Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

“Armpit #6” = Files Below “Apartment #4, Sixth St. & Cincinnati”

Nowhere to Run Gerri Hirshey‘s well-researched and beautifully-written history of soul music – devotes its first chapter to Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in which we learn the singer once wrote a song about a special perfume entitled “Armpit #6” that was released as a single on Red Top in 1958:

Armpit #6

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (1958)

According to *one source on the web (*that is no longer extant, sadly) —

November [?] 1958  – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins records his one and only session (4 songs) for the Red Top label in Philadelphia.  “Armpit No. 6”  b/w The Past” is issued on Red Top 126 in December, while “I’m So Glad” and Wake Up And Live” remain unreleased.  Producer and personnel unknown.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins would re-record the song with Keith Richards in 1979.

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Vinyl Alert! 

In 2014, an original copy of “Armpit #6” would sell for $405 on Ebay!

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Note:  The title of this Zero to 180 piece is an inside librarian-type joke — to see what all the fuss is all about:

  • Go to the Zero to 180 home page
  • Click on the All Categories tab
  • Browse all the way down to “Featured Songs
  • Note that “Armpit No. 6is listed directly belowApartment #4, Sixth St. & Cincinnati

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LINK to Ralph Emery Messes With Joe Stampley’s Head

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