Fred Cole, George Young, Fats Domino & Shows # 691, 692, 693

We lost the following three musicians recently. All are different in their own way and left their imprint on rock music in different forms. Each of the three episodes of Revolution Rock included in this post features music from these artists in some way. They can be downloaded in the link after the playlists at the end of this post.

Fred Cole (Lollipop Shoppe, Dead Moon, Pierced Arrows):

Fred Cole was born in Tacoma, Washington, but lived in Las Vegas, Nevada while growing up. He began his career in music at a very young age playing with a band in Vegas called The Lords. They released a single in 1964, before Deep Soul Cole, his next band, released a single in 1965. The Weeds, formed in 1966. The band attempted to drive to the Canadian border in order to avoid the draft, but didn’t make it that far. Rumoured to run out of funds and or gas, the band found themselves in Portland, Oregon. It was here where the band gained a following and after signing to Uni Records, changed their name to The Lollipop Shoppe. The band recorded one album, Just Color and released their now well-known 1968 single, “You Must Be A Witch”. It was also here, where Cole met his future wife and band mate, Kathleen “Toody” Connor. After the Lollipop Shoppe disbanded in 1969, and The Weeds released one more single in 1971, Cole and his wife headed for Alaska to raise their children.

Cole re-emerged to form the hard rock band Zipper, who released an album on his and Toody’s label Whizeagle in 1975. Cole then formed and released music by a variety of other bands such as King Bee, The Rats, the country band Western Front, The Range Rats and Dead Moon. It was with the band Dead Moon, in which Toody played bass and Andrew Loomis played drums that Cole’s music would gain a devout cult following. Known as a garage punk band, Dead moon blended elements of garage, punk and country into their stripped down sound. They released ten full-length albums, not counting singles, live albums and compilations and lasted from 1987-2006. Many of the band’s early recordings were engineered and released on Fred and Toody’s own label, Tombstone Records. Their early recordings were mastered by Cole himself on a mono lathe that was originally used to cut The Kingsmen’s “Louie, Louie” in 1963.

Cole and Toody then formed The Pierced Arrows with Kelly Haliburton on drums and released two albums in 2008 and 2010. Recently, Cole and Toody had been performing acoustically. Fred Cole passed away at the age of 69 in November 2017 due to cancer. The music that he created spanned decades, and while it wasn’t a mainstream success, it is beloved amongst underground music communities in the US and Europe. When Dead Moon split up in 2006, Cole provided this quote which emphasizes the effect his music had on underground, DIY music communities and in general: "It's been a journey we will always treasure and feel that a worldwide family has emerged in its place".

George Young (Australian Easybeat, producer and songwriter):

At the end of October of this year, George Young passed away. An important figure in the Australian music history, George’s journey into the music world began in 1963 when he met future band mate and collaborator Harry Vanda at the VIllawood Migrant Hostel in Sydney, Australia. Young’s family, just relocated from Glasgow, Scotland at the time. George Young and Harry Vanda would be part of the Australian garage rock band, The Easybeats, who were Australia’s answer to The Beatles. Along with Stevie Wright (vocals), Dick Diamonde (bass) and Snowy Fleet (drums), the band had singles like “She’s So Fine”, “Sorry” and “Friday On My Mind” were charting hits in Australia, while “Friday On My Mind” was a hit in the US as well. Along with the Bee Gees, The Easybeats were among the first Australian artists to have international success. They split in 1969, Young and Vanda would then enter the production world writing songs for other musicians and taking on more of a producing role in music.

George Young and Harry Vanda relocated to London, England shortly after this and in addition to producing and writing songs for others and bands including themselves, they also produced music for George Alexander. His real name was Alexander Young, George Young's eldest brother, and when the Young family relocated to Australia in 1963, Alex stayed in London to pursue music. Signed to The Beatles, Apple Music Publishing Inc. label, Alexander was in the psychedelic rock band Grapefruit. They released two albums and some singles. After Grapefruit had broken up, Alexander joined Vanda/Young and collaborated on a series of releases under different band names and on one final Grapefruit single in 1971 titled “Universal Party/Sha Sha”. George and Harry returned to Australia in 1973 and formed Flash And The Pan in 1976, a synthpop band who had their share of hits from the mid 70s to the 90s.

In addition to their own musical efforts and in the production role, Young also had a big role in a band that featured his two younger brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young. The two would be a part of the band AC/DC and their first five albums were produced by George Young and Harry Vanda. It was George Young’s suggestion to have Bon Scott join the group as their singer, after Dave Evans exited the group. Scott’s previous band The Valentines had released some singles in the 60s that were written by Vanda/Young. In addition to this, George played bass on some of their early recordings and even filled in on bass for live gigs for the band in their early days. George Young retired from the music industry in the 90s, but would produced AC/DC’s 2000 album, Stiff Upper Lip on his own. George Young often refused interviews later in his life, but the imprint he left on music is vast. He helped shape and change Australian music and let the music do the talking.

Fats Domino (New Orleans Rock and Roll Music Pioneer and Icon):

Fats Domino was born Antoine Dominique Domino Jr in 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was one of the pioneering musicians in rock and roll music and has sold over 65 million records. By the age of 14, Domino was performing in bars in New Orleans. In 1947, he was invited to a backyard barbecue by New Orleans bandleader Billy Diamond. Domino was then asked to join his band, The Solid Senders where he was said to have earned $3 a week to play piano with them. He also earned the nickname “Fats” by Diamond because Domino reminded him of pianists Fats Waller and Fats Pichon. He was signed to Imperial Records in 1949 where instead of being paid a for each song he recorded, he would be paid in royalties based on sales for the songs he recorded. Joining up with producer and co-songwriter Dave Bartholomew, they wrote the song “Fat Man” which was based on a version of the song “Junker Blues”. The song featured Domino’s unique, rolling piano style, combined with his vocals over a strong backbeat. The result was what is widely considered the first successful rock and roll single. It sold a million copies.

What followed next was a string of successful singles, often both the A-side and B-side would chart. In 1955, “Ain’t That A Shame” became his first crossover pop hit, it charted on the Billboard pop singles charts. His biggest hit proved to be “Blueberry Hill”, a song written in the 1940s by Vincent Rose, Larry Stock and Al Lewis. It reached number two on top 40 Billboard charts where it stayed for two weeks and number one on the R&B singles charts where it stayed for eight weeks. Some of his other well-known songs include “I’m Walkin’”, “Blue Monday” and “Walking To New Orleans”. Fats hit streak came to an end in 1964 as the British Invasion took over. Domino continued to record until the 1970s. He left his record label in 1963 for ABC-Paramount Records. Imperial Records was sold in 1963 to Liberty Records. Fats famously said in a 1979 interview that “I stuck with them until they sold out”. 40 of the songs that he recorded for Imperial charted in the top 10 of the R&B charts of the day and 11 of them cracked the top ten in the pop charts. Fats continued to tour until 1995. He would intermittently make appearances in the time after this, but rarely ventured out to perform in public. His last public appearance was on May 19th, 2007 in New Orleans. The concert was filmed and played on TV as Fats Domino: Walkin’ Back To New Orleans. A documentary entitled Fats Domino and the Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll premiered on PBS in 2016.

Fats Domino was an icon and pioneer in rock and roll music alongside others, such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard. He sold more records than any other 50s era rock musician, with the exception of Elvis Presley and his music contained an undeniable rhythm and groove. Dr. John had this to say of Fats Domino back in 2010 for Rolling Stone Magazine: “Anytime anybody plays a slow blues, the piano player will eventually get to something like Fats. I can't tell you the number of times I played sessions and was asked specifically to do Fats. That innocence is there in his music. He's a good man, and people respond to that goodness. I don't think it was about anything other than the tradition of working the house and what felt good to Fats."


Show 693 Playlist (Originally Aired On November 11th, 2017):

1. Lollipop Shoppe - It's Only A Reflection
2. Lollipop Shoppe - You Must Be A Witch
3. Dead Moon - I Hate The Blues
4. Pierced Arrows - Caroline
5. The Easybeats - She's So Fine
6. The Easybeats - No One Knows (Outtake)
7. Flash And The Pan - Welcome To The Universe
8. Thee Rum Coves - Behind Your Smile
9. Deja Voodoo - Lonesome Train (Live at The Backstage Club)
10. Tough Age - Me In Glue
11. Beef Boys - Drink=
12. Lost Durangos - Evil Town
13. Modernettes - I Can Only Give You Everything
14. Safe Word - You & Me
15. The Replacements - Red Red Wine
16. The Replacements - Alex Chilton (Alternate Version)
17. The Replacements - Can't Hardly Wait (Alternate Version)
18. Fergus & Geronimo - No Parties
19. Parquet Courts - Tears O'Plenty
20. Daniele Luppi & Parquet Courts - Soul and Cigarette
21. A.Savage - Phantom Limbo
22. Tea Leaves - Selfish
23. Rusty - Warm House (Demo)
24. Flip City - Exiles Road (1974 Demo)
25. Aron D'Alesio - Answer To A Question
26. The Stoves - Can't Slow Down
27. Chad VanGaalen - Pine And Clover

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for November 11.


Show 692 Playlist (Originally Aired On November 4th, 2017):

1. Deer Tick - Card House
2. Deer Tick - Look How Clean I Am
3. The Radiation Flowers - Sunrise
4. Rolling Blackouts C.F. - Wither With You
5. Andreas - November Gales
6. The Replacements - I'll Buy
7. The Replacements - Left of The Dial
8. The Replacements - Kiss Me On The Bus (Demo)
9. JD McPherson - Undivided Heart & Soul
10. Motorhead - Jumpin' Jack Flash
11. The Outcasts - Love You Never
12. Menace - Screwed Up
13. Alternative TV - Life
14. The Famines - Fast Times
15. Coufleur Dessin - The Bad Thing
16. Destroyer - Tinseltown Swimming In Blood
17. Wolf Parade - You're Dreaming
18. Prime Junk - Dreams
19. Snake River - Dear Franklin Gabriel McCrebee
20. Neil Young - Human Highway
21. Paul the Tailor - She Said
22. The 5.6.7.8.'s - Highschool Witch
23. The Black Lips - Time of the Scab
24. The Scientists - Nitro
25. Violent Femmes - Gimme the Car
26. The Replacements - Waitress in the Sky

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for November 4.


Show 691 Playlist (Originally Aired On October 28th, 2017):

1. The Tragically Hip - Blow At High Dough
2. Gord Downie & The Sadies - Budget Shoes
3. Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Silver & Gold
4. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - I Live My Life
5. Fats Domino - Ain't That A Shame
6. Fats Domino - Don't Blame It On Me
7. Fats Domino - Before I Grow Too Old
8. Screamin' Jay Hawkins - You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want To)
9. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds - Spider Baby
10. Dead Moon - Fire In The Western World
11. Mark Sultan - Let Me Out
12. Flat Duo Jets - I'm Sorry
13. The D4 - Evil Heart
14. Ornament & Crime - Academy of Birds
15. Ray Dafrico/Cait O'Riordan - Rejected
16. Sam Coffey & The Iron Lungs - Pressure
17. Cub - The Day I Said Goodbye
18. The Potatomen - The Beautiful & The Damned
19. The Courtneys - Virgo
20. The Courtneys - 25
21. Depruse - Caught Off Guard
22. Kim Gray - 90's Baby
23. Tough Age - Ghost
24. By Divine Right - Soul Shakedown Party
25. U-Men - Trouble Under Water
26. Ty Segall - Big Man
27. Revo - Too Much Paranoias (Live At The Press Club)
28. The Ride Theory - The Piper
29. Ricked Wicky - I'll Let You In

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 28.

Easybeats, Grapefruits and AC/DC - A History Of The Young Brothers & Show # 563

When looking on the back of any AC/DC album that was released up to 1978’s Powerage, you will notice the production credits will read “Produced by Harry Vanda and George Young”. The two have a long musical history together working together in songwriting, producing and in having a connection to AC/DC. Both are perhaps best known for being songwriters and member of the Australian rock band The Easybeats. Influenced by the 60s British Invasion sound, many regard The Easybeats as Australia’s answer to The Beatles. The band released several albums and a string of successful singles throughout their time as a band, which lasted from 1964-1969. The Easybeats had a successful international hit with the song “Friday On My Mind” in 1966. The single was very successful in the US, UK and Australia cracking the Billboard top ten or higher, but the song is also notable for the songwriting credits. Written by George Young and Harry Vanda, this song is one of the many examples of the Vanda/Young songwriting partnership that began in The Easybeats. It was also a partnership that would continue on long after the band broke up at the end of 1969.

George Young is also the older brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC. He would go on to produce the early Bon Scott-era AC/DC albums up to 1978’s Powerage, along with his Easybeats songwriting partner Harry Vanda. They also produced AC/DC’s 1988 album Blow Up Your Video and George produced the band’s 2000 album Stiff Upper Lip on his own. George Young even played bass on some of the band’s early albums and helped out at a few live gigs. Prior to this, however, George Young became involved in a variety of recording projects after The Easybeats disbanded in 1969. George Young also had an elder brother Alexander Young. Alexander stayed in London to pursue musical interests in 1963 when his family decided to immigrate to Australia from Glasgow, Scotland. Changing his name to George Alexander, he would become a member of the band Bobby Patrick Six Pack, touring Germany before forming the band Grapefruit. Another interesting side note, Alexander also played in two other bands Johnny And The Copycats and a band called My Dear Watson.

Alexander was signed as a songwriter with Apple Music Publishing Ltd. (The Beatles label) based on the strength of his song “Lullaby For A Lazy Day”, which was a trippy, psychedelic oriented song originally titled “Sgt. Pepper Circus”. The song would be featured on Grapefruit’s first album Around Grapefruit that was released in 1968. Being the first band signed to the Apple label, The Beatles took an interest in Grapefruit who were reportedly named by John Lennon after a book by Yoko Ono. Lennon & McCartney co-produced the song “Lullaby” and members of the Beatles assisted in recording sessions for Grapefruit when they were starting out. However, their recorded output only lasted from 1967-1969, leaving behind two albums and a handful of singles. Grapefruit’s first album Around Grapefruit was more in the psychedelic, melodic pop direction, while 1969’s Deep Water was more hard rock.

Alexander reconnected with his brother George in 1969 and Alexander along with Harry Vanda and George Young collaborated on and released several recordings under different band names such as Paintbox and Tramp and Haffy’s Whiskey Sour. Grapefruit also recorded one last, one off single “Universal Party/Sha-Sha”. Most notably, Alexander participated in Harry Vanda and George Young’s Marcus Hook Roll Band project. This project not only featured George and Alexander, but it also featured Angus and Malcolm Young in their first studio recording. This can be found on the 1973 album Tales Of Old Grand Daddy, which was reissued in June 2014.

In 1976, a song penned by Alexander Young by was recorded by AC/DC entitled “I’m A Rebel”, but is still as of today unreleased and remains in the vaults. Harry Vanda and George Young in addition to producing records also wrote songs together under a different synth rock outfit entitled Flash And The Pan from 1977-1992, releasing several albums and singles. Currently, Stevie Young (son of Alexander) who filled in for Malcolm on AC/DC’s Canadian tour in 1988 has now replaced Malcolm Young. He is featured on AC/DC’s Rock Or Bust album and is playing with them on their 2015 tour. All of this leads back to the fact that you never know what you will find when on the back of an album cover.





Saturday Night Playlist:

1. The G’s - There’s A Time
2. The Mongols - Sleepwalk
3. Mick Futures - Whatever You Want
4. By Divine Right - The Hill
5. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Art Star
6. Built To Spill - Another Day
7. The Hives - Early Morning Wake Up Call
8. Grapefruit - Lullaby
9. The Easybeats - She’s So Fine
10. The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind
11. Flash And The Pan - Don’t Vote
12. Flash And The Pan - Early Morning Waking Up Call
13. AC/DC - Dog Eat Dog
14. B.B King - Everyday I Have The Blues (Live at San Quentin 1990)
15. Public Image Limited - Intruder
16. Peter Gabriel - Banging On The Door
17. Jah Wobble, Jaki Liebezeit, Holger Czukay - How Much Are They?
18. Can - Mushroom
19. Super Visas - Jay’s Place
20. Tim Bradford - On The Line
21. Hooded Fang - Graves
22. The Reverb Syndicate - Hello World
23. Chad Vangaalen - Clinically Dead
24. The Vapids - Mikey Was A Punk
25. The Smiths - Sweet And Tender Hooligan
26. Iggy Pop - Family Affair

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for June 6. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.

The Hives Tarred and Feathered! ... Show # 321

Tarred and Feathered is the latest offering from the Swedish Garage/Punk band The Hives. Released digitally On July 2nd, 2010, Tarred and Feathered is a three track EP of obscure cover songs. The first song on the EP, "Civilizations Dying", is a cover of a song originally done by The Zero Boys. The Zero Boys were a four piece Punk/Hardcore band from the Indianapolis, Indiana area. They lasted from the 1979 to about 1985 initially, reforming in the late 80s/early 90s. The Hives version of "Civilizations Dying" is a faithful version of the original with an added Hives flavour. The next track on the EP is the song "Early Morning Wake Up Call" a song originally by Flash And The Pan. This New Wave band originates from Australia and was essentially an ongoing studio project featuring members of the Australian band The Easybeats, Harry Vanda and George Young (older brother of AC/DC's Angus Young and Malcolm Young). The song was originally released in 1984, on an album of the same name and featured prominent synthesizers. The Hives version swaps the synthesizer for guitars, while maintaining the essence of the original song for a result that some are calling a better than the original cover song. Finally the EP ends with "Nasty Secretary" a song originally done by Joy Ryder & Avis Davis. This band is even more obscure they released a vinyl in 1979 titled No More Nukes, "Nasty Secretary" being the B-side.

While the album is only currently available digitally it is supposed to be released on 7 inch vinyl later this year. Overall, the three track EP serves an appetizer for the bands upcoming full-length, which they are currently working on. Recorded live to tape in Ghrondahl Studio in Stockholm during five days in March 2010, Tarred and Feathered is musically in the realm of classic 70s Punk and New Wave, while lyrically all the songs deal with anti-establishment based themes. The EP also serves as exposure for Hives fans to bands that they may not have previously listened to before, expanding their musical tastes beyond the traditional Rock realm.

The Play List:

1. Television - Friction (Alternate Version)
2. Hurtin' Kind - Look Inside
3. Cool World - Dream Shake
4. Neil Young - Hitchhiker
5. The Rage - Stay
6. Richard & The Taxmen - Ice Skating Rita
7. Cyberman - You're To Blame
8. The Wasps - Teenage Treats
9. Index - Total Bland
10. Clinic - Lion Tamer
11. Laughing Clowns - Mr. Rediculous
12. Arkells - I'm Not The Sun
13. Punk Rods - Rip It Up
15. Puncture - You Can't Rock and Roll
16. Simply Saucer - Bullet Proof Nothing
17. Ride Theory - Devil In My Heart
18. Standells - Rari
19. Solomon Burke -Home in Your Heart
20. Joe Strummer - Nothin' Bout Nothin'
21. Pearl Jam - Down
22. The Hives - Civilization's Dying
23. The Hives - Early Morning Wake Up Call

To download this weeks program, visit CJAM's schedule page for Revolution Rock and download the file for October 12th. Or subscribe to Revolution Rock as a Podcast.