Ask Mr. Music by Jerry Osborne

FOR THE WEEK OF JULY 23, 2012

DEAR JERRY: I finally got to see "Backbeat," a film about the Beatles in the years before they became known beyond Hamburg and Liverpool.

It is especially hard to realize that it took two years before Americans knew what was going on in Europe.

Or was there perhaps some publicity here in 1962 and '63 that has been forgotten?
—Ric Fairchild, Brooklyn, N.Y.


DEAR RIC: Buckle up, our time machine is going to revisit some key dates and events leading up to Beatlemania:

October 5, 1962: Their first record as the Beatles, "Love Me Do" and "P.S. I Love You" (Parlophone 4949), is issued in the UK. Though the single topped the "Mersey Beat" survey, that is a regional publication, one heavily influenced by the Liverpool scene, as stated by their masthead: "The North's Own Entertainments (sic) Paper."

It would, however, be another six months before the popularity of the Beatles throughout Britain would catch up with their accomplishments on the Merseyside.

This is evidenced by the success, and lack of it, of their debut record.

Reaching No. 1 on Mersey Beat didn't help "Love Me Do" much on the national level. It entered the NME (New Musical Express) Top 30 at No. 27, on October 27th, only to drop completely off the chart after just one week.

November 24, 1962: The Great Britain portion of Cash Box's International Section carries this tiny blurb, yet one of historical significance: "A&R manager George Martin sees a bright future of The Beatles — a new vocal instrumental group making their debut on the Parlophone label with their own composition "Love Me Do."

Since Cash Box does not quote Martin as the source of this comment, it may have been gleaned from an October press release. (Thanks to Cash Box archivist Randy Price for providing this page.)

Regardless, this single sentence stands as the first mention of "The Beatles" in any U.S. publication — 14 months before America heard "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Coincidentally, the topic directly below on this page is a mention of Mr. Acker Bilk's recent trip to America, and his new U.S. release, "Limelight." As you will see, Bilk and the Beatles are destined to cross paths again soon.

January 11, 1963: "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why," the second Beatles single (Parlophone 4983), is issued, to very favorable reviews.

January 13, 1963: Two days later, the boys made the 100 mile journey from Liverpool to Birmingham, for their first of 12 appearances on ABC-TV's "Thank Your Lucky Stars." Of course they sang the newly-released "Please Please Me."

The show was filmed on Sunday, before a live audience, then broadcast the following Saturday (Feb. 19).

The Beatles were just one act on the schedule, and a group with only one briefly-charted single to their credit ("Love Me Do"), and the still unknown follow-up ("Please Please Me").

Headlining the show, and the one act on the bill with an international smash and million-seller on the resume, was clarinetist Acker Bilk. One year earlier, his "Stranger on the Shore" reached No. 1 in the U.S., UK, and several other countries.

Highlighting the evening was a presentation to Bilk of three trophy-like awards, based on Billboard's 1962 European dee jay poll.

Thankfully, someone snapped a photo of Mr. Acker Bilk on stage, flanked by Billboard's European Director, Art Rosett; local dee jay, Sam Costa; and TYLS host, Brian Matthew.

Also gathered around, admiring Bilk's awards, are seven other guests on the show: Mike Berry; Brook Brothers; Frankie Vaughan; Chris Barber; Alma Cogan; and "John Lennon of the Beatles."

The photo made its way to Billboard in New York, and ran in the Feb. 2nd issue, prominently placed at the top of page four, but only with a caption identifying each person. There is neither a story nor any accompanying text.

Other than a U.S. reader's interest being piqued by Bilk's success in a poll of British dee jays, it is likely very few here paid much attention to a small gathering in Birmingham of folks whose names they did not recognize.

At the time, no one could have imagined the degree of importance of this uncredited photo.

　

It is the first photograph of any of the Beatles found in a stateside publication.

Their next mention is in the Feb. 16th issue, among the latest music tidbits from Britain, part of the weekly International News Reports: "In a deal with EMI, Vee-Jay will release records made by the Beatles (Parlophone), a promising British vocal-instrumental group that has yet to make a large chart impact here [in the UK]."

Beginning two weeks later, the Beatles regularly appeared in the Hits of the World section, but without photos or commentary. Just titles and artists on the weekly charts from selected countries.

In conclusion, applying 21st century know-how to 50-year-old events can be misleading. In 1962, no one in those seamy Merseyside and Hamburg clubs even had hand-held audio recorders, much less Flip Video capability, and most importantly, the internet.

Still, I can't help but wonder how the Beatles would have fared as contestants on Britain's Got Talent.




IZ ZAT SO? Well documented is how Vee-Jay misspelled the group's name on the first Beatles record issued in the U.S.

First pressings of "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why" (VJ 498) credit THE BEATTLES, on both the promotional and commercial labels.

What is not quite so well known is this was not simply a typo. They also used two Ts on their press releases, new release reports, and even in professionally prepared display ads placed in the trades.

If the company knew this record would, in 2012, fetch from $2,000 to $6,000, they would have set a few boxes aside.

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

Vinyl Record News & Music Notes

Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols – Super Deluxe Edition Box Set

LIMITED EDITION BOX SET Available In September

As one of the most iconic and influential albums in music history ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ still sounds as powerful and unique as ever, 35 years since the original release. As such an important musical and cultural force the album changed the landscape for records and the music industry.

The original master tapes from the ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ recording sessions in 1977 were thought to be lost for many years. Now thankfully rediscovered during the recent move from Virgin Records to Universal Music Catalogue in January 2012 the tapes have been remastered, for the very first time, by Tim Young under direction from original producer Chris Thomas. Some real treats have also been found along the way. The find that will perhaps excite fans the most is the lost 1977 demo studio recording of ‘Belsen Was A Gas’, the only original Sex Pistols composition of the era thought not to be recorded.

Other treats include the inclusion of six demos first included on the infamous ‘Spunk’ bootleg album, released for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of their original master tapes. These, combined with a selection of unreleased Chris Thomas demo’s and outtakes from the recording of the album – including tracks with Sid Vicious on bass – plus a wealth of live audio and visual material all from 1977 make up a box set that will truly satisfy fans of the band.

Box Set Contents:

• CD1 – Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols: 2012 Re-mastered, from the thought lost original master tapes with process overseen by original producer Chris Thomas.

• CD2 – 1977 Studio Rarities & B-Sides: Previously unreleased 1977 recordings including the legendary Belsen Was A Gas with John on vocals plus the original single b-sides, again all remastered from the original master tapes.

• CD3 – 1977 Live: High quality live recordings from 1977, most of which are previously unreleased.

• DVD – 1977: Live 1977 DVD produced by Julien Temple and featuring many previously unseen performances plus DVD extras of promo videos and radio interviews.

• 1977 Diary: Hardback 100 page 12" by 12" diary with quotes, rare and previously unseen photos, memorabilia and exclusive images.

• 7" Single: Replica of the withdrawn God Save The Queen A&M single.

• Poster: 3FT by 4.5FT Never Mind The Bollocks replica promo poster.

• Stickers: Reproductions of the original Never Mind The Bollocks promo stickers.

• Lyrics: A copy of the original handwritten lyrics to God Save The Queen will also be included

Available to Pre-Order Now - Released on 17th September 2012

Pre-Order HERE

=============

THE OUTLAWS DECLARES ‘IT’S ABOUT PRIDE’ ON THEIR FIRST NEW ALBUM IN 18 YEARS, DUE OUT SEPTEMBER 25

For THE OUTLAWS (@outlawsmusic), it’s not only about the music they’ve made for decades, it’s also about the pride they’ve always put into creating their legacy. As purely evidenced on their much long-awaited sixth studio album, IT’S ABOUT PRIDE is due out September 25 on Rocket Science Ventures. "Tomorrow’s Another Night," the album’s first single, is being serviced to radio on August 20. The band known for their triple-guitar Rock attack and three-part Country harmonies finally returns to the music scene with their first new studio album since 1994’s DIABLO CANYON (Blues Bureau International).

During the last 40 years, the Southern Rock legends--founding singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul and drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho along with lead guitarist Billy Crain, co-lead guitarist Chris Anderson, keyboardist/vocalist Dave Robbins and bassist/vocalist Randy Threet—have celebrated triumphs, endured tragedies and survived legal nightmares to remain one of the most influential and best-loved bands of the genre. Now THE OUTLAWS are back with new music, a new focus and an uncompromising new mission: it’s about a band of brothers bound together by history, harmony and the road. It’s about a group that respects its own legacy while refusing to be defined by its past. Most of all, it’s about pride.

IT’S ABOUT PRIDE is an album four years in the making and perhaps 20 or more in the waiting. For original OUTLAWS singer/songwriter/guitarist Henry Paul, it’s a hard-fought revival whose success can be measured in old fans and new music. "Because THE OUTLAWS have been out of the public eye for so long, it’s almost like starting over," he explains. "But because of the band’s history, we’re seeing this as a new chapter. We’ve written and recorded this album on our own terms, and we’re out to make a significant impression. What our fans loved then they still love now, because we are just as good or even better than we were. Most of all, they recognize the heart of what it is we still do."

For co-founding drummer/songwriter Monte Yoho, the journey is both bittersweet and jubilant. "I still think about the friends we made when we first came into this industry, how we struggled to define this thing that became known as ‘Southern Rock,’" he says. "This new album embodies all the things we shared musically and personally, as well as the relationships we have with our fans to this day. It’s about where we’ve been, where we’re going, and why we still love to do this."

In addition to the touring THE OUTLAWS will be doing over the next few months to promote IT’S ABOUT PRIDE, they’ll also be a part of the "Simple Man Cruise" on Norwegian Pearl along with Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Doobie Brothers, and many others, which departs from Miami on October 27. Fans can check out www.simplemancruise.com for further info.

Of a recent live show, Bill Robinson of Huffingtonpost.com proclaimed: "…(Henry Paul and Monte Yoho) are doing a valiant job at staying true to the original Outlaws melodies…Besides the lyrical genius of Paul's words and the imagery they convey, these songs' music mixes a beautiful, acoustic guitar opening with raucous, hard-driving type leads from there on in."

Formed in Tampa in 1972, THE OUTLAWS became one of the first acts signed by Clive Davis (at the urging of Ronnie Van Zant) to his then-fledgling Arista Records. The band’s first three albums, THE OUTLAWS, LADY IN WAITING and HURRY SUNDOWN (featuring such Rock radio favorites as "There Goes Another Love Song," "Green Grass & High Tides," "Knoxville Girl" and "Freeborn Man"), would become worldwide Gold and Platinum landmarks of the Southern Rock era. Known as "The Florida Guitar Army" by their fans, THE OUTLAWS earned a formidable reputation as an incendiary live act touring with friends The Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniels Band as well as Doobie Brothers, The Who, Eagles and The Rolling Stones. Henry Paul left after the group’s third album to form The Henry Paul Band for Atlantic Records, and later the multi-Platinum country trio Blackhawk. Over the next 20-plus years, THE OUTLAWS would experience rampant personnel changes, tonal missteps, ill-fated reunions and bitter trademark battles that left fans – not to mention Paul and Yoho – frustrated and saddened. And with the tragic deaths of co-founding members Frank O’Keefe and Billy Jones in 1995, and songwriter/vocalist/lead guitarist Hughie Thomasson in 2007, it was feared that THE OUTLAWS’ trail had come to an end.

"THE OUTLAWS were the one area of my career where I had regrets," admits Paul. "More importantly, I think it was the one area in my career where I thought I still have something to prove. I felt compelled to stick my neck out and take a chance of putting this band back together. I knew we would be judged, but I hoped we would be judged on our abilities."

www.outlawsmusic.com

=============

Velvet Underground & Nico Reissue Due

The Velvet Underground & Nico's 1967 debut is getting a six disc reissue through Universal and is scheduled for release on October 1st. The Velvet Underground & Nico 45th Anniversary Edition contains the original album in both mono and stereo versions, Nico's Chelsea Girl, the sought-after Scepter Studios material, Factory rehearsals and their 1966 set from the Valleydale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio.

=============

from our friends at vinylcollective.com

Top 10 Albums – July 23, 2012

Here are the top 10 albums sold at Shop Radio Cast for the week of July 17 – July 23, 2012:

1. Gaslight Anthem – Handwritten LP
2. Yellowcard – One For The Kids LP
3. Minus The Bear – Infinity Overhead LP
4. The Starting Line – Direction LP
5. Converge / Napalm Death – Split 7"
6. NOFX – Self Entitled LP
7. At The Drive In – In/Casino/Out LP
8. Bloc Party – Four LP (Limited Picture Disc)
9. Blink 182 – Dude Ranch LP
10. Northstar – Is This Thing Loaded LP

=============

MOS GENERATOR Announce New Album Title and Release Date

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

It’s been five years since the world has heard new material from MOS GENERATOR, and fortunately, that streak is about to end! The brand new MOS GENERATOR full-length album is called Nomads and will be available world-wide on October 23rd, 2012 through Ripple Music. The nine track album features the heaviness and elegant melody that have become the trademark sounds of the band, but this time lyrically exploring the introspective path of soul salvation.

"Nomads, as a whole, is the literal journey that Mos Generator has made," states guitarist/singer Tony Reed on the theme behind the new record, "The songs are interpersonal tales about the struggles that we’ve all faced with each other, our personal lives, the making of this record, just getting through life. And, of course, there are some science fiction themes, as well."

The Port Orchard, Washington rock n’ roll nomads spent almost a year tracking, recording, and mixing the new album until they were happy with the end result, constantly holding the material to the light, never wanting to release anything less than stellar.

"The album had to stand up to the Mos history," continues Reed, "We’ll never put out something that we feel is inferior, and admittedly, there was a lot of second guessing with some of the material selections and mixes."

Nomads will be available through Nail/Allegro Distribution in the U.S., Code 7 in the UK, and Clearspot International through continental Europe. Look for MOS GENERATOR to hit the road throughout the Pacific Northwest in late September and then possible more road work later in the year and early 2013.

Track List:
1. Cosmic Ark
2. Lonely One Kenobi
3. Torches
4. Step Up
5. Solar Angels
6. For Your Blood
7. Can’t Get Where I Belong
8. Nomads/This Is The Gift Of Nature

www.ripple-music.com

=============

GRIMEY'S BEST SELLERS 7/16 - 7/22, 2012

Vinyl Top 25:


1. JEFF The Brotherhood - Hypnotic Nights
2. Old Crow Medicine Show - Carry Me Back
3. Alberta Cross - Songs Of Patience
4. Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot (reissue)
5. Dirty Projectors - Swing Lo Magellan
6. Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls
7. Natural Child - For The Love Of The Game
8. Father John Misty - Fear Fun
9. Baroness - Yellow & Green
10. The Walkmen - Heaven
11. Thin Lizzy - Thin Lizzy (reissue)
12. Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania
13. PUJOL - United States of Being
14. Dawes - Nothing Is Wrong
15. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
16. JEFF The Brotherhood - Heavy Days
17. The Grateful Dead - History Of The Grateful Dead: Bear's Choice (reissue)
18. Animal Collective - Honeycomb 7"
19. Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...
20. Various - Buttons: Starter Kit
21. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Here
22. The Lumineers - The Lumineers
23. Radiohead - OK Computer
24. Glen Hasnard - Rhythm & Repose
25. The Flaming Lips - Transmissions From The Satellite Heart