In 1981, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra had a huge #1 hit across the world with their "Hooked On Classics" single. While compiling 1980s music (both Christmas and non-Christmas) for my 20th anniversary CD, I discovered this single on eBay.
When it arrived, I placed it on the turntable and gave it a listen - I deemed it not Christmas enough for my CD and it got bumped off the playlist.
In two days, I'll be serving up my 2008 Yuleblog Sampler and one of the selections on it was this obscure single I picked up five years ago. That is until I read this from a new member at FaLaLaLaLa.com:
Quote from: roje on December 09, 2008, 08:23:17 AM:
First-off, I have to admit that having stumbled across this website where there's clearly a true celebration of Christmas music, is most enriching, particularly with our world in its current state. Christmas music is, quite simply put, the exact equivalent of happiness, period.
Now, there is a 7-inch vinyl which I have been in search of, for what has seemed like centuries. I first heard it on a local radio station back in the early 80's. Its called 'Hooked On Christmas', and features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
One thing I'm not too sure of though, is whether its the one with David Arnold, or the one with Louis Clark. In fact I'm not even sure if they are the same recording or not. I'm also practically sure that strangely this has never been released on CD. Does anybody here have this rare gem that they are willing to share, please?
Once again, the single gets bumped off a playlist. But it's still win-win:
In 1981, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra had a huge #1 hit across the world with their "Hooked On Classics" single. While compiling 1980s music (both Christmas and non-Christmas) for my 20th anniversary CD, I discovered this single on eBay.
When it arrived, I placed it on the turntable and gave it a listen - I deemed it not Christmas enough for my CD and it got bumped off the playlist.
In two days, I'll be serving up my 2008 Yuleblog Sampler and one of the selections on it was this obscure single I picked up five years ago. That is until I read this from a new member at FaLaLaLaLa.com:
Quote from: roje on December 09, 2008, 08:23:17 AM:
First-off, I have to admit that having stumbled across this website where there's clearly a true celebration of Christmas music, is most enriching, particularly with our world in its current state. Christmas music is, quite simply put, the exact equivalent of happiness, period.
Now, there is a 7-inch vinyl which I have been in search of, for what has seemed like centuries. I first heard it on a local radio station back in the early 80's. Its called 'Hooked On Christmas', and features the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
One thing I'm not too sure of though, is whether its the one with David Arnold, or the one with Louis Clark. In fact I'm not even sure if they are the same recording or not. I'm also practically sure that strangely this has never been released on CD. Does anybody here have this rare gem that they are willing to share, please?
Once again, the single gets bumped off a playlist. But it's still win-win:
This is the last of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?).
Two weeks ago, Kevin Killion contributed to Otis Fodder's amazing 365 Days project a selection of assorted singles from his college radio days. Among these was the A side of long forgotten Christmas novelty single from 1969.
I found the radio station copy you are looking at on eBay earlier this year and immediately began searching for any clues on Rocki Lane, Jerry Gross, and The Gross Group via the almighty Google.
There was one website for a Jerry Gross who claims to have been born "with the gift of leaving the body at will." Considering the times and the subject matter of this Christmas single, this very well could be him!
Side one begins with Santa Claus stating "I am the oldest and original hippy and I want to know..." Cue Rocki Lane & The Gross Group who sing the rest of the question: "What's so bad about long-haired people?".
Comparisons are then made between hippies and Santa concluding with catch phrases from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In":
"You bet your sweet bippy Santa Claus is a hippy!" "Here come de sleigh, here come de sleigh!"
It's a gasser... But then we come to the throwaway side two which is anything but! "Santa Soul" is a wild, wall-to-wall instrumental that could have passed for background music while Goldie Hawn frugged on "Laugh-In"!
I've listened to side two many times now and its vitality just gets your adrenalin rushing. Granted, it's not very Christmas-ey, but it's sounds just as good as it did back in 1969. Side A is a wee bit dated but that's the fun of that track too, right?
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Rocki Lane, Jerry Gross (provided he isn't floating around with Shirley MacLaine), or the Gross Group, please let us know - this is one magic single!
One last word on Otis Fodder's 365 Days Project: earlier this year, I was asked by Otis to contribute something for the Christmas season. Several albums were discussed (including the "Christmas 1971 Veterans Administration Hospital Program" album) and a date was reserved (Wednesday, December 26th).
I chose several after-Christmas radio PSAs and New Year's songs in one fun filled package to help you ring out the old and bring in the new. Look for that the day after Christmas at 365 Days - thanks again Otis!
This is the last of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?).
Two weeks ago, Kevin Killion contributed to Otis Fodder's amazing 365 Days project a selection of assorted singles from his college radio days. Among these was the A side of long forgotten Christmas novelty single from 1969.
I found the radio station copy you are looking at on eBay earlier this year and immediately began searching for any clues on Rocki Lane, Jerry Gross, and The Gross Group via the almighty Google.
There was one website for a Jerry Gross who claims to have been born "with the gift of leaving the body at will." Considering the times and the subject matter of this Christmas single, this very well could be him!
Side one begins with Santa Claus stating "I am the oldest and original hippy and I want to know..." Cue Rocki Lane & The Gross Group who sing the rest of the question: "What's so bad about long-haired people?".
Comparisons are then made between hippies and Santa concluding with catch phrases from "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In":
"You bet your sweet bippy Santa Claus is a hippy!" "Here come de sleigh, here come de sleigh!"
It's a gasser... But then we come to the throwaway side two which is anything but! "Santa Soul" is a wild, wall-to-wall instrumental that could have passed for background music while Goldie Hawn frugged on "Laugh-In"!
I've listened to side two many times now and its vitality just gets your adrenalin rushing. Granted, it's not very Christmas-ey, but it's sounds just as good as it did back in 1969. Side A is a wee bit dated but that's the fun of that track too, right?
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Rocki Lane, Jerry Gross (provided he isn't floating around with Shirley MacLaine), or the Gross Group, please let us know - this is one magic single!
One last word on Otis Fodder's 365 Days Project: earlier this year, I was asked by Otis to contribute something for the Christmas season. Several albums were discussed (including the "Christmas 1971 Veterans Administration Hospital Program" album) and a date was reserved (Wednesday, December 26th).
I chose several after-Christmas radio PSAs and New Year's songs in one fun filled package to help you ring out the old and bring in the new. Look for that the day after Christmas at 365 Days - thanks again Otis!
This is the second of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?). I found this on eBay the very first week of January this year. There was a ton of Christmas music just lying there online with no takers - timing is everything!
What caught my eye was the description: "Also included is a letter to prospective radio stations by the artist himself." When the package arrived, I quickly found the letter (dated October, 1987) and read a request to play the record for their radio audiences.
The letter also included his home address and phone number. I broke down and called the phone number included - to get the full story of the artist and the song. I only got a befuddled woman who didn't know what I was talking about.
I examined the record - side one is the vocal version of the song (copyrighted both in 1984 and 1986) while side two is oddly labeled "Instrumental version" with a vocal credit to Le Nard!
Recorded in reggae style with more than enough 1980s synth, chimes, and saxophone, it tells the story of a lonely guy who has no one to dance with... that is until a "jolly snowman" comes along and changes the whole story! I have to admit the song is quite good - this tune will stick in your head after the first listening!
This is the second of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?). I found this on eBay the very first week of January this year. There was a ton of Christmas music just lying there online with no takers - timing is everything!
What caught my eye was the description: "Also included is a letter to prospective radio stations by the artist himself." When the package arrived, I quickly found the letter (dated October, 1987) and read a request to play the record for their radio audiences.
The letter also included his home address and phone number. I broke down and called the phone number included - to get the full story of the artist and the song. I only got a befuddled woman who didn't know what I was talking about.
I examined the record - side one is the vocal version of the song (copyrighted both in 1984 and 1986) while side two is oddly labeled "Instrumental version" with a vocal credit to Le Nard!
Recorded in reggae style with more than enough 1980s synth, chimes, and saxophone, it tells the story of a lonely guy who has no one to dance with... that is until a "jolly snowman" comes along and changes the whole story! I have to admit the song is quite good - this tune will stick in your head after the first listening!
This is the first of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?).
I found this on eBay and thought "gee, what a find!" A rare single, a picture sleeve, luscious red vinyl, and in MINT condition!
I reached for my Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide after I had won the auction. What I found was only mildly disheartening.
This was originally released by the Manhattans in 1966 (on the Carnival label - Carnival 524). The copy I had won (and what you see before you) is a reissued version on the Star Fire label from 1979.
Some quick research tells us that The Manhattans were formed in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from high school and serving in the military, the five members won a recording contract with Carnival Records two years later.
Between 1965 and 1968, they recorded for Carnival and had five Top 25 singles on the R&B charts. During the midst of this run, they released this great Christmas single.
Side A is "It's That Time Of Year", a slow, soulful single that will make you want to slow dance by the Christmas tree lights.
Side B is "Alone On New Year's Eve", a mournful tale about the woes of having no one at midnight on December 31st. The Manhattans' doo-wop style is in full effect with great lead vocals by George Smith.
Their chart success caught the eye of the legendary King Records and signed them to their Deluxe Records subsidiary for several years. Then George Smith tragically fell down a flight of stairs and was replaced by Gerald Alston. This changed the course of the group.
In 1973, they signed with Columbia Records and continued their R&B chart success - 26 singles charted during the Columbia years from 1973 to 1989. Their biggest two hits were 1976's "Kiss And Say Goodbye" (the SECOND single ever to go platinum) and 1980's "Shining Star":
After their contract with Columbia expired, the group began to go their separate ways. A new lineup of the Manhattans is still active and recording CDs. Several of the original members have reformed and even appeared on those PBS doo-wop special they show on pledge drives!
This is the first of three Christmas singles that I had time to transfer, digitally restore, scan, zip, and upload (sounds cruel when it's put that way, huh?).
I found this on eBay and thought "gee, what a find!" A rare single, a picture sleeve, luscious red vinyl, and in MINT condition!
I reached for my Goldmine Christmas Record Price Guide after I had won the auction. What I found was only mildly disheartening.
This was originally released by the Manhattans in 1966 (on the Carnival label - Carnival 524). The copy I had won (and what you see before you) is a reissued version on the Star Fire label from 1979.
Some quick research tells us that The Manhattans were formed in 1962 in Jersey City, New Jersey. After graduating from high school and serving in the military, the five members won a recording contract with Carnival Records two years later.
Between 1965 and 1968, they recorded for Carnival and had five Top 25 singles on the R&B charts. During the midst of this run, they released this great Christmas single.
Side A is "It's That Time Of Year", a slow, soulful single that will make you want to slow dance by the Christmas tree lights.
Side B is "Alone On New Year's Eve", a mournful tale about the woes of having no one at midnight on December 31st. The Manhattans' doo-wop style is in full effect with great lead vocals by George Smith.
Their chart success caught the eye of the legendary King Records and signed them to their Deluxe Records subsidiary for several years. Then George Smith tragically fell down a flight of stairs and was replaced by Gerald Alston. This changed the course of the group.
In 1973, they signed with Columbia Records and continued their R&B chart success - 26 singles charted during the Columbia years from 1973 to 1989. Their biggest two hits were 1976's "Kiss And Say Goodbye" (the SECOND single ever to go platinum) and 1980's "Shining Star":
After their contract with Columbia expired, the group began to go their separate ways. A new lineup of the Manhattans is still active and recording CDs. Several of the original members have reformed and even appeared on those PBS doo-wop special they show on pledge drives!
Our family weekend in Chicago was a blast - it brought back many great memories for my wife and myself, added new ones to our collection, and a brand new mess of memories with our kids for their folder.
As a kid who grew up in the Chicago area, I have memories so thick dealing with Christmas and Chicago radio that you'd need a whole new blog to catalog them all in.
WGN-AM (720 on your radio dial) is known as "Chicago's hometown radio station". It began broadcasting its 50,000 watt radio signal in 1924 - on clear nights, its signal can be heard as far away as South America!
Even though it pioneered the "news/talk" format long ago, the staggering variety of radio shows hosted on WGN is legendary - sports, news, cooking shows, radio dramas, you name it.
Since 1960, Orion (Oh-REE-un) Samuelson has hosted the farm report for WGN - helping the Midwest's farmers with crop prices, hog futures, and other agricultural news.
In this day and age of instant communication and technology, Samuelson is still at WGN broadcasting his farm report. Ponder this: the number three market in America, the number one radio station in Chicago, and they STILL broadcast farm reports!
Orion has several syndicated farm reports to his name, won hundreds of radio & television awards, and is a member of several radio & TV hall of fames.
His deep resonating voice is instantly recognizable to generations of Midwest farmers and Chicagoans and is no way the model for that other famous farm report radio legend Les Nessman.
Back in 1981, Orion decided to cut loose and have some fun. Gathering with some friends who called themselves "The Uff-Da Band", they re-recorded covers of Yogi Yorgesson's versions of "Jingle Bells" and "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas" and issued them on Phonograph Records. If you look at the record label for "Jingle Bells", the songwriter credited is Samuelson - he's been around forever but NOT that long!
This 45 single probably never got past the borders of the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana - as far as Iowa maybe. So to many who hear this, it's just a homemade cover of two forgettable Christmas songs.
However, to those who know and appreciate Orion Samuelson, this is the ultimate Christmas present. To hear such a straight-laced personality like Samuelson - who would have given Ed Sullivan a run for his money in the "stone-face / barely alive" department - doing something so far-fetched like singing a Christmas song will no doubtedly cause some smiles and chuckles out there.
Play this one on the farm and watch the crops and cattle go bad:
Our family weekend in Chicago was a blast - it brought back many great memories for my wife and myself, added new ones to our collection, and a brand new mess of memories with our kids for their folder.
As a kid who grew up in the Chicago area, I have memories so thick dealing with Christmas and Chicago radio that you'd need a whole new blog to catalog them all in.
WGN-AM (720 on your radio dial) is known as "Chicago's hometown radio station". It began broadcasting its 50,000 watt radio signal in 1924 - on clear nights, its signal can be heard as far away as South America!
Even though it pioneered the "news/talk" format long ago, the staggering variety of radio shows hosted on WGN is legendary - sports, news, cooking shows, radio dramas, you name it.
Since 1960, Orion (Oh-REE-un) Samuelson has hosted the farm report for WGN - helping the Midwest's farmers with crop prices, hog futures, and other agricultural news.
In this day and age of instant communication and technology, Samuelson is still at WGN broadcasting his farm report. Ponder this: the number three market in America, the number one radio station in Chicago, and they STILL broadcast farm reports!
Orion has several syndicated farm reports to his name, won hundreds of radio & television awards, and is a member of several radio & TV hall of fames.
His deep resonating voice is instantly recognizable to generations of Midwest farmers and Chicagoans and is no way the model for that other famous farm report radio legend Les Nessman.
Back in 1981, Orion decided to cut loose and have some fun. Gathering with some friends who called themselves "The Uff-Da Band", they re-recorded covers of Yogi Yorgesson's versions of "Jingle Bells" and "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas" and issued them on Phonograph Records. If you look at the record label for "Jingle Bells", the songwriter credited is Samuelson - he's been around forever but NOT that long!
This 45 single probably never got past the borders of the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana - as far as Iowa maybe. So to many who hear this, it's just a homemade cover of two forgettable Christmas songs.
However, to those who know and appreciate Orion Samuelson, this is the ultimate Christmas present. To hear such a straight-laced personality like Samuelson - who would have given Ed Sullivan a run for his money in the "stone-face / barely alive" department - doing something so far-fetched like singing a Christmas song will no doubtedly cause some smiles and chuckles out there.
Play this one on the farm and watch the crops and cattle go bad:
Whew... give me a second... I'm shortwinded from typing out that title!
This Christmas single comes to us from across the pond - a British single that made the rounds back in 1981.
Fogwell Flax was (still is) a comedy performer / impressionist whose big break came on the now legendary British kids show "Tiswas" in its final year of 1981-1982. For more on this anarchic, pie-flying, and show, check out "Tiswas Online"
Looking at the picture sleeve seen here, Mr. Flax is holding a CB radio surrounded by some of the ankle biters. So that should give you an idea behind the title of "One-Nine For Santa".
My first reaction was: "Why did Flax release this CB radio themed Christmas song so late?" By 1981, the CB craze was all but dead in America. Not so in England. Their craze occurred for several years in the early 1980s.
There are picture sleeves and there are picture sleeves. You can probably tell which category this one falls into. This record (and sleeve) caught my attention on eBay earlier this year (I bid and won this item at auction).
Whew... give me a second... I'm shortwinded from typing out that title!
This Christmas single comes to us from across the pond - a British single that made the rounds back in 1981.
Fogwell Flax was (still is) a comedy performer / impressionist whose big break came on the now legendary British kids show "Tiswas" in its final year of 1981-1982. For more on this anarchic, pie-flying, and show, check out "Tiswas Online"
Looking at the picture sleeve seen here, Mr. Flax is holding a CB radio surrounded by some of the ankle biters. So that should give you an idea behind the title of "One-Nine For Santa".
My first reaction was: "Why did Flax release this CB radio themed Christmas song so late?" By 1981, the CB craze was all but dead in America. Not so in England. Their craze occurred for several years in the early 1980s.
There are picture sleeves and there are picture sleeves. You can probably tell which category this one falls into. This record (and sleeve) caught my attention on eBay earlier this year (I bid and won this item at auction).
This little gem was found on eBay earlier this year. At first, I didn't know anything about it because the auction description was vague at best but the scan of the label is what caught my attention.
I placed a bid and did a Google on "CLM Industries". I scrolled down on the first page of results and it came back:
CLM Industries - Maker of Toronto and Chicago warning sirens during the Cold War. One was most famously featured in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" used as a vehicle mounted PA system.
So this record had that going for it.
The eBay auction ended without a whimper and several days later I received the record.
The flip side was "The Sounds of Christmas" - reprinted from their 1959 Christmas brochure. It sounded very familiar and I began wondering why it did.
Earlier this month, our neighbor Lee at his blog posted six Line Material 45s released through the years. And those record label scans he posted looked awfully familiar. That fact was confirmed when Brainwerk posted this tidbit at his blog - almost the same exact label!
C is for Canada. L is for Line. M is for Material. I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed and this proves it folks!
So for all you Line Material completists out there, here is my (unknowing at first) contribution to a subgenre that keeps expanding:
This little gem was found on eBay earlier this year. At first, I didn't know anything about it because the auction description was vague at best but the scan of the label is what caught my attention.
I placed a bid and did a Google on "CLM Industries". I scrolled down on the first page of results and it came back:
CLM Industries - Maker of Toronto and Chicago warning sirens during the Cold War. One was most famously featured in the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers" used as a vehicle mounted PA system.
So this record had that going for it.
The eBay auction ended without a whimper and several days later I received the record.
The flip side was "The Sounds of Christmas" - reprinted from their 1959 Christmas brochure. It sounded very familiar and I began wondering why it did.
Earlier this month, our neighbor Lee at his blog posted six Line Material 45s released through the years. And those record label scans he posted looked awfully familiar. That fact was confirmed when Brainwerk posted this tidbit at his blog - almost the same exact label!
C is for Canada. L is for Line. M is for Material. I never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed and this proves it folks!
So for all you Line Material completists out there, here is my (unknowing at first) contribution to a subgenre that keeps expanding:
