Sunday, August 03, 2008
Chiffons,Carl Dobkins Jr.,Aquatones
One of the great things about the Internet is the amazing amount of information that is available. One of the bad things about the Internet is the amazing about of mis-information that is available. Let's see if we can clear up the mystery of the Chiffons on the Big Deal label. Shown is the record label, with the address listed
from Chatsworth, California. Most people forget that it was actually a Billboard chart record that debuted the same week as the ultimately more popular version by the Shirelles. But back to the Chiffons...
The Chiffons are an east coast group that also recorded a couple of records as the Four Pennies on Rust. They had 12 Billboard chart records with the combined two names, or was it 11? They were High School classmates from the Bronx, and made good with a great sound and fine material to sing. A not so quick check on the Internet shows an overwhelming amount of sites that insist the "Big Deal" Chiffons were the same as the Laurie label Chiffons. In fact it was difficult to find anyone who didn't say that. Most of my books show them as the same group. Rockin Records even shows a price for the top 100 single as 75-100 bucks. For a chart record?
I read one site that a guy had actually talked to a couple of the Chiffons, just a few years back. They said they didn't recall the record and felt it certainly wasn't them. If I knew the interviewer, I could put complete stock in that answer. What confirmed that they are two completely different groups is that Steve Propes interviewed the actual Big Deal Chiffons. In his book LA R+B Vocal Groups 1945-1965, it is obvious that the two groups were different. Besides that, they were on two seperate coasts. That latter fact alone would not convince me, but all the information together is overwhelming evidence that they are not related.
I had a chance to chat with Carl Dobkins Jr the other day. I hope to air an interview later this month. A really nice guy, he had quite a history with rock and roll, and he just released a new CD with some fine songs on it. "Cruising with Carl" is now available.
Speaking of new CD's, the Aquatones are now represented with a definitive CD called "The Aquatones The Authentic Releases". What really sets the CD apart is that it explains all the different iterations of releases. The original Relic CD from some 15 years ago, did not issue all the originally released records, and accidentally included alternate takes. This CD sets that straight and as I mentioned, explains the process. Also included are the Chord'r Notes, Bob Lee and Vinnie Monte issues where the Aquatones backed up the name artist, and as in the Chord'r Notes, it was Dave Goddard and a different group of guys. At this point, I don't think there is any of the Aquatones material that could be unearthed.
from Chatsworth, California. Most people forget that it was actually a Billboard chart record that debuted the same week as the ultimately more popular version by the Shirelles. But back to the Chiffons...The Chiffons are an east coast group that also recorded a couple of records as the Four Pennies on Rust. They had 12 Billboard chart records with the combined two names, or was it 11? They were High School classmates from the Bronx, and made good with a great sound and fine material to sing. A not so quick check on the Internet shows an overwhelming amount of sites that insist the "Big Deal" Chiffons were the same as the Laurie label Chiffons. In fact it was difficult to find anyone who didn't say that. Most of my books show them as the same group. Rockin Records even shows a price for the top 100 single as 75-100 bucks. For a chart record?
I read one site that a guy had actually talked to a couple of the Chiffons, just a few years back. They said they didn't recall the record and felt it certainly wasn't them. If I knew the interviewer, I could put complete stock in that answer. What confirmed that they are two completely different groups is that Steve Propes interviewed the actual Big Deal Chiffons. In his book LA R+B Vocal Groups 1945-1965, it is obvious that the two groups were different. Besides that, they were on two seperate coasts. That latter fact alone would not convince me, but all the information together is overwhelming evidence that they are not related.
I had a chance to chat with Carl Dobkins Jr the other day. I hope to air an interview later this month. A really nice guy, he had quite a history with rock and roll, and he just released a new CD with some fine songs on it. "Cruising with Carl" is now available.
Speaking of new CD's, the Aquatones are now represented with a definitive CD called "The Aquatones The Authentic Releases". What really sets the CD apart is that it explains all the different iterations of releases. The original Relic CD from some 15 years ago, did not issue all the originally released records, and accidentally included alternate takes. This CD sets that straight and as I mentioned, explains the process. Also included are the Chord'r Notes, Bob Lee and Vinnie Monte issues where the Aquatones backed up the name artist, and as in the Chord'r Notes, it was Dave Goddard and a different group of guys. At this point, I don't think there is any of the Aquatones material that could be unearthed.
