Hola.
Lucy here. The swell people that created and maintain this website have asked me to contribute an FZ related subject here from time to time. They were offering me such a huge amount of money, there is no way that I could refuse them. The only catch being, I am absolutely free to write about anything that I wish. I can say anything that I want. No censoring or editing will take place. Nothing will be modified. Hmmm. That sounds very suspicious if you ask me, but the money was waved in front of my face.... and you can guess the rest. I'm here today with information that will only be of interest to pseudo-obsessive hardcore FZ fanatics. Everyone else can bail now. I wish to offer you a reasonably comprehensive list of the artists that originally performed the songs that were covered by FZ throughout the years. I will also offer minimal hints and advice on how you may obtain a few of these items if you care to spend an inordinate of time to track them down to compile a tape or CD for your own musical edification. Warning/Guarantee, a few of these are nearly impossible to find. They are not presented in any semblance of order. Onward.
LOUIE LOUIE - RICHARD BERRY
It's only fitting that we begin with the original artist who wrote and recorded "Louie Louie", and remains virtually unknown to the general public. We're speaking of course, of Richard Berry (who actually borrowed some of the melody and chord structure from "El Loca Cha Cha" by Rene Touzet). But Berry is the one to blame for creating the grand daddy of all of the three chord rock anthems. FZ chose to display it at virtually every concert his rockin' teenage combo ever performed, and the strains of "Louie Louie" even surfaced at many of his classical endeavors. Not to mention serving as the basic chord structure for "Plastic People", and appearing in part in a number of his compositions. But it's no help at all that the original version of "Louie Louie recorded by Berry in 1956, ironically remains unissued except on a couple of very hard to come by bootlegs and or counterfeit compilations. A version does appear on several so-called legitimate compilations, but is in fact an early 80s' remake. "Louie Louie" was only a regional hit at the time of it's release in several west coast city's, but no more than that. Berry sold the rights to it for $100.00 and never received a penny in royalties for the millions of records sold by The Kingsman, who for some fucked up reason had the hit that everyone seems to be familiar with. There's almost a happy ending. Berry did regain the rights to his material, but died several years ago, shortly after his case had been heard, before the long overdue check ever arrived. Damn.
BACON FAT - ANDRE WILLIAMS
Hailing from Detroit, Andre was billed as "Mr. Rhythm", and his backup group was "The Don Juans." Recorded in 1956 for Epic/OKeh, it actually rose to #9 on the R&B charts. It's original title was "Diddle Diddle Womp Womp". The group enjoyed a small amount of success in the early fifties with their rockin' and amusing live shows, as they had a penchant for R&B novelty songs, which were right up Frank's alley. However, Andre is best known for co-writing and producing "Twine Time" by Alvin Cash & the Crawlers, and "Shake A Tailfeather" by The Five Dutones. He was considered to be a prolific songwriter with over 230 compositions to his credit. The Mothers performed this in their early live shows, although FZ's cover doesn't appear (with altered lyrics), on one of his own recordings (not counting a few FZ bootlegs), until "Broadway The Hard Way" was issued in 1989. I found this on a Canadian bootleg in 96'. But it does appear on the legitimately released "OKeh Rhythm & Blues Story 1949 - 1957", and is well worth the investment.
VALERIE - JACKIE & THE STARLITES
If you're an FZ fan, you know what album this appears on. Right? This proved to be a moderate hit for Jackie Rue and his group in 1960 (the only one they had), but they were virtually showstoppers where ever they appeared live. Jackie would get down on his knees to howl and cry histrionically, and all of the girls panties in the audience would instantly moisten. But it was a brief four years later when he found himself out of the limelight and turned to the drugs which ultimately killed him in the late sixties. Another typically sad rock n' roll story. A best of Jackie & The Starlites CD was issued by Relic Records in 1991, but I'm not sure if it's still in print. Frank obviously was fond of the song, and thankfully chose to forego the histrionics etched on the original version.
DIRECTLY FROM MY HEART - LITTLE RICHARD
Good golly Miss Molly! This was written and recorded by Little Richard with the Johnny Otis Orchestra in 1953, for Peacock (a small Texas label), and not issued until 1956. It was a marginal regional hit only. What can I say about Little Richard that hasn't already been said? There's a ton of Little Richard material available and it shouldn't be too hard to find. Another early Mothers cover which appears, as we all know on "Weasels Rip My Flesh."
WPLJ - THE FOUR DEUCES
Feet on fire! I've been unable to turn up any information regarding this group, or the would be chart status of this song. All I was able to discover is that it was released in 1955 on Music City Records. If anyone has any information re this group and song, we urge you to share it with us. I do know that because of legal problems it does not appear on any legitimate release compilations. I found it on "Legends Of Doo Wop Volume 3" issued by Juke Box Treasures, a label out of New Jersey that's notorious for not licensing or paying royalties on the material they issue. A true fifties classic, and it's a shame that I can't find any lore re it's creation or The Four Deuces. But it's easy to see why Frank was so fond of it. Enough to include on two of his albums, with a seventeen year interval between performances.
NITE OWL - TONY ALLEN & THE CHAMPS
Frank's cover of this classic 1955 tune is still awaiting a legitimate release, but a live mixed and mastered version recorded with the 1980 band appears on several FZ bootlegs. FZ's version was actually prepared to appear on a thirty minute tape of FZ live performances, that Frank had compiled to be heard on a syndicated radio program which never aired. Tony & The Champs recorded for Specialty Records, and I believe that this was only a regional hit in the city of Los Angeles. But if you were performing in a rockin' teenage combo in LA up until 1962, and were considered to be hip and groovy, this song had to be in your repertoire. It never failed to gain a reaction from the audience when it was performed. I'm not sure if a "best of" exists for Tony, but it can be found on "The Specialty Story", a five CD box set that deserves a place in your collection. You won't be sorry.
STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE - THE CADETS - THE JAYHAWKS
This R&B novelty classic was a huge hit in 1956, and covered by FZ but only during the 1976 tour. Arguably the quintessential R&B novelty song of all time, and how could it not be with a line like "great googa mooga!" (uttered on the record by Prentice Moreland). They recorded 20 singles over a three year period under two separate identities...The Cadets (14 releases), and The Jacks (6 releases) - on different labels and scored a hit under both names. "Why Don't You Write me?" was their hit under The Jacks non de plume. Strangely enough The Cadets version of "Stranded" was actually a cover of the Jayhawks original version, but their version was much more polished and energized and deservedly became the hit. Both versions should be readily available, and perhaps if Gail ever decides to do something with FZ's tape vault, we'll hear a gloriously recorded version of Frank's effort. But the odds seem to be about a billion to one of that ever happening at this point. Woe is us.
THE CLOSER YOU ARE - THE CHANNELS
Earl Lewis and The Channels recorded this NY group harmony classic in two takes for Whirlin' Disc Records in 1956. Although it didn't chart nationally, it was a huge hit to the denizens of New York peaking at #6 on the R&B charts. Unfortunately for them, they failed to match the popularity gained with this single with any of their subsequent 45s'. Although my favorite Channels song is "The Gleam In Your Eye", which failed miserably in achieving even a little chart success. Oh well...but Frank obviously liked the record enough to record and perform his homage to it. It was last seen on The Channels Greatest Hits CD, issued by Relic Records in 1990. It shouldn't be that tough to find.
NO NO CHERRY - THE TURBANS
This group from Oakland California (not to be confused with the completely different The Turbans who recorded . "When You Dance"), recorded this in one take late 1954. It was not a hit by any stretch of the imagination. Perhaps it was deemed a little too racy for your general fifties audience, except with hardcore vocal group collectors and teenagers who would do anything to get their hands on a dirty record. FZ obviously had it, and thankfully chose to share it with us. I found it on "Doo Wop From Dolphin's Of Hollywood Vol. 1", issued by Specialty in 91'. Good luck.
LITTLE GIRL OF MINE - THE CLEFTONES
From queens New York this five voice group was active from 1956 thru 1962, and managed only one top twenty hit. Which wasn't "Little Girl Of Mine", which peaked at 57 on the pop charts in 1956. Though Frank was obviously fond of it enough to include it in his killer doo wop medley performed during the 84' tour. Should be very easy to find as there are a number of Cleftones compilations available.
JOHNNY DARLING - THE FEATHERS
Out of all of the songs on this list, this one may prove to be the hardest to find. To my knowledge it hasn't even shown up on counterfeits or bootlegs. Very esoteric indeed. Frank and the boys perform only 52 seconds of it on YCDTOSAM Vol. 4, but if you're a completist....Recorded in 1954 on Aladdin Records, it may have been a regional hit, but I was unable to turn up any evidence of it charting anywhere. I suspect that the only place you're going to find this is through a vendor who deals in old vinyl. Good stinkin' luck.
MAN FROM UTOPIA - DONALD WOODS & THE VEL-AIRES
Yet another tough one to find. Recorded in 1955 for Flip Records, this is actually the B-side of their hit, "Death Of An Angel." Ironically they recorded a cover version of "WPLJ" by The Four Deuces that same year billed as The Bel-aires. Beyond that, I don't have any real information about the group. Sorry. I found this totally by accident on an Italian counterfeit CD entitled "The Best Of Flip Records Vol.2" in 1997. Unfortunately Vol. 1 was no where to be found. Fuck!
Worthless footnote #1: Some of Richard Berry's early recordings were done for Flip Records also.
MARY LOU - RONNIE HAWKINS
This is another case in which I choose to bend the rules a little bit. Because much like the Cadets version of "Stranded In The Jungle" is vastly superior to the actual original by The Jayhawks, so is Hawkins over Little Jesse's original rendering. Besides that, Hawkins version was one of my favorite records the year it was released (1959). I will never forget seeing him on "Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show", doing the Michael Jackson known "Moonwalk" in 1959. Approximately 75 years before Michael Jackson was even born. And a white man to boot. It's still a great record, and I was astonished the first time that I heard FZ perform it. It being one of my all time teen favorites and all. Hawkins is great, this record is great, and you shouldn't have any problem at all finding it on CD.
ISN'T IT ROMANTIC - DICK AMES
The first time that I heard FZ perform this (Pauley Pavilion - UCLA - November, 1977), I was convinced that I was the only person in the entire arena that knew what it was. FZ either forgot, or chose to not list it in the notes from "Live In New York", and "Lather". I always wanted to ask him about it, but alas, never got the opportunity. I won't keep you in suspense any longer. There is an entire verse of this song that's performed in "Punky's Whips". After Bozzio intones, "Isn't it romantic", the band segues into an instrumental section that includes O'Hearn playing an odd harmony lead with the melody. That entire section is the melody, albeit strangely harmonized, of "Isn't It Romantic", which I believe to be written in the thirties. "How the fuck do I know this", I hear you asking...I remembered it because it's in one of the most underrated films of all time, "Day Of The Locust", directed by John Schlesinger, which would probably make my top twenty movie list. Or at least the top thirty. I also discovered later that it in fact appears in at least two of Preston Sturgeon's films, "The Lady Eve" and "Palm Beach Story". Maybe more. Strange but true. I'm not really sure if this is the absolute original rendition, but I was unable to find it anywhere except on the vinyl only release of the "Day Of The Locust - Soundtrack". And a very spiffy version it is. Where the fuck did Frank ever get the idea to use it and never allude to it? You'll have to go to a collector vinyl guy for this one.
ROTTEN COCKSUCKERS BALL - THE CLOVERS
Yes, the same Clovers that had the original 1959 hit (with a bullet), "Love Potion No. 9". This is out there somewhere residing on several counterfeit/bootleg compilations. I found it on a questionably legal, dirty songs CD compilation entitled "If It Ain't A Hit, I'll eat my baby...", credited to the Zu Zazz label and manufactured in England in 1990. The Clovers perform it acapella, but Frank executes it note for note and uses the exact vocal arrangement of the original. A stunner. May be tough to track down.
STOLEN MOMENTS - OLIVER NELSON
Nelson was a respected sax player who gradually became sought after as a writer and arranger for many stellar jazz musicians. He wrote, arranged and played with the likes of Eric Dolphy, Louie Jordan, Louie Bellson, Quincy Jones, Jimmy Smith, Wes Montgomery and more. "Stolen Moments" originally appeared on an 1960 Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis album, but the version that came to be considered the definitive classic one was released in 1961 on "Blues and the Abstract Truth". Oliver died unexpectedly at 43 of a heart attack. A pleasant enough song, but not one of my favorites. Should be very easy to locate.
THIS IS MY STORY - MICKEY & SYLVIA
Everyone remembers this interesting and amazing duo from their major hit, "Love Is Strange" recorded in 1957. Although they never equaled the success they enjoyed with that one record ever again, they did manage to record a number of worthy records in various styles, yet all tinged with an R&B flavor. Mickey Baker is considered to be one of the greatest early rock n' roll session guitar players, and appeared on countless records of that era. "This Is My Story" appeared on the pop charts for one week in 1960 at #100. I'm not really sure if Frank performed this more than once, but I have it on a live concert tape somewhere in my teenage room, which is the only time I've heard it performed by FZ. Please forgive me, but I cannot recall the year or venue. It won't be difficult to find a "best of" Mickey & Sylvia.
WHIPPING POST - THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND
Last, and in my humble opinion the least appealing song on this list. Or at least that's my take on the original version performed by The Allman Brothers. It's a bad recording, and a lame performance in this distorters opinion. Although I will admit that FZ's killer cover version brought a smile to my face for the first three or four times that I heard it. After that it could have been put away for all that I care. A lot like my take with "Dinah Moe Humm". A terrific and fun album track, and Frank was convinced that it had to be performed on virtuously every tour, because he thought that's what the audience expected to hear. However, no one ever asked me. Very easy to find and it can't be not included, no matter what I think about it.
I have purposely not included several early cover renditions performed by The Mothers, like "Bristol Stomp", "Baby Love", "Hound Dog", "I Want To Hold Your Hand" or "Ring Of Fire". The reason being is that I believe FZ was covering them, not because he was actually fond of them, but more for a humorous effect if anything. I've also left out the classic "Petrouska" and "Royal March From L'Histoire Du Soldat" by the irrepressible Igor Stravinsky. Not to mention "Bolero" and " Theme From The Bartok Piano Concerto", as these are all very obvious and extremely easy to locate. The same goes for "Purple Haze" and "Sunshine Of Your Love". Too easy, too obvious. And I will bet a hundred dollars that I've managed to miss a few due to the brain damage that I've incurred over the years as a result of drugs and or alcohol. Please forgive me. I hope that this list will help you, or better yet, inspire you to compile your own FZ cover compilation. To find this original material, I would obviously first suggest your local record or CD shop, or check www.amazon.com. For the trickier stuff I would hang out at ebay, subscribe to Goldmine Magazine and check the other record collector periodicals and websites when time permits. It will take a vast amount of luck and tenacity, but it can be done. But only if you're as insane as myself. In parting, the one unmistakable thing about hearing these original versions in one lump sum, is that they all reek of Frank Zappa. I swear that I can hear Frank singing the bass part on virtually everyone of the R&B and doo wop numbers. Even though we all know that he really wasn't. If anyone should have any additions or corrections to this list, please contact us at this site to share your knowledge. Good night boys and girls.
Lucy Gomez
August 5, 2001
2:51 PM