Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



FOR THE WEEK OF JANUARY 4, 1999

DEAR JERRY: You recently answered an inquiry from a reader in Florida regarding a song titled “Janice Everywhere,” recorded in the Milwaukee area by a Joseph Pauelka. After your column ran, Joseph Pawleka (note spelling), a listener to my radio show on WTMJ, wrote the following to me:

“I'm writing in regard to Jerry Osborne's 'Mr. Music' column in the Journal-Sentinel. A reader, Jan McFall of St. Petersburg, Florida, claims to have a Milwaukee-issued 45 rpm of “Janice Everywhere,” from circa 1966.

“Well, I believe that is my song. I wrote “Janice Everywhere” in 1967, while living in West Allis, Wisc. But the mystery is that I don't believe it was ever produced on record for sale. I did have a few demo copies made by the National Songwriters Guild but that's as far as it went.

“What's more, Jan McFall says the record is by Joseph Pauelka, and I am Joseph Pawelka. I know the demo was recorded by a pretty good singer, but I don't recall his name. It was not by me.

“I'm dying to know more about that record in Florida. Perhaps Ms. McFall will write again with more information. A photocopy of the label would be especially helpful.”

On another matter, you were absolutely correct that “De Guello” is played in the film “Rio Bravo.” The song was traditionally used to wear down the resistance of opponents by Mexican armies, as well as to strengthen the resolve of the Latin forces.

“De Guello” means “no quarter,” or (not literally) “take no prisoners.” Reportedly, General Santa Ana played it continuously for over 24 hours during the battle at the Alamo.
—Jack Baker, Elm Grove, Wisc.

DEAR JACK & JOE: Oh what a tangled web we weave. Now let's hope that Jan McFall (who's address I did not keep) will come through with a photocopy of the label. Janice indeed seems to be everywhere.

Oh yes, is it just a coincidence that the lady in question is named Jan? Could that be short for Janice? Ve-r-r-r-r-y interesting wouldn't you say?

Thanks also, Jack, for the “De Guello” tidbit.

DEAR JERRY: I have a very difficult musical mystery for you to solve.

In the summer of 1969, before he became famous, Tony Orlando was a studio singer. A record came out then credited to a group, who's name I don't recall, but it was really Tony Orlando.

Please tell me the name of the song, the group name they used for it.
—Leon Sandora, McHenry, Ill.

DEAR LEON: How does “Make Believe” by Wind sound? This Top 30 hit from the summer of '69 perfectly fits your description.

You have, however, overlooked Tony Orlando's 1961 rise to stardom, when he had three great chart hits: “Halfway to Paradise, Bless You” and “Happy Times Are Here to Stay.”

One year after the Wind release, Tony, along with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent, returned to the charts as Dawn and ran off a streak of 20 hits over the next nine years.


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DEAR JERRY: While stationed in Chicago in the mid-'60s I heard a tune that I fell in love with. It has no lyrics, just whistling, and the improbable title “I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman.”

I have never heard it again so was it just a local item, or did it go national?

Music store clerks look at me as if I am demented when I mention this, so please help save my sanity.
—Charles D. Jameson, Puyallup, Wash.

DEAR CHARLES: One thing I have learned from my dozen years of writing this column is that a infallible parallel exists between folks asking a music store clerk about anything older than a decade, and the questioning of one's sanity.

“I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman,” a nationwide Top 20 hit from mid-1967, is by Whistling Jack Smith.

IZ ZAT SO? In case you're lucky enough to unearth a Tony Orlando doo-wop recording, titled “Ding Dong” (Milo 101), you'll have a disc that sells for $100. Don't be fooled by the name, though. This 1959 issue is not by the above-mentioned Tony Orlando. It's a completely different singer.






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