Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Guitar Crusher: Baby Hit the #’s

Guitar Crusher, I’m happy to report, is still very vital* and, judging from his Facebook posts, appears to be based in Germany, where he performs much of the time. [*Facebook post from September 2020 informs us, sadly, that “SidneyGuitar CrusherSelby didn’t recover after an operation on his spine in June and passed away in his sleep Wednesday morning September 23rd 2020.”]

I first learned of Guitar Crusher by browsing the index of Ruppli’s King Labels discography, where I was immediately taken with his name.  King Records’ Syd Nathan would initially lease a set of four Guitar Crusher recordings (“with orchestra”) from another label and release them as two 45s on the Bethlehem imprint in late 1962, early 1963.

“I Once Loved You Baby” b/w “I Feel The Pain”

Released Oct. 1962

“Itch With Me” b/w “The Monkey”

Released Jan. 1963

But then, Ruppli’s discography states that Guitar Crusher – intriguingly – made four recordings at King’s Cincinnati studios on April 6, 1963 that were then released as two King singles.

“Better Days Ahead” b/w “Weak For Your Love”

Released May 1963

“I Can’t Help It” b/w “Why, Oh Why”

Released Oct. 1963

Guitar Crusher’s next release would be on almighty Columbia in 1967 with – get this – Sire Records co-founders, Richard Gottehrer and Seymour Stein, jointly producing the 45 (and writing the flip side).

1969 saw the release of “Since My Baby Hit the Numbers” — but only in Europe.  The A-side would be a collaboration with the Jimmy Spruill Orchestra, with intriguingly jaunty horns that echo through the fadeout of this brief blast of rocking blues:

“Since My Baby Hit The Numbers” + “Hambone Blues”

Guitar Crusher (1969)

Guitar Crusher would re-engage musically in the 1990s after sitting out much of the 1970s and 80s, jointly releasing an album with Ten Years After’s Alvin Lee — 1995’s Message to Man.

France – 1969

 

Guitar Crusher’s website for more info and music.

Click here for the trailer to the Guitar Crusher documentary.

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