Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 25, 2012

DEAR JERRY: When Davy Jones of the Monkees died (Feb. 29), I realized that I can no longer think of any of the Top 50 groups of the 1960s, whose original members are all living.

More specifically, I mean ones having three or more people, and continuously billed with just a group name, unlike Eric Burdon and the Animals or Diana Ross and the Supremes.

If there aren't any from the 1960s, what are the chances of there being any from the '50s?
—Kenny Hammond, Austin, Texas



DEAR KENNY: Even with the Monkees now off the table, I can still think of seven 1960s groups that meet your qualifications.

There are even two groups whose careers peaked in the '50s, with original members not only living, but, at times, still performing.

Groups are listed chronologically based on their first U.S. hit, with current ages of each member:

(1954) McGuire Sisters: Christine (82); Dorothy (84); Phyllis (81)
(1959) Fleetwoods: Gretchen Christopher (18, she's a leap year baby); Gary Troxel (72); Barbara Ellis (72)

I suppose you know, Simon & Garfunkel (including their Tom & Jerry years) and the Everly Brothers would be high among the 1950s and '60s acts if duos counted. But since this is your question, you get to set the parameters.

Now to the 1960s:

(1961) Lettermen: Jim Pike (75); Bob Engemann (76); Tony Butala (73)
(1964) Hollies: Allan Clarke (70); Graham Nash (70); Vic Steele (67); Eric Haydock (69); Don Rathbone (69); Tony Hicks (66)
(1964) Manfred Mann: Manfred Mann (71); Mike Vickers (71); Paul Jones (70); Mike Hugg (69); Tom McGuinness (70).
(1964) Kinks: Ray Davies (67); Dave Davies (69); Pete Quaife (68;) Mick Avory (68)
(1965) Vogues: Bill Burkette (69); Hugh Geyer (69); Chuck Blasko (69); Don Miller (69)
(1965) Young Rascals: Felix Cavaliere (67); Eddie Brigati (65); Gene Cornish (68); Dino Danelli (66); David Brigati (71)
(1969) Three Dog Night: Danny Hutton (69); Chuck Negron (70); Cory Wells (70)




DEAR JERRY: After seeing a Third Man Records video promoting the debut of the world's first liquid-filled record, I knew I had to have one.

Only a small quantity were made, all of which were exclusively available in Nashville, at the Third Man Record Shop, on Record Store Day 2012 (April 21st).

So I drove six hours to get there the night before, only to find about a dozen people already in line. We all spent the night on the sidewalk shivering in a miserable rainstorm.

At 10 a.m. they opened, and everyone in line got Jack White's 12-inch single of "Sixteen Saltines," a clear vinyl disc, with a psychedelic bluish liquid in the center.

Fortunately it came in a sturdy plastic cover, because during the drive home some of the liquid oozed out of the record, but was contained in the outer bag.

I finally stopped the leak by storing it upright, with the drip source at the top; however, I am hoping you can suggest a permanent fix.

If not, I fear it will lose most of its value.
—Dale Westerman, Little Rock, Ark.

DEAR DALE: Your concern is valid. It is essential that the world's first liquid-filled record actually contain some liquid, though not a full tank.

In truth, none of the special "Sixteen Saltines" liquid edition is filled to capacity, for that would seriously restrict the area in which the liquid can slosh around.

About the only place where the record could spring a leak is on the edge, where the top layer of clear vinyl bonds with the bottom layer, which is why the leak stopped when you rotated the defective spot to the top.

With it still in that position, use enough clear super glue or epoxy to clog the hole and stop the leak.

If you do a neat glue job, the value of your air-tight liquid-filled record will not be affected by the few lost drops.








IZ ZAT SO? Third Man's liquid-filled "Sixteen Saltines" is the first commercially-available record of its kind, making it a sure-fire collectible.

In the eight weeks since its IPO (initial public offering), copies have been selling on the secondary market for as little as $300 and as much as $1,200.

Now that's what I'd call a liquid asset.

Jerry Osborne answers as many questions as possible through this column. Write Jerry at: Box 255, Port Townsend, WA 98368 E-mail: jpo@olympus.net   Visit his Web site: www.jerryosborne.com  

All values quoted in this column are for near-mint condition.

Copyright 2012 Osborne Enterprises- Reprinted By Exclusive Permission