Ask “Mr. Music”
Jerry Osborne



MR. MUSIC FOR THE WEEK OF JAN 19 , 1998

DEAR JERRY: On a syndicated radio novelty show, I heard a bizarre record about a couple of teenagers driving home after a Beatles concert. As the story line goes, their car collided with a motorcycle and the young girl died a gruesome death.

Because of the reference to a Beatles concert, I assume this came out in the '60s.

From what I have described is there any chance you can identify this one?
—Courtney Messier, Lakeland, Fla.

DEAR COURTNEY: Bizarre is the best word to describe “I Want My Baby Back,” a 1964 hit by Jimmy Cross (Tollie 9039).

This Shangri-las-inspired novelty — they crashed into the “Leader of the Pack” — didn't become much of a hit though it did languish near the bottom of the Top 100 for a few weeks.

Ironically, Jimmy Cross died of a heart attack in 1978, at the young age of 39.

DEAR JERRY: I have been searching for years for a song by the Lettermen, titled “All I Ask of You.”

I have called radio stations, researched books and data bases, and visited music stores, all without a shred of success. I am convinced no one else on earth knows of this tune. Do you?
—Carl Mussleman, Chicago, Ill.

DEAR CARL: I do, and armed with the label name and selection number your search will be easier.

The reason the Lettermen's “All I Ask of You,” from Broadway's “Phantom of the Opera,” is so obscure is because it came out their private label, Alpha Omega (“12871). Though not that old — issued in 1988 — it is already scarce.

DEAR JERRY: I recently came across a “Hotter Than Hell” picture disc by KISS. It appears to be foreign, but might also be a bootleg. Is it legitimate? How much is it worth?
—Lydia Jefferson, Huntsville, Ala.

DEAR LYDIA: The “Hotter Than Hell” picture disc (Phonogram 6399058) is an import from Holland.

Manufactured in 1987 in a limited edition of only 1,500, its value is now $40 to $50.

DEAR JERRY: When the Captain and Tennille released their “Love Will Keep Us Together” album, they went back and recorded all of the vocals in Spanish, reissuing the album as “Capitan Y Tennille Por Amor Viviremos” (A&M SP-4561).

Has any other Top 40 recording artist ever re-recorded the lead vocals from an entire album the way Daryl & Toni did? It will be interesting to see if they are alone in this field.

Also, has there ever been a charted U.S. vinyl single release where the A-side record company is different than the B-side company? (Example: an MCA label on one side and a CBS label on the other side.)
—Michael English, St. Petersburg, Fla.

DEAR MICHAEL: Many recording stars — Connie Francis and the Platters being two that come immediately to mind — recorded foreign language versions of their Top 40 hits for release overseas.

I cannot think of any acts who have duplicated that Captain and Tennille trick.

Nor do I recall any hit singles where each side is from a completely different company.

IZ ZAT SO? Seven years before “I Want My Baby Back,” Jimmy Cross appeared on the silver screen. He had a part in “The Amazing Colossal Man,” a Sci-fi tale of a 60-foot man who goes berserk and attacks Las Vegas.






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