DENISE FERRI - THE JERSEY GIRL BEHIND IT ALL

You might not know Denise Ferri by name. But you know her by voice. She sang on some of the most iconic records of the 1960s. We were fortunate enough to talk to her about those times and are proud to publish her interview below.








Kyler:Your first group was The Delicates and you made several records with them. Can you pick a favorite? Maybe you can share some experiences or memories you had with them?

Denise:My favorite record was “Black and White Thunderbird”, it was on the Unart label.We recorded it in 1958 while still in grammar school, we also wrote it. We toured a lot with that recording and it became a big hit on the east coast. It made so much noise that as a result we were invited to appear on “American Bandstand” .Lots of groups have covered that song over the years, and Disney/Pixar chose it to be part of the CD “Lightning McQueen’s Fast Tracks’ inspired by the film “Cars”. We are very proud of that song.

Kyler:As The Delicates, you were the official dancing girls for the infamous Murray The K. What was he really like??

Denise:Murray was a no nonsense guy, and a good friend. We became very close to him and he invited us to appear everywhere with him. We were the “original” dancing girls, and appeared on his 1010 Wins New York Radio show many times. We also wrote and recorded his radio show themes .including “the Swingin’ Soiree” Red, Hot and Blue” theme and the ever so popular “Submarine Race Watcher’s Theme.



Kyler:Also, while in The Delicates, you got a chance to perform back ups live for many of the stars of the day including Jackie Wilson, Bobby Rydell, Connie Francis, and many more. Would you appear onstage or behind the curtain? How did you like working on those types of shows.

Denise:Some were backstage in the wings at the Brooklyn Fox, and Paramount Theaters…I remember we backed Bobby Vee singing “bouncy bouncy” to his wonderful “Rubber Ball”. We also did a lot of studio work .making .demos and major recordings. I loved working those stage shows ..five shows a day for 10 days straight, with an incredible roster of stars. We were blessed to work on the Clay Cole Christmas Show at the Brooklyn Paramount. That show broke all exsisting records.

Kyler: You did many studio sessions as a background vocalist singing on so many records we here at Rare Rockin’ Records can’t count!! Would it be OK if I mentioned some of the artists you sang with in the studio, and then you could tell me a little bit about each session/person??

Denise:Absolutely!!

Kyler:OK, here we go. I was fascinated to learn that you sang on some of Allan Vallone’s records…..while he wasn’t a big star, we just love his music! Can you tell us more?

Denise:Allan Vallone, great singer, great guy. We recorded “The Hurt Goes On and On”..he had something very special and should have been bigger than he was. It was a fun session. I just recently found the song on Youtube, I haven’t heard it in over 40 years it sounded great!

Kyler:How About Patty Duke? Her biggest hit at the time was “Please Don’t Just Stand There”.

Denise:Patty Duke was wonderful. The nicest person you could ever meet, you would never know she was a huge star and an Academy Award winning actress. We did sessions with her that lasted several days. We recorded at least five songs for an album. She was so down to earth and treated us like old friends. We were all in the same recording booth so we had lots of time in between takes to chat and shared lots of laughs...That was an experience I will treasure forever.

Kyler:Next -The Jersey Boy – Frankie Valli. Which records did you back him up on?

Denise:Our relationship goes back almost fifty years with Frankie. We came from the same hometown of Belleville New Jersey. We worked a lot with the Four Seasons, especially with my lifelong friend Tommy DeVito, doing tons of recordings. We backed Frankie on three of his solo hits. “The Proud One”, “Cry For Me” which is featured in Jersey Boys, and “You’re Ready Now” which became a hit all over again in the UK. It is now considered a Northern Soul Anthem. We see Frankie often, he looks great and is still a great entertainer.

Kyler:Finally, the man himself, Lightnin’ Lou Christie! Your “buppee ahh ooos” and various girl group sounds made some of Lou’s MGM records some of his biggest hits and best songs. What were those sessions like? From the looks of some of the pictures, you guys had a ton of fun!




Denise:We had a ball and what can I say about Lou?? Only that he is one of the nicest human beings on the planet. Working those sessions with him was a great experience. It took months of rehearsals and recordings. We even helped Lou create some of the back up words and sounds. Lou and his writing partner the late Twyla Herbert wrote the best songs. they were ahead of their time. “Rhapsody in the Rain “was banned because Lou sang “we were makin out in the rain, and in this car our love went much too far” So we had to go back in the studio and record it over again to tone down the meaning, those were the 60’s. Lou is a very talented artist. Today Lou sings his hits in the same key he did back in the day. Singing with Lou was magical, I loved the blend we had together. .I think we were on all but one tune on his “Lightning Strikes ‘ album., along with many singles. Last December we appeared with Lou in a show at the Maltz Jupiter Theater in Florida….we sang “Lightning Strikes”, and it rocked!!!! ”BUPPY AH OOH”

Kyler:Of course I missed many! What are your other favorite records you sang on?

Denise:One was our very first backup experience. It was with the late, great Al Martino, a song called “Journey To Love”., written by Teddy Randazzo and produced by the great Don Costa. Working with Teddy was so special, at the time he was a teen movie heart throb. girls our age got to dream about him, and we got to meet and work with him.

Another very special recording was one where. we didn’t sing at all, but clapped.
It was an instrumental called “I’ll Walk The Line” by Don Costa. It was a big hit
It was after one of our own sessions with Don when he decided to add clapping to his track so he asked the Delicates and my mom and two brothers to clap!!!! It was sensational, and I get quite a feeling when I hear that recording ..it’s truly a family affair.

Kyler:Thanks Denise for taking the time to do this interview! The final question is, what feelings to you have when you look back at all the great work you did, on stage and on record, in the 60s?

Denise:That I was truly blessed to be there at the best time in Rock and Roll history . There will never be another time like it.

Doing this interview was my pleasure. Thank you!!



You can find out even more by heading to jerseygirlssing.com. Check it out!

"BUBBLING UNDER" coming soon!

Great news! A new RRR release is coming your way very soon. BUBBLING UNDER compiles 32 fantabulous tracks from 1961-1964 that didn't quite make the Top 100.

The track listing can be found below:

Track Listing
Rick Nelson - There's Not A Minute
Bernadette Castro - His Lips Get In The Way
Curtis Lee - Just Another Fool
Del Shannon - I Won't Be There
Teresa Brewer - She'll Never Never Love You (Like I Do)
Barry & The Tamerlanes - Roberta
Johnny Burnette - I Wanna Thank Your Folks
The Murmaids - Heartbreak Ahead
Dion - Somebody Nobody Wants
Tommy Boyce - Along Came Linda
Annette - Dreamin' About You
The Cascades - A Little Like Lovin’
Conway Twitty - Sweet Sorrow
Skeeter Davis - Let Me Get Close To You
The Tokens - Tonight I Met An Angel
Eddie Hodges - Halfway
The Elektras - All I Want To Do Is Run
Johnny Crawford - Cry On My Shoulder
The 4 Evers - Say I Love You (Doo Bee Dum)
Tim Yuro - Permanently Lonely
The Fleetwoods - You Should Have Been There
Johnny Nash – I’m Leaving
The Majors - Your Life Begins (At Sweet 16)
Doris Troy– Tomorrow Is Another Day
The Five Satins – The Masquerade Is Over
Ray Peterson- I'm Tired
Linda Lloyd - I'm Gonna Love That Guy
The Roommates - Band Of Gold
Jackie Wilson – Baby That’s All
Robin Ward – Winter’s Here
Kenny Chandler – Drums
Linda Brannon - Don't Cross Over


I would also like to mention the fact - just because it didn't make the Top 100 doesn't mean it's not great!!! Sometimes, lack of promotion or changes of style would prevent a record from being a hit. The compilation will prove that some awesome records didn't chart.

Pre-order at the Rare Rockin' Records Store.

I Want to Find Rare Records From the 50s and 60s!

Welcome to Rare Rockin’ Records where “Obscurity is our Specialty”!

Rare Rockin' Records started out as a passion and as a hobby but has grown to something a little more. We are collectors of rare records from the 1950’s and 1960’s specialising in the rare, oddball and obscure recordings between the late 1950s and into the 1960s. Early in the Year 2000, after helping out other associates with compilation CDs, we decided to begin our own reissue label and thus the official Rare Rockin' Records label was born.

Our Collections

While focusing on 1950s and 60s rare records, we predominantly involve ourselves with the “Teen Sound”, the “White Sound”, the “Group Sound”, and the “Girl Group Sound”, and of these three sub-genres alone there are many, many thousands of records. So our specialty in terms of years are from 1958 – 1965. We have approximately 6,000 45rpm records in our collection and around 2,000 LPs.

About the Store

We have spent a long time re-organising our store, however as you browse through its categories you will see a heap of interesting information – in a lot of cases you can link to sound samples of various tracks on CDs before you purchase.

Check out the store as it will be updated every week with lots of new releases.

If you don't see a CD you are looking for please email and let us know and more than likely we’ll be able to get it in for you.  Our website now offers a number of ways to purchase your products securely – via Credit Card, PayPal, Direct Deposit, or by Check/Money Order.

We hope you enjoy your experience at Rare Rockin Records – always be sure to let us know your thoughts and suggestions as this site is for you, the oldies lover and collector!

So jump to our website right NOW and indulge your passion for the rare records for the 50s and 60s.  See You There!

http://www.RareRockinRecords.com

Where can I get Rare Records from the 50s & 60s?

Welcome to Rare Rockin’ Records where “Obscurity is our Specialty”!

Rare Rockin' Records started out as a passion and as a hobby but has grown to something a little more. We are collectors of rare records from the 1950’s and 1960’s specialising in the rare, oddball and obscure recordings between the late 1950s and into the 1960s. Early in the Year 2000, after helping out other associates with compilation CDs, we decided to begin our own reissue label and thus the official Rare Rockin' Records label was born.

Our Collections

While focusing on 1950s and 60s rare records, we predominantly involve ourselves with the “Teen Sound”, the “White Sound”, the “Group Sound”, and the “Girl Group Sound”, and of these three sub-genres alone there are many, many thousands of records. So our specialty in terms of years are from 1958 – 1965. We have approximately 6,000 45rpm records in our collection and around 2,000 LPs.

About the Store

We have spent a long time re-organising our store, however as you browse through its categories you will see a heap of interesting information – in a lot of cases you can link to sound samples of various tracks on CDs before you purchase.

Check out the store as it will be updated every week with lots of new releases.

If you don't see a CD you are looking for please email and let us know and more than likely we’ll be able to get it in for you.  Our website now offers a number of ways to purchase your products securely – via Credit Card, PayPal, Direct Deposit, or by Check/Money Order.

We hope you enjoy your experience at Rare Rockin Records – always be sure to let us know your thoughts and suggestions as this site is for you, the oldies lover and collector!

So jump to our website right NOW and indulge your passion for the rare records for the 50s and 60s.  See You There!

http://www.RareRockinRecords.com

CHATTING WITH ED RAMBEAU

I had the opportunity to ask a couple questions to Eddie (now Ed) Rambeau. Of course, all readers of the RRR blog know that he was involved in some of the best pop records of the 60s. I hope you all enjoy some of Ed's memories about some of his biggest and best records and productions.



Kyler:How did you get into the music business? When did you realize that you could sing?

Ed:I can't remember NOT singing. As for how I got into the biz....a DJ named Jim Ward got me an interview with Swan Records after I sang at his record hop with only piano accompaniment and got a better reaction to many artists who lip synced to their records.

Kyler:You got signed to Swan Records in 1961 and recorded some great teen material for them, notably “Skin Diving” and “My Four Leaf Clover”. Can you tell us more about those songs and your Swan Records days?

Ed:My days at Swan were happy days. Skin Divin' was written by the same 2 guys who wrote "Poetry In Motion" and we all thought it was gonna be a smash, but it just made it territorially. I wrote My Four Leaf Clover Love with Bud Rehak driving back to Philadelphia in the car from my hometown of Hazleton, Pa.

Kyler:There is quite a story behind your third Swan release, “Summertime Guy”. Could you inform our readers of what happened with that one?

Ed:Summertime Guy was written by Chuck Barris (who also wrote Palisades Park for Freddie Cannon). He was an ABC exec at the time so my record was pulled from all ABC affiliates (both radio and TV) as a result, because it was considered a conflict of interest. They didn't catch Palisades Park, but they caught mine. Just my luck.



Kyler:You wrote some major hits for Diane Renay and also one of the best album tracks by the Four Seasons, “Only Yesterday”. Did you do your writing for specific artists, or did you just write the songs and pitch them to whoever you could find?


Ed:Sometimes I wrote for specific artists and other times I just wrote songs and pitched them. It was kinda both.

Kyler:My favorite record of yours is entitled “Come Closer”, which was released in 1964 on the 20th Century Fox label. The B-Side is awesome as well, entitled “She’s Smilin’ At Me”. I’ve always wanted to know more about these great songs. Do tell!

Ed:Bob Crewe (my producer) went to England and came back with these 2 songs. I fell in love with them immediately and recorded them. I was surprised they didn't do better chart-wise, but they just didn't get the airplay we had hoped for.

Kyler:On that record, The Four Evers (one of our favorite vocal groups here at Rare Rockin’ Records) backed you up. Any memories of those guys?


Ed: I can honestly say I don't recall who backed me up, but I seem to recall it was The 4 Seasons. My memory eludes me on this one.

Kyler:Your biggest hit of the 60s was most definitely “Concrete And Clay”. How did you come across it? Who’s version was first – yours or Unit 4+2?

Ed: Bob Crewe returned from England with a demo written by The Unit Four + 2. My record was released and two weeks later London put out the demo of the Unit 4. The rest is history. We got split play across the country.

Kyler:During the time of your hits, you did some major TV Shows like Shindig and Where The Action Is, not to mention touring, all the while writing for other artists doing for your own records. How did you keep up at this incredibly busy time?

Ed: was young and full of spit and vinegar and enjoyed what I was doing, so it was easy for me. When you have a love for something, you become indefatigable.



Kyler:The B-Side of “Concrete…” is another one of my favorites called “Don’t Believe Him”. It almost has a Gary Lewis & The Playboys sound. Is that what you were going for on that tune?

Ed:Actually I thought it was more along the lines of Gary and Pacemakers, but I suppose everyone sees and hears things differently. Again, this song was written on a drive from my hometown to New York City by both myself and Bud Rehak. Bob Crewe loved it immediately.

Kyler:The follow up to your biggest hit was a catchy, upbeat number called “My Name Is Mud”, which sounds very close to “Concrete And Clay”. Were you and Bob Crewe consciously trying to capture the sound of your earlier hit?

Ed: I have to give all the blame to Bob on this one. I wasn't crazy about going for a similar sound. I preferred a few other cuts from my Concrete and Clay LP as a follow-up, but Bob was insistent, and always got his way. After all, he did own the company.

Kyler:Amazingly, you found time for a full, fourteen song album!! It was released in 1965. There are some amazing pop-teen gems on it, including “It’s Not A Game Anymore”, “Look For The Rainbow”, and “I Just Need Your Love”. Any remembrances about the LP?

Ed:One of my favorite things about "I Just Need Your Love" was when I first sang it for my arranger/producer Charlie Calello. I sang it without accompaniment and when I hit the key-change which went down instead of up, I thought Charlie was gonna go crazy. He loved it. He kept saying "That's never been done before, and it sounds incredible". We recorded the entire LP in one afternoon because I had to go on the road for Klondike Days in Alberta, Canada where I was booked as the headliner for the entire week.

Kyler:What are the favorites of the songs you wrote and recorded in the 60s?

Ed:"Navy Blue", of course, cause it was my biggest hit. Also, "Kiss Me, Sailor" (the follow-up). "Only Yesterday" by the 4 Seasons. "Don't Believe Him" is one of my favorites as well. I also liked "Hangin' Onto My Baby" recorded by Tracey Dey.




Ed is still singing timeless tunes and you can find more information about him at his website, edrambeau.com.

You can also hear a full length radio interview with Ed with the great Ronnie Allen at Ronnie's Radio Page.

TEENAGE MEMORIES VOL 1....OUT NOW!!!

Yes, you've all been waiting for it, the release of TEENAGE MEMORIES is finally available to buy.

It features thirty tracks from the early to mid 60s, and there is a little bit of everything. It is sure to please!

It comes with a great color booklet (with some brief notes written by yours truly), and also pictures of the artists and some label scans. Oh yeah, and It sounds great too!

A little "teaser trailer" video will be uploaded soon, so hang on!

You can check out the full tracklisting and buy it direct from RRR HERE

-Kyler

NEW RELEASE COMING SOON:TEENAGE MEMORIES VOLUME 1

Are you ready for another great Teensville Records release??? I thought you were!

I have had the opportunity to hear some of TEENAGE MEMORIES, VOLUME 1, and I am blown away not only by the sound, but by the actual music. This is going to be one of the finest teen music releases ever on compact disc. And I am proud to announce that there will be a few tunes that come directly from the master tapes. I can't tell you which ones, you'll just have to order and find out!

Click HERE to go to the Rare Rockin' Records shop to view the tracklisting, and pre-order if you like. If you pre-order now, you will also get a free bonus CD!