Sound + Vision | The Blog

  • The Incredible Bongo Band : BONGO ROCK

    by Frank Shankly
    In 1973, the Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of Preston Epp's 1959 song, BONGO ROCK, which became a minor hit.  The Surfaris' 1963 h...

  • Jane Olivor : HE'S SO FINE

    by Frank Shankly
    Jane Cohen from Brooklyn remade herself into French-style cabaret singer Jane Oliver in the downtown Manhattan club scene of the early 1970s, event...

  • Ian Gomm : HOLD ON

    by Frank Shankly
    As a member of Brinsley Schwarz, a pub rock band, Ian Gomm was named "Best Rhythm Guitarist" by New Music Express in 1971. HOLD ON is the single fr...

  • Three Dog Night : ONE

    by Frank Shankly
    ONE has been sampled in at least 19 songs, including Jurassic 5's FUTURE SOUND. It was also used in Dickie Goodman's 1969 break-in cut LUNA TRIP.

  • Monkees, The : (I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN' STONE

    by Frank Shankly
    Originally recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders, (I'M NOT YOUR) STEPPIN' STONE has been covered at least 19 times, including by Minor Threat. ...

  • Mac Curtis : HAPPINESS LIVES IN THIS HOUSE

    by Frank Shankly
    In 1954, in Weatherford, Texas, Mac Curtis formed a band with two classmates, Jim and Ken Galbraith. They played at school events. During one of th...

  • Donnie Elbert : WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO

    by Frank Shankly
    At All Platinum, Donnie Elbert and had a run of minor R&B hits, but left after a disagreement over the claimed authorship of Shirley & Comp...

  • Tommy Cooper : WALKIN' HOME FROM SCHOOL

    by Frank Shankly
    Fantastic proto-teen pop, with a spoken word bridge.  After this, Tommy would soon begin recording country songs.

  • Speaking of WIPE OUT

    by Frank Shankly
    Have you heard the Fat Boys' version? In the summer of 1987, the Fat Boys collaborated with the Beach Boys on a version of WIPE OUT that made it to...

  • A Tale of Three 45s

    by Frank Shankly
    In 1973, the Incredible Bongo Band recorded a cover version of a Preston Epps’ 1959 song, BONGO ROCK (The Surfaris' 1963 hit single WIPE OUT was b...

  • Jody Miller's HE'S SO FINE

    by Frank Shankly
    “It's a Cinderella story. ... I got in L.A. and I had been married six months. It was in the summer of '62, and by that next year, I had a contract...

  • A Recent Rare Arrival

    by Frank Shankly
    Remember those The Gap television commercials that featured Gen X dancers Lindy Hopping in their baggy khakis to Louis Prima? Well, Frank got hi...