Vinyl Record Lovers Newsletter.
Welcome to my monthly Newsletter. Thank you for subscribing.
The golden age of vinyl records and all things retro are the highlights of my Newsletter.
Writing stories based on my vinyl record collection is my way of sharing memories and keeping the oldies alive.
I do appreciate your valuable time reading my newsletter.
Issue #097 - March, 2021.
In This Issue:
- What's New?
- Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song.
- Put A Nickel in The Jukebox and Bring Back Patti Page.
- Cover Song of The Month.
- Ricky Nelson - First Hit, Plus A Rockabilly Classic.
- Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.
- A Tribute to Mary Wilson - The Supremes Anthology Album.
- "Betcha Didn't Know" - How This Disco Band Got its Name.
- What's Next?
Vinyl Record Memories
The Original Country Doo Wop Show.
Tune in each day to my favorite oldies station, the Country Doo Wop Show. My friend, Ned Ward turns music into memories playing yesterday’s Country favorites and the Classic Doo Wop hits of the 50s and 60s. Listen in Monday thru Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, all times Pacific, on KNCP Newberry Mix 107.3 FM.
What's New?
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The Tennessee Waltz is still played regularly on many oldies stations, especially the Country Doo Wop Show. Read the story how I first met Pattie Page.
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Among all the versions of “Statue of a Fool,” Jack Greene’s 1969 recording was the most successful, but was it the original? And is it the best version? I'll let you in on who I believe does the best cover on this great song.
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Ricky Nelson reigned as one of the hottest teen idols of the 50's and 60's. A look back at his first hit song he recorded to impress a girl and his rockabilly classic, "Believe What You Say."
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Do you collect vinyl records or vinyl record art? Some of us purchase and enjoy the vinyl cover artwork more than the record itself. The Framed Album Cover Art for this month is a "SPECIAL" group from the 70s.
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Mary Wilson, a founding member of the popular Motown group, The Supremes, died last month. I'll share with you my original 1974 three-album compilation album titled "Anthology."
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Do you remember Harry Wayne Casey from the 1970's Disco era? Donna Summer will always be my favorite Disco Queen but this guy and his band could certainly make you get out on the dance floor and light up your "Boogie Shoes." "Betcha Didn't Know" how this group came up with their name.
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Let's get started...
Country Doo Wop Spotlight Song.
Let's put a nickel in the jukebox and bring back Patti Page. In 1950 Page recorded her signature song, "Tennessee Waltz" and
it became one of the biggest-selling singles of the 20th century. Remember these heartbreaking lyrics?
"I was dancing with my darling to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see..
Introduced her to my loved one, and while they were dancing,
My friend stole my sweetheart from me."
Our Spotlight Song for March...The Tennessee Waltz.
Best Cover Songs - Where the best version isn't always the first version.
We've all been there. You hear a song, take it to heart and love it as your very own. And then comes the day you learn this special song you adore is actually something else.
Among all the versions of “Statue of a Fool,” Jack Greene’s 1969 recording was the most successful, but was it the original?
Surrounded in controversy, some believe David "My Girl" Ruffin wrote the song in 1958. My personal favorite and I believe the best cover is by Ricky Van Shelton.
In 1989 the song was re-released as part of Ricky Van Shelton's album "RVS III." Shelton's cover version peaked at #2 on the charts. The song was so popular it remained on the charts for 26 weeks and an additional 2 weeks in the runner-up spot.
Record producer and keyboard player Barry Beckett gives a stirring session performance on the piano, an added gift to the singer's voice that will set chills in motion. Read this remarkable updated story and listen to this perfect cover of "Statue of A Fool" by Ricky Van Shelton.
Here is my list of more than 20 songs that have been recorded as cover songs and are a different version of an original that are, in some ways, better than the original.
Ricky Nelson - How It All Started.
The story of how Ricky Nelson got into music is often repeated. Like most teenagers in 1956 Ricky was captivated by all the attention shown Elvis and the freedom his records offered. Ricky discovered the legendary Sun records that first led him to the classic rockabilly style of Carl Perkins.
Nelson believed Elvis and Carl Perkins were his escape from the fame and the "Little Ricky" that everyone in the country thought they knew. We can certainly give some credit to Elvis for Nelson's career.
As the story has been told, Ricky was rejected by a girl who was obsessed by Elvis, and on the spur-of-the-moment decided he was going to cut a record.
That record, "I'm Walking," a cover of the Fats Domino hit, shot up to #4 on the Billboard Best Sellers Chart. Side "B" titled "A Teenager's Romance" did even better at #2 on the charts.
Note: Click on each Verve record photo and after it expands click on the small arrows in top right to expand for an excellent view of this original 45rpm record I've had in my collection since new.
This quickly thought out maneuver to get a girl would soon turn into one of the most important careers in rock history.
Nelson would later record the 1958 rockabilly classic, "Believe What You Say" with the scorching James Burton guitar licks.
The song appeared on his 1959 album, Ricky Sings Again displayed above. "Believe What You Say" would be James Burton's first record as Nelson's lead guitar player. Take a listen at this fantastic 45rpm sound from over 60 years ago. Then watch Ricky and Fats Domino sing "I'm Walking."
Framed Album Cover Art of The Month.
You don't have to be a fan of a any artist or group to enjoy album cover art. A perfect example is this 38 Special Forces LP cover from a 70's group that was not on my list of favorites. I found this album several years ago at a garage sale and was surprised by the condition of the album.
No ring wear and a smooth, clean cover. The inner sleeve was also a plus, a clean picture sleeve of the band members containing a near flawless record on both sides. And how could you not notice the sexy red head eye candy in the cutoff denim shorts that made for an easy record sale. It was a good buy for an album nearly 40 years old in very nice condition.
If you click on the album it will open into a new screen, then click on the four small arrows to the top right of the album for an expanded view.
The group, 38 Special, is an American rock band that was originally formed in 1974 by two neighborhood buddies, Donnie Van Zant and Don Barnes. The group specialized in Southern rock, Country rock, and blues-rock and is associated with the A&M record label.
38 Special derived their name from the song “Saturday Night Special” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the song, a lyric is mentioned about someone being shot with 38 rounds of ammunition.
Fans of 38 Special understand why the band has survived the test of time having been created more than four decades ago. Like the man who survived being shot 38 times, the band has survived different generations of rock bands that have been formed and disbanded while they were still in operation. Cover by graphic designer Philip Gips.
"Someday We'll Be Together"
A Mary Wilson Tribute.
Mary Wilson of the Supremes has died. She died on February 8th, 2021, so I decided to dust off my original Anthology album and pay tribute to one of the original co-founders of The Supremes. The Anthology series began in 1974 with the first one shown here, a three-album compilation album compiled to represent "one of the 1960s' most popular groups."
The three-album set included all of the R&B hits and most of the pop hits of the Supremes, along with several tracks of the band's more experimental material. There were three additional releases.
The August 1986 release added 15 songs to a total of 50 while the re-release on September 28, 1995, raised the number to 52. On December 18, 2001, Motown released a fourth version of Anthology with 50 songs representative of The Supremes' period with Diana Ross. This version includes three previously unreleased versions of songs in addition to the 1960s hits and a selection of cover songs.
If you click on the album it will open into a new screen, then click on the four small arrows to the top right of the album for an expanded view.
Born in Greenville, Mississippi, on 6 March 1944, Wilson's family moved to Chicago and later Detroit. Wilson met Florence Ballard while singing in a school talent show at a primary school in Detroit.
In 1958, Ballard recruited Wilson and Diana Ross to form the Primettes. The group performed covers at local events and made a name for themselves locally. Aspiring to sign to Motown, Ross asked her former neighbor, Smokey Robinson, to get them an audition with Motown founder, Berry Gordy.
In January 1961, Gordy signed the group, changed the name to The Supremes, and in 1964 the song "Where Did Our Love Go" topped the US charts and reached No 3 in the UK. From there the music careers of these three ladies only got better. Rest easy dear lady.
"Betcha Didn't Know" about Harry Wayne Casey.
Harry Wayne Casey...How did the band get its name?
When the band was formed they took Harry Wayne’s last name, Casey, and made it KC and the band was named after the state they lived in Florida, The Sunshine State, Thus: KC and the Sunshine Band.
Lots of great songs from this band in the 70's Disco era...
- 1975 - Get down tonight - #1 BB
- 1975- That's the Way (I like it) #1 BB
- 1977 - I'm your Boogie Man - #1 BB
- 1977 - Keep it comin' Love - #2 BB
- 1978 - Boogie Shoes - #35 BB
- 1978 - It's the Same Old Song- #35 BB
- 1979 - Please Don't Go - #1 BB
- 1979 - Yes I'm Ready - #2 BB
Ever thought of having your own website? I built Vinyl Record Memories "from scratch" with SoloBuildIt! Click below to find out more....
What's Next?
Another classic country cheatin' song from the last man standing, the "Killer" himself, Jerry Lee Lewis.
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Congratulations on an outstanding site. I am from old school. I was 13 when Rock & Roll erupted in 1955. I would literally run home from school to watch Bandstand every day. I lived outside Philly and grew up with all the Philadelphia music scene and its performers. Keep up the good work and I thank you for your time and effort in keeping the old vinyl music alive for us and future generations.
Bill Moore,
Lugoff, SC
Deceased 2020
Bill was our first newsletter subscriber.
Rest easy my friend.
A kind reply
from a grateful family.
Danny, I think you did a great job and my family enjoyed it as well. I have had some more time to go through your site and find it to be fantastic, and your personal story is great as well.
You truly
are a blessing to all of Us. Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I
look forward to seeing and hearing more from you.
Paul Giacalone
The song "You Were Mine" was written by Paul Giacalone. Read the story here.
An Old Song & A New Friend
"I don't usually contact doo wop article authors as I rarely find much value in the articles, but your article struck me as sincere, genuine and respectful."
Tom Sokira,
Producer, Audio Engineer
"In The Still Of The Night" (1956)
Read the story here.
Read the true story of
"Darling Lorraine."
Danny, Great job !!!! I can't express enough how much my mother would have been so happy with your work on her song. As for myself and the rest of my family, we really appreciate your time & effort to let everyone who is interested in her song know the true story behind it. Read more...
Thanx so much, Bob
"Duke of Earl" Homecoming
I just read your article on Duke of Earl/Vee Jay Records. My father was Randy Wood, President of Vee Jay at the time. I'm doing some research on the company and am learning how influential Vee Jay was in shaping the future of music. Nice to see your web page. Read the Duke of Earl story.
Michele Marotta
February 15, 2015
Thanks for an excellent musical experience. I found your website by accident and just kept enjoying one classic after another. Great job! Like yourself, I'm still enjoying my vinyl collection. We share many of the same favorite artists. Regards,
Jim Miles, Germantown, MD
"Thank you so much for all the work you have done on these pages. I found my way here, and spent the next two hours in absolute bliss. Memories, memories...thank you for rekindling them."
Bob Douglass,
Richmond, VA
"Just stumbled onto this site and decided to stay and visit for a while. You have it laid out so wonderfully. Easy to get around and love your comments. Thanks for my trip down memory lane. Really, really enjoyed it."
Priscilla Hernandez,
Arkansas
I so love your site, brings back great memories. Elvis is still the King of several types of music. I wish that I could send you all of my old vinyls --I will keep Elvis. Thank you for your wonderful site.
Debra and Donald
Athens, Alabama
How I Took A Hobby
And Created A Website About My Passion.
Do You Know Something About Anything? A Hobby? A Passion? What Do You Know and Love?
Danny, great going with your site. I will be visiting often. I have all of my dad's LPs and several of my own, so your site is of special interest to me.
Roy Webber,
Salt Lake City, Utah
"Baby's Gone"
It's been more than fifty years since I heard this wonderful old tune.
A song I heard only a few times back in 1964, but from the first note of this memory-filled song, I was swimming in a sea of nostalgia. Read more ...
The Amazing Andrew Gold.
"That's Why I Love You"
A man with this much talent should certainly be entitled to more than this one simple page that I have provided and not just because I enjoyed one particular song of his more than his others. Read more...
"Why Do I Love You So"
This 1960 teen love song was a short song with a long-lasting heartbroken message. One of the more romantic teen ballads written at the time. Read More ...
I Can Hear Music.
A Beach Boys Cover Song.
I always enjoyed the Beach Boys version but Kathy just multiplied the WOW factor by a million. One of those really nice "feel good" love songs. Read more.
The Buddy Holly Story
If you grew up in the Buddy Holly era, this 1978 biography profiles the lives of someone who helped change forever, the music in the 50s and beyond. The Roller Rink medley and The Crickets at the Apollo looks back at this special time in history and how it all began. Read more ...
The Chordettes
Lollipop & Mr. Sandman
If you lived and breathed in the fifties those songs of the past reminds us of our connection to innocence and the fabulous harmonies of these four pretty gals.
More than 60 years later, the emotional power of these two songs still resonates with listeners, and as a result, still remains current. Read more ...
Make believe you're the FBI agent saving this "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" from that nest of bad guys. Read more.
The true story of a teenage crush and how a young man was inspired to write his song about the girl he left behind. Read the Fireflies story.
The Fireflies 1959
"You Were Mine."
It was 1958 and Short Shorts by The Royal Teens was #3 on the charts. Read their remarkable story here.
"Just The Way You Are"
"We almost didn't put it on an album. We were sitting around listening to it going...naaah, that's a chick song." Billy Joel...
Song of the year and Record of the year in 1978. Read more...
Don't Break The Heart
That Loves You.
This haunting ballad is about a plea from a heartbroken teenager trying to understand why her boyfriend is going out of his way to treat her unkindly. Read more...
Key Largo
A Love Story
If there were ever a song with perfect lyrics that you just wanted to share with others and send back in time it would surely have to be the vinyl record memories of this classic love song, Key Largo. Read this true story.
Lonely Blue Boy
Song originally written for the Elvis "King Creole" movie and would be Conway's last Top Ten song in his Rock-n-roll years.
"My name should be trouble
My name should be woe
For trouble and heartache
is all that I know....
Yeah lonely, lonely blue boy...
is my name" Read more...
The "Marcels" were named after a popular hairstyle of the day. A great song, a great group and the live video will have YOU dancing in the aisle. Read more ...
"Dream" - Roy Orbison cover of this 1944 Johnny Mercer classic.
The song "Dream" reminds us of those glamorous movie stars of the '40s,' 50s, and early '60s. The one thing they all shared was a level of glamor we still aspire to today. This is a song everyone should have in their music collection. Read more ...
Pink Shoe Laces was a cute # 3 hit song for 13 year old Dodie Stevens in 1959. Forty years later she performs with her daughter in a 1999 special called "Rock-n-Roll Graffiti" and ... WOW! Read more.
