Who Is Nosmo King?

[Ian Dewhirst]

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Micky Moonshine on SS, I thought it was high time we got to the bottom of another Northern Soul mystery vocalist.....

Who is Nosmo King?

I think we should be told.

Coming soon: a detailed retrospective on the careers of Guy Darrell, Solomon King, Vince Edwards and Jack Hammer.....

Ian D

[Iancsloft]

I remember when he came to Wigan Cas and they started throwing free 45,s into the crowd

blimey there where more being thrown back than actually being pocketed by the crowd

it looked like the world frisbee championship

[Pete S]

No Smoking is actually Chris Rainbow

[Ian Dewhirst]

I remember when he came to Wigan Cas and they started throwing free 45,s into the crowd

blimey there where more being thrown back than actually being pocketed by the crowd

it looked like the world frisbee championship

I'll tell yer what though - "Goodbye Nothing To Say" was absolute magic as a new play and one of the biggest monsters at the time. Sounded brilliant over a huge system. I had a Nosmo King copy within two days of first hearing it. It was then covered as The Javells and then re-released as The Javells featuring Nosmo King before hitting No.26 in the charts in late '74.

But I always thought Nosmo King got a raw deal. First of all he gets landed with a crap name and then booted off his own record! Very humiliating.

He's probably in a retirement home right now pondering where it all went wrong.........

But who was he? A mate of Micky Moonshine's no doubt.........?

Ian D

[Prophonics 2029]

No Smoking is actually Chris Rainbow

Whose Chris Raindow, I think he could be Mickey Moonshine don't you know.

[Guest southpaw]

I remember when he came to Wigan Cas and they started throwing free 45,s into the crowd

blimey there where more being thrown back than actually being pocketed by the crowd

it looked like the world frisbee championship

[Prophonics 2029]

Its Jonathan King the name was shortened from Nonce to No to save on the ink.

[Simsy]

Whose Chris Raindow, I think he could be Mickey Moonshine don't you know.

So he's the vocalist on name it, Jonathan King writer producer?

[funkyfeet]

I'll tell yer what though - "Goodbye Nothing To Say" was absolute magic as a new play and one of the biggest monsters at the time. Sounded brilliant over a huge system. I had a Nosmo King copy within two days of first hearing it. It was then covered as The Javells and then re-released as The Javells featuring Nosmo King before hitting No.26 in the charts in late '74.

But I always thought Nosmo King got a raw deal. First of all he gets landed with a crap name and then booted off his own record! Very humiliating.

He's probably in a retirement home right now pondering where it all went wrong.........

But who was he? A mate of Micky Moonshine's no doubt.........?

Ian D

Have to agree one of the really BIG Casino sounds whatever we think today this was a mad rush to the dance floor sound back then.

[Prophonics 2029]

So he's the vocalist on name it, Jonathan King writer producer?

Yes his real name is Jonathan Smallboys.

[Simsy]

[Guest thenogger]

You should ask MR. I. LEVINE he seems to know everything else. Did Ian write it, it was bad enough to be written by him.

THENOGGER

[Epic]

While we are on the subject of British "soul" music - does anbody else remember Martyn Ellis at The Ritz (circa'76/77) playing a record by Rainbow Cottage called "Let Me Make You A Woman"

I hazard a guess that he played it for a bet - has to be one THE worst records ever played.

[Prophonics 2029]

While we are on the subject of British "soul" music - does anbody else remember Martyn Ellis at The Ritz (circa'76/77) playing a record by Rainbow Cottage called "Let Me Make You A Woman"

I hazard a guess that he played it for a bet - has to be one THE worst records ever played.

Let Me Make You A Woman

Is that a suggestion or a threat.

Dreadful name sounds like another great studio production to fill every house hold with clean unadulterated wholesome pop music

You should ask MR. I. LEVINE he seems to know everything else. Did Ian write it, it was bad enough to be written by him.

THENOGGER

I am sure if he had of we would all surly know about it by now.

Edited September 12, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Mike]

heres nosmo

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ent...er_smasher.html

[Prophonics 2029]

heres nosmo

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ent...er_smasher.html

Top marks Mike well done.

Saved us a few door to door searches and pointless phone calls to innocent members of the public.

[Mike]

yeah motivation was to stop the stream of crap one liners

[Epic]

You should ask MR. I. LEVINE he seems to know everything else. Did Ian write it, it was bad enough to be written by him.

Think my days of asking Ian Levine anything are now behind me!!!

[ImberBoy]

Nosmo King was in fact Boz Scaggs.

[Mike]

yeah motivation was to stop the stream of crap one liners

didnt work

[ImberBoy]

And Ian Levine was in fact Mickey Moonshine, I hope this clears things up?

[Mike]

didnt work

doing them myself now

ask all to tone down the off topic crap that seem to be getting

[Ian Dewhirst]

heres nosmo

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ent...er_smasher.html

Blimey. If his particular brand of comedy extended to coming up with a name like 'Nosmo King' I shudder to think what his live act is like!

But how did he get the production so spot on 'cos the track was actually produced by him as well........?

Reckon he may have heard "Right Back Where We Started From"...........?

Ian D

[ImberBoy]

Sorry Mike

[Ian Dewhirst]

Sorry Mike

I was under the impression that you were exempt for some reason Simon?

Any guy who can squeeze Uday Hussein into a thread deserves credit.......

But the searing question is, how on earth did some guy called Nosmo King come up with such a blinding production?

I just played it for the first time in 30 odd years and it's all there - great intro piano riff, pounding brass, swirling strings, pumping bassline, great singalong background vocals and a 4-4 stomping Northern beat.

Only thing that let's it down is Nosmo's lead vocals LOL...........

Ian D

[Paul R]

Blimey. If his particular brand of comedy extended to coming up with a name like 'Nosmo King' I shudder to think what his live act is like!

But how did he get the production so spot on 'cos the track was actually produced by him as well........?

Reckon he may have heard "Right Back Where We Started From"...........?

Ian D

Sorry, but I hated "Goodbye Nothing to Say" when It was played, and unfortunately I was at the Wigan early session that Ian refered to when they appeared live.

I do remember him recording a couple more tracks in the same vein. I believe one was called "Loving You Is Easy" which wasn't too bad. I also recall him quitting making northern records with the quote that went something like "I am quitting the northern scene, which I helped to create"

Frank Elson printed this quote in his Chuck Out The Moth column is B&S. I'll try to find it.

Paul

[Prophonics 2029]

Sorry Mike

The first UK Northern Soul hit dose this mean a tailor made product or just a claimed record by the NS fraternity.

Edited September 12, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Tomangoes]

Actually I like

No Smoking

The record and the instruction.......................

Ed

[Guest in town Mikey]

Sorry, but I hated "Goodbye Nothing to Say" when It was played, and unfortunately I was at the Wigan early session that Ian refered to when they appeared live.

I do remember him recording a couple more tracks in the same vein. I believe one was called "Loving You Is Easy" which wasn't too bad. I also recall him quitting making northern records with the quote that went something like "I am quitting the northern scene, which I helped to create"

Frank Elson printed this quote in his Chuck Out The Moth column is B&S. I'll try to find it.

Paul

Spent many a happy evening cutting a rug to GNTS at my local youthclub as a spotty 13 year old. I still like it today.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Actually I like

No Smoking

The record and the instruction.......................

Ed

And believe it or not, I never even got the connection until about 3 weeks after I got the record! I just thought that Nosmo was an interesting name.......

Same thing happened when the "Batman" film came out - I never saw the bat in the logo - I just saw an open mouth with a few teeth in it......

Think I may have problems.......

Confused from Carshalton

[Epic]

Blimey. If his particular brand of comedy extended to coming up with a name like 'Nosmo King' I shudder to think what his live act is like!

But how did he get the production so spot on 'cos the track was actually produced by him as well........?

Reckon he may have heard "Right Back Where We Started From"...........?

Ian D

Maxine Nightingale was recorded AFTER Nosmo King - that's unless he incorporates clairvoyancy into his act.

[Ian Dewhirst]

The first UK Northern Soul hit dose this mean a tailor made product or just a claimed record by the NS fraternity.

Good point. It was a 'claimed' record as the original Nosmo King came and went on original release without a ripple. I think Dave Macaleer may have had something to do with it and maybe passed it to Levine and Russ - one of 'em effectively covered it as the Javells I think......

I think Jack Bollington from Derby was onto it quick as I seem to remember buying the original off him......

I don't think it was tailor-made per se. Probably used the template from Maxine Nightingdale as I alluded to earlier.....

Ian D

[Our Kid]

The first UK Northern Soul hit dose this mean a tailor made product or just a claimed record by the NS fraternity.

Thought it was a claimed record but PYE had inside people who may have put someone onto it.

Orig copies were like gold dust when it first broke so that indicates it wasn't originally aimed at a particular market (or if it was it was a bad aim!!)

Paul

Looks like we overlapped there.

Edited September 12, 2008 by our kid

[Ian Dewhirst]

Maxine Nightingale was recorded AFTER Nosmo King - that's unless he incorporates clairvoyancy into his act.

God you're right Epic! A full year later in fact.....

OK, that blows that theory out of the water then.

So did Nosmo King in fact DESIGN the record for the Northern Soul scene then? Was it the first tailor-made?

Ian D

[Guest thenogger]

Well MR. LEVINE used to smoke a fresh air ciggy called " KOOL " and then he packed the cigs up, put the 2 things together " GOODBYE NOTHING TO SAY by NO SMOKING " a bloody terrible record, YUK.

THENOGGER

[Epic]

Good point. It was a 'claimed' record as the original Nosmo King came and went on original release without a ripple. I think Dave Macaleer may have had something to do with it and maybe passed it to Levine and Russ - one of 'em effectively covered it as the Javells I think......

I think Jack Bollington from Derby was onto it quick as I seem to remember buying the original off him......

I don't think it was tailor-made per se. Probably used the template from Maxine Nightingdale as I alluded to earlier.....

Ian D

The Javells charted in November 1974.

Maxine Nightingale charted in November 1975

The original Nosmo King Pye 7" was possibly released 6-9 months earlier than November 1974.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Maxine Nightingale was recorded AFTER Nosmo King - that's unless he incorporates clairvoyancy into his act.

And Ian Levine points out:

"Maxine Nightingale was a whole year later, and Steven Jameson successfully sued Pierre Tubbs for about three quarters of the publishing".

Blimey, I'll feeling less and less sorry for Nosmo! "Right Back Where We Started From" was a No.2 hit in the U.S. and featured in the Paul Newman film "Slap Shot" and would have made a mint.......

Mmm. Nosmo King did OK out of Northern Soul it seems.........

Cheers Ian.

Ian D

[Guest 71TRSC]

There was another Nosmo King who predates "our" Nosmo but it must be where he got the name from. He was a music hall artist of the 1920's who liked to "black up". The original Nosmo is buried in Thorney cemetry near Peterborough. My family are buried there and I used to look at the headstone and wonder if it was the same Nosmo though clearly now I realise it wasnt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._Vernon_Watson

[Dave Thorley]

While we are on the subject of British "soul" music - does anbody else remember Martyn Ellis at The Ritz (circa'76/77) playing a record by Rainbow Cottage called "Let Me Make You A Woman"

I hazard a guess that he played it for a bet - has to be one THE worst records ever played.

I think Martin had soft spot for english releases, he also played Law, on MCA when he was still doing the Casino.

[Guest]

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Micky Moonshine on SS, I thought it was high time we got to the bottom of another Northern Soul mystery vocalist.....

Who is Nosmo King?

I think we should be told.

Coming soon: a detailed retrospective on the careers of Guy Darrell, Solomon King, Vince Edwards and Jack Hammer.....

Ian D

Guy Darrell ( real name John Swain ) cut a couple of 45s for Oriole in the early 60s as "Guy Darrell and the Midnighters", then released five 45s for CBS. He scored a minor hit with the blue eyed tinged "I've Been Hurt/Blessed", which recieved a re-issue and much bigger success in the 70's on Santa Ponsa. After leaving CBS he went on to release singles for Pye, Piccadilly (including the blistering "Evil Woman"), before moving onto Page One billed as the Guy Darrelll Syndicate. Around 1969 he formed Deep Feeling and went on to release several singles and an album, before reverting back to a solo career in the 70s, having some success in Europe.

Malc Burton

[Dave Rimmer]

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Micky Moonshine on SS, I thought it was high time we got to the bottom of another Northern Soul mystery vocalist.....

Who is Nosmo King?

I think we should be told.

Coming soon: a detailed retrospective on the careers of Guy Darrell, Solomon King, Vince Edwards and Jack Hammer.....

Ian D

Solomon King (born Allen Levy, 1932, Lexington, Kentucky - died 21 January 2005), was a 1960s and 1970s popular music singer.

As a teenager he attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was offered a scholarship to study Cantatorial Music by Jan Peerce. King was the first white singer ever taken on tour by blues legend Billie Holiday, as well working with Elvis Presley's backing group [jordanaires[The Jordanaires who he used as his own backing group when recording the first version of 'She Wears My Ring' in Nashville, Tennessee. He first started singing professionally in 1952. His first pseudonym, Randy Leeds, was uninspired and his records such as "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die" did not sell.

After marrying Canadian journalist Henny Lowy in 1960, King spent 20 years living in Manchester, England - the couple had four children. King's chart success in the UK began with "She Wears My Ring", which was a top five hit in 1967, but only reached No. 117 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. "She Wears My Ring", based on La Golondrina ("The Swallow)" by the Mexican composer Narciso Serradel Sevilla, was written by the Nashville, Tennessee husband and wife team Boudleaux and Felice Bryant.

"When We Were Young" was a hit the following year in the UK. At 6 ft 8 in it is said some TV interviewers refused to have him on their shows unless he sat down ^[1]

After his marriage to Lowy ended in 1980 he moved back to the U.S., where he wed a further two times. King continued singing in clubs in the U.S. on his return.

He died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma of cancer, on Friday 21 January 2005.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Solomon King (born Allen Levy, 1932, Lexington, Kentucky - died 21 January 2005), was a 1960s and 1970s popular music singer.

As a teenager he attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and was offered a scholarship to study Cantatorial Music by Jan Peerce. King was the first white singer ever taken on tour by blues legend Billie Holiday, as well working with Elvis Presley's backing group [jordanaires[The Jordanaires who he used as his own backing group when recording the first version of 'She Wears My Ring' in Nashville, Tennessee. He first started singing professionally in 1952. His first pseudonym, Randy Leeds, was uninspired and his records such as "I'm Gonna Live Til I Die" did not sell.

After marrying Canadian journalist Henny Lowy in 1960, King spent 20 years living in Manchester, England - the couple had four children. King's chart success in the UK began with "She Wears My Ring", which was a top five hit in 1967, but only reached No. 117 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. "She Wears My Ring", based on La Golondrina ("The Swallow)" by the Mexican composer Narciso Serradel Sevilla, was written by the Nashville, Tennessee husband and wife team Boudleaux and Felice Bryant.

"When We Were Young" was a hit the following year in the UK. At 6 ft 8 in it is said some TV interviewers refused to have him on their shows unless he sat down ^[1]

After his marriage to Lowy ended in 1980 he moved back to the U.S., where he wed a further two times. King continued singing in clubs in the U.S. on his return.

He died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma of cancer, on Friday 21 January 2005.

Talking of which, Solomon King's version of "This Beautiful Day" is exactly the same recording as Levi Jackson's isn't it? I was never sure exactly what the story was there either..........

Ian D

[Ian Seaman]

Talking of which, Solomon King's version of "This Beautiful Day" is exactly the same recording as Levi Jackson's isn't it? I was never sure exactly what the story was there either..........

Ian D

Wasn't it all a name thingy Ian ?, Solomon King just wasn't doing it so it was re released as Levi Jackson, same label/version etc.

Think he was a taxi driver at the time in Manchester

Ian.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Steve 'Nosmo' Jameson was also previously a member of 60s beat group St. Louis Union, who had a minor hit on Decca with a cover of the Beatles song, "Girl" (which had a decent version of "Respect" on the other side. Wonder why his interview neglected to mention that?

Jack Hammer (whose real name was something like Eugene Illingworth) was a different kettle of fish to the others he was bracketed with above. A black singer songwriter whose career stretched back into the mid 50s and maybe even further, he wrote a number of songs that can be considered classics of their kind, notably "Great Balls Of Fire" for Jerry Lee Lewis. I'd be more detailed but I can't be bothered...

BTW I'd like to add my name to the list of "Goodbye Nothing To Say" lovers. It's a good commercial dance record and one that I'd always be happy to play at home in preference to so much of the old crap that gets hailed as "Northern Classics", here on SS and elsewhere...

[Pete S]

didnt work

[Guest rasfoz]

Its Jonathan King the name was shortened from Nonce to No to save on the ink.

quality

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Guy Darrell ( real name John Swain ) cut a couple of 45s for Oriole in the early 60s as "Guy Darrell and the Midnighters", then released five 45s for CBS. He scored a minor hit with the blue eyed tinged "I've Been Hurt/Blessed", which recieved a re-issue and much bigger success in the 70's on Santa Ponsa. After leaving CBS he went on to release singles for Pye, Piccadilly (including the blistering "Evil Woman"), before moving onto Page One billed as the Guy Darrelll Syndicate. Around 1969 he formed Deep Feeling and went on to release several singles and an album, before reverting back to a solo career in the 70s, having some success in Europe.

Malc Burton

His version of "Stupidity" on CBS is fantastic! Sounds like it would have done if Question Mark and the Mysterians had recorded it.

A must for all lovers of UK garage bands!!!

[Guest Paul]

I'VE CROSS-POSTED THIS UPDATE FROM THE MICKY MOONSHINE THREAD:

I just had a call from PAUL CURTIS. His former publisher told him I had enquired about him and he wondered what it was about.

He is amazed at the myths and found it all very amusing.

Paul said he recorded "Name It You Got It" at Decca's number 2 studio and he remembered they had a "Who is Micky Moonshine?" poster campaign in London to promote the single.

He hasn't written a pop song for a few years but he recently wrote another musical and is now writing a book.

He's been very successful as a writer but he sounded pleased that "Name It You Got It" has received so much underground attention.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

[Ian Dewhirst]

I'VE CROSS-POSTED THIS UPDATE FROM THE MICKY MOONSHINE THREAD:

I just had a call from PAUL CURTIS. His former publisher told him I had enquired about him and he wondered what it was about.

He is amazed at the myths and found it all very amusing.

Paul said he recorded "Name It You Got It" at Decca's number 2 studio and he remembered they had a "Who is Micky Moonshine?" poster campaign in London to promote the single.

He hasn't written a pop song for a few years but he recently wrote another musical and is now writing a book.

He's been very successful as a writer but he sounded pleased that "Name It You Got It" has received so much underground attention.

Best regards,

Paul Mooney

OK, nice job Paul.

Now can you get your finger out and locate Nosmo please?

Ian D

[Guest]

His version of "Stupidity" on CBS is fantastic! Sounds like it would have done if Question Mark and the Mysterians had recorded it.

A must for all lovers of UK garage bands!!!

I worked at a venue in 1971 / 1972 with GD , when he was fronting Deep Feeling , at the time of their UK chart hit ( I cannot for the life of me , recall the name of the record - can you enlighten me Tony ? ) ......

he was a charming chap . full of life , and was genuinely interested when I asked him about " IBH " , and how he came to record his cover of the record .....

It was not until later that I checked on his recordings , that I found him to be a creditable recording artist , and as you say ,

" Stupidity " is a great record .......

Malc Burton