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Welcome to another #RecordsIBoughtAsAKid and to Volume 2 from one of the great genres of the mid-sixties Top 40/Pop music known as ‘garage rock.’
The term got its name from records which, because of their limited acoustic polish and appeal, sounded like they’d actually been recorded in bandmembers’ garages.
Sparsely produced and arranged, the rough sounding recordings contained only basic instruments – two guitars, bass, drums, and maybe an organ.
Another necessary ingredient for inclusion in the style was attitude – often the result of a young guy being done wrong by a girl, and vowing that she will ultimately pay an emotional price for her misdeeds.
Later, punk acts such as the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, Patti Smith, The Clash and others were all influenced by simplistic hard-edged (for the time) rock and in particular, that attitude.
So here they are, four more great garage hits from my collection. Watch for Volume 3 soon!
[NOTE]
Due to copyright issues, some audio song files may not play on smartphones, tablets or connected devices. A laptop, desktop PC or Mac may be required for optimal enjoyment.
DIRTY WATER
The Standells
[1966]
Throughout the song, the subject matter and lyrics all pertain to the city of Boston, Boston Harbor and its dirty (at the time) Charles River. But The Standells weren’t actually from Beantown, but rather were a four-man band from Los Angeles.
A staple of the ‘Garage-Rock’ genre, Dirty Water was released on a subsidiary label of Capitol Records – Tower.
The song was written by group member Ed Cobb, with the lead vocals provided by their drummer Dick Dodd.
The single just missed the Top 10, hitting #11 in May of ’66.
[Note] Ed Cobb also wrote another song in ’66 called Tainted Love and recorded by the obscure R&B singer Gloria Jones. But the group Soft Cell would turn it into a huge hit in 1981. Cobb later went on to become a record producer at Capitol.
This a rare extended version of Dirty Water, and in true stereo with a ‘breakdown’ ending.
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YOU’RE GONNA MISS ME
The Thirteenth Floor Elevators
[1966]
Like the song I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) by The Electric Prunes (featured in ‘GREAT 60’s GARAGE-ROCK HITS: Volume One’ – see below) You’re Gonna Miss Me is considered a ‘garage’ hit, but with a definite leaning toward psychedelic rock.
It was written by Thirteenth Floor Elevators founder, guitarist and vocalist Roky Erickson. From Austin, TX, Erickson is now looked upon as one of the pioneers of the latter genre.
The legendary and eccentric hard rock trio ZZ Top, who were also from Texas (Houston) have often pointed to both Erickson and The Thirteenth Floor Elevators as one their earliest primary influences.
Roky Erickson then and now (L)
[Note} Having long battled with both mental and physical illnesses from years of repeated drug abuse, Erikson has made a musical comeback in recent years by both recording and touring.
His lasting impact on the Austin music scene was talked about on Season 1, Episode 4 of the excellent HBO series Sonic Highways, where Foo Fighters leader Dave Grohl paid tribute to him.
You’re Gonna Missed Me missed the top half of the Billboard Hot 100, topping out at #55.
Attitude PLUS here!
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JUST A LITTLE
The Beau Brummels
[1965]
The Beau Brummels were a five-man band from San Francisco, led by vocalist Sal Valentino and guitarist Ron Elliott, who wrote Just A Little with collaborator Bob Durand.
The band was discovered by several Bay area radio disc jockeys who had just formed a new independent label called Autumn.
One of those DJ’s was Sylvester Stewart, who produced the Beau Brummels sessions. Stewart of course later became Sly Stone of the legendary inter-racial band Sly & The Family Stone.
Released on their debut album Introducing The Beau Brummels, Just A Little was the followup release to another single from the album, Laugh, Laugh, and became the quintet’s most successful record on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #8 in 1965.
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GLORIA
The Shadows Of Knight
[1966]
From the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, The Shadows Of Knight rose to brief fame in the spring of 1966 with their cover version of Gloria, written by the great Van Morrison and first recorded by his garage band from Belfast, Ireland, Them two years prior.
With lead vocalist Jim Sohns, Warren Rogers (lead guitar), Jerry McGeorge, (rhythm guitar), Joe Kelley (bass) and Tom Shiffour (drums) The Shadows Of Knight’s G-L-O-R-I-A hit #10 on the Hot 100 that year.
The “Shadows” were just one of a number of bands who were part of the “Chicago Sound” which emerged at the time, with bands like The Buckinghams, New Colony Six, The Cryan’ Shames and The Chicago Loop, among others, included.
These acts combined to pave the way in the late 60’s and early 70’s for the subsequent success of Windy City bands like The Ides Of March, Chicago Transit Authority (later Chicago), Styx, Survivor and REO Speedwagon – the latter of whom hailed from Champaign, IL.
This is a great crystal-clear true stereo version!
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MORE #RecordsIBoughtAsAKid
THE KINKS / THE ARBORS / CRISPIAN ST. PETERS
GREAT 60’s ‘GARAGE-ROCK’ HITS – Volume One!
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Songs Source: The Music Vault of HouseoftheHits, Inc.
Billboard® Chart Data: Joel Whitburn’s Record Research (eBook Editions)
Record Sleeve & Label Graphics: Courtesy of 45cat
