Andy Rix

I'm after the DM 025206 pressing .. must be in good condition .. promo preferred PM with price etc if you have one I'm not around much over the weekend so might be slow to respond Thanks Andy

The studio was owned by Glen Fox ... current location unknown Andy

What are the recording studio details and town & state ... I can't make them out ! That might help in the search andy

Do you have a link ... I can't find this offer Andy

Hi I'd really appreciate top quality MP3s of the Spidells - 'Like A Bee' and the flip 'You'll know I need do' I don't have the 45 I'm afraid as Shirley Harley, who was a group member, would like to hear the tracks again If anybody can oblige it would be much appreciated Thanks Andy

Bloody hell Pete .. did the kids let you in when I was out

Sorry .... Couldn't resist ! all is good here

I have James Duval's, of The Epsilons, copy

Like many I've known Tony for what seems like forever ... and over those years he never changed .. a true gent with a warm heart, a big smile and a twinkle in his eye R.I.P. Tony Andy

I can't be certain but that must have played a part ..... I think the appearance of the, then unreleased, Contours 'Do the See Saw' band track as Tom & Jerrios 'Boo-Ga-Loo' would have led to a review of security arrangements Andy

... and actually this is such a wonderful idea ... paying tribute to those dear to our hearts that have contributed so much to our lives ... and we should pay our respects to Dave et al for doing it with so much style and integrity Andy

There are security bleeps on the track but it was recovered from Ivy Jo's personal tapes that he'd taken home ... I think anything that left the building got the same treatment Andy

It's nothing less than he deserves .. a fitting tribute to a genius I wrote this when he passed ... and just reading it again brings back so many memories Rob Moss told me that he read some of that out at his funeral which made me feel very humble ... And I still get goosebumps whenever I hear him Andy

I only got one ... the Mynah Birds question ... the others were way too difficult Andy

And Mastermind tonight at 7pm on BBC2 has the specialist subjects of Tamla Motown and Dusty Springfield Andy

It just had to happen Congratulations Ady Best Andy

There are always interesting back stories to these 45s ….. Billy Smith changed his surname to Arnell for the 45 release as he thought it sounded more showbiz ! … he was actually only 14 at the time but as the band were gigging in bars he had to pretend he was much older Billy and Lou started the group together .. they lived less than a block apart in Fair Lawn NJ. Later they added friends: Eddie Hoffman (organ) and Jack Gullone (drums). Eddie became a teacher somewhere in Long Island. Jack ended up living in Northern NJ. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Massachusetts. The group played all over locally and by chance, meet Joe Martin of Apex-Martin Distributors in Newark, NJ. That meeting led to the "Tough Girl" recording session. When they did the first version of Tough Girl, the producer (the original one) wasn't happy - nor was Joe Martin. So he fired that producer and brought in George Kerr. George didn't like the band, so they redid the entire thing without the Sparkels, only with Billy singing and Lou on guitar. George brought in Eric Gale on guitar, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums, Bobbie Banks on Organ, and a forgotten bass player. In addition they used the studio horn section that Lou arranged for plus two trumpets, two saxes and two vibes players. Billy ended up starting a record company and a recording studio in NY with a partner named Steve Loeb Lou went on to have a very impressive career in the music industry which you can see here https://www.louhemsey.com/About_Lou_Hemsey.html Andy

I believe his full name was Larry Clinton Jones Not much is known about him other than anecdote from peers of the day. Jerry Williams used to share an apartment with him and echoed the comments made by Eddie Holman that he was rather a volatile character. Jerry reported that Larry died in the 60s after some sort of confrontation or street brawl ... I guess if you had the time and inclination you could start searching old newspapers or death records to see if anything is recorded The only other time we know of him singing was as a backing vocalist, with Jerry, on 'I'll Be Back' by Jimmy Wallace (Alpha Records) ... but he pobably did other stuff as well Andy

My understanding is that Mary Hill was Frank Virtue's wife and a number of tracks recorded at the Virtue studio ended up being placed with their publishing company Andy

Did somebody recently advise on a thread about getting UPS or FedEx, can't recall the detail, sent for about $26 that's tracked ... a bit like UK recorded delivery, where you can put a low value cos you know it's tracked so should arrive ... and you won't get stiffed Andy

Nor me ... anybody know why ? I've just subscribed to the CD releases ... it's very exciting

Hi Mick I can't locate them ... have you got a link ? Andy

Hi Well this all looks awesome any plans to get the 45s distributed through a UK outlet or are they only available direct from you in the USA ? I'm not familiar with the Ringleaders - This Is Goodbye ... the other track that got played from acetate was 'Win You Over' ... are they the same ? Thanks Andy

Dave Brilliant stuff thank you Andy

It came out on a Kool Kat 12" I think Credited to Denise & Devotions ... if memory serves me right .... can't confirm if that is a real name or just made up I guess Neil Rushton would know best ... or Gilly as I seem to recall he had this long before it was 'released' Andy