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. 6” is listed directly below “Apartment #4, Sixth St. & Cincinnati“
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