WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:07.960 Hudson River Radio dot com. 2 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:09.880 Have you ever put butter on a pop jot? 3 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:12.320 You're so freakin good? 4 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:14.919 Have you ever put butter on a pop jot? If 5 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:17.039 you haven't bet a thank you should? 6 00:00:17.559 --> 00:00:18.960 Everybody come along with us. 7 00:00:19.199 --> 00:00:20.640 Have you have a bud butter Runner? 8 00:00:21.559 --> 00:00:23.160 It's so freaking good. 9 00:00:23.440 --> 00:00:25.600 Yeah. Have you have a butut butter? 10 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:27.800 If you haven't bet a thank you should? 11 00:00:29.399 --> 00:00:32.359 Hey, this is Jesse Carmichael from Room five. Hi, this 12 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.200 is Phil Margol of the Tokens. 13 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:34.560 Hello. 14 00:00:34.719 --> 00:00:37.799 It's Nicole Atkins on the Rock and Roll History Show. 15 00:00:37.560 --> 00:00:44.079 Hey, everybody, welcome back to the Rock and Roll History 16 00:00:44.119 --> 00:00:47.840 Show on Hudson River Radio. Brian Horowitz, we have an 17 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:50.119 interesting topic for you tonight. I think it's gonna be 18 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:52.719 a good one. But as always, before we hop in, 19 00:00:52.960 --> 00:00:55.799 allow me to introduce all the crambones joining us here tonight. 20 00:00:56.759 --> 00:00:59.960 First and foremost, from the Richter Observatory. He was worried 21 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:03.439 about his cell phone collecting data, but his vacuum has 22 00:01:03.439 --> 00:01:07.719 been collecting dirt on him for years. Neil Richter is here. 23 00:01:08.319 --> 00:01:13.359 I deny everything. I plead the fifth. Why are you doing? Everybody? 24 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:18.319 I'm weady on that one. From Paranormally yours. She tried 25 00:01:18.319 --> 00:01:22.840 a new fragrance today. It's called leave Me the fuh cologne. 26 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:24.959 Jale nuclemb is here. 27 00:01:26.640 --> 00:01:32.480 Absolutely, that's that sounds wonderful that I would like to 28 00:01:32.599 --> 00:01:33.840 order an entire case. 29 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:36.879 Did you say that again? A little faster? 30 00:01:37.000 --> 00:01:45.439 I cannot. And from the silver screen she walked into 31 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:48.359 a bar and the bartender said, hey, you should try 32 00:01:48.400 --> 00:01:54.079 this new boxed wine. It's called cardboard dou Mercedes cancers here. 33 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:56.159 I think I've had that. 34 00:01:56.280 --> 00:02:02.000 I think it's lovely, full of fiber. What's the aroma 35 00:02:02.120 --> 00:02:07.120 like folding cardboard? 36 00:02:07.120 --> 00:02:07.400 Again? 37 00:02:09.159 --> 00:02:10.360 Hey, everybody? 38 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:14.039 And our officially retired teacher. He tried to figure out 39 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:17.080 how many skunks it takes to make a stink turns 40 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:26.879 out just a pew. John Kelly is here, Oh. 41 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:27.919 My god, Yes, Brian Grandbas, how you doing? Everybody great 42 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:28.479 to be here? 43 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:31.400 And the host of shaving cream. She heard that Elton 44 00:02:31.520 --> 00:02:35.199 John bought his pet rabbit a treadmill. It's a little 45 00:02:35.240 --> 00:02:37.840 fit bunny. 46 00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:42.360 Well, that are the rabbit than me? No treadmills in 47 00:02:42.400 --> 00:02:42.840 my house. 48 00:02:44.080 --> 00:02:46.120 At last, but not least, we have a special guest 49 00:02:46.199 --> 00:02:48.639 here tonight. You may have heard his voice on our 50 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:51.759 station IDs in between breaks and whatnot. He is my 51 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:55.199 fellow co owner of Hudson River Radio. Came up to 52 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:57.800 New York all the way from Texas just for tonight. 53 00:02:58.719 --> 00:03:01.719 He recently ate two big cans of alphabet soup and 54 00:03:01.759 --> 00:03:05.199 then had a large vowel movement. This is Neil Prisco 55 00:03:05.360 --> 00:03:05.919 sitting right. 56 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:06.439 Next to Heyah. 57 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:09.719 I was called the aquacious Ones, So I wonder if 58 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:10.479 that's part of it. 59 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:17.840 That's something. Oh glad to have you here for now. 60 00:03:17.960 --> 00:03:20.080 We'll see how the rest of the night goes, I suppose. 61 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:24.000 So tonight's topic is you may want to run to Texas. 62 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:29.759 You may. Our topic is courtesy of Mercedes, and it's 63 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:32.919 lies and liars and all the lies that the lying 64 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:34.800 liars lie about and all. 65 00:03:34.719 --> 00:03:37.240 That kind of those damn liars. 66 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:40.240 Yeah, did I get that right? Was that an adequate description? 67 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:41.599 Absolutely? 68 00:03:41.639 --> 00:03:41.960 All right? 69 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:42.240 Good? 70 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:45.000 And actually, Mercedes, you're going to lead us off tonight, 71 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:45.840 so take it away. 72 00:03:46.599 --> 00:03:49.680 I'm so excited to be leading off tonight. I'm really 73 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:55.000 excited about this my section. So my song for this 74 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:58.919 topic is Don't Lie to Me by Big Star. I 75 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:01.039 will venture to say that many of you probably are 76 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:02.400 not familiar with them. 77 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:06.400 Wrong, wrong, wrong, So. 78 00:04:07.439 --> 00:04:11.879 Three out of six, three out of seven seven. So 79 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:14.800 first I want to talk about their legacy. Although the 80 00:04:14.840 --> 00:04:19.079 band's career ended in nineteen seventy four, they amassed a 81 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:22.759 vast cult following and still influenced bands to this day. 82 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:27.000 RIM's Peter Bucket admit, we sort of flirted with greatness, 83 00:04:27.040 --> 00:04:29.000 but we've yet to make a record as good as 84 00:04:29.079 --> 00:04:33.439 Revolver or Highway sixty one, Revisited, or Exile on Main 85 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:39.000 Street or Big Stars Third. In twenty fourteen, Paul Stanley 86 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:42.959 cited Big Star as an influence to early Kiss moments. 87 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:47.399 He said, We've always been about versus choruses bridges. It's 88 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:49.800 called a hook for a reason because it grabs you, 89 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:53.399 and that's my mentality. Give me the raspberries, give me 90 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:57.360 small phases, give me Big Star. The Van was such 91 00:04:57.360 --> 00:05:01.040 an influence on the Replacements that they recorded song titled 92 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:04.639 Alex Chilton on there Pleased to Meet Me album, released 93 00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:10.079 in nineteen eighty seven. Critics have continued to cite Big 94 00:05:10.120 --> 00:05:14.240 Star's first three album albums as a profound influence on 95 00:05:14.439 --> 00:05:19.639 subsequent musicians. Rolling Stone notes that Big Star created a 96 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:24.680 seminal body of work that never stopped inspiring succeeding generations 97 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:28.120 of rockers, from the power pop revivalists of the late 98 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:31.600 seventies to alternative rockers at the end of the century 99 00:05:31.920 --> 00:05:36.160 to the indie rock nation in the new millennium. Jason 100 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:47.519 Acne and Ane No I'm Saying Anne Kenney A and 101 00:05:47.800 --> 00:05:53.079 k e n y Okay. Music critic for AllMusic identifies 102 00:05:53.120 --> 00:05:56.720 Big Star as one of the most mythical, I'm sorry, mythic, 103 00:05:56.839 --> 00:06:00.199 and influential cult acts in all of rock and roll, 104 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:04.519 whose impact on subsequent generations of indy bands on both 105 00:06:04.519 --> 00:06:07.360 sides of the Atlantic is surpassed only by that of 106 00:06:07.399 --> 00:06:12.600 The Velvet Underground. A cover version of September Girls appeared 107 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:16.319 on the Bengals nineteen eighty six triple platinum album Different 108 00:06:16.399 --> 00:06:21.560 Light September Girls. John Borak, film critic wrote, was and 109 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:26.040 is the scenic snee qua non. 110 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:31.279 Bless You, a. 111 00:06:30.480 --> 00:06:35.879 Power pop, a glorious glittering jewel with every facet cut 112 00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:41.120 and shine to absolute perfection, A peerless, aching distillation of 113 00:06:41.199 --> 00:06:45.000 love and longing. September Girls may not actually be the 114 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:48.040 greatest song ever recorded, but for the duration of its 115 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:51.279 two minutes forty seven seconds running time, you can be 116 00:06:51.360 --> 00:06:53.800 forgiven for believing it is, and I. 117 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:57.639 Know that song, so I also have heard Big Star. 118 00:06:59.000 --> 00:06:59.839 You've heard. 119 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:06.639 By the Bengals, though no oh by them the original okay. 120 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:10.240 In nineteen ninety eight, a shortened version of their song 121 00:07:10.439 --> 00:07:13.120 in the Street was used for the theme song for 122 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:16.560 that seventy show, and in nineteen ninety nine it was 123 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:19.879 re recorded by Cheap Trick for the same show. From 124 00:07:19.959 --> 00:07:24.399 a podcast on NPR quote the statement usually ascribed to 125 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:27.879 Peter Buck of RAM that only a thousand people bought 126 00:07:27.879 --> 00:07:31.279 The Velvet Underground's albums in the nineteen sixties, but every 127 00:07:31.279 --> 00:07:34.519 one of them started a band also holds true for 128 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:37.560 a Southern band whose albums in the seventies sold even 129 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:44.079 fewer copies, but whose posthumous reputation is just as large. 130 00:07:44.680 --> 00:07:47.360 Rhino Records has released Keep an Eye on the Sky, 131 00:07:47.480 --> 00:07:51.480 a four disc collection of recordings, demos, and outtakes by 132 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:55.120 Big Star, as well as an expanded version of I 133 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:58.800 Am the Cosmos, a collection of recordings by founding member 134 00:07:58.879 --> 00:08:05.079 Chris Bell. They they influenced bands like Rim, The Replacements 135 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:10.920 and Matthew Sweet So who was Big Star. Big Star 136 00:08:11.040 --> 00:08:14.439 was a band formed in nineteen seventy one in Memphis, 137 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:20.079 Tennessee by Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Jodie Stephens, and Andy Hummel. 138 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:25.160 From nineteen sixty seven to nineteen seventy, Alex Chilton was 139 00:08:25.199 --> 00:08:28.279 the lead singer of the group The Box Tops, with 140 00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:31.360 hits like the Letter and Cry Like a Baby. At 141 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:36.480 the age of sixteen, Chilton became disillusioned by the music 142 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:38.960 industry and left to form his own band. He was 143 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:43.120 offered the position of Al Cooper's position for lead vocals, 144 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:46.960 but turned it down, saying they were too commercial. Chilton 145 00:08:47.039 --> 00:08:49.639 and Bell had been impressed by the music of The Beatles. 146 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:54.000 During the band's nineteen sixty four debut US tour. Chilton 147 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:57.480 asked Belle to perform in a rock duo last Simon 148 00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:01.759 and Garfuckle, but Belle declined and invited Chilton to join 149 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:06.840 his band, Ice Water, which later became Big Star. The 150 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:10.360 name came from a food store near where they recorded 151 00:09:10.480 --> 00:09:11.759 and bought snacks. 152 00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:16.480 So let's hear Big Star. Don't lie to me. 153 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.159 No. 154 00:10:10.679 --> 00:11:40.080 No, No, less low Boombo. 155 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:16.039 Their first album dropped in nineteen seventy two, titled Number 156 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:19.759 One Record, to good reviews and Billboard stating every cut 157 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:24.639 could be a single. Rolling Stone judged the album exceptionally good, 158 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.639 while cash Box stated this album is one of those 159 00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:31.039 red letter days when everything falls together as a total 160 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:34.000 sound and called it an important record that should go 161 00:12:34.039 --> 00:12:38.720 to the top with proper handling. Sadly, proper handling was 162 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:44.519 not what happened. Their label, Stacks Records, proved incapable of 163 00:12:44.559 --> 00:12:47.120 promoting or distributing the record very well at all. 164 00:12:47.720 --> 00:12:50.799 The record was not even often in. 165 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:54.679 Stores, partially because Stas had signed a deal with Columbia, 166 00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:59.000 who had no interest in independent dealers that the Stacks 167 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:03.840 had used, and Columbia actually removed existing copies from the stores. 168 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.679 So fans were looking for the record because it was 169 00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:12.600 actually getting airplay, but they couldn't find the record. A 170 00:13:12.679 --> 00:13:16.639 quote from I Believe the NPR podcast stated, their brilliant 171 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:20.960 nineteen seventy two debut album number one record flapped completely 172 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:25.360 because their label, Stacks Records, mainly handled soul music and 173 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:28.120 had no idea how to market it or distribute a 174 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:32.879 pop rock record. In nineteen seventy four, they released their 175 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:37.240 second record, Radio City, but just barely and leading to 176 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:41.279 a similar fate as their first release. There was infighting 177 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:45.480 among the members. They were frustrated and depressed, Columbia refused 178 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:49.279 to distribute the record at all. By nineteen seventy four, 179 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:51.480 there were rumors that there was a third album in 180 00:13:51.519 --> 00:13:52.039 the works. 181 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:52.679 By the time. 182 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:57.279 The album titled either Third or Sister Lovers, depending on 183 00:13:57.320 --> 00:13:59.919 which version you bought, came out in nineteen seventy on 184 00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:05.600 the Tiny PVC label. Big Star was history. Bell had 185 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:09.519 been killed in a car accident. Jody Stephens continued working 186 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:13.720 at Ardent Studio where they had been recording. Andy Hummel 187 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:17.440 went back to school, and Alex Chilton spent years washing 188 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:21.519 dishes at a restaurant in New Orleans. He did re 189 00:14:21.600 --> 00:14:26.879 emerge reluctantly to produce The Cramps. There was a Big 190 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:30.600 Star second era in nineteen ninety three, with only Alex 191 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:34.879 Chilton and Jody Stephens from the original band, and adding 192 00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:41.720 guitarist John Auer and bassist Ken Stringfellow of the Posies. 193 00:14:42.480 --> 00:14:46.440 They joined Chilton and Stevens. They did play some big shows, 194 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:52.000 and their original earlier material was re released Rhino Records. 195 00:14:52.080 --> 00:14:57.639 In Why Can't I Talk, Tonight issued a four box 196 00:14:57.799 --> 00:15:02.440 CD set containing ninety eight records made between nineteen sixty 197 00:15:02.480 --> 00:15:05.440 eight and nineteen seventy five. Keep an Eye on the sky, 198 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:09.440 including live and demo versions of Big Star songs, solo work, 199 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:13.879 and material from Bell's earlier band Rock City and Ice Water. 200 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:18.360 There are many books out there if you're interested, and 201 00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:22.039 a documentary titled Big Star Nothing Can Hurt Me, which 202 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:26.559 is on streaming. I have a friend Alan, who with 203 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:30.519 Susan Shaw, does a radio show All That Gumbo on 204 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:34.840 WIOX Community Radio, the Spicy Sounds. 205 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:35.320 Of New Orleans. 206 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.039 We've been talking about this band recently because I had 207 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:41.480 never heard of them, and Alan was going down a 208 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:44.879 rabbit hole both listening and reading. So I asked going 209 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:47.039 to tell me something I could use on the show today, 210 00:15:47.360 --> 00:15:50.080 and this is what he said. They were so ahead 211 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:52.519 of their time in my honest opinion for me, they 212 00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:55.720 had to find the power pop genre and are such 213 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:59.639 good writers. The songs are the thing, and Alex Chilton 214 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:03.080 is an amazing guitarist and singer. As I listened to 215 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:06.039 their music today, it is timeless, like all great rock 216 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:12.039 and roll, Big Star Forever. Thank you to Alan, and 217 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:13.600 that's what I've got. 218 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:19.120 You know, earlier at the beginning, you said something about 219 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:22.480 who had ever heard of Big Star before? I think 220 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:28.519 the question is more, whoever saw big Star. Anybody have 221 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:33.759 any hants hands on. 222 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:39.039 The great, the great pants. 223 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:43.840 That would be me. Yes, now now listen, all right, 224 00:16:44.080 --> 00:16:48.000 it was a reunion. It was in two thousand and 225 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:52.519 four at Little Stephen's Underground Garage Festival on Randall's Island, 226 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:55.440 two thousand and four, So it was a reunion. I 227 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:59.080 know Alex Chilton was there. I'm not sure who the 228 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:01.440 others were, but it was built a big stars, so 229 00:17:02.360 --> 00:17:03.879 it counts in my book, so. 230 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:07.480 I would agree. 231 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:12.640 I'm good with that. Yeah, very cool. I think sadly 232 00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:19.440 Alex Chiltern he died during Katrina when it hit New 233 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:27.119 Orleans and uh yeah that uh he drowned. I think, 234 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:29.200 oh yeah, it's terrible. 235 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:33.160 But well, pants, way to bring the way, to bring 236 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:38.240 the episode, to bring it on down there, pants, I mean, seriously, 237 00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.839 that's all I got your problem? 238 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.079 Now? 239 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:43.599 Yeah, well, I'm glad I got to see him perform 240 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:47.599 before before that though, But yeah, no, the world lost 241 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.480 a great talent. And but as he kind of kept 242 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:53.359 it on the down low. I mean, you know, he 243 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:57.759 was not you know, he was not built for superstardom. 244 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:00.960 You know, I guess I don't kept it on the 245 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:03.440 down low as much as the record company kept. 246 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:11.599 It well, but it probably hit it probably crushed his 247 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:15.960 spirit or whatever, you know, saying well, you know what, yeah, 248 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:18.319 out with it? Yeah? 249 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:22.559 Sure, all right, Well, mister pants on fire, you're next. 250 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:28.759 Of course, I'll try to I'll try to bring it 251 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:31.839 back up a little bit here, all right now. The 252 00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:35.000 song I picked is a garage rock classic. It's called 253 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:40.519 Lies by the band The Knickerbockers. Now. The Knickerbockers were 254 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:44.480 an American garage rock band that formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey. 255 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:47.759 She met nineteen sixty. 256 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:49.200 Four, right around the corner there. 257 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:53.119 They took their name from Knickerbocker Road, also known as 258 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:57.720 County Route five oh five, which is a major thoroughfare 259 00:18:57.759 --> 00:19:02.079 that runs just east of Bergenfield and incidentally not far 260 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:07.480 from where I grew up as a kid. Now. The 261 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:10.839 nucleus of the band were the brothers, Bo Charles on 262 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:17.039 guitar and vocals and John Charles on bassin vocals. Their 263 00:19:17.039 --> 00:19:23.079 real names, incidentally, were Robert and John carlos Checchino, respectively. 264 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:29.079 Now the brothers played with fluctuating rosters until they met 265 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:34.079 singer and saxophone player Buddy Randall and drummer Jim Walker, 266 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:40.680 and that solidified the classic Knickerbockers lineup. They came to 267 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:44.839 the attention of producer and singer songwriter Jerry Fuller while 268 00:19:44.880 --> 00:19:48.559 playing a gig up in Albany, New York. Fuller signed 269 00:19:48.599 --> 00:19:54.079 them to the Los Angeles based Challenge Records label, and 270 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:57.119 then for the next several years, the Knickerbockers would try 271 00:19:57.119 --> 00:20:01.720 to sound and emulate other Aren't bands that were on top, 272 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.920 you know, the musical trends of the time, the fads 273 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:06.559 of the time, such as the vocal harmonies of the 274 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:10.960 four seasons and with lyrics referring to like hot rod cars, 275 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:14.200 somewhat like what the Beach Boys were doing, those songs 276 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:19.039 you know of the day. Now. In nineteen sixty six, 277 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:22.119 the group hit the Top twenty with the song lies 278 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:25.319 We're About to Hear. It's a song that's known for 279 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:29.480 its resemblance to the Beatles, So they kept that trend 280 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:33.640 up and I think the Beatles did all right, But. 281 00:20:33.960 --> 00:20:34.519 I think so. 282 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:37.839 This is a little hunch. I think they were. 283 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:42.720 About the song really well. You'll see about the song 284 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:46.480 bo Charles said, quote, we desperately tried to write something 285 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:50.039 that sounded like the British invasion, and it took them 286 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:53.119 about thirty minutes to write the song. Now. In fact, 287 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:56.039 the track sounded so much like the Beatles that the 288 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:59.400 record was often passed off as an actual Beatles song 289 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:03.400 to unsuspecting listeners. So why don't we give it a listen? 290 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:05.119 And you tell me what you say? 291 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:14.039 Lies? Lies. You're telling me that you'll be true lies. Lies. 292 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:18.519 That's all I ever get from you. 293 00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:27.319 Cheers, cheers, I shall on meaner or you know, cheers cheers. 294 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:36.720 And now you love someone who don't know well jest 295 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:46.240 lies Rea. You think that you're such. 296 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:50.559 A smart girl, and I don't believe what you say, 297 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.799 but do. 298 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:56.240 You thank you? I'll girl to lead me on this way? 299 00:21:57.799 --> 00:22:08.039 Nay lies lies. I don't believe a word you say. Lies, lies. 300 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:14.400 I gonna make you said something, some gonna do love, 301 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:41.720 but you won't be lies lies bragging mind something but 302 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:44.079 I don't know where just said. 303 00:22:45.440 --> 00:22:55.240 Lies, bragging mind. I think that you're such a smuck and. 304 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:59.039 I don't believe what you say, but believe you. 305 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:17.000 Thank you. I don't believe the day I'll go to 306 00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:18.559 make your send some day. 307 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:36.160 You wag. 308 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:48.240 Yeah, I don't know. Kind of sounds a little like 309 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:49.200 the Fab four. 310 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:53.680 Just a little movie, Charles right, just a tad you 311 00:23:53.680 --> 00:23:56.240 know it has the vibe there, mister pants, you know, 312 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:58.000 a little bit. 313 00:23:58.240 --> 00:24:02.039 A little bit anyway. Lives was featured on the Knickerbockers 314 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:06.480 nineteen sixty six LP of the same name. It entered 315 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:09.279 the Billboard Hot one hundred in the final week of 316 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:12.880 December nineteen sixty five, and went to number twenty on 317 00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:16.200 the charts in late January of nineteen sixty six and 318 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:20.599 remained on the Hot one hundred for thirteen weeks. It 319 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:24.839 also reached number eleven on the charts up in Canada Now. 320 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:27.759 The follow up single was a song called one Track 321 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:30.279 Mind and it would have been a hit as well, 322 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:32.839 and it was. It's a very good song in my opinion, 323 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:39.599 but the band's label mishandled the distribution be Theme Here 324 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:43.759 Going Right, and the single only reached number forty five. 325 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:46.480 Like I said, it's a pretty dark good song too, 326 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:50.680 a very beatlesque as well. But the Knickerbockers pushed on 327 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:55.000 and appeared as regulars on the Dick Clark produced program 328 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:59.200 Where the Action Is between sixty five and nineteen sixty seven, 329 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:02.759 and they also appeared in a film called out of Sight, 330 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:08.079 which I've never seen or heard of, but more films 331 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:12.240 than I've appeared in. But because of the problems with 332 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:15.680 the label, drummer Jimmy Walker left in nineteen sixty eight, 333 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:18.839 and he actually went on to replace Bill Medley in 334 00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:23.480 The Righteous Brothers, who I guess who had departed. Not 335 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:25.920 a bad move, I guess when you think about it, 336 00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:31.359 and Buddy Randall would also depart soon after that. Now 337 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:34.680 the Charles Brothers, they would continue playing in various forms 338 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:38.119 and under various names, and there were even a couple 339 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:42.279 of Knickerbocker's reunions, although none of them really ever captured 340 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:46.839 their former glory. Now. Both the songs Lies and one 341 00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:51.480 track Mine. The singles were included on the legendary Nuggets 342 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:56.680 box set, the collection of garage rock classics basically put 343 00:25:56.680 --> 00:26:01.559 together by Lenny Kay of the Patti Smith Group, and 344 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:06.039 a compilation, A comprehensive CD by the band was also released, 345 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:10.400 with both brothers Bo and John Charles being involved in 346 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:14.440 the production. And that my friends ain't no lie. So 347 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:16.799 now go to a concert. 348 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.519 Well, now the question is did you see them? 349 00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:22.720 Yeah? You know, I feel free to lie. 350 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:26.200 Yeah, I mean, well. 351 00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:28.000 In that case, oh, Yeah, I went over the house. 352 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.480 I rode my bicycle over you. 353 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:31.799 That's what I wanted to hear. 354 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:35.680 Nineteen sixty six, I was what ten years old something 355 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.079 like that. 356 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:38.279 You may have heard them practicing. 357 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:41.440 Mom cooked to dinner, right. 358 00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:45.880 Yeah, dropped me off and had to pick me up 359 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:50.039 before you know. But yeah, we hung out in the garage. 360 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:52.559 You know, they played and I was dancing. Yeah. 361 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:55.559 No, oh, now I know you're lying. 362 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:59.160 Well pants, you gave us a visual. It's all I 363 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.160 can say. 364 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:03.599 Yeah, it's that's why I'm here. 365 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:05.680 Yeah, we're gonna end on that visual and take a 366 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.839 break and let that do around in your brain for 367 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:10.359 a minute that marinate. Right, Yeah, we'll be right back, 368 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.839 or maybe we won't. We're all lying. 369 00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:16.680 Hudson River Radio dot com. 370 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:19.160 This concludes the first part of this cassette. 371 00:27:19.319 --> 00:27:22.440 Please turn the cassette over and begin again on side. 372 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:32.279 To Leutson Riverradio dot Com and welcome back. 373 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:35.599 We're lying tonight, lying, liars and lies and all that 374 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:39.960 good stuff and John All right, everybody turn, I'm not 375 00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:40.720 lying about that. 376 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:43.079 No, you're not lying about that. Well, the truth is, 377 00:27:43.160 --> 00:27:45.119 y'all may like or not like what I have to 378 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:49.839 offer tonight. However, what I've chosen is the song Liar. 379 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:54.920 And this was written originally by an English musician by 380 00:27:54.920 --> 00:27:57.960 the name of Russ Ballard Neil. Do you remember when 381 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:59.799 you used to ride your bicycle over to his house 382 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.400 and you know, hang out. 383 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:04.920 Yeah, I used to deliver papers to his house. Yeah. 384 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.960 Okay, yeah, I thought so, I thought so. 385 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:12.720 Anyway, he recorded this with his band Argent for their 386 00:28:12.799 --> 00:28:14.480 self titled debut album. 387 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:17.039 I think it was the accent on the rung sala. 388 00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:23.119 Yeah, ah, okay, Well then I don't know what the 389 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:28.359 Argent Argent Argent Okay, Argent got it. Okay, and that's 390 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:33.480 no lie anyway, Argent for their self titled debut album, 391 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:38.960 released in nineteen seventy. Although it didn't gain a lot 392 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:43.319 of popularity when it was released by Argent in nineteen seventy, 393 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:47.680 it did, however, gain a lot of popularity when Three 394 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:51.839 Dog Night featured it on their fourth studio album, Naturally 395 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:56.559 in nineteen seventy one. Three Dog Night's version peaked at 396 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:59.720 number seven on the Billboard Hot one hundred that year, 397 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:03.160 marking one of the group's many top forty hits during 398 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:05.640 the commercial peak in the early nineteen seventies. But that 399 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:07.319 is not the version we are going to be listening 400 00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:10.079 to tonight. I wanted to go old school on this 401 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:13.599