The 13th (and final) episode of ROOTS ROCK RADIO is now permanently archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/dean-fiora/roots-rock-radio-1950s-rock-n-roll-episode-13/ Here's the playlist:

1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)

2. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, Huey “Piano” Smith & His Clowns (1958)
3. SUNGLASSES AFTER DARK, Dwight Pullen (1958)
4. DOOBY DOOBY WAH, Ritchie Valens (1959)

5. LOVE POTION NO. 9, The Clovers (1959)
6. ROBERTA, Frankie Ford (1959)
7. HOUND DOG, Elvis Presley (1956)

8. HOUND DOG, Big Mama Thornton (1953)
9. I’M A KING BEE, Slim Harpo (1957)
10. TOPSY II, Cozy Cole (1958)

11. A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE, The Harptones (1953)
12. I WANT TO WALK YOU HOME, Fats Domino (1959)
13. OH, WHAT A NIGHT, The Dells (1956)

14. BAREFOOT BABY, Janis Martin (1956)
15. WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE, The Johnny Otis Show (1958)
16. SHAKIN’ ALL OVER, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (1960)

17. KEEP ON CHURNIN’, Wynonie Harris (1952)
18. BONY MORONIE, Larry Williams (1957)
19. GEORGIA SLOP, Big Al Downing (1964)

20. STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE, The Cadets (1956)
21. MEAN, MEAN MAN, Wanda Jackson (1958)
22. NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO, Chuck Berry (1964)

23. UNTIL THE DAY I DIE, The Tears (1956)
24. WHAT TIME IS IT, The Jive Five (1962)
25. IN MY ROOM, The Beach Boys (1963)

26. BRAND NEW CADILLAC, Vince Taylor & His Playboys (1959)
27. ROCKIN’ BONES, Ronnie Dawson (1959)
28. TEENAGE JAMBOREE, The Dusters (1958)

29. BYE BYE LOVE, The Everly Brothers (1957)
30. BUMBLE BEE, LaVern Baker (1960)
31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)

32. MOTHER-IN-LAW, Ernie K-Doe (1961)
33. SEARCHIN’, The Coasters (1957)
34. WHOSE BABY ARE YOU, The Thrills (1956)

35. RAINDROPS, Dee Clark (1961)
36. WHAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER, The Edsels (1960)
37. OH, WHAT A DREAM, Ruth Brown (1954)

38. DIDDY WAH DIDDY, Bo Biddley (1956)
39. DUCK TAIL, Joe Clay (1956)
40. THAT’LL BE THE DAY, Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)

41. THE WAY I WALK, Jack Scott (1959)
42. SPLISH SPLASH, Bobby Darin (1958)
43. HEY-HEY-HEY-HEY, Little Richard (1958)

44. DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, The Paradons (1960)
45. THERE GOES MY BABY, The Drifters (1959)

Dean wrote:

> The 13th (and final) episode of ROOTS ROCK RADIO is now permanently archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/dean-fiora/roots-rock-radio-1950s-rock-n-roll-episode-13/ Here's the playlist:

> 1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)

Bill Justis rules at #1 with this one but Ernie’s cover also rides high on my 1957 instrumental list

1..Raunchy Bill Justis - 1957
2. Hard Times (The Slop) Noble “Thin Man” Watts & Rhythm Sparks - 1957
3. Leap Frog Chuck Alaimo Quartet - 1957
4. Walkin’ With Mr Lee Lee Allen - 1957
5. Raunchy Ernie Freeman - 1957

> 3. SUNGLASSES AFTER DARK, Dwight Pullen (1958)

Heavily booted in the 70’s this artist also had many C&W releases as “Whitey Pullen”

> 4. DOOBY DOOBY WAH, Ritchie Valens (1959)

This was the flipside of “Come On Let’s Go” on Pye International that formed Ritchie’s first UK release replacing the US “Framed” flip

> 5. LOVE POTION NO. 9, The Clovers (1959)

The single was great as is the LP version (“wonder what happens with Love Potion number ten…”)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8KDknyNzsw

> 6. ROBERTA, Frankie Ford (1959)

My favorite side of the “Sea Cruise” hit single

Here’s the superb Huey Smith original (as “Loberta” (sic) that went unreleased)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0rhMcawMU

> 13. OH, WHAT A NIGHT, The Dells (1956)

The Dells gave us two GREAT versions of this song---first recorded for Vee Jay in 1956 (as “Oh What A Nite”) and then again in 1969 for the Chess subsid Cadet

> 15. WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE, The Johnny Otis Show (1958)

Title changed to “The Johnny Otis Hand Jive” for UK release (but a year later Cliff Richard came out with his version under the original US title)

> 16. SHAKIN’ ALL OVER, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (1960)

My pick as the very best single to emanate from this side of the pond in the pre-Beatles era

> 20. STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE, The Cadets (1956)

One of the best 50’s cover records ever IMO

Here’s the original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewSKkewqNBE

And this HAS to be the very worst cover of the number (released just ahead of the Cadets I think)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEH-rPvf8Bw

> 21. MEAN, MEAN MAN, Wanda Jackson (1958)

Excellent rocker by Wanda that was first released by Capitol in 1958 then again in 1960 as the followup to her transatlantic hit “Let’s Have A Party”

> 23. UNTIL THE DAY I DIE, The Tears (1956)

Teen California vocal group fronted by blonde Teri Akers recorded the original of this song for Johnny Otis’ Dig label that was shortly after covered by The Teen Queens

> 24. WHAT TIME IS IT, The Jive Five (1962)

One of my favorite moments in “The Sopranos” (in “Pax Soprana”) is Tony’s dream set to this great number
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bImuTcluzE0

> 26. BRAND NEW CADILLAC, Vince Taylor & His Playboys (1959)

Just like “Shakin’ All Over” this was another pioneer British rock number of the pre-Beatles era

> 28. TEENAGE JAMBOREE, The Dusters (1958)

Group probably best known for member Tommy Tucker who went on to later solo stardom with his “Hi-Heel Sneakers” transatlantic smash

> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)

A record I always HATED and still do

> 32. MOTHER-IN-LAW, Ernie K-Doe (1961)

#1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 and got a lot of airplay over here too. As well as introducing us over here to the talents of Ernie K-Doe it also featured Benny Spellman who went on to cut one of my all time favorites “Lipstick Traces”

> 34. WHOSE BABY ARE YOU, The Thrills (1956)

One side of a really excellent (but sadly obscure) 1956 double sider (coupled with the IMO even better “Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink”) from the (wrongly spelled) Gorge Zimmerman & The Thrills group on the JAB label of Los Angeles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xkenfUdqLA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ica2ldyjDAI

> 39. DUCK TAIL, Joe Clay (1956)

Cover of the original Rudy “Tutti” Grayzell rockabilly number and the version I personally like best

> 40. THAT’LL BE THE DAY, Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)

Huge 1957 #1 record on the charts on BOTH sides of the Atlantic

> 42. SPLISH SPLASH, Bobby Darin (1958)

Another dreadful UK cover of this one (no wonder his boomerang wouldn’t come back)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_0WBNJkLA

> 45. THERE GOES MY BABY, The Drifters (1959)

The top 5 records on my 1959 favorites list

1. What'd I Say Ray Charles
2. You're So Fine Falcons
3. Memphis Tennessee Chuck Berry
4. There Goes My Baby Drifters
5. That Is Rock & Roll Coasters

Thanks Dean for these excellent shows!!

Roger wrote:

> Dean wrote:

>> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)

> A record I always HATED and still do

Ditto. Shitty whit bastardization of the Rivingtons song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJtCU0G2Is

Bruce wrote:

> Roger wrote:

>> Dean wrote:

>>> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)

>> A record I always HATED and still do

> Ditto. Shitty whit bastardization of the Rivingtons song.

When I did ROOTS ROCK RADIO, I liked to say, "This is music you can enjoy without taking drugs first." But when I played "Surfin' Bird," I said, "This is an exception."

Roger wrote:

>> 13. OH, WHAT A NIGHT, The Dells (1956)

> The Dells gave us two GREAT versions of this song---first recorded for Vee Jay in 1956 (as “Oh What A Nite”) and then again in 1969 for the Chess subsid Cadet

They also did a third version in 1980 for the Chi-Sound label.

>> 23. UNTIL THE DAY I DIE, The Tears (1956)

> Teen California vocal group fronted by blonde Teri Akers recorded the original of this song for Johnny Otis’ Dig label that was shortly after covered by The Teen Queens

I never would have guessed the Tears were a white group! It appears they only ever made that one single.

>> 24. WHAT TIME IS IT, The Jive Five (1962)

> One of my favorite moments in “The Sopranos” (in “Pax Soprana”) is Tony’s dream set to this great number
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bImuTcluzE0

Would you believe, I've never seen "The Sopranos?" Maybe someday, I'll find the DVDs in a thrift store.

>> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)

> A record I always HATED and still do

It's one of those records you either love or hate. I couldn't begin to explain why I love it, but I do.

>> 34. WHOSE BABY ARE YOU, The Thrills (1956)

> One side of a really excellent (but sadly obscure) 1956 double sider (coupled with the IMO even better “Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink”) from the (wrongly spelled) Gorge Zimmerman & The Thrills group on the JAB label of Los Angeles.

Alas, I never got around the playing the flip. Maybe at some point, I can bring the show back and correct that omission.

> Thanks Dean for these excellent shows!!

I had a great time doing them. Perhaps I'll look into bringing the show back to WRTC for the summer.

On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 06:56:47 +0000, soulexpress@gmail.com (Dean)
wrote:

>>> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)
>
The Trashman were garage band from Minnesota.

Sadly, the original drummer and lead singer of “Surfin’ Bird,” Steve
Wahrer, died at the age of 47 in 1989. The Trashmen, however,
continued on, reuniting and performing numerous times through the
years, as recently as 2015.

>It's one of those records you either love or hate. I couldn't begin to explain why I love it, but I do.
>
The45Prof says: This tender love ballad was a blend of the two
previous LA Rivingtons R&B hits “The Bird’s The Word” and
“Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow”

(Debuted late ‘63) 1964 Pop Chart Peaks: **Billboard 4, Cash Box 4**

Spent 13 weeks on the Billboard Charts, peaking at #4 on Jan, 25 1964.

In the UK charts of 2010, "Surfin' Bird" peaked at #3. A good
indication of it's ongoing appeal for mainstream whites.

However, this song is not popular with some conservative senior
citizens who have links to the Jewish or Black community and who
relate primarily to the Rhythm and Blues of the 40s, 50s and 60s.

"Surfin' Bird" was covered by the Cramps as their 1978 debut single on
Vengeance Records. The Cramps often ended their concerts with the
song.

"Surfin' Bird" was covered by Ramones on their Rocket to Russia album,
released on November 4, 1977. A 2018 television commercial for
Heineken beer, named "New Friends", used the Ramones version.

The song has been used in various films, including Pink Flamingos
(1972), Back to the Beach (1987), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Fred Claus
(2007), The Villain (2009), and The Big Year (2011).

On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:42:40 +0000, mariabus@blueyonder.co.uk (Roger)
wrote:

>Dean wrote:
>
>> 1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)
>
>Bill Justis rules at #1 with this one but Ernie’s cover also rides high on

Roger's 1957 Instrumental List:
>
>1..Raunchy Bill Justis - 1957
>...
>5. Raunchy Ernie Freeman - 1957

Above Roger's #1 instrumental for 1957, I would place:

Al Casey - Caravan
Barney Kessel - Honey Rock
Noble Watts - Hard Times (The Slop)
The Rockin' Bellmarx - Torture Rock
Paul Gayten - Nervous Boogie
Benny Joy - Rebel Rock (Unissued)
Bill Doggett - Ram-Bunk-Shush
The Check Alaimo Quartet - Leap Frog
Lee Allen And His Band - Walkin' With Mr. Lee

Compared to the above, "Raunchy" sounds like a tired old record
with a relative lack of dynamism.

On Tue, 26 Mar 2024 22:28:22 -0400, RWC <letsrock@opbox.com> wrote:

>On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:42:40 +0000, mariabus@blueyonder.co.uk (Roger)
>wrote:
>
>>Dean wrote:
>>
>>> 1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)
>>
>>Bill Justis rules at #1 with this one but Ernie’s cover also rides high on
>
>Roger's 1957 Instrumental List:
>>
>>1..Raunchy Bill Justis - 1957
>>...
>>5. Raunchy Ernie Freeman - 1957
>
>Above Roger's #1 instrumental for 1957, I would place:
>
>Al Casey - Caravan
>Barney Kessel - Honey Rock
>Noble Watts - Hard Times (The Slop)
>The Rockin' Bellmarx - Torture Rock
>Paul Gayten - Nervous Boogie
>Benny Joy - Rebel Rock (Unissued)
>Bill Doggett - Ram-Bunk-Shush
>The Check Alaimo Quartet - Leap Frog
>Lee Allen And His Band - Walkin' With Mr. Lee
>
Ouch, this was an early work in progress that got accidentally posted
by way of careless keystrokes within Agent.
It turns out to be very inaccurate. Sorry.

On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:42:40 +0000, mariabus@blueyonder.co.uk (Roger)
wrote:

>Dean wrote:
>
>> The 13th (and final) episode of ROOTS ROCK RADIO is now permanently archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/dean-fiora/roots-rock-radio-1950s-rock-n-roll-episode-13/ Here's the playlist:
>
>> 1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)
>
>Bill Justis rules at #1 with this one but Ernie’s cover also rides high on my 1957 instrumental list
>
>1..Raunchy Bill Justis - 1957
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8a0KgxWQzQ

For 1957, this is a *relatively* dull instro,

compared to:

Duane Eddy And His Rock-A-Billies - Caravan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmHh8GIw628
Noble Watts - Hard Times (The Slop)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO7FQY4FYxs
Bill Doggett - Ram-Bunk-Shush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9IX9dLUzow

>> 13. OH, WHAT A NIGHT, The Dells (1956)
>
>The Dells gave us two GREAT versions of this song---first recorded for Vee Jay in 1956 (as “Oh What A Nite”) and then again in 1969 for the Chess subsid Cadet

I've never taken to this Dells' song.
>
>> 15. WILLIE AND THE HAND JIVE, The Johnny Otis Show (1958)
>
One of the most amusing song titles of all time, and unintentional :)

>Title changed to “The Johnny Otis Hand Jive” for UK release

>> 16. SHAKIN’ ALL OVER, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (1960)
>
>My pick as the very best single to emanate from this side of the pond in the pre-Beatles era

You could be right, Roger.

Other pre-Beatles Brit recordings for consideration include songs by:
Marty Wilde (eg Endless Sleep, Teenager In Love, Donna, ...)
Billy Fury (eg Wondrous Place)
Vince Eager (eg Yea Yea)
Cliff Richard (eg Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Breathless. Move It ...)
>
>> 20. STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE, The Cadets (1956)
>
>And this HAS to be the very worst cover of the number (released just ahead of the Cadets I think)
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEH-rPvf8Bw

what you might call the Pat Boone version
>
>> 31. SURFIN’ BIRD, The Trashmen (1963-64)
>
>A record I always HATED and still do
>
when someone LOVES or HATES a well-known record, my inquisitive mind
would sometimes be interested to read a synopsis of a relevant
psychoanalysis of that person to get at the reasons for the LOVE or
HATE

>> 32. MOTHER-IN-LAW, Ernie K-Doe (1961)
>
>#1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 and got a lot of airplay over here too. As well as introducing us over here to the talents of Ernie K-Doe it also featured Benny Spellman who went on to cut one of my all time favorites “Lipstick Traces”

many sound elements of Lipstick Traces are reminders of Mother-In-Law,
and the very end is a copy but with different words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49PsCK8YIEc
>
>> 34. WHOSE BABY ARE YOU, The Thrills (1956)
>
>One side of a really excellent (but sadly obscure) 1956 double sider (coupled with the IMO even better “Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink”) from the (wrongly spelled) Gorge Zimmerman & The Thrills group on the JAB label of Los Angeles.
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xkenfUdqLA
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ica2ldyjDAI

I do like “Ain’t Got The Money To Pay For This Drink”, which I
haven't heard before
>
>> 42. SPLISH SPLASH, Bobby Darin (1958)
>
>Another dreadful UK cover of this one (no wonder his boomerang wouldn’t come back)
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ_0WBNJkLA

for U.S. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02QK_Xbxbi4

an upbeat novelty by an artist with an off-beat novelty/comedic voice
>
>Thanks Dean for these excellent shows!!

Ditto

RWC wrote:

> On Mon, 25 Mar 2024 16:42:40 +0000, mariabus@blueyonder.co.uk (Roger)
> wrote:

>>Dean wrote:
>>
>>> The 13th (and final) episode of ROOTS ROCK RADIO is now permanently archived at https://www.mixcloud.com/dean-fiora/roots-rock-radio-1950s-rock-n-roll-episode-13/ Here's the playlist:
>>
>>> 1. RAUNCHY, Ernie Freeman (1957-58)
>>
>>Bill Justis rules at #1 with this one but Ernie’s cover also rides high on my 1957 instrumental list
>>
>>1..Raunchy Bill Justis - 1957
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8a0KgxWQzQ

> For 1957, this is a *relatively* dull instro,

> compared to:

> Duane Eddy And His Rock-A-Billies - Caravan
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmHh8GIw628

Wrongly credited to "Duane Eddy". In any case I prefer the 1952 Esquire Boys version tho I'm not a huge fan of the number itself

> Noble Watts - Hard Times (The Slop)
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO7FQY4FYxs

My #2 fave instrumental of that year

> Bill Doggett - Ram-Bunk-Shush
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9IX9dLUzow

Best version of the Millinder number tho I like the later Ventures version too

>>> 16. SHAKIN' ALL OVER, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (1960)
>>
>>My pick as the very best single to emanate from this side of the pond in the pre-Beatles era

> You could be right, Roger.

> Other pre-Beatles Brit recordings for consideration include songs by:
> Marty Wilde (eg Endless Sleep, Teenager In Love, Donna, ...)

Nearly all Marty Wilde's singles from our era are covers of then-current US hits ("Bad Boy" being an exception). None of them IMO comes near the originals

> Billy Fury (eg Wondrous Place)

His best track from our era is undoubtedly "Turn My Back On You" from his 1960 "Sound Of Fury" LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fi2uEogSM7E

This one could also be a good contender for "Best recording of our era to come from the UK"

Meantime "Wondrous Place" is not a bad effort and IMO beats out the Jimmy Jones original

> Vince Eager (eg Yea Yea)

This is just a teen dogshit cover of the equally irritating Kendall Sisters US original

> Cliff Richard (eg Lawdy Miss Clawdy, Breathless. Move It ...)

"Move It" was a milestone for him but nothing else he did was