BETTY NICKELL : MANSFIELD

Here's a strong rockabilly offering from Betty Nickell. From what I have gathered, she was born in Kentucky and made here way into Ohio. Recently inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Congrats! Betty! !

Betty Nickell and the Mystics-I'm Ready

CAPTAIN FOAM: CANTON

Here's a smokin' side from Captain Foam. From what I can gather, it may have been a one-man band. Need more info though... None the less, solid heavy '70s rock!!


Captain Foam-No Reason

RON HARRINGTON : COLUMBUS

Here's a sweet soul side from 1971,on the legendary HILLSIDE label by Ron Harrington.


This is a RARE one!!

Ron Harrington-It Happened To Me Again

BILL BEACH : CINCINNATI

Here's a good 2-sided rockabilly offering from Bill Beach on the famous KING label. Born in 1932 in Kentucky, Bill spent time in Cinci...good enough to get noticed here.

Bill Beach-Peg Pants

Bill Beach-Your Gonna Like Me Baby


By request of owner, the songs have been removed. I highly recommend those interested in this excellent 45rpm to hunt for an original copy or see if it appears on any recent compilation recordings.

STAN JOHNSON : HAMILTON

Not much info found on this rare rockabilly platter from 1957. Stan Johnson did several for the RUBY label. All killer I am told....

Stan Johnson & the Blue Chips-Six White Horses

Stan Johnson & the Blue Chips-Big Black Train

WESTBOUND FREEWAY : CINCINNATI

Here's a smooth soul side by Westbound Freeway. Label is out of Cinci...not 100% sure if the band was or not...but let's say so for now.

Westbound Freeway-Right Or Wrong


update: RIP Skip Chavis founder of this band who sadly passed away at the young age of 64. See:


Skip

CHAN AND THE OHIO RHYTHM MAKERS : UNKNOWN

Here's a super RARE mystery disk by Chan and the Ohio Rhythm Makers on the HELP! label. All I could dig up is that it was pressed at Rite Custom Pressings and was released in 1969. This copy has seen better days (as heard from the bacon frying in the background!)..but is presented here for your education. Quiz to follow!! Any info on this one...greatly appreciated.

Chan and The Ohio Rhythm Makers-Ain't It Good Y'all

THE LIME : AKRON

A cool mid 60's release on the legendary CHESS label from Akron's The Lime. See Buckeye Beat for an in depth story of this band.

The Lime-Hey Girl

ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW : YOUNGSTOWN

Here's a rare soul 45rpm by Odds Against Tomorrow. On the SWEET AS label....found this one several years ago but never gathered much info on it other than what's listed on the label.

Odds Against Tomorrow-Point of No Return (pt1)

JIM AND EDITH YOUNG : SIDNEY

Here's a boppin' hillbilly side by Jim and Edith Young with Bert Bowling and the Miami Valley Boys. Before reaserching info on this one (and finding little info...), I had never heard of Sidney, Ohio.

Hill Billy Moon-Jim And Edith Young

THE BLUE DELLS : CINCINNATI

Looks like I hit a Cinci vein in the dusty 45rpm vault! The Blue Dells recorded this gem in '67 and that's about the extent of info here. Buckeye Beat (see links in sidebar) has only a few more words on this band.

The Blue Dells-Trust Me

DOUBLE O DEMINGOS : CINCINNATI

Here's a rare funk 45 outta Cinci. This one brings high $$ on ebay when it shows up! James Bowen is the only member I dug up info on as being involved here.

Double O Demingos-Storm Warning pt1

Double O Demingos-Storm Warning pt2

THE CAPITALAIRES : CLEVELAND

Here's a nice gospel release by Cleveland's The Capitalaires. Released on the BOS label, circa 1970.

The Capitalaires-Peace Among The Nation

THE BLUES INVENTION : CINCINNATI

Yet antoher mystery disc (for me). Can't find much info on The Blues Invention. On the GREAT SCOTT label out of Cinci....

The Blues Invention-The Third Side Of Life

The Blues Invention-Mystery Man

JIMMIE KING : CINCINNATI

Here's a short country bopper by Jimmie King. Not much info on this one, but worth a spin.

Jimmie King-Pretty Little Baby

PETE NANTZ : CINCINNATI

Here's a rare rockabilly/country bopper by Pete Nantz. Released in 1956. This is one of my favorite tunes & I always like to hear the different versions of it.

Pete Nantz-Flip Flop And Fly

JOE CALDWELL : HAMILTON

Here's a rare R & B 45rpm by Joe Caldwell. The only info I found on this one was that is was released in 1960. Not 100% sure where Joe called home, but the ESTA label originated from Hamilton. Any info appreciated.

Joe Caldwell-Rowdy Mae

ROCKET FROM THE TOMBS : CLEVELAND

Staying in Cleveland to finish up the Stiv memorial. Many of the Dead Boys tunes were originally done by Rocket From the Tombs. Google the band and see some of the members went on to become Dead Boys & Pere Ubu. Check out a chipper Cheetah Chrome with the long hair on the right. Origins of his blistering guitar can be heard here!


Rocket From the Tombs-What Love Is

Rocket From the Tombs-Sonic Reducer

THE DEAD BOYS : CLEVELAND

Keeping the Stiv memorial going....seems like a good time to pay homage to The Dead Boys. Lots of info/sites out there on these guys....so I'll spare the time. Seems (to me) the current music biz needs a shot in the ass similar to what was done by this GREAT band.

The Dead Boys-All This and More (I Wanna Be A Dead Boy)


SOLID PUNK!:

STIV BATORS : YOUNGSTOWN

Here's an obiturary from the Youngstown Vindicator:


Probably the BEST front-man to come out of Y-town...ever! There are several sites devoted to Stiv...so Google away for the scoop. My favorite years from him were with the Dead Boys. Unfortuneately, I didn't get to see them in thier heyday ('76 + '77) but did catch up with them on their reincarnation in '88 at the famous Cedars Lounge. Also, got to meet Stiv backstage after a Lords of the New Church show in Cleveland. He was very nice...as were his parents who were there as well. Sadly, as in rockstar fashion...he checked out of this crazy mess way too early. R.I.P Stiv.

Stiv Bators-It's Cold Outside

THE EDGE : CINCINNATI

From 1983 comes the latest offering for your review: The Edge consisted of Victor Garcia-Rivera on guitar/lead vocals. Corbet S- vocals. Mike Gregory bass / vocals & Ted Whitaker on drums. Classic early '80s snotty alternative/punk!

The Edge-Death To AOR

The Edge-Leave Home

THE TREE STUMPS : PARMA

From the mid '60s comes this gem by The Tree Stumps. Much info on the band can be had at Buckeye Beat.


The Tree Stumps-Jennie Lee

OHIO PLAYERS : DAYTON

Here's the first 45rpm release, circa 1971 from the Ohio Players. A simple Google search will give you lots of info on the band...

Ohio Players-Pain

THE GRASSHOPPERS : CLEVELAND

A great two-sider by The Grasshoppers which featured a young Ben Orzechowski who later became famous with The Cars. See Buckeye Beat for the scoop!


The Grasshoppers-Mod Socks

The Grasshoppers-Twin Beat

DELBERT BARKER : MIDDLETOWN

Here's a country weeper by Delbert Barker. I don't have much info on him other than he was born in 1932, moved to Ohio when he was a child and recorded for several labels....some which were on the rockin' side. Someday I may stumble upon those gems.

Delbert Barker-Kisses Don't Lie


UPDATE:

I was recently contacted by Delbert!! He's still active in Ohio in both the country & gospel field. He was kind enough to supply some much needed info which included that his cousin the late Ralph (Jr) Barker supplied all the guitar work for him. on his records. Plus, most of his sides are available on recent comp cds (check rockincountrystyle.com for info & then search them out). Delbert also supplied the following pics:

From back in the day....



More recent pic:







A rockin' bonus!!!:

Delbert Barker-No Good-Robin Hood



A HUGE THANK YOU to Delbert for contacting me & supplying info. Best wishes to him!

IVAN and the THE SABERS : CENTERVILLE

This tune is the b-side from the band's Sept. 1969 final release. See Buckeye Beat for a great amount of info on Ivan and the the Sabers.

Ivan and the Sabers-Stereo

THE BARE FACTS : PORTSMOUTH

To fill a recent request, I had to search deep into the dusty vault to find this gem from 1966! The Bare Facts were Bill Williams lead guitar and vocals; Dave Craycraft, organ, vocals, and trumpet; Rusty Pruitt, drums and vocals; Ron Pruitt, rhythm guitar and vocals; and Randy Boldman, bass guitar and vocals. ENJOY!


The Bare Facts-Bad Part Of Town

The Bare Facts-Georgiana

THE KILLERS : CLEVELAND

Classic '80s new wave / punk here by The Killers. See pic sleeve shot for group info.

The Killers-Edge City

LEE JONES : CINCINNATI

From 1956 come this rare rockabilly side from Lee Jones. Not much info here, but a good track any how!

Lee Jones-Cool Cool Daddy

STARS AND STRIPES : CANFIELD

Here's a great two-sider on the infamous STARSHINE label. Check out Buckeye Beat (see side bar) for more info on Stars and Stripes.

Stars and StripeS-Listen

Stars and Stripes-Your Love No More

THE CRAMPS : STOW

RIP :::::: Lux Interior

Ok, so The Cramps weren't officially from Ohio, BUT their LEGENDARY frontman was as well as "the human metronome" Nick Knox. Today I heard the news of his passing and felt compelled to trubute this great band. Not only did they rock out by doing their take on obscure sides, their shows were kick-ass as well. I was lucky enough to catch them several times. I was also lucky enough to meet and make a few rockabilly tapes for Mike, Lux's brother who played in The Walking Clampetts. But with all the hours spend listening to The Cramps over the years, and the several shows attended...one of the coolest times I had was standing along side Lux & Poison Ivy as we watched Mike and the rest of the Clampetts rock at Y-town's Penquin Pub!

These two cuts represent Lux very well.



The Cramps-Rockin' Bones

The Cramps-Primitive

THE LOVECHAIN : CANTON

Not a whole lot of info on this, the only release from The LoveChain. I have read that the band may have been from Dover or New Philedelphia, but let's say Canton as that's where the WESTWOOD label is from. Released in 1969.

The LoveChain-Step Out Of Your Window You Can Fly

STARVATION ARMY : CLEVELAND

Here's a couple of trax from Starvation Army off their In The Red 7" ep. Classic Cleveland '80s punk!!! The band on this release consisted of: Fraser A. Sims (vocals) ; John Henry Scully (drums) ; Tim Kelly (bass) ; Johnny Charles (guitar).
Starvation Army-Deep Sea Diver

Starvation Army-Payback