hot 100. Betty's record was very big in Central PA.
I'm happy to know you enjoyed no-hit-wonder Beverly Washburn and her teenage lament about going dateless on "Saturday Night." I'm also pleased to know you like the great Neil Sedaka, one of the architects of rock 'n' roll who remains locked out of the Hall of Fame.
Happy 10th birthday to Scootie! I hope he enjoyed his party. He's becoming a young man now. I have "known" him since he was a small child. You must be very proud of him.
Thank you again for making time for a follow-up visit and comment, dear friend Suzanne. Take care and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I haven't thought of Wolfman Jack in ages! And kicking off with the Capris classic hit "There's a Moon Out Tonight" was just the kind of harmonic touch I needed to wind down a crazy day. Aside from all the other running around I had to do, I tried to vote three times! But each time and at each location the lines were too long. I'll give it a try again next week, in the early morning if I can get my ass up. I'm always up early with the dogs as they go out and do their do and then I feed everybody but I usually go back to sleep while they're taking their after-breakfast naps. So I'll have to get up and stay up and go jump in the truck as soon as the dogs are done eating and hit the polls.
ReplyDeleteAs for your show: Sweet harmonies by the Capris! I read that this song didn't sell very well when originally released and the Capris disbanded but a few years later a DJ (Could that have been Wolfman??) played the song on the radio and it generated public interest and re-released on another label and shot up to the #3 spot on the charts! What a comeback story, huh? I never heard of the Capris until now so thanks for the introduction.
"It's in His Kiss" I remember hearing on some oldies stations back in the day (when I was working for the Classic Rock station WCXR) but I don't know who's version it was. Probably Betty Everett's. I listened to both Merry Clayton's and Betty Everett's and they're quite similar. Very interesting how three artists produced singles of this song so close to one another; why one over the others? I guess it's just a matter of timing and luck when it comes to catching a break.
I enjoyed Ramona King's "Run Johnny Run" -- sounds like he was hanging out with the wrong crowd!
I also liked Beverly Washburn's "Everybody Loves Saturday Night (But Me). I would love to see her in that episode of Leave It to Beaver in which she starred, trying to get Wally a blind date for the dance. Aw the problems of youth back then... :) I used to watch that show all the time. Hated then, still hate now Eddie Haskell... haha Always adored Larry Mondello and Whitey. And always got a kick out of Lumpy Rutherford's father (played by Richard Deacon, who had that same demeanor on the Dick Van Dyke Show). I think I'm due for a LITB marathon. :)
(I have to split my comment into two posts because I went over the maximum character allowance. Comment continued in next block...)
(here's Part 2 of my comment):
DeleteThe Mystics, doing "Adam and Eve" (that was a good find on the B-side!) sounded very much like the Capris. And I dare say that many of those "boy groups" who specialized in harmonies sounded alike in many ways. Or is that just me, not being familiar with the groups and the music of that era?
Neil Sedaka! Wow I haven't thought of him in ages! I had no idea his songs went all the way back to the early 60s. I only know his 70s hits, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" (he had another version of this song back in the 60s before the 70s version that I know), "Laughter in the Rain" and my absolute favorite "Bad Blood" (teaming up with Elton John on this one; he did backing vocals).
Wolfman had a great show here...A great tie-in with Halloween and all things wolf. I kinda wish I liked Halloween. I took my Mom today into the At Home store, which is FABULOUS! Do you have those in FL? It was her first time there. And we both ended up spending over $100. They have such great stuff. I was really digging all the Halloween decor. I said to her "I wish I liked Halloween because there is some super fun stuff to use for theme parties and decorating!" I really got a kick out of all the cool stuff, like a skeleton playing the saxophone and a sign that read "If You Got It, Haunt It". haha Yeah, if I liked the holiday, I would have a blast with it...
Anyway, great show Tom! I enjoyed very much. Have yourself a good weekend. I'm laying low all weekend and I actually have quite a break coming up. Right now I only have two guest dogs here and they're going home tomorrow and I don't have any other dogs arriving until Thursday!! I hardly EVER have times when it's just "the family" -- you know, just me and Picasso & Luca, my two guys. It is a very welcome break.
Hope you have a nice weekend too Tom.
Thanks for checking in on me. I think I emailed you back today and let you know that my MRI didn't go so well on Wednesday and I have to go back next Friday and do it all over again under sedation this time. I swear, nothing is ever easy in my life... EVER! Arrgh...
talk soon,
XOXO
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, Michele!
DeleteI am very happy to see you, dear friend! Thanks for setting aside a substantial portion of your evening to visit, read, listen and comment. I appreciate it!
You encountered long lines for early voting? I wonder how that can be interpreted in your vicinity. Any ideas?
Thanks for sharing the story of the Capris' comeback to chart success. Rock 'n' roll history is filled with stories like that one. Some singles were released two or three times before they caught on. Some were released only once but took an unusually long time to go from local to regional to national and even worldwide hit status. In some cases an influential DJ made the difference. There were instances when a DJ accidentally played the wrong side of a record but when listeners reacted favorably the obscure B side went on to eclipse the A side. Sometimes the original recording was released on a small independent label and wasn’t produced well, but decision makers realized its potential and allowed the artist to re-record the song and release it on a major label with better distribution resulting in a hit.
I like all three versions of "It's In His Kiss," but Betty's has a little better, cleaner, Brill Building style production and therefore more commercial appeal, and that is why I think it surpassed the other versions. It is the only version of "The Shoop Shoop Song" I ever heard until recently when I did my research. By the way, if you scroll down and look at the pictures in my right sidebar you will come to a green record label. That song by The Clinger Sisters, "Shoop Shoop De Doop Rama Lama Ding Dong Yeah Yeah Yeah," was released in August 1964 a few months after Betty Everett's hit was on the charts, and was surely inspired by it and by other popular records, namely "She Loves You" by The Beatles and "Rama Lama Ding Dong", an early 60s hit by the Youngstown, Ohio, doo-wop group The Edsels. I found interesting trivia about the latter single on Wiki. It’s another comeback story: << The song was recorded in 1957 and released, under the erroneous title "Lama Rama Ding Dong", in 1958. It did not become popular until 1961, after a disc jockey in New York City began to play it as a segue from the Marcels' doo-wop version of "Blue Moon". The song eventually became popular throughout the US, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. >> By the way, if you want to cringe, listen to a couple of other girl pop songs The Clinger Sisters recorded before they got in touch with their girl power and changed their image to an edgy girl band. First listen to "(I’m Your) Puppet (I'll do what you say)." Clearly The Women's Movement was still in its infancy!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqOZvAytyYs
On "The Lipstick Song," the B side of "Shoop Shoop," the sisters thank the various flavors of lip gloss they wear for enabling them to keep their boyfriends interested and faithful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZsW4-cPM30
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Did you notice the official spelling of the word "Everybody" on that uncharted Beverly Washburn single as "Ev'rybody"? I have a theory. If you are an established act like the Beatles or Elvis, you can get away with unusual spellings. (Presley's hit "Are You Lonesome To-Night?" comes to mind.) But for a first release by a new artist, I think it was a mistake to put a stylized word in the title because it might lead to confusion and prevent the record from reaching the chart. By and large, artists who kept it simple and released singles with catchy one, two or three word song titles, made out better than the ones who experimented with long, cumbersome titles or words with unusual spellings. I agree that actor Richard Deacon seemed to play the same character on LITB and on Dick Van Dyke. :)
DeleteAs you know, when a genre becomes popular, hundreds if not thousands of artists are rushed into the studio to make records of that style hoping to get their share of the glory. Many of those white doo-wop groups sounded the same because they knew it was a sound young listeners dug. When the Beatles came along, doo-wop vocal groups quickly became yesterday's news. BTW, John "Jay" Traynor, a member of The Mystics, went on to become the first lead singer of Jay and the Americans.
I'm glad you appreciate rock 'n' roll pioneer Neil Sedaka, one of the most prolific recording artists, songwriters and composers in music history, yet still waiting to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Neil turns 80 a few months from now. What is that stupid Hall of Fame committee waiting for?
I never heard of At Home stores. I read about it just now. We have similar stores that include HomeGoods, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1 and Kirkland.
Thanks for the email updating me on your struggle to recover from your fall. I feel terrible that you need to deal with so much. I hope the MRI reveals no permanent damage and that you soon regain full range of motion.
Thank you again for another tremendous effort here at Shady's Place, Michele. I enjoyed our chat. Take care and have a safe and happy weekend, dear friend!