Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

“Phantom Lover”: Halloween Hit?

This song sounds to me like an obvious – and instantaneous – hit:

Phantom Lover

Marv Lockard (1967)

And yet so little information exists about this classic 1967 mix (arranged and produced by Ray Allen) from Shad O’Shea‘s Counterpart Records, with its deep bass grooves and warm reverb.

Three years prior, Marv Lockard – as part of The Dolphins – would record a song at King Studios (“Hey-Da-Da-Dow“) that would catch the ear of Harry Carlson, who would issue it on Fraternity and have a #69 pop hit in late 1964.  According to Buckeye Beat, Kenny Smith, former host of Cincinnati’s “Soul Street” TV show – and subject of a previous Zero to 180 celebration – assisted with the song’s production.

Fun to note that “Phantom Lover” was part of the set list for Portland, Oregon radio’s XRAY FM first annual Halloween Show in 2014.

Arranged and produced by Ray Allen

Marv Lockard 45

Marv Lockard has a page devoted to his recorded legacy on this German roots rock tribute website.  I am also amused to see that Lockard was once a fellow Gateway recording artist with my brother’s father-in-law, Jack Gutjahr.

This special Halloween piece is the 13th item (spooky! true!) about Counterpart Records.

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