For a Valentine’s Day post, I thought this ’60s tune might fit the bill. Not much info here other than what’s on the label. With Rusty York as producer makes me believe this may have been recorded in Cinci.

The Reflections- Love Is A Beautiful Thing

 For some Feb.3 1959 was “the day the music died” with the tragic loss of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & the Big Bopper. I can understand this thought, however for another generation of music fans.. almost 50 years later, Feb. 4, 2009 was also a significant day when the music died. Lux Interior, lead mayhem singer/founder of The Cramps left this crazy planet for another mission. He and his band’s influence on me as well as many many more worldwide fans is immeasurable.

                                                                                         +++ R.I.P Lux. +++

So this post is about a band from Akron who officially never released any of their own material but who also craved the cool/obscure tunes of the late 50’s / early ’60’s. The Walking Clampetts line-up in the beginning included: John Teagle, Bob Basone, Michael Purkhiser and Mike von Hammer. The band has been at it since the ’80s when I would catch their shows around Y-town & Kent.  Always a fun time. You see, Mike is the younger brother of Lux, hence the intro. I got to talk with Mike and John a few times mostly discussing obscure 50’s music. John told me a neighbor (I think) gave him an original copy of the classic/rare Johnny Burnette and the Rock n Roll Trio LP. I’m still jealous! John also a vintage gear aficionado, co-authoring Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years and another about Washburn Guitars. Mike runs a tube amp repair and design business seen HERE.

Check YouTube for some recent videos of the band live. Today’s post is a rare demo from back in the day.

The Walking Clampetts - Great Balls of Fire (demo)

 This is an interesting one for sure! Billed as The Unbelievable Chuck Gregg, this 45 was released with the work of famed Cinci artist Sonny Flaharty. I believe it hit the record store shelves sometime in the mid ’60s. Label states an attempt to bring back the ’50s sound. A good effort. I haven’t found much info on Chuck, but can tell you…the flip side is a bit of a warbler that only a mother could love (file it in the bad = cool genre).

The Unbelievable Chuck Greg-Insane

From Dayton, circa 1959 comes a moovin’ instrumental. What little info I could dig up on this great 2-sider is that the BMC label was owned by Les Bodine and this looks to be the 2nd of four releases by the label. More info needed…but until then, a listen is mandatory!

Conrad and the Van-Dells- Rambling

Not a lot of info on this country listing from Bobby Boyle and the Revenuers. It emerged outta Akron in 1965. Additional info appreciated.

Bobby Boyle- I Couldn’t Care Any Less (any more)

Not much info on this post. Marv did record for several labels in the late ’50s/early ’60s. Cool beat here with a rockabilly edge.

Marv Lockard-Listen You

 Here’s a cool R&B cut by H Bomb. Classic sounds here. More info on him can be read HERE

H Bomb Ferguson - Spaghetti and Meatball

From 1964 comes a killer release from a suburb of Cleveland. This is The Motions’ third release out a mere total of four. See Buckeye Beat link in sidebar for a shot & some info on the band. Word has it, they were all in their early teens and were a rage around the clubs on the north shore! This side reminds me of something Man or AstroMan! might have done…but it was recorded approx. 40yrs before their existance!

The Motions- Land Beyond The Moon

Back to 1958 for a nice side out of the capitol city. Good sax on this one. Interested in more info?? Read it HERE

The Columbus Pharaohs- China Girl

With only one mid-60’s 45rpm release, Dayton’s The Vacant Lot was host to local talent Roger Sayre. The band morphed from another which was called The X-cellents. The hunt is on for something by them! Some cool keyboards heard on this side.  

The Vacant Lot- This Little Feelin’