Since you have been enjoying some of the greatest hits of the 60s we return in
the file area to Twin Hits sound-a-likes which were actually listed in Billboard
(see the magazine excerpt posted). This is because Twin Hits were issued to
record stores and juke box operators. Twin Hits issued some songs not available
on Hit (Rhythm of the Rain etc.)

More to come!

Paul

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HitRecords/photos/album/644065673/pic/1888569297/v\
iew?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc

I believe I only have three Hit Records related releases on gold labels. I
posted this Giant release to the photo section. I believe I have a current hits
album and a Bill Pursell (Spar) album also sporting gold labels.
Very nice too bad they did not use it more often.

Paul Urbahns
www.hitrecordsofnashville.com

While the superstars like Barry Manilow, Frankie Valli and Rod Stewart are busy
re-recording the best songs of the 60s. We relook at the original Hits as
repackaged in late 1969 0r early 1970s on a pair of Nashville Sound labeled
albums. Pressed following the sale of Record Service Company these songs are
issued in true wide stereo not the narrower Compatible process. Not sure why a
country term like "Nashville Sound" was used to issue pop tunes. And not sure if
they were even available in stores. I do klnow they were sold through mail order
by JEMI in New York city.
I miss labeled some of the songs as from Hits of The 60s, but the cover scans
are included to indicate the title on both albums is Best Songs of The 60s. No
Volume 1 or 2 designation on the cover or labels. Possibly indicating they were
manufactured to be sold as a set.

 

As some of you might know unsold Hits were sometimes re-sleeved into "Hits Of the 60s" sleeves and sold at 39 cents. However they also continued issuing albums after the Hit label ceased. One of those albums (on the Nashville Sound label) was called Hits of the 60s and is playing in the file area.

As some of you might know unsold Hits were sometimes re-sleeved into "Hits Of
the 60s" sleeves and sold at 39 cents. However they also continued issuing
albums after the Hit label ceased. One of those albums (on the Nashville Sound
label) was called Hits of the 60s and is playing in the file area.

Andrew Jones wrote:
> During a recent trip to an out-of-the-way thrift store in my area, I found and
bought a Modern Sound "current hits" LP (MS 1039, if you want to look it up).
The back cover showed pictures of other Modern Sound releases, including one
called "From Britain With Beat" (MS 544).
>
> As for the contents, the ten songs listed on the cover are 7 "usual suspects"
plus three titles I don't recognize - "Broken Hearted, Sad and Blue," "Come On
On" (sp?) and "I'm So Lonely." Originals?

The album includes these 10 tracks :

SIDE ONE : I Want To Hold Your Hand - Tobacco Road - Can't Buy Me Love  - I'm
Henry VIII, I am - Eight Days A Week

SIDE TWO : (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Sha La La  (actually Sha La La La La,
an original) - Broken Hearted, Sad And Blue (an original) - Come On On (an
original) - I'm So Lonely (an original).

I have posted the cover scan and liners to the file area.

Sha La La was a Manfred Man song but the version used on the album was an
original titled Sha La La La.

Paul Urbahns
the "Hit" Man

Andrew Jones wrote:
> During a recent trip to an out-of-the-way thrift store in my area, I found and
bought a Modern Sound "current hits" LP (MS 1039, if you want to look it up).
The back cover showed pictures of other Modern Sound releases, including one
called "From Britain With Beat" (MS 544).
>
> As for the contents, the ten songs listed on the cover are 7 "usual suspects"
plus three titles I don't recognize - "Broken Hearted, Sad and Blue," "Come On
On" (sp?) and "I'm So Lonely." Originals?

I was a little confused at first as I thought you were saying the
three songs mentioned were on Modern Sound 1039, but you was referring
to the From Britain With Beat" lp. yes they are originals that show up
on quite a few Modern Sound albums.

Modern Sound 1039 A LITTLE BIT ME A LITTLE BIT YOU, PENNY LANE, HAPPY TOGETHER
was issued in March 1967 and contained A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit
You; I Think We’re Alone Now; There’s A Kind Of Hush; Penny Lane;
Happy Together; Dedicated To the One I Love; You Can Depend On Me;
Something Stupid; California Street; Detroit City.  Not a bad album.

Good find, if it is in playable condition.


Paul Urbahns
the "Hit" man

During a recent trip to an out-of-the-way thrift store in my area, I found and
bought a Modern Sound "current hits" LP (MS 1039, if you want to look it up).
The back cover showed pictures of other Modern Sound releases, including one
called "From Britain With Beat" (MS 544).

Even in miniature form, the "From Britain" front cover picture is a hoot - it
looks like older guys wearing bad long-hair wigs pretending to be a rock band.
Anyone know the story behing this pic?

As for the contents, the ten songs listed on the cover are 7 "usual suspects"
plus three titles I don't recognize - "Broken Hearted, Sad and Blue," "Come On
On" (sp?) and "I'm So Lonely." Originals?

ACJ

I was going through some old albums I had. One of the very early LP's I got was
a sound a like LP on HIT RECORDS.
  I forgot I had this one.
Besides This I also have a Modern Sound LP and a few 45's.

CURRENT HITS VOL 13     RECORD #413

1.Dawn (Go Away)
2.She Loves You
3.Please, Please Me
4.My Bonnie
5.Navy Blue
6.Stop And Think It Over
7.See The Funny Little Clown
8.My Heart Belongs To Only You
9.Fun, Fun, Fun
10.Glad All Over
11.Columbus Stockade Blues
12.Saginaw Michigan

Bill

Hi from the UK.
 
"Look for a Star was composed by UK writer Tony Hatch for the film "Circus of
Horrors"
 
Garry Mills is a UK singer,was chosen to sing the song from the film.His version
of "Look for a Star" was recorded for the Top Rank label reaching No.7.July 1960
it even made the US charts.Garry had two further UK Hits,"Top teen Baby" No.24
Top rank and "I'll step down" No.39.(Decca).Garry was never a Sound alike artist
he just happened to cover several American hits which a great many UK singers
did in the late 50's and early 60's.Others hits he covered included "Seven
little girls sitting in the back seat"/"Running Bear" and "Footsteps".
 
American singer Gary Miles (pseudonym for Buzz Cason)did the cover version,his
name was chosen just confuse the record buying public which it most likely did.

UK singer Don Duke (Dick Jordan)did a cover version for the Woolworths label
Embassy.

 
--- On Thu, 8/10/09, Paul Urbahns <paul.urbahns@...> wrote:


From: Paul Urbahns <paul.urbahns@...>
Subject: Re: [HitRecords] Re: Sound-A-Likes on the charts
To: HitRecords@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, 8 October, 2009, 3:56 AM


 



I found this on line:

The song "Look For A Star" in the US, there were four versions issued
at the same time that charted:

* Garry Mills (apparently the original) (Imperial 5674) reached #26
* Garry Miles (Liberty 55261) reached #16
* Deane Hawley (Dore 554) reached #29
* Billy Vaughan (Dot 16106) reached #19

all of the singles were vocal except the instrumental by Billy Vaughan.

Taking all four versions together, "Look For A Star" was quite a big
hit in 1960 (It's fair to assume that only one version got airplay and
sales in each radio market.

But the sound a like outsold the original.

Paul

I found this on line:

The song "Look For A Star" in the US, there were four versions issued
at the same time that charted:

     * Garry Mills (apparently the original) (Imperial 5674) reached #26
     * Garry Miles (Liberty 55261) reached #16
     * Deane Hawley (Dore 554) reached #29
     * Billy Vaughan (Dot 16106) reached #19

all of the singles were vocal except the instrumental by Billy Vaughan.

Taking all four versions together, "Look For A Star" was quite a big
hit in 1960 (It's fair to assume that only one version got airplay and
sales in each radio market.


But the sound a like outsold the original.

Paul

>The Mills version was on the movie soundtrack of "Circus Of Horros" but it
didn't stop Liberty printing a picture sleeve to go with Gary Miles >version
mentioning the film.

Not only that, the original Garry Mills version was issued in the US
on Imperial which is a division of Liberty, so they were basically
competing against themselves which makes no sense at all.

Paul Urbahns


On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 7:16 PM, thomsonx2000 <bveecon@...> wrote:
> How about the Garry Miles (Buzz Cason) recording of the UK hit by Garry Mills
"Look For A Star".  Not only did ol' Buzz rip off the song, he also ripped off
the guy's name.  The Mills version was on the movie soundtrack of "Circus Of
Horros" but it didn't stop Liberty printing a picture sleeve to go with Gary
Miles version mentioning the film.
>
> J
>
> --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, "paulurbahns" <paul.urbahns@...> wrote:
>>
>> Sound-A-Likes are not illegal. Think of some that made the national
>> charts. Terry Stafford did a sound-a-like of Elvis' song Suspicion
>> when RCA refused to issue the Elvis version. Joe Dowell did Elvis'
>> Wooden Heart. In the 70s, Robert John did a sound-a-like of the Tokens
>> "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The Robert John version was also produced
>> by the Tokens, and I believe some of them sang on it.
>>
>>
>> My favorite story of sound-a-likes was one told by Jonathan King a big
British recording star in a similar vein as Stan Freberg and Ray Stevens in this
country. The Blue Swede took his British hit "Hooked On A Feeling", and grabbed
the entire arrangement including the "Ouga Chaka ouga!" and had an international
hit with it.
>>
>> So in order to be a sound-a-like, the record has to be not only the same song
but basically the same arrangement.
>>
>> Can anyone think of other sound-a-likes that hit the charts?
>>
>> Interesting puzzle?
>>
>> Have a great week!
>>
>> Paul Urbahns
>> www.hitrecordsofnashville.com
>>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

How about the Garry Miles (Buzz Cason) recording of the UK hit by Garry Mills
"Look For A Star".  Not only did ol' Buzz rip off the song, he also ripped off
the guy's name.  The Mills version was on the movie soundtrack of "Circus Of
Horros" but it didn't stop Liberty printing a picture sleeve to go with Gary
Miles version mentioning the film.

J

--- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, "paulurbahns" <paul.urbahns@...> wrote:
>
> Sound-A-Likes are not illegal. Think of some that made the national
> charts. Terry Stafford did a sound-a-like of Elvis' song Suspicion
> when RCA refused to issue the Elvis version. Joe Dowell did Elvis'
> Wooden Heart. In the 70s, Robert John did a sound-a-like of the Tokens
> "The Lion Sleeps Tonight". The Robert John version was also produced
> by the Tokens, and I believe some of them sang on it.
>
>
> My favorite story of sound-a-likes was one told by Jonathan King a big British
recording star in a similar vein as Stan Freberg and Ray Stevens in this
country. The Blue Swede took his British hit "Hooked On A Feeling", and grabbed
the entire arrangement including the "Ouga Chaka ouga!" and had an international
hit with it.
>
> So in order to be a sound-a-like, the record has to be not only the same song
but basically the same arrangement.
>
> Can anyone think of other sound-a-likes that hit the charts?
>
> Interesting puzzle?
>
> Have a great week!
>
> Paul Urbahns
> www.hitrecordsofnashville.com
>

This maybe a simple answer but I sure do not know it.
I am getting automatoically signed up to a lot of junk yahoo groups. How do you
unsubscribe to a group? I know how as a moderator but I am just a member in
these junk groups.
Thanks!
Paul

Before this gets too far off topic, let me add this. One of the things I like
about these old Beatle rip-off albums is their attempt, sometimes better than
others, to capture with original material (rather than covers) what they thought
was the sound of the Beatles, at least in that first few months of American
Beatlemania. A great song that I think did this well was Right of Wrong written
and sung by Bobby Russell (and the Beagles) on Spar 740.

Shawn

--- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, "surfrbird" <surfrbird@...> wrote:
>
> Howdy Folks!!
>
> Regarding The Manchesters, they actually released 3 albums: Beatlerama,
Beatlerama Volume 2, and I Want To Hold Your Hand which, other than the title
song, was a compilation of track from the first 2 albums. And indeed they were
The Chartbusters, and an early version of 'She's The one' appears on the first
album. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' was also relased as a single, althoug I don't
remember what label it was on. also, these Manchesters are NOT the same group
that recorded 'I Don't Come From England' on VJ Records in 1964--that group
included David Gates, later of Bread.
>
> With regards to The Liverpools, this group was actually The Dovells (of
'Bristol Stomp' fame) without Len Barry, who had split to persue a solo career.
They also released a second album which had a cut by The Orlons on it under the
guise of The Liverpools.
>
> There were a slew of these Beatles soundalike records out there that were
recordedusing studio musicians and released under a wide variety of names--in
fact Lou Reed was one of the musicians involved in the recording of some of the
tracks, and he along with other members of The Velvet Underground recorded songs
under a variety of names that were released on quite a few of these budget
albums.
>
> Paul, if you care to send me your address privately, I'll be more than happy
to make you a copy of all 3 albums. And anyone who wants to read more about
these Beatles soundalike should check out the website wfmu.org and type in fake
Beatles in the search box. One of the djs, Gaylord Fields. does a whole blog on
this phenomenon (and there are quite a few interesting stories).
>
> L8R!
>
> PeterBug
>
> --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, William Wyllie <wwyllie@> wrote:
> >
> > I have an LP called "Beatlemania" by The Liverpools on Wyncote Records.
> >   They have the Beatle sound in their recordings.
> > Some very good stuff on this.
> >
> > TRACK LIST"
> > Side 1
> > 1.She Loves You
> > 2. Be My Girl
> > 3. I Want To Hold Your Hand
> > 4. Hey Quiet Down There
> > 5. Did You Ever Get My Letter
> > Side 2
> > 1. I Saw Her Standing There
> > 2. Never Mind
> > 3. Please Please Me
> > 4. Chuck's Monster (Instrumental)
> > 5. Whenever I'm Feeling Low
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 1, 2009 at 7:44 PM, riverknight@ <riverknight@
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > That is the same album that was released on the budget label Diplomat in
> > > the US, although not with the photos (I agree, how did they manage that
> > > one).
> > >
> > > The Manchesters were the same band as the Chartbusters, whose song "She's
> > > the One" got onto the top 40 nationally in August 64 on Mutual Records. In
> > > fact, the same recording of the song is included on the Manchester's
second
> > > album on Diplomat cleverly named "Beatlemania Volume Two."
> > >
> > > Really fab.
> > >
> > > Shawn
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com <HitRecords%40yahoogroups.com>, "Paul"
> > > <paul.urbahns@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Does anyone in the group have a copy of this LP?
> > > >
> > > > SIDE 1
> > > >
> > > > "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND" "SHE LOVES YOU" "WEARING WORRYING BLUES" "I
> > > WAITED" "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN"
> > > >
> > > > SIDE 2
> > > >
> > > > "PLEASE PLEASE ME" "BLUE WAVES" "SHORTENING BREAD" "THE BEATLES MOVE"
> > > "OH, WHAT A SORRY DAY"
> > > >
> > > > The song selection is not that great, and maybe the same records
credited
> > > to The Manchesters here in the states. But The album actually pictures the
> > > Beatles.
> > > >
> > > > Wonder how they got away with that?
> > > >
> > > > Paul
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

I know that Lou Reed did some work for Pickwick and its related companies, but I
wasn't aware of any involvement with any of the discount Beatle rip-offs other
than using the photo from a picture sleeve of a single by the Primitives, one of
Lou's pre-Velvet Underground bands. I think I have most of these albums from
that era (with names like the Buggs, the Liverpool Kids, the Moptops, the
Schoolboys, the Krikets, etc etc). Can you say what recordings he played on?

Shawn

--- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, "surfrbird" <surfrbird@...> wrote:
>
> Howdy Folks!!
>
> Regarding The Manchesters, they actually released 3 albums: Beatlerama,
Beatlerama Volume 2, and I Want To Hold Your Hand which, other than the title
song, was a compilation of track from the first 2 albums. And indeed they were
The Chartbusters, and an early version of 'She's The one' appears on the first
album. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' was also relased as a single, althoug I don't
remember what label it was on. also, these Manchesters are NOT the same group
that recorded 'I Don't Come From England' on VJ Records in 1964--that group
included David Gates, later of Bread.
>
> With regards to The Liverpools, this group was actually The Dovells (of
'Bristol Stomp' fame) without Len Barry, who had split to persue a solo career.
They also released a second album which had a cut by The Orlons on it under the
guise of The Liverpools.
>
> There were a slew of these Beatles soundalike records out there that were
recordedusing studio musicians and released under a wide variety of names--in
fact Lou Reed was one of the musicians involved in the recording of some of the
tracks, and he along with other members of The Velvet Underground recorded songs
under a variety of names that were released on quite a few of these budget
albums.
>
> Paul, if you care to send me your address privately, I'll be more than happy
to make you a copy of all 3 albums. And anyone who wants to read more about
these Beatles soundalike should check out the website wfmu.org and type in fake
Beatles in the search box. One of the djs, Gaylord Fields. does a whole blog on
this phenomenon (and there are quite a few interesting stories).
>
> L8R!
>
> PeterBug
>
> --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, William Wyllie <wwyllie@> wrote:
> >
> > I have an LP called "Beatlemania" by The Liverpools on Wyncote Records.
> >   They have the Beatle sound in their recordings.
> > Some very good stuff on this.
> >
> > TRACK LIST"
> > Side 1
> > 1.She Loves You
> > 2. Be My Girl
> > 3. I Want To Hold Your Hand
> > 4. Hey Quiet Down There
> > 5. Did You Ever Get My Letter
> > Side 2
> > 1. I Saw Her Standing There
> > 2. Never Mind
> > 3. Please Please Me
> > 4. Chuck's Monster (Instrumental)
> > 5. Whenever I'm Feeling Low
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > On Thu, Oct 1, 2009 at 7:44 PM, riverknight@ <riverknight@
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > That is the same album that was released on the budget label Diplomat in
> > > the US, although not with the photos (I agree, how did they manage that
> > > one).
> > >
> > > The Manchesters were the same band as the Chartbusters, whose song "She's
> > > the One" got onto the top 40 nationally in August 64 on Mutual Records. In
> > > fact, the same recording of the song is included on the Manchester's
second
> > > album on Diplomat cleverly named "Beatlemania Volume Two."
> > >
> > > Really fab.
> > >
> > > Shawn
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com <HitRecords%40yahoogroups.com>, "Paul"
> > > <paul.urbahns@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Does anyone in the group have a copy of this LP?
> > > >
> > > > SIDE 1
> > > >
> > > > "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND" "SHE LOVES YOU" "WEARING WORRYING BLUES" "I
> > > WAITED" "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN"
> > > >
> > > > SIDE 2
> > > >
> > > > "PLEASE PLEASE ME" "BLUE WAVES" "SHORTENING BREAD" "THE BEATLES MOVE"
> > > "OH, WHAT A SORRY DAY"
> > > >
> > > > The song selection is not that great, and maybe the same records
credited
> > > to The Manchesters here in the states. But The album actually pictures the
> > > Beatles.
> > > >
> > > > Wonder how they got away with that?
> > > >
> > > > Paul
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

Howdy Folks!!

Regarding The Manchesters, they actually released 3 albums: Beatlerama,
Beatlerama Volume 2, and I Want To Hold Your Hand which, other than the title
song, was a compilation of track from the first 2 albums. And indeed they were
The Chartbusters, and an early version of 'She's The one' appears on the first
album. 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' was also relased as a single, althoug I don't
remember what label it was on. also, these Manchesters are NOT the same group
that recorded 'I Don't Come From England' on VJ Records in 1964--that group
included David Gates, later of Bread.

With regards to The Liverpools, this group was actually The Dovells (of 'Bristol
Stomp' fame) without Len Barry, who had split to persue a solo career. They also
released a second album which had a cut by The Orlons on it under the guise of
The Liverpools.

There were a slew of these Beatles soundalike records out there that were
recordedusing studio musicians and released under a wide variety of names--in
fact Lou Reed was one of the musicians involved in the recording of some of the
tracks, and he along with other members of The Velvet Underground recorded songs
under a variety of names that were released on quite a few of these budget
albums.

Paul, if you care to send me your address privately, I'll be more than happy to
make you a copy of all 3 albums. And anyone who wants to read more about these
Beatles soundalike should check out the website wfmu.org and type in fake
Beatles in the search box. One of the djs, Gaylord Fields. does a whole blog on
this phenomenon (and there are quite a few interesting stories).

L8R!

PeterBug

--- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, William Wyllie <wwyllie@...> wrote:
>
> I have an LP called "Beatlemania" by The Liverpools on Wyncote Records.
>   They have the Beatle sound in their recordings.
> Some very good stuff on this.
>
> TRACK LIST"
> Side 1
> 1.She Loves You
> 2. Be My Girl
> 3. I Want To Hold Your Hand
> 4. Hey Quiet Down There
> 5. Did You Ever Get My Letter
> Side 2
> 1. I Saw Her Standing There
> 2. Never Mind
> 3. Please Please Me
> 4. Chuck's Monster (Instrumental)
> 5. Whenever I'm Feeling Low
>
> Bill
>
> On Thu, Oct 1, 2009 at 7:44 PM, riverknight@... <riverknight@...
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > That is the same album that was released on the budget label Diplomat in
> > the US, although not with the photos (I agree, how did they manage that
> > one).
> >
> > The Manchesters were the same band as the Chartbusters, whose song "She's
> > the One" got onto the top 40 nationally in August 64 on Mutual Records. In
> > fact, the same recording of the song is included on the Manchester's second
> > album on Diplomat cleverly named "Beatlemania Volume Two."
> >
> > Really fab.
> >
> > Shawn
> >
> >
> > --- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com <HitRecords%40yahoogroups.com>, "Paul"
> > <paul.urbahns@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Does anyone in the group have a copy of this LP?
> > >
> > > SIDE 1
> > >
> > > "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND" "SHE LOVES YOU" "WEARING WORRYING BLUES" "I
> > WAITED" "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN"
> > >
> > > SIDE 2
> > >
> > > "PLEASE PLEASE ME" "BLUE WAVES" "SHORTENING BREAD" "THE BEATLES MOVE"
> > "OH, WHAT A SORRY DAY"
> > >
> > > The song selection is not that great, and maybe the same records credited
> > to The Manchesters here in the states. But The album actually pictures the
> > Beatles.
> > >
> > > Wonder how they got away with that?
> > >
> > > Paul
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>

Shawn wrote:
The Manchesters were the same band as the Chartbusters, whose song "She's the
One" got onto the top 40 nationally in August 64 on Mutual Records. In fact, the
same recording of the song is included on the Manchester's second album on
Diplomat cleverly named "Beatlemania Volume Two."

My favorite fake Beatles album is the Beetle Beat by The Buggs. the cover (see
the file area) claims to be recorded in England but was actually from
Minneapolis Minn. The group had a previous single out on the local Soma label
titled, Beetles Vs Buggs a rewrite of I Want To Hold Your Hand. The single sold
nothing but the album retailed for a dollar or less and sold millions.

The music is actually quite good. Listen for the Hollies "Just One Look"
retitled. And supposedly one of the songs is an Everly brothers song, but I
don't know which one.

Paul

That is the same album that was released on the budget label Diplomat in the US,
although not with the photos (I agree, how did they manage that one).

The Manchesters were the same band as the Chartbusters, whose song "She's the
One" got onto the top 40 nationally in August 64 on Mutual Records. In fact, the
same recording of the song is included on the Manchester's second album on
Diplomat cleverly named "Beatlemania Volume Two."

Really fab.

Shawn



--- In HitRecords@yahoogroups.com, "Paul" <paul.urbahns@...> wrote:
>
> Does anyone in the group have a copy of this LP?
>
> SIDE 1
>
> "I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND"   "SHE LOVES YOU"   "WEARING WORRYING BLUES"   "I
WAITED"   "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN"
>
> SIDE 2
>
> "PLEASE PLEASE ME"   "BLUE WAVES"   "SHORTENING BREAD"   "THE BEATLES MOVE"  
"OH, WHAT A SORRY DAY"
>
> The song selection is not that great, and maybe the same records credited to
The Manchesters here in the states. But The album actually pictures the Beatles.
>
> Wonder how they got away with that?
>
> Paul
>

Does anyone in the group have a copy of this LP?

SIDE 1

"I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND"   "SHE LOVES YOU"   "WEARING WORRYING BLUES"   "I
WAITED"   "MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN"

SIDE 2

"PLEASE PLEASE ME"   "BLUE WAVES"   "SHORTENING BREAD"   "THE BEATLES MOVE"  
"OH, WHAT A SORRY DAY"

The song selection is not that great, and maybe the same records credited to The
Manchesters here in the states. But The album actually pictures the Beatles.

Wonder how they got away with that?

Paul

I went to a local used bookstore that sells recoudes and found about 18 HIT
RECORD 45's for 25 cents a piece.  I will have a list for you sometime tomorrow
or Tuesady.  What a great find!

John

I have said before that some months Hit did not record very many sound-a-likes
but their track record at picking songs that made the Top 10 was pretty good. I
looked at the Number 1 songs during the Hit singles years and here are some
songs that Hit did not record:

1962: Lion Sleeps Tonight (but it was a number 1 when Hit was started so it had
nowhere to go but down); Duke of Earl; Johnny Angel (nobody expected this to be
a number 1 at the time); Monster Mash (a novelty that probably climbed the chart
too fast to be copied)

1963: Fingertips (part2); Deep Purple.

1964: Everybody Loves Somebody; Leader Of The Pack; Come See About Me.

1965: Come See About Me (again); My Girl; In The Name of Love; Back In My Arms
Again; I Can't Help Myself; Mr Tambourine Man; I Hear A Symphony. (but they did
the Toy's A Lover's Concerto)

1966: Paperback Writer; Strangers In the Night; You Can't Hurry Love; You Keep
Me Hanging On; Good Vibrations.

1967: Love Is Here and Now You're Gone; The Happening; Respect; Hello Goodbye;

1968: I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

And since the last Hit Records single was in January 1969, I am actually
surprised they did not miss more #1s from that year.
1969: In the Year 2525; I Can't Get Next To You;

1970: they were only issuing albums and recorded fewer songs so the "Top 10
Hits" principle does not apply.

I think they missed a lot of Motown releases (especially Supremes) because when
Ted Jarrett stopped being a producer they didn't have a good source of black
singers for the late 60s. That's why Bobby Russell does some black vocals. The
Supremes songs were done by The Avons, then there was a gap until Ricky Page (a
white singer) started with Hit and she could do a really good Diana Ross on
songs like Love Child and Someday We'll Be Together.

Others on this list may have cost too much to record (Strangers In the Night),
or they decided they could not do reasonable sound-a-like (Good Vibrations). And
of course there is always the possibility that when some of these songs debuted
on the charts they simply did not need a new song for the rack, so they did not
get recorded.

But the track record still looks pretty good at judging the hits.

Any comments???

Paul Urbahns

John wrote:
>
>There were alot of covers in the 60's.

Hits were not covers, they are sound-a-likes. One artist can record another
performers song and have a chart battle, and have totally different
arrangements. These are covers. In sound-a-likes the second artist basically
"copies" the original recording arrangement and all.

John again:
>As I look over the list on the Hits website... I wonder why none of Ike and
Tina or Patty Duke's records were ever covered, and I see only one Bluebelle's
cover (I Sold My heart to the Junkman)and they had a few top 10 top 40 hits in
the very early 60's.


The Bluebells record was done early in the history of the label, and was a girl
group record which was very popular at that time. Eventually, Hit started
copying proven artists new releases. However the system was the same.

At the beginning of each month (or approximately every three weeks) Bill Beasley
and Alan Bubis would look at the Billboard charts and see what the new fast
rising records were that either was not in the Top 40 or just entered it. Then
they would compare the charts against what was currently in the Hit Records
racks. If a particular record in the rack was still selling, it was restocked as
necessary for a second (or even a third) month. So they counted the singles that
needed to be replaced in the 10 record Hit rack because the original versions
were dropping in the charts. It is that number of songs they would record from
the new songs climbing the charts. If a record continued to sell they did not
replace it. That's why some really big hits were never Hits.

Also if a proven chart maker like Elvis, Brenda Lee, Connie Francis etc.
recorded a new song for release then I am sure that song was moved to the top of
the list. The sooner they could get the Hit in the rack, the longer it could be
sold. Why wait for an Elvis record to enter the Top 40 when you know it will be
there anyway. Most hits in those days had a three month chart life.

Paul Urbahns
www.hitrecordsofnashville.com