Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Category: Federal

Federal
Zeroto180

King Records Lore — A Trunkful of Trivia

Chiemi Eri on King Records – In the US & Japan Chiemi Eri, born Jan. 11, 1937 in Tokyo, was a popular singer and actress in Japan who began her singing career at 14 with her version of “The Tennessee Waltz,” according to Discogs. When you scan her singles discography

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"Where You At Jack"
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Little Mummy’s Lone Federal 45

This other one-off recording from 1957 – released on King subsidiary label, Federal – establishes a Cincinnati-New Orleans connection via musical artist, Little Mummy (i.e., Marvin Gauthreaux): “Where You At Jack” Little Mummy (1957) “Where You At Jack” and its flip side “Oh Baby Please” were both recorded in New

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"Papa Left Mama Holding the Bag"
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Who’s Left Holding King’s Bag?

[For an update on the perilous status of the original King Records site, click here] A recent Cincinnati visit allowed me the chance to verify that the former King Records complex is still standing.  But for how long?  Polly Lucke, Zero to 180’s West Coast correspondent, recently brought to my

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"I'm Tore Down"
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Tore Up vs. Tore Down? Musical Retort, Possibly

On March 12, 1956 drummer and vocalist, Billy Gayles, recorded “I’m Tore Up” at Cincinnati’s King Studios backed by Ike Turner and His Rhythm Rockers: “I’m Tore Up” Billy Gayles (1956) “I’m Torn Up” received a B from Cash Box  (“an okay deck”), who characterized the song as a “middle

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"Do the President Twist"
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“Do the President Twist”: First Depiction of a Rockin’ President?

The song that launched a national dance craze – “The Twist” – cast an unbelievably long shadow.  Even though Hank Ballard’s original version of the song was released on King in 1959, groups were putting out twist songs well into 1962.*   I was reminded of this fact recently when listening

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"Pork Chop Stomp"
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1954: An Explosive Year for Music

We all know that 1954 was the year of Elvis Presley’s famous and influential Sun recordings, but 1954 was also highly noteworthy for the combined impact of these three particular tunes – all instrumentals: 1.  “Stratosphere Boogie” by Speedy West & Jimmy Bryant – Phenomenal, blazing twin guitar work — rock

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