Leszczak - Who did it first?: great rhythm and blues cover songs and their original artists

Acknowledgments

I would like to send warm, heartfelt thanks to those who made this such an enjoyable endeavor. Im very grateful to all of the wonderfully talented interviewees who generously supplied never-before-printed, fun, amazing, anecdotal, behind-the-scenes memories and quotes about their legendary music. Several also graciously offered their own vintage photographs, which are proudly displayed in this volume. In alphabetical order, a tip of the hat to Eddie Brian, Kim Carnes, Larry Chance, Gretchen Christopher, Raoul Cita, Paul Evans, Carl Giammarese, Eddie Hodges, Brian Hyland, Art Laboe, Jaye P. Morgan, Alan Paul, Neil Sedaka, Mike Stoller, Lenny Welch, and Mary Wilson.

Other kind souls who contributed in the research arena include Marv Goldberg, Fernando L. Gonzalez, Dennis Ostrom, Marc Price, Peter Stoller, and Billy Vera.

And, I cannot forget two guys who epitomize the term true friend David Schwartz and Vincent Terrace. Thanks for your continued help and guidance on so many levels.

Introduction

Everybody has to start somewhere. Businessmen start on the ground floor and try to work their way up the corporate ladder. Baseball players bide their time in the minor leagues wishing for an opportunity to move up and play in the majors. Musical compositions arent very differentsome songs just dont climb the charts the first time theyre recorded. However, with perseverance, the ideal singer, the right chemistry, impeccable timing, vigorous promotion, and a little luck, these songs can become very famous.

Youll know most, if not all, of the songs listed in this book. What you may not know, though, is that, in many cases, the familiar hit version youve grown up with is not the first version, nor the only version. The purpose of this book is to show who did it first .

For example, neither the Isley Brothers nor the Beatles were the first to record Twist and Shout; Elvis Presley did not release the first version of Burning Love; George Harrison neither wrote nor originally recorded Got My Mind Set on You; and the Supremes did not originate Someday, Well Be Together. So, the question remains: Who Did It First?

Several songs were so good, they became Top Ten hits three or more timesunforgettable songs such as The Locomotion, Only You, Silhouettes, and You Keep Me Hanging On. But Who Did It First?

Several artists had the misfortune of recording several original versions of songs, only to watch as cover artists enjoyed the spoils and achieved the fame. Arthur Alexander, Don Covay, the Isley Brothers, Lou Johnson, Smiley Lewis, Dee Dee Warwick, and Larry Williams are just a few of the artists who did it first frequently.

The entries for each song in this book, listed alphabetically, consist of information about the original artist and the cover artist, the original record label and the cover versions record label, the record numbers, the years of release, the record speeds (45, 78, LP, even CD), and the chart position each attained. Then read the fascinating history surrounding each song. Included within the body of many entries are honorable mentions of still more versions of these songs. Many contain quotes and behind-the-scenes information from the artists and songwriters themselves, as well as photographs theyve provided. Also included are numerous pictures of key record labels and important songsall from my own record collection, the result of a lifelong hobby.

This is the first volume in a projecta three-volume set. This edition focuses on songs that were originally recorded by R&B performers. Volumes 2 and 3 will concentrate on pop and rock songs, respectively. Your library will not be complete until you have all three.

So, whether youre using this book to quiz your friends at a party, using it to quiz listeners to your radio show, or just satisfying your own insatiable musical curiosity, thank you for having a shared interest in Who Did It First?

Songs

A

Adorable

Composer: Buck Ram

Original Artist: the Colts

Label: Vita Records; Recording: Vita #112 (45 and 78)

Release Year: 1955; Chart: #11 Billboard R&B

Cover Artist: the Drifters

Label: Atlantic Records; Recording: Atlantic #1078 (45 and 78)

Release Year: 1955; Chart: #1 Billboard R&B

A black vocal group from Bakersfield, California, got their lucky break when the manager for the Penguins and the Platters, Buck Ram, visited the area. Ram inquired about local talent and was put in contact with the group that would become the Colts. Ram supplied them with a song he wrote titled Adorable, and it was released on a small Pasadena record label called Vita. The handsome young guys even got a group photograph on the label, donning sweaters and freshman hats. The record began to take off, especially in the Los Angeles area, and the group made numerous local TV appearances. On June 2, 1956, they were announced as scheduled to appear on The Stage Show the following week on CBS. The Stage Show was a summer replacement for The Jackie Gleason Show , and was hosted by Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. It is unclear why the Colts did not appear on the June 9, 1956, episode of the program, as had been announced, but they were not rescheduled.