Patsy Cline - Patsy Cline (1957)

"Honky Tonk Merry Go Round" by Patsy Cline

Connie B. Gay oversaw the 1950s country scene around D.C. through his Town and Country Time radio show and television show.  He discovered, booked and managed some of the top talents around the capital including Jimmy Dean, Roy Clark and Patsy Cline.  Patsy Cline released her debut album Patsy Cline in 1957 on Decca Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Patsy Cline's debut album:

A Church, A Courtyard, Then Goodbye (1955 single)

Hidin' Out (1955 single)

I Love You, Honey (1956 single)

Stop, Look and Listen (1956 single)

Walkin' After Midnight (1957 single)

Today, Tomorrow and Forever (1957 single)

Patsy Cline

Songs by Patsy Cline (1957 EP)

Patsy Cline (1957 EP)

Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray (1957 single)

I Don't Wanta (1957 single)

Stop the World (And Let Me Off) (1958 single)

Let the Teardrops Fall (1958 single)

If I Could See the World (Through the Eyes of a Child) (1958 single)

I Can See an Angel (1958 single)

Dear God (1958 single)

Cry Not for Me (1959 single)

Gotta Lot of Rhythm in My Soul (1959 single)

Lovesick Blues (1960 single)

Crazy Dreams (1960 single)

"Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline

"Dear God" by Patsy Cline

"Lovesick Blues" by Patsy Cline

"Come On In (And Make Yourself at Home)" by Patsy Cline

Pass the Headphones!!

Billy Grammer - Travelin' On (1959)

"Barrel House Bessie" by Billy Grammer

Roy Clark and Jimmy Dean never shared a cross word with each other but that didn't stop Jimmy Dean from firing Clark after one too many tardies.  Clark's replacement was singer and guitarist Billy Grammer.  Grammer released his debut album Travelin' On in 1959 on Monument Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Billy Grammer's debut album:

Jealous Heart (1948 single as Bill Grammer's Shenandoah Valley Boys)

When You Know (1950 single as Bill Grammer and His Virginia Playboys)

Gotta Travel On (1958 single)

Bonaparte's Retreat (1959 single)

Billy Grammer Hits (1959 EP)

Travelin' On

Willy, Quit Your Playing (1959 single)

Loveland (1960 single)

Grammer's Guitar (1960 EP)

Unknown Soldier (1960 single)

Big, Big Dream (1960 single)

"Gotta Travel On" and "I'm Letting You Go, Goodbye" by Billy Grammer on The Jimmy Dean Show

"Bonaparte's Retreat" by Billy Grammer

Grammer's Guitar by Billy Grammer

Pass the Headphones!!

Jimmy Dean - Jimmy Dean Sings His Television Favorites (1957)

"Bumming Around" by Jimmy Dean

Roy Clark's first big job was as lead guitarist in Jimmy Dean's backing band The Texas Wildcats.  This connection led to Clark's regular appearance on Connie B. Gay's Town and Country Time which Dean hosted.  Jimmy Dean released his debut album Jimmy Dean Sings His Television Favorites in 1957 on Mercury Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Jimmy Dean's debut album:

Bumming Around (1952 single as Jimmie Dean)

Queen of Hearts (1953 single as Jimmie Dean)

Sweet Darling (1954 single)

Big Blue Diamonds (1955 single with His Texas Wildcats)

Find 'Em, Fool 'Em, and Leave 'Em Alone (1955 single with His Texas Wildcats)

Freight Train Blues (1956 single with The Texas Wildcats)

Hello, Mr. Blues (1956 single)

Jimmy Dean Sings His Television Favorites

Losing Game (1957 single)

Look on the Good Side (1957 single)

Bumming Around (1957 single)

What This Whole World Needs (1958 single)

Town and Country Time starring Jimmy Dean with special guest Roy Clark

"Glad Rags" / "Freight Train Blues" by Jimmy Dean and The Texas Wildcats

Pass the Headphones!!

Roy Clark - The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark (1962)

"A Maiden's Prayer" by Roy Clark

When Marvin Rainwater was trying to establish himself in the Washington Metropolitan country music scene, Roy Clark was an early supporter and collaborator cutting demos and records with him.  This association was also Clark's key to getting on the popular TV show Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a show on which Rainwater appeared and "won" and on which Clark appeared and did not.  (He came in second.)  Roy Clark released his debut album The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark in 1962 on Capitol Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Roy Clark's debut album:

Mysteries of Life (1954 single with His Wranglers)

Stepping Stones (1956 single with His Wranglers)

Please Mr. Mayor (1959 single)

Rock, Maggie, Rock (1960 single with The Versitals)

Under the Double Eagle (1961 single)

The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark

Texas Twist (1962 single)

Talk About a Party (1962 single)

"Twelfth Street Rag" by Roy Clark

"The Day That I Found You" by Roy Clark

"Please Mr. Mayor" by Roy Clark

Pass the Headphones!!

Marvin Rainwater - Songs by Marvin Rainwater (1957)

"Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" by Marvin Rainwater

Connie Francis had trouble getting traction as a popular singer.  She and her management tried her voice out across genres, including country and rock and roll, looking for a hit.  Her exercise in country music, "The Majesty of Love", came alongside Marvin Rainwater who was himself coming off his own country chart-topper.  The duet, the genre and association with chart success wasn't the formula for Connie.

Marvin Rainwater released his debut album Songs by Marvin Rainwater earlier that year in 1957 on MGM Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Marvin Rainwater's debut album:

I Gotta Go Get My Baby (1955 single with His High Riders)

Albino (Pink-Eyed) Stallion (1955 single)

Tea Bag Romeo (1955 single with The Tomahawks)

Dem Low Down Blues (1956 single)

Hot and Cold (1956 single)

Get Off the Stool (1956 single)

Why Did You Have to Go and Leave Me (Lonesome Blues) (1956 single)

Gonna Find Me a Bluebird (1957 single)

Songs by Marvin Rainwater

Songs by Marvin Rainwater Vol. I (1957 EP)

Songs by Marvin Rainwater Vol. II (1957 EP)

Songs by Marvin Rainwater Vol. III (1957 EP)

"Tennessee Houn' Dog Yodel" by Marvin Rainwater

"Albino (Pink-Eyed) Stallion" by Marvin Rainwater

"Get Off the Stool" by Marvin Rainwater

Pass the Headphones!!

Connie Francis - Who's Sorry Now (1958)

"I Miss You So" by Connie Francis

Joe Pesci started his artistic life as a child actor in plays and on television.  He was a regular on the variety show Startime Kids alongside co-star Connie Franconero.  A few years later as Connie Francis she released her debut album Who's Sorry Now in 1958 on MGM Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Connie Francis's debut album:

Freddy (1955 single)

(Oh Please) Make Him Jealous (1955 single)

Are You Satisfied? (1955 single)

My First Real Love (1956 single)

Send for My Baby (1956 single)

I Never Had a Sweetheart (1956 single)

Everybody Needs Someone (1956 single)

Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956 soundtrack)

No Other One (1957 single)

Eighteen (1957 single)

The Majesty of Love (1957 single with Marvin Rainwater)

Jamboree! (1957 soundtrack)

Who's Sorry Now (1957 single)

Who's Sorry Now (1957 EP)

I'm Sorry I Made You Cry (1958 single)

Who's Sorry Now

Who's Sorry Now Vol. I (1958 EP)

Who's Sorry Now Vol. II (1958 EP)

Who's Sorry Now Vol. III (1958 EP)

Heartaches (1958 single)

Stupid Cupid (1958 single)

Fallin' (1958 single)

My Happiness (1958 single)

If I Didn't Care (1959 single)

If I Didn't Care (1959 EP)

"Who's Sorry Now" by Connie Francis

"Taking a Chance on Love" by Connie Francis on Startime Kids (starting at 25:30)

"Eighteen" by Connie Francis

Pass the Headphones!!

Little Joe - Little Joe Sure Can Sing! (1968)

"Got to Get You Into My Life" by Little Joe

When Royal Teens started falling apart with band members getting drafted or leaving the group for college, Bob Gaudio was convinced to abandon ship and join up with Franki Valli's outfit by mutual friend Joe Pesci.  Joe Pesci was a child actor and, at this point, a rock and roller.  In 1968, he released his debut album Little Joe Sure Can Sing! through Brunswick Records under his Little Joe moniker.

Fun Facts:  His first single, as Jonathan Marcus, featured backing vocals from Gaudio and The Four Seasons.  After this album, he teamed up with fellow future Scorsese character actor Frank Vincent to form a comedy duo as Vincent & Pesci.

Here is the discography surrounding Little Joe's debut album:

What About Me? (1966 single as Jonathan Marcus)

Little Joe Sure Can Sing!

Holiday (1968 single)

Can You Fix the Way I Talk for Christmas (1972 by Vincent & Pesci)

"Holiday" by Little Joe

"Can You Fix the Way I Talk for Christmas" by Vincent & Pesci

"Mad About You Baby" by Jonathan Marcus

Pass the Headphones!!

Royal Teens - Original Short Shorts and Others (1961)

"Harvey's Got a Girl Friend" by Royal Teens

Bob Gaudio, chief hitmaker for The Four Seasons, joined the group when they were floundering without a name.  Before he joined, he was a member of the Royal Teens and the co-writer of their hit song "Short Shorts".  The band never released an album so this tour stop is represented by their compilation album Original Short Shorts and Others.

Note:  The album was picked over other compilation albums for its cover and the date given is the year of the latest released track on the album.

Here is the complete discography for Royal Teens:

Boil and Bubble (1955 single by The Heartbeats)

Blanche (1956 single by The 3 Friends)

I'm Only a Boy (To Her) (1956 single by The 3 Friends)

Now That You're Gone (1957 single by Three Friends)

We Made a Vow (1957 single by The Corvells)

Short Shorts (1957 single)

Harvey's Got a Girl Friend (1958 single)

My Kind of Dream (1958 single)

Sham Rock (1958 single)

Who Is Eddie? (1958 single by Eddie Reardon with The Three Friends)

Believe Me (1959 single)

Leotards (1959 single)

Sittin with My Baby (1959 single)

Caveman (1959 single by Joe Villa and Royal Teens)

Alright Baby (1959 single by Rockin' Saints)

Cheat on Me, Baby (1960 single by Rockin' Saints)

Sick Manny's Gym (1960 single by The Musclemen)

Was It a Dream (1960 single)

With You (1960 single)

Mickey Mouse Got a Girl Friend (1960 single by Joey Villa)

Little Trixie (1961 single)

Original Short Shorts and Others

Short Short Twist (1962 single)

Mona Lisa (1962 single by Joe Villa)

Summer's Over (1963 single by Tom Austin & His Healeys)

I'll Love You (Till the End of Time) (1965 single)

I'll Love You (Till the End of Time) (1965 single as The Bluetones)

Save Me (From Your Madness) (1978 single by Tom Austin)

Short Shorts and More Golden Classics (1989 compilation album)

Let's Rock (1997 compilation album)

"Short Shorts" by Royal Teens

"Why" by Royal Teens

"Planet Rock" by Royal Teens

"Alright Baby" by Rockin' Saints

Pass the Headphones!!

The Four Lovers - Joyride (1956)

"This Is My Story" by The Four Lovers

The Rolling Stones closed out the T.A.M.I. Show's parade of stars; thus ends this themed leg of the Tour.  In contemplating the Tour's exit route from the Show, I wondered whether there were some artists that almost joined history but never made the concert lineup.  Word is that The Beatles were touring Europe at the time (explaining the replacement Brian Epstein acts that represented Liverpool) and were probably too big a get.  But the only act that I could find that was actually asked to be on the Show yet ended up missing out was The Four Seasons.  Apparently, the foursome asked for too much money and priced themselves out.

The Four Seasons started as The Four Lovers, a vocal rock group with a fluctuating lineup anchored by Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito.  They released some singles and their only album Joyride in 1956 on RCA Victor.  After a couple of years underperforming expectations, they dropped The Four Lovers moniker and started anew working under a flurry of band names with producer Bob Crewe as session artists for an array of singers and studio creations.

Here is the complete discography for The Four Lovers:

My Mother's Eyes (1953 single by Frankie Valley)

Somebody Else Took Her Home (1954 single by Frankie Valley and The Travelers)

You're the Apple of My Eye (1956 single)

Honey Love (1956 single)

The Four Lovers (1956 EP)

Jambalaya (1956 single)

Joyride

Joyride (1956 EP)

Happy Am I (1956 single)

Shake a Hand (1957 single)

Pucker Up (1958 single)

I Go Ape (1958 single by Frankie Tyler)

Come Si Bella (1959 single as The Romans)

Please Take a Chance (1959 single by Frankie Vally)

Tell Me You Care (1959 single by Nickie and The Nite Lites)

Talk to Audrey (1960 single by The Hollywood Playboys)

Too Young to Start (1961 single by The Village Voices)

Ten Million Tears (1961 single by Turner DeSentri)

Trance (1961 single by Billy Dixon and The Topics)

An Angel Cried (1961 single by Hal Miller and The Rays)

Betty Jean (1961 single by Johnny Halo)

Lollypops Went Out of Style (1961 single by Matthew Reid)

(I Wish It Were) Summer All Year 'Round (1961 single by Miss Frankie Nolan)

Little Pony (1961 single by Alex Alda)

The Ballad of Mr. Nixon (1961 single by Nick Masi)

Lost Lullaby (1962 single by Billy Dixon and The Topics)

Are You Happy Now (Yeah Yeah Song) (1962 single as The Rays)

The Girl in My Dreams (1962 single as The Topics)

You Can't Fool Me Baby (1963 compilation song by The Hollywood Playboys)

Too Pooped to Popeye (1963 single by Hughie Garrity and The Hollywood Playboys)

The Four Lovers 1956 (compilation album)

"You're the Apple of My Eye" and "Please Don't Leave Me" by The Four Lovers (Live on Ed Sullivan)

"Joyride" by The Four Lovers

Pass the Headphones!!

The Rolling Stones - Out of Our Heads (1965)

 "I'm Free" by The Rolling Stones

Nobody wanted to follow the powerhouse performance of James Brown's on the T.A.M.I. Show, but that difficult task, and the job of closing the Show, fell to the still relatively fresh faces of The Rolling Stones.  The Stones released their third (UK) album Out of Our Heads in 1965 on Decca Records.

Here is the discography surrounding The Rolling Stones's third album:

The Last Time (1965 single)

Got Live If You Want It! (1965 EP)

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965 single)

Out of Our Heads (1965 US album)

Out of Our Heads

Get Off of My Cloud (1965 single)

December's Children (And Everybody's) (1965 US album)

The Complete British Radio Broadcasts - Volume 3 1964-1965 (compilation album)

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones

"The Last Time" by the Rolling Stones

"That's How Strong My Love Is" by The Rolling Stones

Pass the Headphones!!

James Brown and The Famous Flames - Try Me! (1959)

"Try Me" by James Brown and The Famous Flames

The T.A.M.I Show's end is nigh and it climaxes with James Brown and The Famous Flames giving a performance that doesn't disappoint (an understatement).  James Brown and The Famous Flames released their second album Try Me! in 1959 on King Records.

Here is the discography surrounding James Brown and The Famous Flames's second album:

I Want You So Bad (1959 single)

I've Got to Change (1959 single)

Got to Cry (1959 single)

Doodle Bee (1959 single as James Davis)

Try Me!

James Brown and The Famous Flames Live on the T.A.M.I. Show

"I Won't Plead No More" by James Brown and The Famous Flames

Pass the Headphones!!

The Barbarians - The Barbarians (1965)

"You've Got to Understand" by The Barbarians

After The Supremes, the T.A.M.I. Show brought out their most confounding pick in the concert's lineup, The Barbarians, who performed a one song setlist of their only single at the time.  If the movie opened with a call and response of Chuck Berry and The Pacemakers to highlight the influence American music had on the Beats, it follows that the inclusion of The Barbarians are representative of the regional garage rock band formed under the influence of rock returned via the British Invasion.

The Barbarians released one album The Barbarians in 1965 on Laurie Records.

Here is the The Barbarians complete discography:

Hey Little Bird (1964 single)

Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl (1965 single)

What the New Breed Say (1965 single)

The Barbarians

Moulty (1966 single)

"Hey Little Bird" by The Barbarians

"Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl" by The Barbarians

"Moulty" by The Barbarians

Pass the Headphones!!

The Supremes - Meet The Supremes (1962)

"Time Changes Things" by The Supremes

From The Dakotas to The Supremes, this Motor City trio are next in the T.A.M.I. Show lineup.  The Supremes released their debut album, Meet the Supremes in 1962 on the Motown label.

Here is the discography surrounding The Supremes's debut album:

Tears of Sorrow (1960 single as The Primettes)

I Want a Guy (1961 single)

Buttered Popcorn (1961 single)

Your Heart Belongs to Me (1962 single)

Let Me Go the Right Way (1962 single)

Meet The Supremes

"Let Me Go the Right Away" by The Supremes

Pass the Headphones!!

Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas - Listen... (1963)

"Tell Me Girl" by Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas

Following up this run of American acts comes Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas, the second Liverpool Beat group and second Brian Epstein (aka Beatles replacement) act to feature on the T.A.M.I Show.  Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas released their debut album Listen... in 1963 on Parlophone Records.

Note:  Again, the clashing methods of album releases from both sides of the pond in the early sixties means two US albums are included in the discography.

Here is the discography surrounding Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas's debut album:

Do You Want to Know a Secret (1963 single)

The Cruel Sea (1963 single by The Dakotas)

Bad to Me (1963 single)

The Billy J. Kramer Hits (1963 EP)

Magic Carpet (1963 single by The Dakotas)

I'll Keep You Satisfied (1963 single)

Listen...

Meet The Dakotas (1963 EP by The Dakotas)

I'll Keep You Satisfied (1963 EP)

Little Children (1964 single)

Little Children (1964 EP)

Little Children (1964 US album)

From a Window (1964 single)

From a Window (1964 EP)

I'll Keep You Satisfied (1964 US album)

Oyeh (1964 single by The Dakotas)

"Bad to Me" by Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas

"The Cruel Sea" by The Dakotas

Pass the Headphones!!

The Beach Boys - Surfer Girl (1963)

"In My Room" by The Beach Boys

Jan & Dean's performance on the T.A.M.I. Show led into a performance by The Beach Boys.  The band gave one of their best ever live performances led by some excellent harmonies, but their part of the concert was left out of the final cut at The Beach Boys's request (likely the will of father/manager Murry Wilson).  The performance has since been restored to recent releases of the film.  The Beach Boys released their third album Surfer Girl in 1963 on Capitol Records.

Here is the discography surrounding The Beach Boys's third album:

Surfer Girl (1963 single)

Surfer Girl

"Surfer Girl" by The Beach Boys

"Catch a Wave" by The Beach Boys

"Our Car Club" by The Beach Boys

"Your Summer Dream" by The Beach Boys

Pass the Headphones!!

Jan & Dean - The Jan & Dean Sound (1960)

"Don't Fly Away" by Jan & Dean

Jan & Dean acted as the emcees of the T.A.M.I. Show where their thankless job consisted of just trying to have their artist introductions, comic skits and segues heard over the ceaslessly screaming fans.  They sang the film's namedropping opening theme song and kicked off the second half of the concert's lineup.  They released their debut album The Jan & Dean Sound in 1960 on Dore Records. 

Here is the discography surrounding Jan & Dean's debut album:

Jennie Lee (1958 single by Jan & Arnie)

Gas Money (1958 single by Jan & Arnie)

I Love Linda (1958 single by Jan & Arnie)

Baby Talk (1959 single)

There's a Girl (1959 single)

Clementine (1959 single)

White Tennis Sneakers (1960 single)

The Jan & Dean Sound

Gotta Getta Date (1960 single by Jan & Arnie)

Jan & Arnie (1960 EP by Jan & Arnie)

"Baby Talk" by Jan & Dean

"Gas Money" by Jan & Arnie

Pass the Headphones!!

Lesley Gore - I'll Cry If I Want To (1963)

"Cry Me a River" by Lesley Gore

Unfortunately due to certain obscure blog rules, we will be bypassing The Blossoms who performed on the T.A.M.I. Show as the background singers for Marvin Gaye.  So instead, we jump up the lineup to cover Lesley Gore, "the biggest name on the bill."  (The Amazing 17 Year Old) Lesley Gore released her debut album I'll Cry If I Want to in 1963 on Mercury Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Lesley Gore's debut album:

It's My Party (1963 single)

Judy's Turn to Cry (1963 single)

I'll Cry If I Want To

"It's My Party" by Lesley Gore

"Judy's Turn to Cry" by Lesley Gore

"What Kind of Fool Am I" by Lesley Gore

Pass the Headphones!!

Marvin Gaye - That Stubborn Kinda Fellow (1963)

"Stubborn Kind of Fellow" by Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye continues the Motown representation in the T.A.M.I. Show lineup.  He released his second album That Stubborn Kinda Fellow in 1963 on Tamla Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Marvin Gaye's second album:

Soldier's Plea (1962 single)

Stubborn Kind of Fellow (1962 single)

Hitch Hike (1962 single)

That Stubborn Kinda Fellow

Pride and Joy (1963 single)

Recorded Live on Stage (1963 live album)

"Pride and Joy" by Marvin Gaye

"Taking My Time" by Marvin Gaye

Pass the Headphones!!

The Miracles - Cookin' with The Miracles (1961)

"Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues" by The Miracles

We continue the T.A.M.I. Show trend by revisiting the next in the movie's lineup.  The Miracles released their second album Cookin' with The Miracles in 1961 on Tamla Records.

Here is the discography surrounding The Miracles's second album:

Ain't It Baby (1961 single)

Broken Hearted (1961 single)

Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues (1961 single)

Cookin' with The Miracles

"Mighty Good Lovin'" by The Miracles

"Embraceable You" by The Miracles

Pass the Headphones!!

Chuck Berry - Berry Is on Top (1959)

"Beautiful Delilah" by Chuck Berry

The T.A.M.I. Show is a landmark in the history of concert films.  A first of its kind, the film showcased some of the hottest acts of the day, those who would become the future of rock and roll, and some legendary acts giving legendary performances.  Gerry and The Pacemakers's inclusion in the show was not so much curious as it was an obvious stand-in for the unavailable Beatles.  The resident Liverpudlians didn't open the show, that right deservedly went to Chuck Berry, but the second song, "Maybellene", that Berry started was finished by The Pacemakers.  In a setlist's attempt to explain the cross-Atlantic trajectory of Rock and Roll that was now coming back to the States, the two artists would continue to take turns with the Beat boys benefiting and Chuck Berry being denied the more prominent and sustained spotlight he deserved.

In a first for this blog, this is Chuck Berry's third whistle stop!!  He released his third album Berry Is on Top in 1959 on Chess Records.

Here is the discography surrounding Chuck Berry's third album:

Johnny B. Goode (1958 single)

Beautiful Delilah (1958 single)

Carol (1958 single)

Sweet Little Rock and Roller (1958 single)

Pickin' Berries (1958 EP)

Merry Christmas Baby (1958 single)

Sweet Little 'Rock and Roller' (1959 EP)

Anthony Boy (1959 single)

Almost Grown (1959 single)

Back in the U.S.A. (1959 single)

Berry Is on Top

Chuck Berry clips from The T.A.M.I. Show

"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry

"Little Queenie" by Chuck Berry

"Run Rudolph Run" by Chuck Berry

Pass the Headphones!!

Gerry and The Pacemakers - How Do You Like It? (1963)

 "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Gerry and The Pacemakers

The Lads from Liverpool... there were many more than just those Fab Four.  One of the earliest "rivals" to The Beatles were fellow Liverpudlians Gerry and The Pacemakers who started out just as successfully in the UK.  Also managed by Brian Epstein, The Pacemakers debuted three straight singles at the top of the charts even despite rejecting a song offered them by up-and-coming songwriting team Lennon/McCartney.  They were amongst the first wave of British Invaders and followed in The Beatles's footsteps by debuting on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Gerry and The Pacemakers released their debut album How Do You Like It? in 1963 on Columbia Records.

Note:  Like The Beatles and other British artists of the era, The Pacemakers's records become similarly fragmented as they reach the other side of the Atlantic.  Those records are included in this whistle stop.

Here is the discography surrounding Gerry and The Pacemakers's debut album:

How Do You Do It? (1963 single)

I Like It (1963 single)

How Do You Do It? (1963 EP)

You'll Never Walk Alone (1963 single)

How Do You Like It?

You'll Never Walk Alone (1963 EP)

I'm the One (1964 single)

I'm the One (1964 EP)

Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying (1964 single)

Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying (1964 EP)

Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying (1964 US album)

Gerry and The Pacemakers Second Album (1964 US album)

Gerry and The Pacemakers Live at NME Poll Winners Show 1964

"Chills" by Gerry and The Pacemakers

"Slow Down" by Gerry and The Pacemakers

Pass the Headphones!!

The Beatles - With The Beatles (1963)

"I Wanna Be Your Man" by The Beatles

When David Jones went on The Ed Sullivan Show to promote Oliver! with others in the cast, he saw up close one of the seismic cultural events of the century.  He saw The Beatles debut on American television.  It changed the young Artful Dodger's life as it showed him what he wanted to be a part of: his own Beatles-like experience.  That's for another time.

The Beatles released their second album in the UK, With The Beatles, in 1963 on Parlophone Records.  (Here's their first.)

Note:  In the first half of 1964, North American labels caught on to the "trend" and started releasing the existing Beatles material in their respective markets -- restructuring the UK albums with the non-album singles.  I'm including those albums in the discography but focusing the blog stops on the UK lineage even though Meet the Beatles! and The Beatles' Second Album are seminal albums in US music history.

Here is the discography surrounding The Beatles's second album:

With The Beatles

I Want to Hold Your Hand (1963 single)

Introducing... The Beatles (1964 US album)

Meet The Beatles! (1964 US album)

Twist and Shout (1964 Canadian album)

All My Loving (1964 EP)

Souvenir of Their Visit to America (1964 EP)

The Beatles' Second Album (1964 US album)

The Beatles' First (1964 compilation album)

Four by The Beatles (1964 EP)

The Beatles' Long Tall Sally (1964 Canadian album)

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles (on The Ed Sullivan Show)

"Till There Was You" by The Beatles (at Royal Albert Hall)

"Roll Over Beethoven" by The Beatles

Pass the Headphones!!

David Jones - David Jones (1965)

"Dream Girl" by David Jones

David Bowie is his stage name.  Originally, he tried to have a go with his own name, David (sometimes Davy) Jones, but he was struggling to get his music career off the ground at the same time as another David (to be Davy) Jones.  Name-cementing success would find this other David Jones sooner than the eventual Bowie.  David Jones released his debut album David Jones in 1965 on Pye Records.

Here is the discography surrounding David Jones's debut album:

Dream Girl (1964 single)

What Are We Going to Do? (1965 single)

David Jones

The Girl from Chelsea (1965 single)

It Ain't Me Babe (1967 single as Davy Jones)

Theme for a New Love (1967 single as Davy Jones)

"What Are We Going to Do?" by David Jones (on Shindig!)

David Jones as The Artful Dodger (on The Ed Sullivan Show)

"Any Old Iron" by David Jones

Pass the Headphones!!

David Bowie - David Bowie (1969)

"Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" by David Bowie

Queen first turned to David Bowie to produce their second album.  Bowie was busy and turned them down leaving Queen to team up again with producer Roy Thomas Baker.  David Bowie released his own second album (once again called) David Bowie in 1969 on Philips Records.

Here is the discography surrounding David Bowie's second album:

The 'Mercury' Demos (1969 demos)

The '69 Tapes (1969 demos)

Space Oddity (1969 single)

David Bowie

Memory of a Free Festival (1970 single)

The Prettiest Star (1970 single)

Ragazzo solo, ragazza sola (1970 single)

The World of David Bowie (1970 compilation album)

"Space Oddity" by David Bowie

"Janine" by David Bowie

"Memory of a Free Festival" by David Bowie

Pass the Headphones!!

Queen - Queen II (1974)

"Ogre Battle" by Queen

To re-record and remix their debut album for a major label re-release, Mötley Crüe and Elektra hired producer Roy Thomas Baker.

"Listening to Queen inspired Mötley Crüe to work with Roy Thomas Baker on Too Fast for Love.  He would come in, "Hello darlings..." and listen for maybe thirty minutes or so and leave.  And we're like, "What?! Where's he going?"  But he produced Queen, so, man, we had to have him produce us, too." - Tommy Lee

Roy Thomas Baker produced Queen's first four albums.  Their second album Queen II came out on EMI and Elektra Records (US) in 1974.

Here is the discography surrounding Queen's second album:

Seven Seas of Rhye (1974 single)

Queen II

Live in Portland, Maine (1974 live bootleg)

"Seven Seas of Rhye" by Queen

"The March of the Black Queen" by Queen

Pass the Headphones!!

Mötley Crüe - Too Fast for Love (1981)

"Public Enemy #1" by Mötley Crüe

Scatman Crothers was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Before relocating to California, guitarist Robert Deal was born there, too.  Deal would change his name to and make his name as Mick Mars, the guitarist for Mötley Crüe.  Mötley Crüe released their debut album in late 1981 on their own record label Leathür Records.

Note:  The album cover and date above are for the self-released version of the album.  When Mötley Crüe signed with Elektra Records, they went back to the studio to remix and re-record parts of the album.  The 1982 re-released version of the album and its album cover are what is most popularly familiar.  I've highlighted the original release mostly for dates reasons.

Here is the discography surrounding Mötley Crüe's debut album:

Gypsy Woman (1978 single by Video Nu-R)

Demo (1978 demo by Sister)

Work, Work (1979 single by Video Nu-R)

Demo '79 (1979 demo by Sister)

Before They Were Mötley Crüe (1979 compilation album)

Demotape Remaster (1981 demo)

Mötley Crüe (1981 demo)

Stick to Your Guns (1981 single)

Too Fast for Love

Too Fast for Love (1982 re-released, remixed album)

Live Wire (1982 single)

Public Enemy #1 (1982 single)

Wild in the Night (1982 live album)

"Live Wire" by Mötley Crüe

"Take Me to the Top" by Mötley Crüe

"Starry Eyes" by Mötley Crüe

Pass the Headphones!!

Scatman Crothers - Rock 'n Roll with "Scat Man" (1956)

 "Exactly Like You" by Scatman Crothers

Wild Bill Moore's "Rock and Roll" is one of a number of songs in the debate for first ever rock and roll song.  The vocalist on the track is reputed to be jazz singer Scatman Crothers.  A long career saw Scatman shift musical gears throughout including for his "debut" album where he takes on the mantle of "rock and roller" for Rock 'n Roll with "Scat Man" while the genre is still young and still very much Rhythm and Blues.

Here is the discography surrounding Scatman Crothers's debut album:

The Jubilee Shows (No. 68 and No. 70) (1944 live radio performances with His Orchestra)

Dead Man's Blues (1948 single)

Riff's Blues (1948 single)

Shuffleboard Blues (1949 single)

I'd Rather Be a Hummingbird (1949 single)

I'd Rather Be a Rooster (1950 single)

Papa (I Don't Treat That Little Girl Mean) (1953 single)

Walkin' My Baby Back Home (1953 single)

On the Sunny Side of the Street (1954 single)

Dearest One (1955 single)

When Oh When (1955 single)

Honky Tonk (1956 single)

My Blue Heaven (1956 single)

Since I Met You Baby (1956 single)

Sweet Lips (Jazz Lips) (1956 single)

Rock 'n Roll with "Scat Man"

The Death of Emmett Till (1956 single with The Ramparts)

Exactly Like You (1957 single with His Wildcats)

I Got Rhythm (1957 single with His Wildcats)

Nobody Knows Why (1957 single with His Wildcats)

Ghost Riders in the Sky (1958 single with His Scat Rockets)

I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (1958 single with His Scat Rockets)

Rock, Roma, Rock It (1958 single)

"I'd Rather Be a Rooster" by Scatman Crothers

"Keep That Coffee Hot" by Scatman Crothers

"The Death of Emmett Till" by The Ramparts

Pass the Headphones!!