OTN - COVERS - From Obscurity to Hit
My last offering was themed on hit songs re-recorded (covered) in ways that were significantly different from the original hit version.
This time I've decided to twist it around. I'm featuring songs that were NOT hits when initially released but later found and covered - to become hits on the second or even third version released.
So let's kick this off with one of my favorites.
Kai Winding was a trombone player who had a major hit earlier in 1963 with More, an instrumental record covered (with words added) by every middle of the road pop singer for the rest of the Sixties. That's why it tickles me to point out that later that same year he released the original version of Time Is On My Side. Yes, the trombone player got the Drinkard Sisters (Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and DeeDee Warwick) to do the vocal parts on this record. I truly love the juxtaposition of the jazzy trombone, piano, etc with the soulful singing. And, sadly... not a hit.
Six months later in April 1964, New Orleans' soul great, Irma Thomas, released her version. Additional words to the Jerry Ragovoy composition - by Jimmy Norman - were added on this release. Another wonderful version of the song, no doubt! (The immensely talented Miss Irma will be visited again later in this series.) This version also went nowhere but was found and covered by the guys who had the hit - see below.
Next up we have the original Crickets version of I Fought the Law. Written by Lubbock area native and Buddy Holly pal (and fellow musician) Sonny Curtis. (For clarity sake - He played with Holly prior to the Crickets and joined the group after Holly's death in 1959). What a cool life story! He wrote the wonderful Rock Around with Ollie Vee that Holly recorded prior to being dropped by Decca and having any hits. Then he joined the Crickets and penned this Rock and Roll Classic. He also wrote the Everlys' hit Walk Right Back. And to tie it all together the guy wrote, sang, and recorded the theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore television show's run in the 1970's (Love Is All Around). I was fortunate enough to see him perform at the 50th Winter Dance Party show in Clear Lake in 2009. I gained a whole new respect and admiration for the man. What a life!
The original I Fought the Law from 1960. Note the lyric is "Zip Gun" not "Six Gun"
The first hit version by the Bobby Fuller Four, 1965.
The Clash also did a very well known cover of the song in 1979.
My last offering was themed on hit songs re-recorded (covered) in ways that were significantly different from the original hit version.
This time I've decided to twist it around. I'm featuring songs that were NOT hits when initially released but later found and covered - to become hits on the second or even third version released.
So let's kick this off with one of my favorites.
Kai Winding was a trombone player who had a major hit earlier in 1963 with More, an instrumental record covered (with words added) by every middle of the road pop singer for the rest of the Sixties. That's why it tickles me to point out that later that same year he released the original version of Time Is On My Side. Yes, the trombone player got the Drinkard Sisters (Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and DeeDee Warwick) to do the vocal parts on this record. I truly love the juxtaposition of the jazzy trombone, piano, etc with the soulful singing. And, sadly... not a hit.
Six months later in April 1964, New Orleans' soul great, Irma Thomas, released her version. Additional words to the Jerry Ragovoy composition - by Jimmy Norman - were added on this release. Another wonderful version of the song, no doubt! (The immensely talented Miss Irma will be visited again later in this series.) This version also went nowhere but was found and covered by the guys who had the hit - see below.
Next up we have the original Crickets version of I Fought the Law. Written by Lubbock area native and Buddy Holly pal (and fellow musician) Sonny Curtis. (For clarity sake - He played with Holly prior to the Crickets and joined the group after Holly's death in 1959). What a cool life story! He wrote the wonderful Rock Around with Ollie Vee that Holly recorded prior to being dropped by Decca and having any hits. Then he joined the Crickets and penned this Rock and Roll Classic. He also wrote the Everlys' hit Walk Right Back. And to tie it all together the guy wrote, sang, and recorded the theme song for the Mary Tyler Moore television show's run in the 1970's (Love Is All Around). I was fortunate enough to see him perform at the 50th Winter Dance Party show in Clear Lake in 2009. I gained a whole new respect and admiration for the man. What a life!
The original I Fought the Law from 1960. Note the lyric is "Zip Gun" not "Six Gun"
The first hit version by the Bobby Fuller Four, 1965.
The Clash also did a very well known cover of the song in 1979.
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