A lighthearted and loving look back at the glory days of the Shady Dell, the historic haven for teenagers in York, PA, and the magnanimous couple that created it, John & Helen Ettline.
CLOSE YOUR EYES. TAKE A DEEP BREATH. OPEN YOUR HEART.
SHADY DEL KNIGHT, ADMINISTRATOR
High School Yearbook Photo
"More than a place, the Shady Dell was and will forever remain a state of mind." - Shady Del Knight
HELLO STRANGER ... IT SEEMS LIKE A MIGHTY LONG TIME!
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Today's Lesson: Cher and Cher Alike! (Echoes of the Spectorian Era, Vol. 9)
Welcome to volume 9 of Echoes,
my 17-part salute to Phil Spector
and the producers, arrangers
and recording artists
influenced by him.
The stars of this episode include Sonny and Cher
and I'll bring them out shortly. But first, as my
warm-up act, a young lady who sounds a lot
like Cher. Maybe that's because it is Cher,
recording early in her career as Cherilyn!
CHERILYN
Early on, Cher found work as a backing singer for
Phil Spector's Crystals, Ronettes and Darlene Love.
Sonny and Cher released singles as Caesar and Cleo
but those platters came and went almost unnoticed.
In 1964, using the stage name Bonnie Jo Mason,
Cher waxed "Ringo I Love You." The 45 fizzled.
Later that year, using her birth name, Cherilyn,
Sonny's singing sweetheart released one of the
greatest examples of a Spector sound-alike
recording. Penned and and produced by
Bono and performed by his teenage
girlfriend and future wife, here is
the scintillating "Dream Baby."
"Dream Baby" - Cherilyn
(December 1964, uncharted)
SONNY AND CHER
Sonny Bono landed a recording contract with Atco
for himself and Cher and the duo cut the Spector
soundalike single "Just You." The record failed to
attract much attention until the Sonny and Cher
release "I Got You Babe" rocketed to the top of
the chart. It was a game changer. Suddenly,
Sonny and Cher were hot and fans couldn't
get enough. "Just You" was given new life
and rode the chart to the top 20.
"Just You" - Sonny and Cher
(Sept. 1965, highest chart pos. #20)
P.J. PROBY
Plain and simple, this next recording is a
masterpiece, one of the finest and most
dramatic examples of Spectorian production.
"I Can't Make It Alone," a Goffin-King song,
is performed by underrated singer/songwriter
P.J. Proby along with the Blossoms, backed
by the group of veteran West Coast studio
musicians known as The Wrecking Crew.
The elements were spun into golden wax
by crack producer/arranger Jack Nitzsche.
The resulting single runs more than four
minutes. That TRT didn't fly very well in
the "time is money" universe of top 40
radio. DJs who skipped over this gem
didn't know what they were missing
and neither did their listeners!
"I Can't Make It Alone" - P.J. Proby
(Nov. 1966, highest chart pos. #131)
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
Up next, in all its Spectorian splendor,
an exciting release by the blue-eyed
soul duo The Righteous Brothers.
This Philles single was a doublesider.
"Hung On You," the killer bee side of
"Unchained Melody," spent 7 weeks on the
chart and cracked the top 50. Over the years
"Hung On You" grew on me until I found myself
playing it more often than “Unchained Melody.”
"Hung On You" - The Righteous Brothers
(August 1965, highest chart position #47,
B side of "Unchained Melody")
SEND IN THE CLONES!
DON AND JUAN
In April 1962, Don and Juan (Roland "Don" Trone
and Claude "Juan" Johnson) achieved a top 10 hit
with "What's Your Name." Subsequent releases by
the Brooklyn R&B duo fell far short of that mark.
The last record Don and Juan made before splitting up
features soaring Righteous Brothers style vocals and
top notch sound by EmBee, the production company
named after Detroit record moguls Irving Micahnik
and Harry Balk, the co-founders of Twirl Records.
Released in 1965, this one should have been a hit.
These Spector style songs are all great, Shady. I enjoyed watching the Sonny and Cher show years ago and loved their music and comedy. I never heard Dream Baby by Cher and I don't remember the Sonny and Cher song Just You, but I liked them both. I was not familiar with P.J. Proby and agree that I Can't Make It Alone is magnificent. I listened the whole way through-- the power builds to a crescendo. I always loved the Righteous Bros. and agree that Don and Juan sound a lot like them. Thanks for a terrific set of tunes, Shady!
Yessum, I also watched The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, later renamed The Sonny & Cher Show. I was thrilled to discover this early recording by Cher credited as Cherilyn, a great example of Spectorian splendor. I can't say enough about the P.J. Proby platter. Simply put, it's a superb wall-of-sound recording, a towering inferno of blue-eyed soul. Another great find as I did my research for this Echoes series was the duo of Don and Juan, who sound like clones of Bill and Bobby, the Righteous Brothers.
I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this batch of tunes, dear Kathryn. Thanks for coming and I hope to see you back here six days from now for part 1 of my Christmas celebration.
Great post, Shady! Sonny and Cher...I have always loved their singing and their TV shows as well! It is sad how Sonny died and Cher was devastated. Cher was shy and Sonny used to help her by pushing her onto the stage, so I heard, but Cher has a great talent and Sonny knew this! :)
Thank you for coming today and especially for contributing new information to the discussion. Sonny Bono was an underrated talent. As a songwriter and record producer, Sonny made significant contributions to the Phil Spector sound. As you noted, he recognized the star potential in his girlfriend, Cherilyn, and the rest is history. I was shocked and saddened when Sonny lost his life in that skiing mishap.
Thank you very much for your visit and fine comment, dear friend Linda!
I used to love watching the Sonny and cher show when I was a kid. I'm a fan of cher and always loved she had her own flair and style. The guy PJ had a righteous brother sound as well. Great music today Shadester!
It's wonderful to see you, dear friend! Thank you for coming.
I'm happy to know that you remember the Sonny & Cher phenomenon manifested in their recordings and in their partnership as co-hosts of a wildly popular music/comedy/variety television series. Yessum, singer/songwriter P.J. Proby's recording of the Goffin and King song "I Can't Make It Alone" is similar in style to the blue-eyed soul recordings of The Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley released his own version of the song as a solo artist after The Righteous Brothers broke up in 1968.
I'm so glad you came over and sampled these songs, dear friend Holli. Enjoy the rest of your day!
I had no idea that Cher started out as Cherilyn. I always learn such fascinating tidbits when I visit your blog! Thanks for sharing all of your musical knowledge with us.
Thank you very much for dropping by, dear friend! Keep in mind that 90% of the material I present here is new to me as well. All these years I was unaware of the other names used by Cher early in her career and I never heard her Spectorian gem "Dream Baby" until a couple of years ago when it showed up on a various artists compilation that I purchased.
I'm so glad you had fun listening and learning today, dear friend Sherry. See you soon!
They were quite a talented pair , that Sonny and Cher. Great singers (and comedians)!Thanks for tuning me into, "just you"! My parents were lucky enough to see them at the great York Fair in the 70's! I was lucky enough to see Cher in concert in Vegas a couple yrs. ago--and YES! she still has "it"! P.J. Proby and Don & Juan (great names btw) had wonderful voices. I haven't heard of them but, enjoyed them just the same. LOVE, Love , love the Righteous Brothers, unchained melody! That tune is still #1 in my book. Loved hearing "hung on you", too for the first time! Thank you Shady for some new tunes and new artist. You are broadening my musical play list! Toni Deroche
How are you today, dear friend? Thank you for swinging over for a visit.
I didn't know that Sonny and Cher appeared on the grandstand at the York Fair in the 70s. Where was I? You were lucky to have a chance to see Cher live in Vegas.
I'm happy to know you appreciate the powerful yet refined voices of P.J. Proby and Don and Juan. The Righteous Brothers' killer bee "Hung On You" was good enough to be a hit A side, so says Shady. I played that fab flip more often than "Unchained Melody," especially in the years after "U.M." was used in the movie Ghost and I got tired of hearing it.
I am very happy to broaden your musical horizon, dear friend Toni. Thank you again for coming and have a great weekend!
Well Shady, this volume nine did have me feeling fine and i can't wait to do it again in volume ten! I still can't get over how cute Sonny and Cher are. I really do think that their 'Just You' is my top choice in this wonderful lineup. What i wouldn't do to see them live in their heyday! All i can say is praise the Lord for Youtube and all the wonderful people that dedicate their time to upload priceless music and television show clips from years ago that help us travel back in time and keep all lots of wonderful things alive today! -A&D
Thank you for coming by, dear friend. (I see that you've got dear little Daisy under your arm, too. :)
What a great comment! I wish you had been around in the 70s when millions of Americans looked forward to tuning in every week, grooving to the sounds and laughing at the comedy skits on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. It was truly a special event. Sonny and Cher defined cool and hip and dressed the part. They were poised, talented show persons and also had excellent comic timing. Cher's put-downs of Sonny during their stand-up routine at the beginning of every show were classic zingers. You are right. People your age are very lucky to have some of this priceless content available for viewing on YouTube and other sources. I am very grateful that you take an interest in experiencing pop culture as I knew it during my teens and twenties.
Thank you again for your visit and sweet comment, dear friend Abigail. Take care of yourself and Daisy and have a wonderful weekend!
Fabulous ! This is my kind of music. Love Spector's "Wall Of Sound" ! What he did with music was so different at the time. The Righteous Brothers, outstanding sound. Tina Turner, Phil Spector's, River Deep Mountain High. Best ever music. I have hear P.J. Proby also. Sonny and Cher just the best. What a fabulous post today. Thanks so much.
Well hi, dear Gayle! I am very excited to see you again, dear friend. Thank you very much for coming over!
I'm very pleased to know that this music resonated with you. Strangely, not very many of my followers have expressed a fondness for the Spectorian wall-of-sound production style. I'm guilty, too. For decades I convinced myself that I only liked the bright, clean, crisp, clear sound of East Coast Brill Building records and stereo album tracks. To my ears, Spector's dense mono mixes sounded muddy. As my blog research continued my tastes changed and I embraced Spector originals and sound-alikes, so much so that I was inspired to create this special 17-part Echoes series.
I am delighted that you mentioned "River Deep, Mountain High," a magnificent recording that wound up being one of Spector's few unexplained failures. Ever hear Eric Burdon's version?
I am very grateful for your visit and comments, dear Gayle. Thank you very much for sticking with me as we move forward into a new year. Please smooch square dog thehamish for me and enjoy your weekend! God bless!
I have the Burdon & the Animals version on CD. He does a decent job with the song but, of course, most people agree that Ike & Tina recorded the definitive.
Thanks again for your visit and kind comments, dear friend Gayle!
Ah, I remember listening to the Righteous Brothers a lot when I was a small child - always good times. I also remember listening to Sonny and Cher a lot in elementary school as well. Gym class memories - we'd exercise to Sonny and Cher.
I really liked Cherilyn and her voice. I have never heard of her before. I will have to check out more of her. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for coming by, dear friend! imagine this. I went to see the Righteous Brothers in a live show at a theater in Valley Forge, PA! They were great and received several standing ovations. Sonny and Cher doesn't seem like exercise music to me but if it worked for your gym class, then I believe you. Cherilyn Sarkisian is Cher's real name! She used the name Cherilyn on this her second single. On the first, "I Love You Ringo," she went by the stage name Bonnie Jo Mason.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend JM!
I very much enjoyed this, my friend. I guess for me the best was Don and Juan. I loved What's Your Name, and this was just as good in a different, more powerful way. I will check for this on Spotify, the Broccoli god in charge of sounds and noises.
The Cherilyn song was great as well. The best thing I can say about Cher is the worst thing I can say about Sonny and Cher- She is great, and if only one could erase Sonny's clown like vocals. Nails, chalkboard for me.
I'm replaying Proby as I type. I think this one will have to grow on me, but it is really good.
I think we all have b-sides we fell in love with more than the "big" hit. Pretty Maids all in a Row by the Eagles was mine. Hung on You was definitely powerful enough to be a single on its own. A&R men, whaddaya gonna do? Thanks for a fun post!
Thanks for coming, good buddy, and for adding a great deal to the discussion. I really appreciate that!
I can't lie. It's exciting when our ears are in tune. I have all of these Spectoresque nuggets in my personal collection and swoon whenever my changer selects them at random for playback. I'm thrilled that you singled out Don and Juan. Their smooth, soulful sound is right in the pocket like a plug in a socket. The Cherilyn record kills and I promise that the P.J. Proby platter will also grow on you. In fact you might have found 5 of your next Martin Ten right here on SDMM! :)
Thanks again for hopping over and sampling these great Spector and Spector sound-alike recordings, good buddy Chris. I'll see you sometime tomorrow or tomorrow evening in the cheap seats of your Time Machine!
Wow, Shady. This may be your best post ever. I did not know Cher ever sang without Sony at the beginning of her career. I've heard she gives wonderful concerts. And I love The Righteous Brothers. Feel free to do an indepth post on them. heh heh
Thank you very much for popping over, dear friend! This is a dandy comment from you, Sandra, and greatly appreciated. Blogging is at its best when we are learning as well as teaching. I didn't know anything about Cher's early solo career either, not until I did my research. I learned that Sonny and Cher served as back-up vocalists for name Phil Spector acts before they hit the big time. I have also heard that Cher gives audiences their money's worth and then some in her live shows. Don't worry, I have much more music by the Righteous Bros. coming up in future posts.
Thank you again for making time for me this evening, dear friend Sandra. Have a wonderful weekend!
That was some education. A lot of stuff I never knew. I recall a hit that PJ Proby had in the summer of 1966 that used to get a lot of airplay on the Knoxville, TN top forty station, but I don't remember him sounding like he did in the recording above. For that matter I don't even recall what he sounded like or what the song I'm thinking of is.
Thank you for dropping in, good buddy! I'm happy to know you learned a thing or two from this post. P.J. Proby was a singer, a songwriter and an actor. He played Elvis and Roy Orbison in theater. Proby recorded in various styles including pop, easy listening, R&B, soul and rock. His biggest hit was "Niki Hoeky" which cracked the top 30 in the early months of 1967. In the summer of 1966 Proby released "My Prayer" (covering the Platters' hit) b/w the self penned "Wicked Woman." If those don't ring a bell maybe it was the summer of 1965 you are remembering. Proby's singles around that time included "Mission Bell"/"Stagger Lee," "I Apologize"/" Rocking Pneumonia" and "That Means a Lot"/"Let the Water Run Down." Are any of those familiar?
Thanks again for coming, good buddy Lee, and have a great weekend!
Fabulous vocal stylings from top to bottom here, Shady! ☺ Cher has long been a favourite and I had the pleasure of seeing her live a few times; twice with Sonny and twice without. Her shows are always memorable! "Dream Baby" was unknown to me and you're right; it has that unmistakable Spector sound. I read her biography years ago and in it Sonny is quoted as saying the only reason he got on stage and sang with her was because she had horrible stage fright. His original intention was for her to be a solo act.
P.J. Proby was popular in Europe too, but I don't remember that song specifically. Good stuff!
Bill Medley has a magnificent baritone! I love "Unchained Melody" but wasn't familiar with "Hung On You". It's good, but doesn't replace the former in my mind.
Never heard of Don & Juan, but the vocals are great and they do sound a lot like the Righteous Brothers. Too bad their career didn't take off.
Jack Nitzsche was also a close collaborator with Neil Young in the late 60s - early 70s, until they had a falling out.
Thanks for another entertaining and educational post. You've outdone yourself with this one, Shady!
Welcome welcome welcome, my great friend, and thank you for staying up late to listen to my tunes.
I'm thrilled to know you found a lot to like in this post. Nobody can call Cher's husky voice "girly," can they? :) You'd never know she suffered from stage fright because she always came across as calm and composed. I loved the combination of Sonny and Cher because they played off of each other so well. Marvelous chemistry! You were very fortunate to have seen four of Cher's live appearances.
P.J. Proby had greater success in the UK than he did here at home. His 1964 single "Hold Me" landed in the top 5 on the UK chart while halting at #70 stateside. His single "Together" (a #6 hit for Connie Francis) went to #8 in the UK but only Bubbled Under in the U.S. at #117. Proby fell from grace in the UK following scandalous concert appearances involving wardrobe malfunctions (trouser splitting) that got him banned from theaters.
Thank you very much for taking time to write this superb comment, dear friend Debbie. Have a wonderful Friday and a safe and happy weekend!
Haha! Definitely NO girly voices in this post! ☺ Thanks for refreshing my memory about Proby's little problem. LOL He always did wear incredibly tight pants! The Brits were a lot more uptight in those days than they are now. Pirate Radio was born because the BBC refused to air rock and roll music. Always a pleasure, Shady. You have a good weekend as well.
I love Cher, especially the early years. I wasn't aware of her work as Cherilyn. That's great new information for me. I loved her when she was with Sonny: they made such a great duo. And they stayed great friends after their divorce, which was heartwarming to see. Loved the Sonny & Cher Show! They were magic together: such chemistry. Thanks for the Cher info! Hung On You by the Righteous Brothers: good song.
Hope you're having a good Friday Shady. Have a spectacular weekend!
It's great to see you, my special friend! Seems like all the SDMM readers love Sonny and Cher and the Righteous Brothers. I'm tickled to know that you enjoyed Cher's Spectorian gem released under the name Cherilyn. It remains a mystery to me why "Dream Baby" never became a hit. It was released on Imperial Records late in 1964. At the time the label was red hot thanks to singer/guitarist Johnny Rivers' hit singles "Memphis," "Maybelline," "Mountain of Love" and Johnny's album Here We A-Go-Go Again recorded live at the Whisky A Go Go nightclub.
You made a good point. Sonny and Cher stayed friends and kept respect for each other after they split up, which is admirable.
I'm delighted to know that you had fun listening and learning today, dear friend Michele. Thanks again for coming over and have a safe and happy weekend with your folks and doggies!
I'm back from a long break and happy to learn more from the blogs you posts. Cher's name is a surprise. I never questioned whether it was real or not. It seemed fitting for her, and who can resist "I Got You Babe."
Sad "The Heartbreaking Truth" did not do as well as it should have.
Welcome back from your blog break, dear friend. I am very happy to see you!
Yessum, Cher is short for Cherilyn, a pretty name, but not as easy to remember as Cher, the stage name that served her well in her recording and acting careers.
I am pleased that you singled out the Don & Juan record because it's a nicely crafted wall-of-soundalike that is as powerful and listenable as the stuff the Righteous Brothers released.
Thank you again for thinking about me and joining the fun here at SDMM, dear friend Peaches. I hope you will visit again soon. Have a great weekend!
The first song from Cher doesn't even sound like her but the 2nd with Sonny has more the style I know more. I agree with you about the 2nd song-It is excellent! It seems ahead of its time if I can say that since i am no music expert. I always like the Righteous Brothers. I keep learning every day!:)
How are you this morning, my dear friend? (After midnight qualifies as morning :) Thank you very much for sampling some Spectorian sounds with me.
You wrote:
<< I agree with you about the 2nd song-It is excellent! It seems ahead of its time if I can say that since i am no music expert. >>
Do you mean the third song, the one by P.J. Proby? I couldn't agree more, BB. It's a Spectoresque, blue-eyed soul masterpiece, 4 minutes in heaven. Like many of the Righteous Brothers' recordings, "I Can't Make It Alone" starts off slowly and quietly, gains strength and eventually takes off and soars high above the clouds, fueled by Proby's earnest vocals backed by the The Wrecking Crew. I get goose bumps listening to it all the way through. It's such a shame the single never climbed out of the Bubbling Under basement, possibly because of its long running time.
Thank you very much for making time for me tonight, dear friend BB, and thank you for having a willingness and an eagerness to learn. You are a great friend. Have a fine weekend!
Hi Shady, I remember Dream Baby and love it, but I never knew Cher was singing it! Just You is good, but I've always preferred Cher singing alone. I loved Sonny though, he was so funny on the TV show.
P.J. has a great voice. Yes, I can imagine DJs didn't like long recordings. I remember Bob Dylan song, Like a Rolling Stone was really long but I guess he got away with it since he was already famous.
I always enjoy the Righteous Brothers. Hung on you is terrific. I like Don and Juan. They sound good together.
Sorry to be late, I'm staying at my mom's place helping her pack. She is moving in with my husband and me.
Thank you very much for staying up late and coming down for a visit. I'm glad to see you!
That's exciting news about your mother moving in. I know you love to spend time with her and it will be nice to have her close. The holidays are all about family and you can be thankful that you still have your mother. I miss mine. As you recall, my dad died on Christmas day, making the holidays a bittersweet time for me in the years since.
I'm happy to know you love Cher's early recording as Cherilyn. Top 40 radio station in the Inland Empire where you lived at the time must have picked up on the record and added it to their play lists. I don't remember "Dream Baby" from my youth back east in Pennsylvania, only "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" by Roy Orbison, which is a different song. I discovered Cher's "Dream Baby" a couple of years ago on one of my rare girl group compilations.
Yessum, in the early and mid 60s, the standard running time for a single was in the neighborhood of 2:15-2:30. Some hit records were shorter than 2:00. Maurice Wms. & the Zodiacs' hit "Stay" only runs 1:50 and Lesley Gore's "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" clocks in at an incredibly short 1:37. By late 1966 when that P.J. Proby record stayed trapped on the Bubbling Under chart, many artists were releasing singles that exceeded 2:30 but only a few major acts like Dylan, the Beatles and the Stones, were able to get away with recordings that ran longer than 4 minutes. ("Hey Jude" runs 7:11.)
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed this set of sounds, dear friend Belle. Thank you again for making time for me and have a safe and happy weekend. God bless!
As always I learned some new things today although I'm a bit late to the party! I enjoyed all the sounds but I must comment on Sonny and Cher. Cher by any other name is still Cher and sounds great. I've always loved them, probably because my oldest brother did! I remember at the very beginning of their popularity they appeared at the new shopping mall across the highway from my neighborhood. I hadn't really gotten into their music yet, but I know my brother was thrilled to have met them. As time went on I really wished my long, wavy black hair would be as straight as Cher's and I just had to have the large bellbottom pants and I even had a crazy vest that was so popular in the 60's. I enjoyed their TV show until it was really evident that their marriage was falling apart and watching the exchanges between them became painful. I'm glad I was there in the beginning as I'm sure you're glad you have witnessed so many wonderful artists over the last few decades. You've shared many sounds here and I've come to appreciate ones I never heard before...but my heart and memories always take me to the favorites and Sonny and Cher as well as the Righteous Brothers are big favs. Time certainly has flown and I marvel at the thought that John Denver would be 70 and Lennon, 75. They will always be young to me! Cher too, although I don't think it's all do to good genes! Have a good weekend Shady!
Thank you very much for coming over to bask in Spectorian splendor for the 9th time. (8 more posts left in the series.) You are right on time, dear friend, not late at all, because this post runs until next Wednesday morning.
Comments like this one of yours please me the most because you take time to share your memories with me. I can imagine how exciting it was to see Sonny and Cher at a local mall at the beginning of their meteoric rise to fame. Cher became a trend setting fashion icon and you and millions of other girls were inspired to dress like her. I rarely missed an episode of Sonny & Cher's TV series of the 70s. Remember them bringing little baby Chastity out on stage to wave at the audience? Remember the Vamp Sketch and Sonny's Pizza? Remember Teri Garr ad Steve Martin as regular members of the cast?
Forever young, dear friend. John Denver, John Lennon, Bobby Darin and so many other greats who died too soon. You and I can remain forever young, too, and that's the whole idea behind SDMM. Thank you for realizing that and for joining me here week by week. I deeply appreciate your friendship, dear YaYa. Please smooch Chubbs for me and have a wonderful weekend!
I had no idea of Cher's birth name but "a rose by any other name is still a rose" right? Always thought she was fabulous. Sonny, not so much but they harmonized well together. Her costume changes during their shows was always amazing :-) Not familiar with PJ but the song you shared was really a treat!
Thank you for joining the fun as I salute Spector and his imitators for the ninth time. I'm excited to learn that you enjoy Cher in all her incarnations. She certainly was a clothes horse, imitated by many a young woman over the years. Remember her half-breed costume?
I am also delighted to know that you appreciated the Spectorian blue-eyed soul of P.J. Proby. With repeat listens, "I Cant Make It Alone" will continue to grow on you, I promise.
Thank you again for making time for a visit today, dear friend Diedre. I hope you can visit during the next three weeks but, if not, I will see you in 2016 and we will pick up where we left off, growing this wonderful friendship of ours. Thank you again and happy holidays to you!
Tom, Although I enjoyed watching the Sonny & Cher TV show in the mid to late 70s and they have a few songs I like I wasn't a true fan. I could take 'em or leave 'em, love 'em or hate 'em. Ok, hate is a strong word and they weren't bad enough to hate. I think I prefer Cher's style when she was known as Cherilyn, if this is an indicator of how she sang before days of fame. P.J. is a new-to-me artist and boy does he remind me of the The Righteous Brothers and I really loved TRBs a lot! Did you know that The Righteous Brothers lived in Knoxville for a short while, too. Did you know that? Don and Juan is another new-to-me group and I like their sound-alike harmonies which is so much like TRB. I'm going to see what I can find available on iTunes by both these new-to-me artists. Thanks for the education and intro, my friend! Have a tunetastic week!!
Thank you very much for making time for a cheery visit today. I am delighted to see you, my dear friend!
You and I think alike when it comes to Sonny and Cher. In all honesty I am more enamored of the Sonny and Cher phenomenon and all it encompassed, including their TV series, their comedic skills, their style and their attitude, than I am of their music. For example, "The Beat Goes On" is not one of my favorites. However, I agree with you about Cher's early recording "Dream Baby." It is a Spectoresque classic, a hit waiting to happen, and I can't figure out why it didn't take off and land in the top 20 or 30 on the Billboard chart.
I'm thrilled to know that you enjoyed the Righteous Brothers and the two sound-alike artists, blue-eyed soulmeister P.J. Proby and brown-eyed handsome men Don & Juan. No, dear friend, I was not aware that Bill and Bobby lived in Knoxville for a time. Did you ever run into them anywhere or see their shows?
I'm glad you enjoyed listening and learning today, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy the rest of your week and keep on rockin' around that Christmas tree! :) Bless you!
I often wonder how many of your choice hits would have been my choice hits had I been born in another era. Where there was more time to appreciate music. I do love so many classic songs, even if they came out long before me, but trying to find the same charm in the forgotten B sides is allusive to me for some reason. But, as I say, had I been more earlier, I'm sure I would remember them as fondly as you. Music is great and I find myself enjoying music from any time period. Thanks for sharing these treasures of yours. I appreciate the step back in time. It's always appreciated. PS I had no Jack Nitzsche was a crack producer. Did the law ever catch up with him?
Welcome back to SDMM, good buddy. I'm happy to see you! I notice you left a comment on my previous post, too, and I will reply to that one in a minute.
You wrote:
<< I had no Jack Nitzsche was a crack producer. Did the law ever catch up with him? >>
Good one! Watching those giant neon colored teenagers dancing in slow motion is like being high on crack, isn't it good buddy? (I'm assuming you know for sure. :)
Here's an important factoid that I have been reminding new friends for years. Most of the recordings that I present on SDMM are actually not ones that I remember from my youth. They are gems that I uncovered while doing research for this blog which was founded in 2008. I am essentially saying to you, "Look what I found!" and hoping that you will enjoy the nuggets I dug up as much as I do. For example, in this set of 5 recordings, the only one I remember from my teenage years is "Hung On You" by the Righteous Bros. All the rest are newly discovered. I am learning right along with you.
Thanks again for reporting in, good buddy Jeffrey. Just like the original hangout, my online version of the Shady Dell will remain open through the holidays. Best of all there is no cover charge. I have three more posts this year beginning with a new one tomorrow and I invite you to drop by. If you can't make it then I will take this opportunity to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays!
Well then, it's certainly awesome you are sharing your musical adventure with us. I shall endeavour to be here tomorrow with all sincerity. Looking forward to it.
Thank you for hopping across the pond. It took 50 or more years for the Spector sound to grow on me and today it's music to my ears. I'm glad you like it, too!
Thank you again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend Sarah!
Cher trying to sound like Ronn1e Spector--as Spock said, fascinating! I can detect the later Cher there, but that's only because I KNOW it's Cher. Otherwise, I'm no sure I could have guessed. It shows that her distinctive singing style was in some ways a work in progress.
As for that second song--I'm not usually one to knock Sonny's singing. I liked the contrast in their voices, but that song seems a little beyond him.
I'm glad you made time to take a look and a listen to this volume of Echoes. That Sonny & Cher single "Just You" reached the top 20, but I swear my local radio station in York didn't play it. I paid close attention to music at the time and simply don't remember it. Clearly, the song is derived from the Ronettes hit "Baby, I Love You."
“Words and photographs could never do those dancers justice because you had to be there - in a club with great music, like minded people and loads of atmosphere.” David Meikle of Glasgow, Scotland wrote those words in an article remembering the Twisted Wheel, the legendary northern soul club in Manchester, England. Yet, Mr. Meikle could just as easily have been describing the scene at my favorite "in" spot of the 1960s, the Shady Dell in York (Pennsylvania, not England).
THE SHADY DELL
YORK, PENNSYLVANIA
The Shady Dell: Part of York County's Colorful History
What began as a home based restaurant and bakery in 1945 evolved over the next two decades into the hottest teen nightspot in York county complete with indoor and outdoor dance floors. It went beyond that. Shady Dell owner John Ettline and his wife Helen put out the welcome mat offering hospitality, comfort, support, and encouragement to generations of young people. During its impressive 45-year life span the Dell became a home away from home for countless area youth from a variety of backgrounds.
At the height of its popularity in the early and mid 60s the Dell, located on the southern outskirts of the White Rose city, was as widely known as North York’s White Oak Park ("the Oaks"), Harrisburg's Raven club or any other youth-oriented venue in central Pennsylvania. The Dell attracted crowds from all over the region. It brought together under one roof kids from middle class families and kids from working class families - city kids, suburban kids, small town kids and farm kids.
The diverse cast of characters that constituted the Shady Dell family was a potentially volatile mix. Each of us had to find a way to fit in and get along (or risk being voted off the island). In the end, in spite of our differences, most of us learned to dance together without stepping on each other’s toes.
Shady Dell regulars were nicknamed Dell rats and we had at least two things in common: a love of the music that played on the Dell’s jukebox and a genuine respect for John and Helen Ettline who graciously made their home our home.
GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
The Dell was a unique, magical coming of age experience - a proving ground - a secluded hideaway where adolescents could develop social skills, learn to handle responsibility and test the waters of adulthood free from the hassles of ubiquitous adult micromanagement.
SHOCKING TRUE CONFESSION: I WAS A TEENAGE DELL RAT! by Shady Del Knight
I became a Dell rat in 1965 at the age of fifteen. Disparaging rumors about the place had been circulating for years. If you were to believe the gossip the Dell was a snake pit where bad boys and bad girls went to do bad things. Some people, including my mother, referred to the Dell as a “den of iniquity.” Intrigued by the horror stories, I was determined to get there and see for myself what all the fuss was about.
In preparation for my grand entrance, I subjected myself to weeks of rigorous training at a Shady Dell boot camp of my own devise. I grew my hair longer and took up the smoking habit. I practiced in front of a mirror until I was convinced that my stance, walk, and dancing style were all cool.
To complete my extreme makeover, I went shopping for my 'uniform' which consisted of a tapered shirt from the Hub, slacks by H.I.S. and two wardrobe essentials: a pair of blue Jack Purcell sneakers and the all-important Baracuta jacket "Made in England." Wearing my 'Cuta' made me feel so terribly, terribly British, you know. Spot on for us bird watchin' blokes, right gov'na?
'JACKS'
AN ABSOLUTE MUST...FOR DANCIN' ON DELL DUST!
THE CLASSIC NATURAL COLOUR BARACUTA
STRICTLY CONTINENTAL, MATE!
Moment of Truth: Boy Meets Dell
Too young to drive, I made my first Dell visit happen by bumming a ride one night with my college-age cousin and two of his buddies. Clearly, none of the above was thrilled to be babysitting.
As we drove past York Hospital on South George and headed toward Violet Hill, what began as giddy anticipation was turning to apprehension. Fear of the unknown started creeping into my brain. What if the rumors turned out to be true? Would I soon be sharing a needle with a gang of rowdy bikers?
At Violet Hill, we made a dogleg turn to the right and began to climb the narrow, winding, bumpy Starcross Road. By this time my breathing had become labored and I felt queasy. It was as if, on a foolish dare, I had agreed to spend the night with Vincent Price in his House on Haunted Hill. Was it too late to leap from the car and bolt?
"I See the Lights... I See the Party Lights..."
We rounded a bend and I caught my first glimpse of her a short distance up the road. Perched on the hillside was a three-story brick house. Down to the left stood a barn. The festive glow of colored lights rose skyward from an area behind the house. As I would soon learn, the atmospheric illumination originated from strings of lanterns hanging above a patio rigged with remote speakers for outdoor dancing.
As we banked to make our final approach I detected the percussive beat of uptempo music emanating from the barn. We turned left into a gravel parking lot overflowing with vehicles. Here, in all of her rustic splendor, stood the infamous Shady Dell, my destination for the evening and my obsession for years to come!
I Found My Thrill on Violet Hill
My heart was thumping as we climbed the steps that led to the entrance and approached the admission booth. Following my cousin’s lead, I slid a quarter through the window and looked up to see a balding, bespectacled old man grinning back at me. Old? John Ettline would have been 59 at the time. I'm older than that now. Yikes!
“Good evening, gentlemen!” John delivered his cheerful salutation in a booming baritone. Immediately, my anxiety vanished. John’s warm welcome made me feel right at home. It made me feel like I belonged. I didn’t get it at the time but later came to realize that John’s presupposition that we were "gentlemen" was a clever and tactful way of admonishing us to behave accordingly.
Toto, I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore!
From the moment I entered the compound I was hooked. The Shady Dell was a private playground for teenagers - a candy land - a fun factory - a safe haven where kids could congregate and blow off steam without having to worry about parents and teachers giving them the evil eye. Instantly I became intoxicated - not by alcohol - but by a sense of total freedom. The place gave off a vibe that was completely new to me – an exhilarating blend of romance, adventure and danger!
Instead of placing a ton of restrictions on their young patrons, John and Helen granted them the independence they craved. The Ettlines were willing to take a step back and trust our judgment. It was okay for us to party as long as things didn’t get out of hand. Most of us eagerly embraced that arrangement. If and when we screwed up, the Ettlines gave us another chance. John and Helen cut you plenty of slack, but if you disrespected them or trashed their establishment both were capable of unleashing a fiery temper.
Of Rats and Men
Contrary to popular belief, the Dell did not harbor gangs of juvenile delinquents eager to conceal their wicked deeds from law enforcement. Sorry, Mom - there weren’t any guns, switchblades or brass knuckles - no gangs, career criminals or prostitutes - just a bunch of ordinary teenagers who loved to meet, mix and mingle, dance and have fun.
Fights were few and far between. There was tacit agreement that it was our duty to preserve and protect the unique setting that the Ettlines had created for us. It required us to police ourselves to prevent incidents that would generate negative publicity or hassles with the law. Scuffles were settled quickly, often through John’s bold intervention. The first lesson a guy learned at the Dell was as follows. Don’t let the gray hair fool you. Nobody messes with John. He’s the boss!
A Special Welcome to All Incoming Freshmen!
I was punched in the face three times during my first year of matriculation on the campus of the Shady Dell School of Hard Knocks. Apparently a few of the guys were determined to teach me a lesson. Yet, getting socked in the kisser did not dampen my enthusiasm or scare me away from the place. In fact they had the opposite effect. They whet my appetite for more! As a Dell newbie desperate to break free of mom’s apron strings and earn respect and acceptance, I wasn’t about to let a bloody nose deter me. For the first time in my life I felt like a man instead of a boy and I loved it. Like Secret Agent Man I was living a life of danger. I was addicted to the rush!
Determined to create an image that would allow me to blend in, appeal to the ladies and avoid becoming a frequent target of the tribe's dominant males, I did a lot of posing, posturing and pretending. I decided that it would be advantageous for me to look tough even though I wasn't. Whenever I strolled into the dance hall, I made sure that my hair was messed up, my shirt tail was hanging out, a lit cigarette was dangling from my lips and my game face was on.
One afternoon before anybody else arrived, my best friend and I rolled around on the dance floor of the barn so that we could properly break-in our new Baracuta jackets by getting them coated with Dell dust. This drove my mother crazy. She kept asking me how I got my jacket so badly soiled. She was even more perplexed when I forbade her to get it cleaned. How could I explain to her that I didn’t want to risk weakening my status with the other guys by wearing a clean jacket?
In my mom’s day the ideal guy wore a white sport coat and a pink carnation. His hair was neatly cropped, oiled down and slicked back off his forehead. That look would have spelled social suicide at the Dell in the mid 60s. My goal was to look like I had just been in a fight at reform school, and if I got my uniform dirty or bloodied in combat, it was a GOOD thing.
Helen & John Ettline
Shady Dell Owners
Helen and John: Not Your Typical Mom and Pop
Even by mid 60s standards, John Ettline seemed part of a vanishing breed of men. John never called me by my first name. He always chose to address me as “Mr. Knight." John maintained that friendly formality through all the years I knew him. I’m very glad he did. John always made me feel important when he added the title “Mr.” to my name. Making insecure teenagers feel good about themselves was John’s greatest gift. He always treated young people with dignity and respect and that made them want to return it.
Along with his outstanding people skills, John possessed a photographic memory. He could always match a face with a name. He seemed to know a lot about anything or anybody that you happened to be discussing. John Ettline had a million stories to tell - all of them interesting.
Although old enough to be our grandparents, there was no generation gap between the Ettlines and their teenage guests. They seemed to remember better than other grown-ups what it was like to be young. John and Helen stayed in touch and in tune with the youth culture. Never was that more in evidence than one day at the York Fair in September, 1968. I was sitting in the grandstand awaiting the start of the James Brown concert. I turned around to search the crowd for familiar faces and there, a few rows behind me, sat Helen and John. In a year when racial tension was running high in York and elsewhere, it was remarkable to see a white couple in their 60s at a James Brown concert, chanting along with the rest of us, “Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud!”
John and Helen were cool. Young people felt at ease talking with them. Unlike many adults, John and Helen listened to us. They cared without preaching or judging. The Ettlines treated their teen visitors like extended family. They believed in the potential of every young person, including troubled youth from broken homes. They spoke to us about the value of an education and honest hard work. They sponsored athletic programs and honored America’s armed forces. They shaped young lives by instilling a sense of pride and self esteem. John and Helen went out of their way to make all of their kids feel like somebody - even those whose families were telling them they were nobody.
The Dell Jukebox: ALL KILLER AND NO FILLER!
Upon arriving on the Dell scene I soon realized that the jukebox in the dance hall was loaded with the greatest, most danceable records to be found anywhere. There were quite a few songs that I had never heard before and would never hear anywhere else. The music mix that played nightly at the Dell was consistently better than what I was hearing on the radio. In the mid 60s the Dell's musical menu was an exciting blend of Motown, Chi-town, New York and Philly soul, Memphis, southern R&B, blue-eyed soul, Brit beat, sunshine pop, garage, psych and folk-rock plus a few do-wop favorites held over from the 50s.
Shady Dell regulars, the gang I now refer to as the Rodentia Intelligentsia, prided themselves on having radar for cool. Year in and year out they discovered and popularized songs that radio stations across the country overlooked. Records that lingered near the bottom of the national chart often became cherished classics at the Dell. Forgotten flips were elevated to mega-hit status by Dell rats unfettered by the limitations of radio play lists.
Certain songs resonated with the Dell crowd to such an extent that they stayed on the jukebox for years. The best example of this phenomenon is the record ranked #1 on my survey of the 200 Greatest Hits Of The Shady Dell. It remained one of the most popular jukebox selections a dozen years after its initial release in the 50s. That very special song, the greatest and longest lasting Shady Dell hit of all time, was "Close Your Eyes" by the Five Keys.
THE FIVE KEYS
"Close Your Eyes" Ranked #1
Del-Chords & Magnificent Men
Another mighty evergreen at the Shady Dell was "Everybody’s Gotta Lose Someday," an intense, power-packed r&b/soul ballad by the Del-Chords, a racially mixed group from York. Released in 1964, the record was still being played heavily two years later, jamming the floor with slow dancers several times a night. Dave Bupp and Buddy King, lead vocalists from the Del-Chords, eventually merged with band members of Harrisburg’s Endells to form a blue-eyed soul group called the Magnificent Men. The “Mag Men,” as we called them, were white guys who had a passion for black music and the vocal talent and musicianship to authentically perform it. Their inspiring ballad "Peace of Mind" was the first in an impressive string of Dell hits for our hometown heroes.
Magnificent Men
HEAVY HITTERS AT THE DELL!
The Emperors of Harrisburg
Records by the Emperors, another home-grown act, were also enormously popular with Dell dancers. A black group from the state capital, the Emperors were exponents of the “Harrisburg sound,” a blend of r&b, soul, garage and Latin influences. "Karate," the Emperors’ best known recording, was the first of eight raw, funky, organ-driven numbers to achieve hit status at the Dell in 1966 and 1967.
THE EMPERORS
DELL ROYALTY - THEY RULED!
End of an Era
Once addicted to the Dell, I pretty much lived there until the fall of 1967 when I left York to attend an institution of higher learning. Over the next four years I visited my Dell family whenever possible during holidays, spring breaks, and summer vacations. My stint as a Dell rat officially ended in 1971 when I found a job in another city and moved away from York for good.
My final visit to the Dell came in March of 1984 when my career took me out of state. My last piece of business before leaving was to drop in at the Dell and say a final goodbye. I entered the house to find John sitting on a stool at the lunch counter reading the newspaper. “Well, hello stranger!” John bellowed, rising to his feet and extending his hand. “Long time no see, Mr. Knight!" After shaking hands with John and exchanging a few pleasantries, I inquired about Helen. I was stunned to learn that she had passed away a few weeks earlier. I never got the news! John and I stood alone in Helen’s snack bar, reminiscing about the good old days and lamenting how much things had changed since the Dell’s golden era.
After a brief chat with John I excused myself and walked down the sidewalk to check out the barn. The old dance hall was dimly lit and nearly vacant. The only customers were two boys with shoulder length hair standing by the jukebox with a couple of girls. No music was playing. The place was dead or, more accurately, in the final lonely stages of life. If it had been twenty years earlier, the joint would have been jumpin’. The four young people eyed me suspiciously. Is this guy a narc? I put myself in their combat boots and realized that the sight of a stranger in his mid thirties was probably making this new generation of Dell rats uncomfortable. I promptly exited the barn and returned to the house to bid farewell to John.
That night marked the last time I ever saw John or entered the Shady Dell. I made one final pilgrimage in 1988 when I returned to Pennsylvania to visit my parents. I drove up to the Dell one afternoon with every intention of going inside. I’m sure I would have encountered a smiling John Ettline and that he would have immediately remembered my name. Yet, I never got out of the car. I chose not to enter because I didn’t want to further contaminate my memories by seeing how much older John looked and how much more dilapidated the Dell had become. All I could do was sit there in the parking lot gazing at the barn, the house, the bench and the steps to the admission booth where the whole journey started. My mind flooded with a thousand memories of the people, the place, and the time of my life.
John Ettline closed the Dell in the fall of 1991. He died at the beginning of 1993. John’s family auctioned off the restaurant equipment, signage and other Dell paraphernalia in the spring of that year.
(Mike Argento's 1993 article in the York Daily Record was used as a reference source for portions of this cover story.)
These Spector style songs are all great, Shady. I enjoyed watching the Sonny and Cher show years ago and loved their music and comedy. I never heard Dream Baby by Cher and I don't remember the Sonny and Cher song Just You, but I liked them both. I was not familiar with P.J. Proby and agree that I Can't Make It Alone is magnificent. I listened the whole way through-- the power builds to a crescendo. I always loved the Righteous Bros. and agree that Don and Juan sound a lot like them. Thanks for a terrific set of tunes, Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, Kathryn!
DeleteYessum, I also watched The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, later renamed The Sonny & Cher Show. I was thrilled to discover this early recording by Cher credited as Cherilyn, a great example of Spectorian splendor. I can't say enough about the P.J. Proby platter. Simply put, it's a superb wall-of-sound recording, a towering inferno of blue-eyed soul. Another great find as I did my research for this Echoes series was the duo of Don and Juan, who sound like clones of Bill and Bobby, the Righteous Brothers.
I'm delighted to know that you enjoyed this batch of tunes, dear Kathryn. Thanks for coming and I hope to see you back here six days from now for part 1 of my Christmas celebration.
Great post, Shady! Sonny and Cher...I have always loved their singing and their TV shows as well! It is sad how Sonny died and Cher was devastated. Cher was shy and Sonny used to help her by pushing her onto the stage, so I heard, but Cher has a great talent and Sonny knew this! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Linda!
DeleteThank you for coming today and especially for contributing new information to the discussion. Sonny Bono was an underrated talent. As a songwriter and record producer, Sonny made significant contributions to the Phil Spector sound. As you noted, he recognized the star potential in his girlfriend, Cherilyn, and the rest is history. I was shocked and saddened when Sonny lost his life in that skiing mishap.
Thank you very much for your visit and fine comment, dear friend Linda!
I used to love watching the Sonny and cher show when I was a kid. I'm a fan of cher and always loved she had her own flair and style. The guy PJ had a righteous brother sound as well. Great music today Shadester!
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Holli!
DeleteIt's wonderful to see you, dear friend! Thank you for coming.
I'm happy to know that you remember the Sonny & Cher phenomenon manifested in their recordings and in their partnership as co-hosts of a wildly popular music/comedy/variety television series. Yessum, singer/songwriter P.J. Proby's recording of the Goffin and King song "I Can't Make It Alone" is similar in style to the blue-eyed soul recordings of The Righteous Brothers. Bill Medley released his own version of the song as a solo artist after The Righteous Brothers broke up in 1968.
I'm so glad you came over and sampled these songs, dear friend Holli. Enjoy the rest of your day!
I had no idea that Cher started out as Cherilyn. I always learn such fascinating tidbits when I visit your blog! Thanks for sharing all of your musical knowledge with us.
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Sherry!
DeleteThank you very much for dropping by, dear friend! Keep in mind that 90% of the material I present here is new to me as well. All these years I was unaware of the other names used by Cher early in her career and I never heard her Spectorian gem "Dream Baby" until a couple of years ago when it showed up on a various artists compilation that I purchased.
I'm so glad you had fun listening and learning today, dear friend Sherry. See you soon!
I think it's great that you're learning, too!
DeleteThanks for telling me about my link not working on the SCBWI party. I fixed it.
Thanks, Sherry!
DeleteThey were quite a talented pair , that Sonny and Cher. Great singers (and comedians)!Thanks for tuning me into, "just you"! My parents were lucky enough to see them at the great York Fair in the 70's! I was lucky enough to see Cher in concert in Vegas a couple yrs. ago--and YES! she still has "it"!
ReplyDeleteP.J. Proby and Don & Juan (great names btw) had wonderful voices. I haven't heard of them but, enjoyed them just the same.
LOVE, Love , love the Righteous Brothers, unchained melody! That tune is still #1 in my book. Loved hearing "hung on you", too for the first time!
Thank you Shady for some new tunes and new artist. You are broadening my musical play list!
Toni Deroche
Hi, dear Toni!
DeleteHow are you today, dear friend? Thank you for swinging over for a visit.
I didn't know that Sonny and Cher appeared on the grandstand at the York Fair in the 70s. Where was I? You were lucky to have a chance to see Cher live in Vegas.
I'm happy to know you appreciate the powerful yet refined voices of P.J. Proby and Don and Juan. The Righteous Brothers' killer bee "Hung On You" was good enough to be a hit A side, so says Shady. I played that fab flip more often than "Unchained Melody," especially in the years after "U.M." was used in the movie Ghost and I got tired of hearing it.
I am very happy to broaden your musical horizon, dear friend Toni. Thank you again for coming and have a great weekend!
Well Shady, this volume nine did have me feeling fine and i can't wait to do it again in volume ten!
ReplyDeleteI still can't get over how cute Sonny and Cher are. I really do think that their 'Just You' is my top choice in this wonderful lineup. What i wouldn't do to see them live in their heyday! All i can say is praise the Lord for Youtube and all the wonderful people that dedicate their time to upload priceless music and television show clips from years ago that help us travel back in time and keep all lots of wonderful things alive today!
-A&D
Hi, dear Abigail!
DeleteThank you for coming by, dear friend. (I see that you've got dear little Daisy under your arm, too. :)
What a great comment! I wish you had been around in the 70s when millions of Americans looked forward to tuning in every week, grooving to the sounds and laughing at the comedy skits on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. It was truly a special event. Sonny and Cher defined cool and hip and dressed the part. They were poised, talented show persons and also had excellent comic timing. Cher's put-downs of Sonny during their stand-up routine at the beginning of every show were classic zingers. You are right. People your age are very lucky to have some of this priceless content available for viewing on YouTube and other sources. I am very grateful that you take an interest in experiencing pop culture as I knew it during my teens and twenties.
Thank you again for your visit and sweet comment, dear friend Abigail. Take care of yourself and Daisy and have a wonderful weekend!
Fabulous !
ReplyDeleteThis is my kind of music.
Love Spector's "Wall Of Sound" ! What he did with music was so different at the time.
The Righteous Brothers, outstanding sound.
Tina Turner, Phil Spector's, River Deep Mountain High. Best ever music.
I have hear P.J. Proby also.
Sonny and Cher just the best.
What a fabulous post today. Thanks so much.
cheers, parsnip
Well hi, dear Gayle! I am very excited to see you again, dear friend. Thank you very much for coming over!
DeleteI'm very pleased to know that this music resonated with you. Strangely, not very many of my followers have expressed a fondness for the Spectorian wall-of-sound production style. I'm guilty, too. For decades I convinced myself that I only liked the bright, clean, crisp, clear sound of East Coast Brill Building records and stereo album tracks. To my ears, Spector's dense mono mixes sounded muddy. As my blog research continued my tastes changed and I embraced Spector originals and sound-alikes, so much so that I was inspired to create this special 17-part Echoes series.
I am delighted that you mentioned "River Deep, Mountain High," a magnificent recording that wound up being one of Spector's few unexplained failures. Ever hear Eric Burdon's version?
I am very grateful for your visit and comments, dear Gayle. Thank you very much for sticking with me as we move forward into a new year. Please smooch square dog thehamish for me and enjoy your weekend! God bless!
I am a huge Eic Burton fan and yes I like his version also.
DeleteI have the Burdon & the Animals version on CD. He does a decent job with the song but, of course, most people agree that Ike & Tina recorded the definitive.
DeleteThanks again for your visit and kind comments, dear friend Gayle!
Hi dear friend, Shady!
ReplyDeleteAh, I remember listening to the Righteous Brothers a lot when I was a small child - always good times. I also remember listening to Sonny and Cher a lot in elementary school as well. Gym class memories - we'd exercise to Sonny and Cher.
I really liked Cherilyn and her voice. I have never heard of her before. I will have to check out more of her. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you have a great evening, dear friend!
Hi, dear Jessica Marie!
DeleteThanks for coming by, dear friend! imagine this. I went to see the Righteous Brothers in a live show at a theater in Valley Forge, PA! They were great and received several standing ovations. Sonny and Cher doesn't seem like exercise music to me but if it worked for your gym class, then I believe you. Cherilyn Sarkisian is Cher's real name! She used the name Cherilyn on this her second single. On the first, "I Love You Ringo," she went by the stage name Bonnie Jo Mason.
Thanks again for your visit and comment, dear friend JM!
Hi Shady!
DeleteReally? That's awesome! What was the theater called? I love the Valley Forge area, especially the park. :)
Hi, Jessica!
DeleteThe year was 1983 and I forget the exact name of the venue, but I remember dining at Lily Langtry's in King of Prussia on that same trip.
Thanks for the return visit, dear friend JM. Have a wonderful week ahead!
I very much enjoyed this, my friend. I guess for me the best was Don and Juan. I loved What's Your Name, and this was just as good in a different, more powerful way. I will check for this on Spotify, the Broccoli god in charge of sounds and noises.
ReplyDeleteThe Cherilyn song was great as well. The best thing I can say about Cher is the worst thing I can say about Sonny and Cher- She is great, and if only one could erase Sonny's clown like vocals. Nails, chalkboard for me.
I'm replaying Proby as I type. I think this one will have to grow on me, but it is really good.
I think we all have b-sides we fell in love with more than the "big" hit. Pretty Maids all in a Row by the Eagles was mine. Hung on You was definitely powerful enough to be a single on its own. A&R men, whaddaya gonna do? Thanks for a fun post!
Hey, Chris!
DeleteThanks for coming, good buddy, and for adding a great deal to the discussion. I really appreciate that!
I can't lie. It's exciting when our ears are in tune. I have all of these Spectoresque nuggets in my personal collection and swoon whenever my changer selects them at random for playback. I'm thrilled that you singled out Don and Juan. Their smooth, soulful sound is right in the pocket like a plug in a socket. The Cherilyn record kills and I promise that the P.J. Proby platter will also grow on you. In fact you might have found 5 of your next Martin Ten right here on SDMM! :)
Thanks again for hopping over and sampling these great Spector and Spector sound-alike recordings, good buddy Chris. I'll see you sometime tomorrow or tomorrow evening in the cheap seats of your Time Machine!
Wow, Shady. This may be your best post ever. I did not know Cher ever sang without Sony at the beginning of her career. I've heard she gives wonderful concerts. And I love The Righteous Brothers. Feel free to do an indepth post on them. heh heh
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Sandra!
DeleteThank you very much for popping over, dear friend! This is a dandy comment from you, Sandra, and greatly appreciated. Blogging is at its best when we are learning as well as teaching. I didn't know anything about Cher's early solo career either, not until I did my research. I learned that Sonny and Cher served as back-up vocalists for name Phil Spector acts before they hit the big time. I have also heard that Cher gives audiences their money's worth and then some in her live shows. Don't worry, I have much more music by the Righteous Bros. coming up in future posts.
Thank you again for making time for me this evening, dear friend Sandra. Have a wonderful weekend!
More good info in your response:) Hope you're having a perfect Sunday afternoon.
DeleteHi, dear Sandra!
DeleteYessum, I am having a fine Sunday afternoon, made even better by your cheery visit. Thank you!
That was some education. A lot of stuff I never knew. I recall a hit that PJ Proby had in the summer of 1966 that used to get a lot of airplay on the Knoxville, TN top forty station, but I don't remember him sounding like he did in the recording above. For that matter I don't even recall what he sounded like or what the song I'm thinking of is.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Wrote By Rote
Hi, Lee!
DeleteThank you for dropping in, good buddy! I'm happy to know you learned a thing or two from this post. P.J. Proby was a singer, a songwriter and an actor. He played Elvis and Roy Orbison in theater. Proby recorded in various styles including pop, easy listening, R&B, soul and rock. His biggest hit was "Niki Hoeky" which cracked the top 30 in the early months of 1967. In the summer of 1966 Proby released "My Prayer" (covering the Platters' hit) b/w the self penned "Wicked Woman." If those don't ring a bell maybe it was the summer of 1965 you are remembering. Proby's singles around that time included "Mission Bell"/"Stagger Lee," "I Apologize"/" Rocking Pneumonia" and "That Means a Lot"/"Let the Water Run Down." Are any of those familiar?
Thanks again for coming, good buddy Lee, and have a great weekend!
Fabulous vocal stylings from top to bottom here, Shady! ☺ Cher has long been a favourite and I had the pleasure of seeing her live a few times; twice with Sonny and twice without. Her shows are always memorable! "Dream Baby" was unknown to me and you're right; it has that unmistakable Spector sound. I read her biography years ago and in it Sonny is quoted as saying the only reason he got on stage and sang with her was because she had horrible stage fright. His original intention was for her to be a solo act.
ReplyDeleteP.J. Proby was popular in Europe too, but I don't remember that song specifically. Good stuff!
Bill Medley has a magnificent baritone! I love "Unchained Melody" but wasn't familiar with "Hung On You". It's good, but doesn't replace the former in my mind.
Never heard of Don & Juan, but the vocals are great and they do sound a lot like the Righteous Brothers. Too bad their career didn't take off.
Jack Nitzsche was also a close collaborator with Neil Young in the late 60s - early 70s, until they had a falling out.
Thanks for another entertaining and educational post. You've outdone yourself with this one, Shady!
Hi, dear Debbie the Doglady!
DeleteWelcome welcome welcome, my great friend, and thank you for staying up late to listen to my tunes.
I'm thrilled to know you found a lot to like in this post. Nobody can call Cher's husky voice "girly," can they? :) You'd never know she suffered from stage fright because she always came across as calm and composed. I loved the combination of Sonny and Cher because they played off of each other so well. Marvelous chemistry! You were very fortunate to have seen four of Cher's live appearances.
P.J. Proby had greater success in the UK than he did here at home. His 1964 single "Hold Me" landed in the top 5 on the UK chart while halting at #70 stateside. His single "Together" (a #6 hit for Connie Francis) went to #8 in the UK but only Bubbled Under in the U.S. at #117. Proby fell from grace in the UK following scandalous concert appearances involving wardrobe malfunctions (trouser splitting) that got him banned from theaters.
Thank you very much for taking time to write this superb comment, dear friend Debbie. Have a wonderful Friday and a safe and happy weekend!
Haha! Definitely NO girly voices in this post! ☺ Thanks for refreshing my memory about Proby's little problem. LOL He always did wear incredibly tight pants! The Brits were a lot more uptight in those days than they are now. Pirate Radio was born because the BBC refused to air rock and roll music.
DeleteAlways a pleasure, Shady. You have a good weekend as well.
Hi again, Debbie the Doglady!
DeleteYou reminded me that I still haven't watched The Boat That Rocked aka Pirate Radio. Mrs. Shady and I both want to see it.
I always look forward to chatting with you, dear friend. Thanks for coming over again and have a super weekend!
I love Cher, especially the early years. I wasn't aware of her work as Cherilyn. That's great new information for me. I loved her when she was with Sonny: they made such a great duo. And they stayed great friends after their divorce, which was heartwarming to see. Loved the Sonny & Cher Show! They were magic together: such chemistry. Thanks for the Cher info!
ReplyDeleteHung On You by the Righteous Brothers: good song.
Hope you're having a good Friday Shady. Have a spectacular weekend!
Michele at Angels Bark
Hi, dear Michele!
DeleteIt's great to see you, my special friend! Seems like all the SDMM readers love Sonny and Cher and the Righteous Brothers. I'm tickled to know that you enjoyed Cher's Spectorian gem released under the name Cherilyn. It remains a mystery to me why "Dream Baby" never became a hit. It was released on Imperial Records late in 1964. At the time the label was red hot thanks to singer/guitarist Johnny Rivers' hit singles "Memphis," "Maybelline," "Mountain of Love" and Johnny's album Here We A-Go-Go Again recorded live at the Whisky A Go Go nightclub.
You made a good point. Sonny and Cher stayed friends and kept respect for each other after they split up, which is admirable.
I'm delighted to know that you had fun listening and learning today, dear friend Michele. Thanks again for coming over and have a safe and happy weekend with your folks and doggies!
Hi Shady,
ReplyDeleteI'm back from a long break and happy to learn more from the blogs you posts. Cher's name is a surprise. I never questioned whether it was real or not. It seemed fitting for her, and who can resist "I Got You Babe."
Sad "The Heartbreaking Truth" did not do as well as it should have.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hi, Peaches!
DeleteWelcome back from your blog break, dear friend. I am very happy to see you!
Yessum, Cher is short for Cherilyn, a pretty name, but not as easy to remember as Cher, the stage name that served her well in her recording and acting careers.
I am pleased that you singled out the Don & Juan record because it's a nicely crafted wall-of-soundalike that is as powerful and listenable as the stuff the Righteous Brothers released.
Thank you again for thinking about me and joining the fun here at SDMM, dear friend Peaches. I hope you will visit again soon. Have a great weekend!
The first song from Cher doesn't even sound like her but the 2nd with Sonny has more the style I know more. I agree with you about the 2nd song-It is excellent! It seems ahead of its time if I can say that since i am no music expert. I always like the Righteous Brothers. I keep learning every day!:)
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Birgit!
DeleteHow are you this morning, my dear friend? (After midnight qualifies as morning :) Thank you very much for sampling some Spectorian sounds with me.
You wrote:
<< I agree with you about the 2nd song-It is excellent! It seems ahead of its time if I can say that since i am no music expert. >>
Do you mean the third song, the one by P.J. Proby? I couldn't agree more, BB. It's a Spectoresque, blue-eyed soul masterpiece, 4 minutes in heaven. Like many of the Righteous Brothers' recordings, "I Can't Make It Alone" starts off slowly and quietly, gains strength and eventually takes off and soars high above the clouds, fueled by Proby's earnest vocals backed by the The Wrecking Crew. I get goose bumps listening to it all the way through. It's such a shame the single never climbed out of the Bubbling Under basement, possibly because of its long running time.
Thank you very much for making time for me tonight, dear friend BB, and thank you for having a willingness and an eagerness to learn. You are a great friend. Have a fine weekend!
Hi Shady, I remember Dream Baby and love it, but I never knew Cher was singing it! Just You is good, but I've always preferred Cher singing alone. I loved Sonny though, he was so funny on the TV show.
ReplyDeleteP.J. has a great voice. Yes, I can imagine DJs didn't like long recordings. I remember Bob Dylan song, Like a Rolling Stone was really long but I guess he got away with it since he was already famous.
I always enjoy the Righteous Brothers. Hung on you is terrific. I like Don and Juan. They sound good together.
Sorry to be late, I'm staying at my mom's place helping her pack. She is moving in with my husband and me.
Hi, dear Belle!
DeleteThank you very much for staying up late and coming down for a visit. I'm glad to see you!
That's exciting news about your mother moving in. I know you love to spend time with her and it will be nice to have her close. The holidays are all about family and you can be thankful that you still have your mother. I miss mine. As you recall, my dad died on Christmas day, making the holidays a bittersweet time for me in the years since.
I'm happy to know you love Cher's early recording as Cherilyn. Top 40 radio station in the Inland Empire where you lived at the time must have picked up on the record and added it to their play lists. I don't remember "Dream Baby" from my youth back east in Pennsylvania, only "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" by Roy Orbison, which is a different song. I discovered Cher's "Dream Baby" a couple of years ago on one of my rare girl group compilations.
Yessum, in the early and mid 60s, the standard running time for a single was in the neighborhood of 2:15-2:30. Some hit records were shorter than 2:00. Maurice Wms. & the Zodiacs' hit "Stay" only runs 1:50 and Lesley Gore's "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" clocks in at an incredibly short 1:37. By late 1966 when that P.J. Proby record stayed trapped on the Bubbling Under chart, many artists were releasing singles that exceeded 2:30 but only a few major acts like Dylan, the Beatles and the Stones, were able to get away with recordings that ran longer than 4 minutes. ("Hey Jude" runs 7:11.)
I'm delighted to know you enjoyed this set of sounds, dear friend Belle. Thank you again for making time for me and have a safe and happy weekend. God bless!
As always I learned some new things today although I'm a bit late to the party! I enjoyed all the sounds but I must comment on Sonny and Cher. Cher by any other name is still Cher and sounds great. I've always loved them, probably because my oldest brother did! I remember at the very beginning of their popularity they appeared at the new shopping mall across the highway from my neighborhood. I hadn't really gotten into their music yet, but I know my brother was thrilled to have met them. As time went on I really wished my long, wavy black hair would be as straight as Cher's and I just had to have the large bellbottom pants and I even had a crazy vest that was so popular in the 60's. I enjoyed their TV show until it was really evident that their marriage was falling apart and watching the exchanges between them became painful. I'm glad I was there in the beginning as I'm sure you're glad you have witnessed so many wonderful artists over the last few decades. You've shared many sounds here and I've come to appreciate ones I never heard before...but my heart and memories always take me to the favorites and Sonny and Cher as well as the Righteous Brothers are big favs. Time certainly has flown and I marvel at the thought that John Denver would be 70 and Lennon, 75. They will always be young to me! Cher too, although I don't think it's all do to good genes! Have a good weekend Shady!
ReplyDeleteHi, dear YaYa!
DeleteThank you very much for coming over to bask in Spectorian splendor for the 9th time. (8 more posts left in the series.) You are right on time, dear friend, not late at all, because this post runs until next Wednesday morning.
Comments like this one of yours please me the most because you take time to share your memories with me. I can imagine how exciting it was to see Sonny and Cher at a local mall at the beginning of their meteoric rise to fame. Cher became a trend setting fashion icon and you and millions of other girls were inspired to dress like her. I rarely missed an episode of Sonny & Cher's TV series of the 70s. Remember them bringing little baby Chastity out on stage to wave at the audience? Remember the Vamp Sketch and Sonny's Pizza? Remember Teri Garr ad Steve Martin as regular members of the cast?
Forever young, dear friend. John Denver, John Lennon, Bobby Darin and so many other greats who died too soon. You and I can remain forever young, too, and that's the whole idea behind SDMM. Thank you for realizing that and for joining me here week by week. I deeply appreciate your friendship, dear YaYa. Please smooch Chubbs for me and have a wonderful weekend!
I had no idea of Cher's birth name but "a rose by any other name is still a rose" right? Always thought she was fabulous. Sonny, not so much but they harmonized well together. Her costume changes during their shows was always amazing :-)
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with PJ but the song you shared was really a treat!
Hi, dear Diedre!
DeleteThank you for joining the fun as I salute Spector and his imitators for the ninth time. I'm excited to learn that you enjoy Cher in all her incarnations. She certainly was a clothes horse, imitated by many a young woman over the years. Remember her half-breed costume?
I am also delighted to know that you appreciated the Spectorian blue-eyed soul of P.J. Proby. With repeat listens, "I Cant Make It Alone" will continue to grow on you, I promise.
Thank you again for making time for a visit today, dear friend Diedre. I hope you can visit during the next three weeks but, if not, I will see you in 2016 and we will pick up where we left off, growing this wonderful friendship of ours. Thank you again and happy holidays to you!
Think of the rest of us while you and Mrs. Shady are out walking in warm sands on the beach enjoying the sunset.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sandra! With this crazy weather pattern the country is in, it might be just as warm up there where you are! :)
DeleteThanks again for stopping by, dear friend Sandra, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Tom, Although I enjoyed watching the Sonny & Cher TV show in the mid to late 70s and they have a few songs I like I wasn't a true fan. I could take 'em or leave 'em, love 'em or hate 'em. Ok, hate is a strong word and they weren't bad enough to hate. I think I prefer Cher's style when she was known as Cherilyn, if this is an indicator of how she sang before days of fame. P.J. is a new-to-me artist and boy does he remind me of the The Righteous Brothers and I really loved TRBs a lot! Did you know that The Righteous Brothers lived in Knoxville for a short while, too. Did you know that? Don and Juan is another new-to-me group and I like their sound-alike harmonies which is so much like TRB. I'm going to see what I can find available on iTunes by both these new-to-me artists. Thanks for the education and intro, my friend! Have a tunetastic week!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Cathy!
DeleteThank you very much for making time for a cheery visit today. I am delighted to see you, my dear friend!
You and I think alike when it comes to Sonny and Cher. In all honesty I am more enamored of the Sonny and Cher phenomenon and all it encompassed, including their TV series, their comedic skills, their style and their attitude, than I am of their music. For example, "The Beat Goes On" is not one of my favorites. However, I agree with you about Cher's early recording "Dream Baby." It is a Spectoresque classic, a hit waiting to
happen, and I can't figure out why it didn't take off and land in the top 20 or 30 on the Billboard chart.
I'm thrilled to know that you enjoyed the Righteous Brothers and the two sound-alike artists, blue-eyed soulmeister P.J. Proby and brown-eyed handsome men Don & Juan. No, dear friend, I was not aware that Bill and Bobby lived in Knoxville for a time. Did you ever run into them anywhere or see their shows?
I'm glad you enjoyed listening and learning today, dear friend Cathy. Enjoy the rest of your week and keep on rockin' around that Christmas tree! :) Bless you!
I often wonder how many of your choice hits would have been my choice hits had I been born in another era. Where there was more time to appreciate music. I do love so many classic songs, even if they came out long before me, but trying to find the same charm in the forgotten B sides is allusive to me for some reason. But, as I say, had I been more earlier, I'm sure I would remember them as fondly as you.
ReplyDeleteMusic is great and I find myself enjoying music from any time period. Thanks for sharing these treasures of yours. I appreciate the step back in time. It's always appreciated.
PS I had no Jack Nitzsche was a crack producer. Did the law ever catch up with him?
Hi, Jeffrey!
DeleteWelcome back to SDMM, good buddy. I'm happy to see you! I notice you left a comment on my previous post, too, and I will reply to that one in a minute.
You wrote:
<< I had no Jack Nitzsche was a crack producer. Did the law ever catch up with him? >>
Good one! Watching those giant neon colored teenagers dancing in slow motion is like being high on crack, isn't it good buddy? (I'm assuming you know for sure. :)
Here's an important factoid that I have been reminding new friends for years. Most of the recordings that I present on SDMM are actually not ones that I remember from my youth. They are gems that I uncovered while doing research for this blog which was founded in 2008. I am essentially saying to you, "Look what I found!" and hoping that you will enjoy the nuggets I dug up as much as I do. For example, in this set of 5 recordings, the only one I remember from my teenage years is "Hung On You" by the Righteous Bros. All the rest are newly discovered. I am learning right along with you.
Thanks again for reporting in, good buddy Jeffrey. Just like the original hangout, my online version of the Shady Dell will remain open through the holidays. Best of all there is no cover charge. I have three more posts this year beginning with a new one tomorrow and I invite you to drop by. If you can't make it then I will take this opportunity to wish you and your family the happiest of holidays!
Well then, it's certainly awesome you are sharing your musical adventure with us.
DeleteI shall endeavour to be here tomorrow with all sincerity.
Looking forward to it.
Thanks, good buddy. 2015 was a tough year in many ways, but our friendship is certainly one of the better things that happened. See you soon!
DeleteMerry Tuesday, Shady:)
ReplyDelete...and to you, dear friend Sandra!
DeleteCher is still a big star even today. Only a few can do that. :D
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Luxie. Cher has staying power and today seems more popular than ever. Thanks for your visit and comment, dear friend!
DeleteGreat post Shady, I really enjoyed listening to these Spectorian songs!
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Sarah!
DeleteThank you for hopping across the pond. It took 50 or more years for the Spector sound to grow on me and today it's music to my ears. I'm glad you like it, too!
Thank you again for your kind visit and comment, dear friend Sarah!
Cher trying to sound like Ronn1e Spector--as Spock said, fascinating! I can detect the later Cher there, but that's only because I KNOW it's Cher. Otherwise, I'm no sure I could have guessed. It shows that her distinctive singing style was in some ways a work in progress.
ReplyDeleteAs for that second song--I'm not usually one to knock Sonny's singing. I liked the contrast in their voices, but that song seems a little beyond him.
Hi, Kirk!
DeleteThanks for the "Cher," good buddy!
(BA-DUM-BUMP)
I'm glad you made time to take a look and a listen to this volume of Echoes. That Sonny & Cher single "Just You" reached the top 20, but I swear my local radio station in York didn't play it. I paid close attention to music at the time and simply don't remember it. Clearly, the song is derived from the Ronettes hit "Baby, I Love You."
Thanks again for your interest, good buddy Kirk!