By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 11:37 pm:

Who of the following had a number one r and b hit--Nelson,US Bonds or Forte?

By dvdmike (68.72.87.36) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 09:06 am:

Neither of them did. Gary U.S. Bonds had a #3 R&B hit in 1961 with "Quarter To Three" and Rick Nelson had a #3 R&B hit in 1958 with "Poor Little Fool". The best Fabian could muster was #15 with "Tiger" in 1959.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 01:59 pm:

Mr Nelson has a #1 R and B hit called It's Late per Billboard book which reprinted record reviews--1957 release I believe.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 02:46 pm:

I'm having a rather hard time classifying any of Rick Nelson's work as R&B. All due respect. I always thought he was a talented guy, but R&B?

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

P.S.,
And Gary Lewis and Fabian should not even be mentoned in my opinion.

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 02:51 pm:

Not judging,just reporting!!(I agree with u)--1959 #1 r and b-"Its Late"---American Rock and Roll in Review(Billboard)---Im surprised Gene Pitney didnt have any and Ricky did!!(r and b hits)

By dvdmike (68.72.87.36) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 03:53 pm:

I have Joel Whitburn's book, "Top R&B Singles: 1942-1999" and according to the book, "It's Late" never reached higher than #30 on the R&B chart and #9 on the pop chart.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 03:57 pm:

Whatever you might think about Ricky Nelson as a vocalist - he had one hell of a guitarist on his Imperial sessions: James Burton.

By STUBASS (64.12.97.7) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 04:36 pm:

WHY DON'T WE ALL THROW ONE BIG "GARDEN PARTY"!!!...STU(SHOULDN'T A BEEN SMOKIN ON THAT PLANE)BASS

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 05:47 pm:

One of those books is wrong!!!

By stephanie (64.63.221.247) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 06:21 am:

Ricky Nelson was probably one of the most talented teen idols when it came to actually playing and singing in the music world the only other teen idol I can think of who comes close in the area of talent is Paul Anka...look at his songwriting and his chart history and listen to his voice and you will see what I mean..he scored the Tonight Show theme,,the movie the Longest Day and he wrote My Way that song alone is probably raking in millions for him. I admire Paul Anka (I heard he is hard to get along with) for his talent and get up and go. Fabian got lucky but I have to give him credit he always said he was lucky and knew he couldnt sing but he still packs the old ladies in who want to see him. Come on Ralph how come you dont like Gary Lewis?

I know that his voice was overdubbed and Snuff Garrett had a lot to do with the success of the records and when I saw him live a few years ago I was shocked so many people said he couldnt sing and what I saw showed no indication of that. Frankly the guy puts on a pretty good show I was totally amazed!!!!!
Stephanie

By Eli (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 08:12 am:

I had the opportunity of getting to know Paul Anka through the late Odia Coates and I found him to be a nice, gracious and talented person.
I have been in his company many times and he was great.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.107.30) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 08:56 am:

I believe the first post was refering to Gary U.S.Bonds,not Gary Lewis.There is a slight difference.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 09:27 am:

Thanks for clearing that up for me Lynn. I guess I still have " Gary Lewis Hangover " from the " This Diamond Ring " discussions.

Steph: I never had the opportunity to see Gary Lewis live. All I have to go on is TDD and every time I heard that awful thing I damn near got sick.

By the count (69.14.112.184) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 09:59 am:

I been waitin in school all day long
A-waitin on the bell to ring so I can go home
throw my books on the table, pick up the telephone
"Hell,baby,Let's get somethin going"
Headin down to the drugstore to get a soda pop
Throw a nickel in the jukebox,then we start to rock
My school gal baby,gonna tell me some news
You sure look good good in them baby doll shoes

Well, it's a-one,two,a-pull off my shoes
Three,four,get out on the floor
Five,six,come get your kicks
down on the corner of lincoln and a-forty-six
YEAH!
(guitar break)

We(5ive Invictas) played the hell out of this song back then(1962)the short but kool as hell guitar break here with the sweet sound of the Fender Jag and the reverb was just enough to make this a fun song to play and our lead guitar player(Dennis Sazbo)could do his choreography and stage routines,man this got the kids dancin and havin fun,even in the bars we would jam on this and the older crowd loved it.We played this at some record hops back then and it was kool because no other bands had played this at hops,then one nite at the garden city hop the hitch-hikers got on stage and played it,they heard us play it at club 1270,then when we went on,Dennis did his thing on the insturmental break and Clark Reid and the kids dancin were takin by the better and unexaturated sound of our playin.

Didn't mean to get carried away here,but when I saw Ricky thread and read it,I just thought this might get all you flat top kats and dungaree dolls out on the floor.
Well,it's time to put on the 45 and dig it myself then.(thanx Ricky,and Johnny and Dorsey Burnette)
"COUNT"

By Ralph (209.240.198.62) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 10:20 am:

Thanks for the memories Count.

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 11:18 am:

I was lucky enough to see Ricky's guitarist James Burton at the Ponderosa Stomp in April, in New Orleans -- he was very young when he recorded "Suzie Q" with Dale Hawkins (using a riff he modified from a Howlin' Wolf song, and in turn having John Fogerty rip it off him!)and was on the Nelson records and on TV ...so James is not that old, in great shape and plays like crazy. He did "Suzie Q" (the world theme song) but also "Hello, Mary Lou" with the famous guitar break and the Elvis stuff he did too, like "Burning Love" etc.

I know a guy who wants to book him up here; hope it happens.

By Gittar Pikker (141.151.90.50) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:45 pm:

James Burton is one of my all times faves and I always wanted to play those kind of riffs.
Makes me want to break out the old Srtat and let loose.
Better yet, maybe I can get a '52 Tele reissue.

By cl (207.75.181.158) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 01:55 pm:

On Ricky Nelsons earliest stuff it is Joe Maphis on guitar; Burton came a slight bit later.

As for Gary Lewis et,al the thing is that so many of those recordings have such great musicians on them including this diamond ring. I gotta believe those are studio cats playing.I did hear Al Kooper on NPR's freash air trashing the Playboys version.He then played his original idea for the song and quite frankly I much prefer the Gary Lewis version.

Another example is the Monkees; the musicianship on their recordings is tops regardless of the music which is useful if nothing else.

It is interesting to read and see how wide-spread this forum is.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:20 pm:

cl...
...in re Gary Lewis, I believe someone once mentioned tht "The Wrecking Crew" was essentially his back up band. Goo, fun pop music.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:20 pm:

So i can't speel.
...Try GOOD, fun pop music.

By cl (207.75.178.229) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 03:50 pm:

I thought as much Douglasm.Thanks

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 04:02 pm:

D'you think "goo" might have been a Freudian slip?

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Sunday, June 22, 2003 - 09:29 pm:

It's James Burton playing lead guitar on the Ricky Nelson records from '57 on, on the records most people know; "Hello, Mary Lou," "Poor Little Fool," "It's Late, "Travelin' Man" etc.

His solo on "Hello Mary Lou" still provokes shock and awe ...

By cl (207.75.180.212) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 02:51 am:

Here is a list of sorts


http://www.geocities.com/kenwin22/ricknelson/19571958.html

By Sue (64.12.97.7) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 09:44 am:

Well cl thanks, I've seen many lists of sidemen on Ricky Nelson projects. I'm not sure why you're so interested in who was the first Nelson guitarist. Nobody said Burton was the first. The best certainly.

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 10:17 am:

Richie...
....i seem to have become the designated Gary Lewis defender....

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:19 am:

Doug,
What a job! I actually wouldn't turn the radio off if a few of his other songs were occasionally played, but all the big corporate stations ever lpay is "TDR."

No, pretend I never admitted that!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:36 am:

Well, I must reluctantly recall - there was one Gary Lewis track played in Northern Soul clubs during the mid-seventies (My Heart's Symphony). Your honour, I plead diplomatic immunity - I never played it!! Kev Roberts is currently wanted for questioning, as this single appears at #442 in his book: The Northern Soul Top 500....

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:37 am:

There in lies the problem, Sue....
....and it's called TDR. If "Sure Gonna Miss Her", or "Everybody Loves A Clown" would show up every so often, peace and harmony would reign, and love would abound.
I have an affinity for light fluffy "fun" music like Gary's. It's mindless entertainment, and that's part of its joy. Kinda like an early Hollies song like "Look Through Any Window".
Besides, I wonder if Snuff Garrett and Mickey Most were twin sons of different mothers.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.9) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:51 am:

Mindless entertainment is very popular these days - only it's officially known as "Sky TV"

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 12:21 pm:

Listen,
I went to see the Monkees as a kid and still don't turn the radio off when "Daydream Believer" comes on (OK, so I turn it up) so you don't have to make any excuses to me ...I may make fun of GL's voice but I was a fluff consumer as well.

By cl (207.75.182.101) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 01:56 pm:

Gee Sue just putting some info out for those that might not be aware.........certainly not disagreeing about Burton .......just giving info

By stephanie (64.63.221.191) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:03 pm:

There in lies the problem, Sue....
....and it's called TDR. If "Sure Gonna Miss Her", or "Everybody Loves A Clown" would show up every so often, peace and harmony would reign, and love would abound.
I have an affinity for light fluffy "fun" music like Gary's. It's mindless entertainment, and that's part of its joy. Kinda like an early Hollies song like "Look Through Any Window".
Besides, I wonder if Snuff Garrett and Mickey Most were twin sons of different mothers. >>>>>

I have to tell you My Hearts Symphony and Shes Just My Style were two of his best songs. I like his version of Sealed With a Kiss better than Brian Hylands Im tired of TDR too!!!!! I used to rock when I would hear She's Just My Style..
Stephanie

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:19 pm:

Joe Maphis was pretty good... Burton was better. "Susie-Q" from 1957 was a landmark guitar record... can you believe it only made #27 on the charts? Lots of competition back then, and it may have been ahead of its time too. Burton was only 15 or 16 when he played that lick.

To me, the all-time Burton lead on a Ricky Nelson record was "Believe What You Say" from 1958. It flat-out rocks.

It sounds like Burton used heavier strings on "Susie-Q" than on "Believe What You Say," "Hello Mary Lou," et al. I've heard that Burton used banjo strings for their bendability to get that trademark twang.

Ricky Nelson was a good singer, and a talented guy who loved music and used good musicians. He was more than just a teen idol, I would say.

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:22 pm:

I see we've deviated from Gary U.S. Bonds (the "good" Gary) to Gary Lewis (the "bad" Gary!)...

"Quarter To Three" is still an incredible record. Revolutionary for 1961.

By stephanie (64.63.221.191) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:35 pm:

Quarter to Three always sounded to me like a raw record that was recorded in Sanford and Sons garage but I guess that is the appeal of it all.Ilike New Orleans much better. It has a muted sound to it but you are right for 61 it was quite different.

Do you like This Little Girl that he did under the production of Bruce Springsteen its a great record and I thought he would be around longer with it..
Stephanie

By Fury13 (12.2.196.17) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 03:52 pm:

"This Little Girl" was a fine record, IMO... "Out Of Work" was the follow-up radio single; it was good too. Right, Bonds had an all-too-brief second go-round.

He'll be on the PBS Rock And Roll 50 special to air this fall.

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 04:05 pm:

"Quarter to Three" was meant to have a live, raw party sound, that's the point...in fact that could be a whole separate thread, other songs like that. "Barbara Ann" by the Beach Boys is another ...

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 04:35 pm:

Quarter To Three was the party jam when I was in school, it was hot,hot,hot, along with Shout by The Isley Bros., & Mash Potatos by Dee Dee Sharp, those were the dance records in '61.
Also popular were The Chiffons, Shirells, Chantels, Marvelettes, Drifters & Barbara Lynn among the top of the list that year among my school friends. Later on in '65 it was still a popular juke box hit at a club called the Go-Go Lounge I use to hang out at amongst kids from both NJ & NY.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 05:30 pm:

Gary U.S. Bonds said in an interview in 1980 on the now-defunct radio series "Soundtrack Of The 60s" that the recording engineer at Legrand Records was a shoe salesman with no studio experience whatsoever! The "engineer" didn't know how to mic instruments or balance sound at all! That's why his tunes sounded the way they did.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By cl (207.75.179.141) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 06:23 pm:

That is very interesting Kevgo. Considering for example around the same time period the very best of stereo recording that was happening at Capitol w/ Sinatra et,al. I do like the ambience of Gary Bonds along with many other recordings of the time. Compared to the dry digital sham being shoved down our throats today the old stuff was really music to my ears.

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:18 pm:

Frank Guida, Bonds' manager and producer, has said that he got exactly the ambience he wanted on "Quarter To Three" -- that of party sounds coming through a half-opened door. The sound was no accident.

By doowopsvoice (198.81.26.231) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 09:27 pm:

None of you folks mentioned the caucasion teen that was the most prolific writer and had the best voice. He comes to mind because his soulful influence caused Little Anthony & the Imperials to cover one of his songs in 1958. Paul Anka was so steeped in soulful sounds that he recorded with The Sharps (aka Lamplighters, Crenshaws, and 4 After Fives) but the guy I am talking about was over at the Brill cranking out hit after hit for many artists. The song Anthony covered was "The Diary" but Neil Sedaka's own version was better.