Singles with Zappa's Involvement

Side A:

1. 16 Tons    (2:22)

Side B:

1. Breaktime    (2:27)

This seems to be the first released record that Zappa was ever involved in. Probably less than 20 copies remained in existence in 1998.

From Greg Russo, author of Cosmik Debris: Based on the numbering on both sides of the record, "Breaktime" is actually the B-side of the record (E 1008-2) because the A-side is E 1008-1. This numbering scheme is typical of singles from that time, in that the lower number is the A-side.

From Michael Gray's book MOTHER!, page 42: Zappa and his friends also put together a single called "Break Time" by the Masters - i.e. Frank, Paul Buff and Ronnie Williams - on Buff's own label Emmy ...

From a ninja:

     my records indicate that
     zappa does not appear on 16 tons
     but does appear on breaktime

From the Big AfrO(r): Nobody had the vision of using that wammy bar ... bears Frank signature playing. On a Fender. My source is Barrett Hansen, also known as Dr Demento [a radio guy - Ed.], who was a personal friend of Frank's. Second: Dr Demento does a talk intro half into this song during the tribute show to Frank when he talks about this being his first recording. I have that show some where in my archives. Zappa shares a writer's credit on "Breaktime" with Paul Buff and Williams.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Moon Dawg

Side B:

1. The Inebriated Surfer

From Greg Russo: Because there was a British group with the name The Tornadoes that hit big with the instrumental "Telstar", Dave Aerni (their manager) briefly renamed them The Hollywood Tornadoes on record.  This only lasted for a few months. "Moon Dawg" was originally recorded by The Gamblers in 1960 for the Liberty label.  The Gamblers' rhythm guitarist was none other than Elliot Ingber.

The Band reunited in xxx and has now their own webpage.
 
 

Side A:

1. Memories Of El Monte    (2:36)

Side B:

1. Be Mine    (2:37)

From Michael Gray's book MOTHER!, page 41: It was also for Original Sound that Zappa, with Ray Collins - later a Mother of Invention - had written and produced the reputedly beautiful "Memories of El Monte" by The Penguins. It features lead singer Cleve Duncan of the original Penguins (their big hit was the original of "Earth Angel") but for "Memories of El Monte", Zappa told Mick Watts, "The rest of those Penguins were just a bunch of guys from the car wash".

It has the virtue now of being a sought-after oldie - Zappa told me that in fact "you can order it from Village Oldies or you can order it direct from Original Sound Records in Hollywood: they still press it" - but at the time it didn't sell at all. Not even in Mexico. [EDITOR'S NOTE]: I think Zappa meant the rerelease of 1984.

From Greg Russo, author of Cosmik Debris: Original Sound had a second pressing of "Memories of El Monte" with a light colored label and the same record number. I understand that the labels for this pressing are gray. A picture of this label can be seen  here.

Quinn Martin also reports an advance copy, with black labels. I'm not really sure if this is a later reissue, or not, but the "REx" in the matrices looks somehow similar to all those Verve "We're Only In It For The Money" reissue variants over the years. Another hint is given in the printed address on the labels. Original Sound must have moved from 7120 Sunset Blvd. to 8510 Sunset Blvd. over the years. So I think this is a promo for a later re-release. Any information is appreciated. Pictures can be seen here.

[EDITOR'S NOTE]: 1961 as year of release is stated on the "Doo-Wop Society" pages. And here's another one 'bout The Penguins by Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks. Bossk(R) gave me this jpeg here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Five Discs: "Never Let You Go"

Side B:

1. The Penguins: "Memories Of El Monte"

From Greg Russo, author of Cosmik Debris: I have confirmed from Original Sound that the Chief and Gorda releases are not legitimate issues, as Art Laboe of Original Sound did not license the Penguins recording for release on those labels.

From an Ebay seller who offered this disc in December 2004: Side A - Five Discs - Never Let You Go / Side B - Penguins - Memories Of El Monte - Mono - Released in 1964 on the Chief Records label - CH-101 A/B.

This is the ultra rare mispressing of this ultra rare single.  Side B which is "Memories Of El Monte" is credited on the label as being performed by The Five Discs, when in fact it's really performed by The Penguins. Cleve Duncan is given the writer's credit for "Memories Of El Monte", but that was the same as the regular release. You think the regular Chief release is rare? They probably only made a few of these before they discovered their mistake. Of course they didn't make many copies of the regular pressing either. The matrix numbers are crossed out on both sides on the trail-off and CH-101 etched in.

"Memories Of El Monte" was written by Frank Zappa and Ray Collins, and this song was recorded at Pal Studios in Cucamonga, California. Cleve Duncan, the original lead singer of The Penguins, was brought into the studio to record this song. However, at the time The Penguins were no longer together, so the story goes that Frank Zappa had to get some employees of a local car wash to come in and sing the background vocals.

This is the ultra rare Chief Records 1964 mispressing, some people think that this was an unauthorised release because later that same year "Memories Of El Monte" was released on Art Laboe's Original Sound label. It is quite possible that this may have been released without Frank Zappa's permission because the song credit for "Memories Of El Monte" goes to Cleve Duncan. So Zappa probably tried Chief Records first before going to Original Sound, and Chief Records released it with The Five Discs on the A-side and never bothered to tell Frank Zappa so they wouldn't have to pay him. They must not have made many of these compared to the amount that Original Sound released.

Side A:

1. The Penguins: "Memories Of El Monte"

Side B:

1. Sonny Knight: "Confidential"

From Greg Russo, author of Cosmik Debris: I have confirmed from Original Sound that the Chief and Gorda releases are not legitimate issues, as Art Laboe of Original Sound did not license the Penguins recording for release on those labels.

[EDITOR'S NOTE]: It's not clear if the info "G-502-A (/-B?)" of our informant Stylemaster 1 are the matrix numbers between the run-out grooves, however, they are printed on the labels to identify the right label for the right side of the vinyl during production. If it's also the ordering number of the complete disc, or just "G-502", I can't say. Info needed! - A picture is here. 

Side A:

1. Tell Me    (2:05)

Side B:

1. Love Of My Life    (2:03)

According to a collector who sold a copy in October 1999, Zappa plays guitar, drums and fuzz bass, and Paul Buff plays "keyboards". This is one of the rarest of the early '60s singles.

According to ninja, there have been many counterfeits of it. Greg Russo: "I never saw a counterfeit of this single!"

From GoblinGirlRecords in affz, 11 July 2003: Hollywood, CA in 1981 - Zappa rehearsal at Zoetrope Studios (owned by Francis Coppalla) - went with my manager at the time, Gerry Fialka, to ask Frank about the Ron Roman 45. I had a clean copy and took a xerox of it. The Zappa fanzine, Mother People, published my report later on that year (or maybe they did it in '82?) I found a down moment in the rehearsal and walked up to FZ and asked him "Would you please tell me about this record?"

He really went into details too. He said Dave Aerni ripped him off by releasing it without his permission. He also said that despite the fact that the label said "Zappa-Aerni" that Dave didn't write anything. He also said that he had the original recording at his house with Ray Collins' original lead vocals. He said he played drums, fuzz bass and guitar and Paul Buff played keyboards.

A picture of the label is here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. How's Your Bird?

Side B:

1. The World's Greatest Sinner

From the liner notes to the Rare Meat album: It was the first collaboration betweem Frank and Ray Collins, who was to provide the exquisite rhythm and blues voicings of the Mothers period. Ray picks up the story: "I was drinking in a bar, the Sportsman, in Pomona. Frank and his friends were playing. There wasn't even a stage. I figured that any band that played 'Walk with Me, Annie' was alright. They either asked me to sing with them, or I simply became too drunk and wandered up there and asked to sing with them. In any event, Frank and I got together.

"I told him about an idea I had for song. 'How's your bird?' was an expression that Steve Allen used to use on his TV show. One day Frank called me up and said, 'I wrote it, let's record it'. So we did. The B-side, 'The World's Greatest Sinner', was never in the movie. There was this film that Frank scored the music for. He met Timothy Carey at Wallach's Music City, and that's how that happened." Collins sings lead on both tracks, Dick Barber throws in a few snarls [this was the first record Zappa made that featured snorks!], and Frank probably played most of the instruments, with maybe Paul Buff on piano.

From alt.fan.frank-zappa, November 1999:

[GUY #1]: Nothing to do with the movie except for borrowing the title.
[GUY #2]: That's not true at all ... it opens the film! You must not have seen the film.
[GUY #1]: That's true. I haven't seen it. I know that I've read that that song wasn't in the film. Obviously, I was misinformed by my source.
[GUY]: Ray Collins said that in an interview talking about the "How's Your Bird" single: "And on the other side was The World's Greatest Sinner, which was a song written by Frank, having to do, I guess, with the movie THE WORLD'S GREATEST SINNER, which Frank scored the film. But it isn't in the film. It was on the B side." (Ray Collins Interview with David Porter, 1989.) Anyway, they're two different recordings, the movie opener and the single, ain't it true, Patrick?
PATRICK NEVE: No sir, they are the same. Ray was wrong.
CHARLES ULRICH: It's true that (part of) the single can be heard at the beginning of the film in the version that's in circulation. But it seems sort of tacked on. This struck me the first time I watched it.
BIFFY THE ELEPHANT SHREW: That was also my impression (having always understood that the song was not in the movie). I'm unable to check at present, but on the video, doesn't the song just play over a blank screen?
CHARLES ULRICH: The song starts playing over a blank screen. Then some titles ... appear against a black background, while the song is still playing. The music heard on [the bootlegs] Serious Music/Apocrypha starts at the same time as the photographic portion of the film (a face in flames).
ROMÁN GARCÍA ALBERTOS: So the [single] version ... is the same that was recorded in November, 1961 for the movie? Did Ray sing there then or not?

          "Zappa began composing for the film last June. (...) A small rock-n-roll group - eight musicians - recorded last November. In early
          December a 20-piece chamber ensemble recorded. The 55-piece orchestra recorded Dec. 17, putting in a 12-hour stint at Chaffey
          auditorium."
             - Progress-Bulletin, Pomona, California, Friday Evening, March 9, 1962

PATRICK NEVE: I can't verify the above information, or even for sure that its Ray ... it sounds kinda like Ray to me, but in a slightly lower register. It's credited to Baby Ray & the Ferns so I'm working ont he assumption that it's him. What I can verify is that barring any remixes or other minute details I haven't recognized, the [single] version ... is absolutely the same version that opens the movie. In the movie the song cuts out early, that's the only difference I immediately recognize.

These tracks were re-released on the EP Please Give Me a Home, toghether with the tracks from the Ned & Nelda single Vigah 002.

For information about the Donna label browse emediately to the Both Sides Now homepage.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Dear Jeepers

Side B:

1. Letters From Jeepers

"Bob Guy was a local horror TV host who wanted to make a record. Zappa let him recite over-loaded monster-movie type letters to and from Count Dracula, over primitive rock vamps. Legend has it that Bob Guy came driving up to the studio in black sunglasses, a white suit, and/or a white Cadillac." This can be found roughly, too, in the article printed on the back of Rare Meat: "Bob Guy was a local tv horror movie host (much better than Seymour of some years later) who wanted to make a record.  In contrast to his tv image, he drove out to the studio in a white Cadillac, wearing a business suit and horn-rimmed glasses. ..."

From Greg Russo: "Bob Guy was a DJ before he did the record and then he got his own TV show."

(The words "400 days of the year" are included in Letter from Jeepers (who is writing to Count Dracula "from Cucamonga") - later, some early versions of the Uncle Meat album would use the title "400 Days of the Year" instead of "Nine Types of Industrial Pollution".)

These tracks were re-released on the EP "Announcing to All Disc Jockeys the All New Dynamic Duo", together with the tracks from the Burt Ward single MGM 13632. In 1999, the A-side was re-issued, coupled with a song by John Trubee & The Ugly Janitors Of America, on the German Musical Tragedies label. And also on the Rare Meat sampler.

For information about the Donna label browse emediately to the Both Sides Now homepage.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. The Big Surfer    (2:25)

Side B:

1. Not Another One!    (2:08)

From Michael Gray's book MOTHER!, pages 41-42: In fact Zappa managed, as part of this busy and variegated programme of trying to crash into the music business, to write and make around ten non-sellers for Art Laboe's Original Sound label. He also worked, he told Mick Watts, with "a label that's so obscure that if you found any of their records (even today) they probably wouldn't be worth anything".

This was Vigah Records, and it nearly gave Zappa a hit. In fact it actually was a local hit, though only in San Bernardino. The record was called "The Big Surfer" by Brian Lord & the Midnighters (Vigah 001) and featured a San Bernardino disc jockey impersonating President Kennedy judging a dance contest. Zappa wrote it.

Capitol Records bought the master - paying the then quite large sum of $7,000 - but just as they were launching the record, confident of its humorous punch-line mention of Medgar Evers, Evers was inconsiderate enough to get himself killed. That killed the record - except of course in San Bernardino, where the DJ featured on the single wasn't going to give up playing his own record just because of a little undeserved bad luck.

Some people have claimed that the Captiol version never existed, but there's a photograph of it in Greg Russo's book Cosmik Debris. As for the release date, Russo says: As for the date on my Brian Lord 45 "The Big Surfer", June 3 1963 is not pressed or stamped on my label. My single says "6-103" on the label. I can see how someone can interpret that as June 3. I'm not sure if the other person reporting it had a copy with a stamped date (as radio stations did at the time), but I do know that the release date I show (May 27, 1963) is the date that the Capitol record numbers before and after it were released. Russo also states that "No one I've asked at Capitol can confirm what "6-103" meant!"

Timothy Neely from Goldmine Magazine has sent me a description on this numbering "6-103": "I happen to know this, because similar numbers are on other Capitol 45s in the same time period. This is a somewhat disguised reference to the originally scheduled release date. In most cases, it's accurate, but in others, it's not, because the release may have been delayed or even pushed up.

Here's how to break down the number:
The number before the hyphen is the month.
The last number is the year.
The other numbers are the date.

Thus "6-103" equals June 10, 1963.  That is at least the date it was scheduled for release.

Capitol started doing this in 1962 and finally stopped in 1964, because they'd schedule a date for a new Beatles single and it would inevitably be rush-released. For example, "Can't Buy Me Love" has a code of "3-304" for March 30, 1964, but it was actually issued on March 16."

Anyway, a picture of the single is included here.

Russo also knows that "the master numbers are backwards because the B-side was recorded before "The Big Surfer."  That is how master numbers are assigned at Capitol."

And then, later on affz (August 16, 2001), a small conversation about the single popped up again:

From Román García Albertos: Thanks to Guus Veldhuis and his ftp server, I've heard at last "The Big Surfer" by Brian Lord & The Midnighters. As usual I've made an attempt to transcript the words, and the funny thing is I can't find any mention of Medgar Evers anywhere (the single was supposed to be retired from the stores because Evers, supposedly mentioned in the song, committed suicide). I don't even know who was Evers, and I don't know if there's somebody called "P.R." or if it's "Pierre" or what.

Computeruser: Medgar Evers was a civil rights activist who was "Murdered" in the South. [Wasn't it in his own driveway in front of his family?] The peace corps reference was the offending line which allegedly caused Capitol records to permanently postpone distribution of this record.

Charles Ulrich: Pierre Salinger was JFK's press secretary.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Hey Nelda

Side B:

1. Surf Along

This is a pastiche of a rather famous act called Paul & Paula, and their considerable hit "Hey Paula". THE FANTASTIC THING IS THAT "PAUL" (his real name was Ray Hildebrand) WAS BORN ON THE EXACT SAME DAY AS FRANK ZAPPA: December 21, 1940! (Brought to Bossk(R)'s attention by Paul Hinrichs - thank you.) [EDITOR'S NOTE]: Yes! And a big "thank you" for all the recipes over at affz!   8-)

These tracks were re-released on the EP Please Give Me a Home, toghether with the tracks from the Baby Ray & the Ferns single Donna 1378.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Tijuana Surf    [Argentinian version: Tijuana]

Side B:

1. Grunion Run    [Argentinian version: El Gruñuon]

(May or may not be listed as "Tijuana".) The DJ copies have a small sticker on the "Tijuana Surf" side that says "Hit from Lee Cha". Who or what is "Lee Cha"?

From Michael Gray's book MOTHER!, page 41: Paul Buff played every instrument on a single called "Tijuana Surf" - by "The Hollywood Persuaders" and Zappa wrote the B-side. It was put out by DJ Art Laboe's Original Sound label and, Zappa says, "was Number One in Mexico for 17 straight weeks!"

From Greg Russo: I have two copies of this record - one billing The Persuaders, and the other billing The Hollywood Persuaders. The A-side of the one billed to The Persuaders shows the A-side as "Tijuana Surf."  It was released in July 1963, and the master numbers for both releases are or-082 for "Tijuana"/"Tijuana Surf" and or-083 for "Grunion Run".

What does "Grunion Run" mean? Here's an explanation from Jocelyn Broyles: Some think the grunion runs are an urban legend, but, elusive and often appearing very late at night, the grunion are real and the runs are a curious stunt of nature to behold - if you can stay up that late.

What they are: Grunion are small sardine-shaped silvery fish that ride the waves in Del Mar City Beach, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach and Silver Strand Beach up onto the sand to procreate, making for a veritable sea of squirming 4-8 inch fish out of water.

The deal is: The female grunion buries herself in the sand to lay her eggs and the male wraps himself around her to fertilize them - a female's eggs might be fertilized by up to eight males in one night. Then they wait for a wave to take them back out to sea.

From Sam Rouse: My dad grew up in Southern California, and I remember when, as a pre-adolescent, I'd first read about a grunion run (probably in one of those written-for-teenagers mysteries) and expressed interest in going to one, he laughed. He had to explain that, in his day, going to a grunion run was the same sorta thang as going to a drive-in movie; an excuse to take your girlfriend to the beach after dark (they happen at night).

Pictures of the labels and sleeve can be seen here, and there's another release under the name Los Persuaders, from Mexico, which is an EP-Single on Gamma Records with both sides included.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Grunion Run

Side B:

1. North Beach

"As far as my research tells me this Grunion Run has nothing to do with Zappa other than the fact that there are several different songs with this same title.  I've spoken with Musil and he said the title came from a trip to the beach and he wanted a beach sounding title for his instrumental.  It's nice to sell this to Zappa collectors but I don't think there is any connection."

Side A:

1. Phantom Surfer

Side B:

1. Shootin' Beavers

From Greg Russo: Because there was a British group with the same name that hit big with the instrumental "Telstar," Dave Aerni (their manager) briefly renamed them The Hollywood Tornadoes on record.  This only lasted for a few months.

Side A:

1. Hurricane

Side B:

1. Sweet Love

From computeruser: It has long been asserted that Frank Zappa produced a single for this group. With the help of Charles Pater (He knows my real name and so does Gula and Neve) I have found evidence to the contrary. Although, Frank Zappa samples a snippet of the song "Hurricane" his name does not appear as producer on the Daytone single. On the Daytone records single it lists "Produced by Curry and Irvin." (I wonder if this is Lew Irwin listed on the Freak Out! list? It wouldn't be the only typo there.)

From Greg Russo (author of Cosmik Debris), November 2000: Ed Sigarlaki of Conrad & the Hurricane Strings recently told me that the Curry & Irvin listed on the label of the single "Hurricane" were in fact Paul Buff and Frank Zappa. They jointly produced the record at Pal Studios. Curry & Irvin is a play on the American lithography firm Currier & Ives. Since Zappa was an (Charles) Ives fan, he was most likely Irvin!

Here's a short story about the band.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Every Time I See You    (2:15)

Side B:

1. Cradle Rock

Greg Russo: Romancers guitarist Andy Tesso played lead guitar on "Every Time I See You". Richard Provincio played on the intro of "Cradle Rock".

For information about the Donna label browse emediately to the Both Sides Now homepage.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Mr. Clean

Side B:

1. Jessie Lee

From Greg Russo: "FZ is on the B-side as well. Paul Buff recalls an unknown black lead vocalist on both sides. He never saw the vocalist again."
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Heavies

Side B:

1. The Cruncher

From Greg Russo: The master numbers are or-086 for "Heavies" and or-087 for "The Cruncher."  Both songs were recorded in the summer of 1962, but were not released until 1964.  FZ played the final mix of "The Cruncher" for Norman Sanders of The Tornadoes when he first met the group in December 1962 and said that the song was almost six months old.

The first few bars of "Heavies" are included in "Nasal Retentive Caliope Music" on the album We're Only In It for the Money - the "little bit of surf music" that's the only thing on the album Zappa didn't write.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Gotta Find My Roogalator

Side B:

1. (blank empty space...)

This has often been reported as a 1962 single, but it's actually from 1966. From Greg Russo, author of Cosmik Debris: Concerning the Bobby Jameson single, I have confirmed that it is a 1966 release, not 1962. The release date is shown in my book. The Bobby Jameson record number is Penthouse 503, and the previous record (502) was "The River Is Wide" by The Forum. That record was recorded in 1966 and hit the US singles charts that year when re-issued on the Mira label (the distributor of Penthouse). So, it's not possible that Bobby Jameson's record came from 1962 - he had released other records before "Gotta Find My Roogalator", but they don't go back that far! I believe the earliest one was in 1964.

(... it could not have been recorded in Cucamonga in 1966 - the studio had just been torn down based on paperwork I accessed through the Ontario Public Library in California.)

One more thing ... about the mysterious B-side "Lowdown Funky Blues". Most people who have this single (of which I'm not one) do not have it with a B-side. However, it was listed with this B-side when shown in the trade publication One-Spot Reporter (One-Spot Reporter was a weekly trade catalog that listed both the new releases for the week and records in print that were available for record stores to order. It was not perfect, as the mistaken Jameson B-side "Lowdown Funky Blues" (which Jameson never recorded) was listed in that publication.). "Girl From The East" would have been the B-side if stock copies of the record were pressed.

And again Greg Russo: I have the best documentation on this one - the session sheet!  Recorded on June 21, 1966 at H. & R. Studios in Hollywood with many of the same musicians that would play on the Animals and Burt Ward sessions the next month.  The One-Spot Reporter listing is wrong! Besides "Gotta Find My Roogalator," the other song recorded at this session [was] Jameson's "Girl From The East."  That song was recorded by The Leaves on their Mira LP "Hey Joe" and as the B-side of three different singles.  Jameson's single was released on August 8, 1966.

[EDITOR'S NOTE]:Is the proposed B-side of the stock copy "Girl From The East" by Jameson, or The Leaves?

From computeruser: Bobby Jameson also appeared in the movie "Mondo Hollywood" and on the subsequent soundtrack album. There is a web page on the Mondo Hollywood film with photo's from the film and these include shots of FZ and the Mothers, and Bobby Jameson. [EDITOR'S NOTE]: Click PHOTOS, Bobby Jameson is the first picture.

There was an english release of Bobby Jameson on Decca (F 12032), "All I Want Is My Baby" b/w "Each And Every Day", dated 1964. Produced by Keith Richards. He met The Rolling Stones on the West Coast when he was doing another US single and got the opportunity to record a single written by Jagger and Richards.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Boy Wonder, I Love You    (2:25)

Side B:

1. Orange Colored Sky    (1:46)    [misprinted Oranged Colored Sky]

Burt Ward was (honest) the actor who played Boy Wonder (Robin) in the old Batman TV series. He really sings on this single.

From Greg Russo: Burt Ward, the "Boy Wonder" Robin on the "Batman" TV series, was signed to MGM Records in June 1966 after an unproductive stint on the ABC-Paramount label. Tom Wilson produced with Zappa arranging and conducting, and the break in the master numbers indicates that other songs were recorded at these sessions: "Teenage Bill Of Rights", "I Love" ["Autumn Love"?] , "The Comedian" and "Tears Come From Loving You".  Of these, Ward only vocalized on "Teenage Bill Of Rights", the other ones were meant to have his vocals, but time ran out at the recording session. Those recordings are backing tracks arranged and conducted by FZ, who's heard on occasion on the session tape. The record was released on November 14, 1966.

From computeruser: Burt Ward wrote the details in his book. The words to "Boy Wonder I Love You" is a collage created by FZ from fan mail that had been sent to Burt Ward aka Robin The Boy Wonder.

"Orange Colored Sky" was written by DeLugg/Stein. From computeruser: "Orange Colored Sky" was originally done by Nat King Cole and has been covered by Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Natalie Cole covered her dads version or rather dubbed her voice on to his orginal song. I think the High Camp aspect of the line "Flash! Bam! Alakazam!" was why this song was picked. Burt Ward wrote a book a few years ago, he describes his working with Zappa and the Mothers on these tracks. Someone who has a web page should get it from the library and scan it and post it. Just a suggestion ...

These tracks were re-released on the EP Announcing to All Disc Jockeys the All New Dynamic Duo, together with the tracks from the Bob Guy single Donna 1380.

Pictures of the labels are here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. The Other Side Of This Life    (3:43)    [taken from Animalism]

Side B:

1. It's All Meat    (2:05)

From Greg Russo: This promo single was only available as part of a 5-record set for jukebox operators and was issued on August 21, 1967.  On the "Animalism" LP label, no writer credit appears for "All Night Long" and Zappa did not copyright the song with either ASCAP or BMI. [EDITOR'S NOTE]: This single must have been record five of the set. If you look closer to the label it says "CS-11-5 Rec. No. 5)". As for the credits on the album Animalism, the following can be seen on my copy of the album:

*1. ALL NIGHT LONG - 2:46
(Zappa) Frank Zappa Music - BMI

*3. THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS LIFE - 3:43
(Neil) Third Story Music - BMI

*Arr. By Frank Zappa

A picture of the DJ copy can be found here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. The Circle    (2:54)

Side B:

1. Merry Go Round    (1:47)    [both taken from An Evening With Wild Man Fischer]

The original titles on the album (Bizarre / Reprise 2RS6332) include an explaination in paranthesis: "Merry Go Round (This is Wild Man's theme song, sort of)", and simply "Circle (Larry's first psychedelic hit)". The single does not include the paranthesii (sp?), at least side one does not.

Also note: The album was released by Bizarre, a record company founded by Zappa and Herb Cohen, his manager at that time. But still his output with the Mothers were released on Verve Records. The original album is copyrighted 1968, and from the ordering number of this here single the year of release matches perfectly.

From Bossk(R): [email with free - empty - space] Subject: "Fw: Interesting item on eBay web site  item#1416356417: Wild Man Fischer-Rare Frank Zappa 45!" [EDITOR'S NOTE]: Ain't he economic?   8-)

And from mr45guy: "When I found it, it was in an orange Reprise company sleeve, just like the ones used for other Reprise label records."

Pictures of both labels, the regular release and the promo, can be found here.
 
 

Side A:

1. If I Could Be Your Love Again    (3:33)    [both taken from For Real]

Side B:

1. Wedding Bells    (2:56)

A picture of the promo single can be found here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. All Nite Long    (3:20)    [both taken from For Real]

Side B:

1. Spider Woman

There's also the mention of a tv appearance on the sleeve, from which maybe the cover art is made of ("Sigl??? della trasmissione televisiva <L'Altra Domenica>"). Does anybody know if the tv show L'Altra Domenica (The Other Sunday) included All Nite Long, maybe as intro music?

From Greg Russo: A US release was never considered.

There's also a promo copy with "All Nite Long" released in Italy, with the other side by a different artist, Bionic Boogie with "Dance Little Dreamer" (Polydor / Mercury AS 5000 438).

A picture of the sleeve can be found here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Charlena    [both taken from For Real]

Side B:

1. Mah Man Flash

Side A:

1. Pass It Around    [both taken from Good Singin' Good Playin']

Side B:

1. Don't Let 'Em Take Your Gun

The Italian copy has, like most of the singles from Italy, a date given between the run-out grooves. This is probably the date of production of the pressing matrix, and not a release date, which was maybe a few weeks later.

Pictures can be seen here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Can You Do It    [stereo version]

Side B:

1. Can You Do It    [mono version, taken from Good Singin' Good Playin']

A picture can be seen here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Can You Do It    (3:17)    [both taken from Good Singin' Good Playin']

Side B:

1. 1976    (4:16)
   

Side A:

1. Just Couldn't Wait    [both taken from Good Singin' Good Playin']

Side B:

1. Out To Get You

Side A:

1. Dead Girls Of London    (5:21)    [stereo version, taken from Touch Me There]

Side B:

1. Dead Girls Of London    (5:21)    [stereo version, same as side A]

Side A:

1. Memories Of El Monte

Side B:

1. Heavenly Angel

The date used to be listed as "1963", but as Greg Russo (author of Cosmik Debris) puts it: The Original Sound OBG 4504 pressing of "Memories of El Monte" is from 1984. I have a copy (and it's not difficult to get!), and the date is clearly stated on the label.

On the other hand, Michael Gray, in his book MOTHER! (page 41, I think), quotes Zappa as saying "you can order it direct from Original Sound Records in Hollywood: they still press it". We don't know when this was, but they may have been pressing the single in 1984 with the same record number as when they started in 1963, if they in fact did start using that number back then. But Greg Russo can answer to that:

Original Sound had a second pressing of "Memories of El Monte" with a light colored label and the same record number. However, the song was not continuously available on a single between 1963 and 1984. Record catalogs prove this. "El Monte" was available on at least one Original Sound various-artists album during that period. Zappa could have been exaggerating slightly about its availability! [EDITOR'S NOTE]: And here it's not clear to which release he's refering to. This here with "Heavenly Angel" as B-side, or the other one with "Be Mine".

[EDITOR'S NOTE]: Year of release also confirmed by the "Doo-Wop Society" pages. And here's another one 'bout The Penguins by Marv Goldberg's R&B Notebooks.

Hasi told me something about a reissue: The exact releasing date is not on the disc, but I bought it last year in 2000. The cover is more or less a "factory sleeve" from Collectables Records", Box 35. Narbeth, PA 19072. 1-800-618-9767. Info from Greg Russo: The release date was February 23, 1999.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Bob Guy: "Letter From Jeepers"    (2:20)

Side B:

1. John Trubee & The Ugly Janitors Of America: "The Rain Keeps Falling"    (2:27)

This is a re-issue of the A-side of Bob Guy's 1963 single ill-coupled with something else on the B-side. Zappa is credited on this re-issue with playing guitar and drums. Guy gets credit for his vocal performance and Paul Buff for "bass & grunts". The single is part of a series of saw-blade shaped singles always combining two artists of the record company's catalogue. They are all limited editions. The first run (500 copies) has blue vinyl, the second one (150 copies) red vinyl, and a different colouring of the front cover picture.

From Kristian Kier: This is a single, shaped like a saw-blade of a buzzsaw, blue vinyl. The cover art is a simple clear plastic cover with a folded insert in it. The front cover is taken from the Rare Meat sleeve, the one with the brickwall and the picture with Zappa's face taken from the Overnite Sensation cover, a black & white blow up of the tv-set (the crystal ball is not visible). Back side has a pencil drawing of a man, which can be found on the B-side label, too. (Label of side A has the front-cover picture in negative). On the left side a light-blue section with the artist's name and title written from bottom to top. As you fold out the sheet you have the negative of the Zappa picture with info on the left, and a photo of Trubee with info on the right.

          Musical Tragedies
          Jeepers, It's The One Hundred Sixty First Shaped Tragedy
          (MT-482)

          Spitzwiesenstr. 50, Fürth, Germany
          Made in Germany
          e-mail: musicaltragedies@empty.de
          www.empty.de
 
 
 

Side A:

1. The Swag

Side B:

1. Raw-Hide

From Greg Russo: The record comes with a picture sleeve that mentions Zappa's involvement.

Side A:

1. Burt Ward: "Boy Wonder, I Love You"
2. Burt Ward: "Orange-Coloured Sky"

Side B:

1. Bob Guy: "Dear Jeepers"
2. Bob Guy: "Letters From Jeepers"

Side A:

1. Tijuana
2. El Gruñon

Side B:

1. Ciudad Juarez
2. Persuasion

This EP-Single must be released later than the original single on Original Sound. Although I wasn't able to trace the right release date, I found out that Gamma Records seemed to have a series of recordings in license of some of the early to mid-sixties U.S. record labels reissued as EP's. Release date probably late sixties or early seventies? - If you know please mail me!

Pictures of this item can be seen here. See also "The Hollywood Persuaders" release.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Tijuana
2. El Surf Del Califa

Side B:

1. Ciudad Juarez
2. A Ritmo De Surf

A picture of the sleeve can be found here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Ned & Nelda: "Hey Nelda"    (2:05)
2. Ned & Nelda: "Surf Along"    (2:03)

Side B:

1. Baby Ray & The Ferns: "How's Your Bird?"    (2:10)
2. Baby Ray & The Ferns: "The World's Greatest Sinner"    (2:25)

A picture of the labels can be seen here.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Baby Ray & The Ferns: "How's Your Bird?"    (2:10)
2. Baby Ray & The Ferns: "The World's Greatest Sinner"    (2:25)
3. The Heartbreakers: "Everytime I See You"    (2:29)

Side B:

1. Bob Guy: "Dear Jeepers"    (2:26)
2. Bob Guy: "Letter From Jeepers"    (2:20)
3. The Heartbreakers: "Cradle Rock"    (2:52)

Although both versions were taken from exactly the same pressing matrices (both the same handwriting and style), the release dates may differ. Also note the labels are slightly different: The brickwall cover version has "Side One/Two" on the right side, whereas the Donna label version has it on the left. The brickwall one has a normal white insert, the Donna one a special Rhino Records plastic inner sleeve with their catalogue printed on it. Both versions were distributed by Rhino.

Both versions have an old newspaper clip on the back cover, an article by Ted Harp (from The Daily Report newspaper, published in Ontario, California), and both have the same liner notes.

Rainbo Records
1738 Berkeley Street
Santa Monica, California

For more informations and pictures switch over to Bossk's(R) "Zappa Patio", there's also a Rhino CD release mentioned. And for information about the Del-Fi and Donna label browse emediately to the Both Sides Now homepage.
 
 
 

Side A:

1. Blues Theme    (2:10)

Side B:

1. Loose Lip Sync Ship    (3:02)

From Computeruser: This single was re-released on the Chocolate Watchband CD One Step Beyond on Sundazed SC 6025. In the liner notes talking about the A side "Blues Theme" and then this statement from Ray Harris: The flip side was everyone just brain-storming on what was happening locally and that definately would have been the Mothers.

The notes continue: And so the group quickly came up with a hypnotic intrumental backing track, which soon broke down into a Mothers-like chaos, with Mark Loomis tinkling the ivories and Dave Aguilar impersonating Frank Zappa on a bizarre lampoon of the Trix Cereal Rabbit. The three minutes of inspried lunacy was duly titled "Loose Lip Sync Ship", and thus the Watchband's contribution to the Freak Out! lexicon was carved on the holy tablets - with (contary to legend) nary a trace of Frank Zappa involvement.

"Blues Theme" was a Davie Allen And The Arrows song from the movie THE WILD ANGELS, but Allen's record company didn't want to put out a single, so the Hogs did.

(One or both tracks was/were also released on the garage-rock compilation LP Pebbles Volume 3.)

Pictures of the record can be seen here.
 
 
 

Those who contributed:

• Hugues-Robert Gros
• Greg Russo
• Timothy Neely
• Quinn C. Hale Martin
• computeruser