Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



MR. MUSIC FOR THE WEEK OF JAN 26 , 1998

DEAR JERRY: Thanks for the recent feature on the my childhood idols, the Kingston Trio.

The tune you discussed, “The Merry Minuet,” is also one of my favorites. Who is the writer of this song?

Also, why was a photo of a latter-day Kingston Trio run alongside the column? Bob Shane, Dave Guard, and Nick Reynolds should have been pictured.
—B.F. Helman, Chicago, Ill

DEAR B.F.: Writer's credit for “The Merry Minuet” is given to Broadway tunesmith Sheldon M. Harnick.

Among the slew of hit shows to his credit are: “Fiddler on the Roof; Baker Street; Apple Tree; Fiorello; Man in the Moon; The Rothschilds; Tenderloin” and “To Broadway, with Love.”

Regarding the photo selected to accompany the column, I must enter a plea of not guilty. Any illustrations are chosen by the local papers. They are supplied by neither myself nor the syndicator.

DEAR JERRY: I have a 45 rpm of “Cathy's Clown,” by the Everly Brothers. What is unusual about this copy is that the vinyl color is gold, or yellow. I got it from a dee jay at a record hop a very long time ago.

Can you tell me anything about this disc? Is it worth anything?
—Susan Roy, St. Petersburg, Fla.

DEAR SUSAN: “Cathy's Clown” is one of three 1960-'61 Everly Brothers' singles for which Warner Bros. made gold vinyl promotional copies — the others being “So Sad” and “Ebony Eyes.”

Since such items are intended for radio station use, including air play and giveaways, it is nice to see the good dee jay appropriated it properly.

Any of the three gold vinyl Everly discs fetch $50 to $75.

DEAR JERRY: Ron Dante, lead — but uncredited — voice of the Archies and the Cuff Links, had a solo hit in 1971. Can you give me its title?
—John F., Valparaiso, Ind.

DEAR JOHN: Neither Billboard nor Cash Box credit Ron Dante with a hit in 1970; however, there are many regional hits that fail to make the national charts. Perhaps this one is in that category.

Here are Ron Dante's three releases for both 1970 and '71. Hopefully the one you seek is among them:

(1970) “Let Me Bring You Up” backed with “How Do You Know” (Kirshner 1010)

(1970) “Sweet Taste of Love” backed with “C'mon Girl” (Kirshner 5007)

(1971) “That's What Life Is All About” backed with “That's What Life Is All About” (Scepter 12333)

The Scepter single in a promotional copy, thus the same track on both sides.

DEAR JERRY: Please name the deceased solo artists and their rankings on the list of all-time singles sales leaders from the rock era?
—Shirley Elfman, Paducah, Ky.

DEAR SHIRLEY: Here are the Top 10 dearly departed recording stars? In parenthesis is their ranking overall when combined with those performers still living.

1. Elvis Presley (1); 2. Marvin Gaye (11); 3. Rick Nelson (21); 4. Nat "King" Cole (30); 5. Brook Benton (46); 6. Sam Cooke (51); 7. Jackie Wilson (52); 8. Bobby Darin (54); 9 Roy Orbison (66); 10. Dean Martin (97).

IZ ZAT SO? From the beginning of the rock era (1955) through the end of the '70s, the Everly Brothers were by far the world's most popular recording duo. Behind them, in order, are: Simon & Garfunkel, Righteous Brothers, Jan & Dean, Sonny & Cher, and the Captain & Tennille.






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