A friend called me from the car the other day asking if I had ever heard the song below; going on to say that she thought of me when she heard it on "Little Steven's Underground Garage."
Did she think of me because of the sound or the lyrics?
Well, of course I've heard it and have long been fascinated by it. Still, I've never bothered to look up the backstory, content to marvel at the uncanny Beatlesesque sound.
Apparently the Jersey band followed trends, opting to copy the Four Seasons early on before hitting on this gem. The clip below is telling; lead singer Buddy Randall is a bit out-of-step with the times, with a dated haircut (for '65) and holding a sax (an instrument that faded after the Beatles landed) that he never plays.
But Randall's vocals are uncannily reminiscent of John Lennon, the harmonies are spot-on and the guitar licks snarl in a Harrison-like manner. This record may be regarded as just a knockoff, but I think it stands on its own as a not-so-minor classic
Label issues hampered The Knickerbockers after "Lies," dooming them to a footnote in rock and roll history.
But a glorious footnote it is.
How wonderful of somebody to hear a song, call and say it brought you to mind. (Regardless of the reason why.)
ReplyDeleteWonder if they kept trying to roll with the trends? Maybe three years later they were cutting records with sitars and backwards guitars and wannabe-spacey lyrics.
Or maybe they were all punching a clock by that time.