THE BALLAD OF BONNIE AND CLYDE – GEORGIE FAME & THE BLUE FLAMESSep 17 '04 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Georgie Fame was born Clive Powell on 26 June 1943 in Leigh, Lancashire, England near Manchester. He learned to play the piano at a very young age. Clive played with several different bands as a teenage all around the Manchester area. He enjoyed listening to the music of “Fats Domino” and “Jerry Lee Lewis”. In August of 1959 at the age of 16 Clive stands in for and injured pianist in the local London group “Rory Blackwell & The Blackjacks”. Rory convinces Clive to quit his day job working in a cotton factory and move to London to become a fulltime member of the group. Just one month after he moves to London the band breaks up. Instead of returning home to his folks he lands a gig playing piano in a pub in the east end of London. In October he is spotted while playing the piano by songwriter “Lionel Bart” who recommends him for an audition to “Larry Parnes” who was a big UK rock ‘n’ roll manager. Larry signs Clive to a contract and he is given the new name of “Georgie Fame”. He begins to play piano backing up a lot of different big name UK acts. In February 1960 he begins performing solo as an opening act for “Gene Vincent” and “Eddie Cochran” on their UK tours. On 17 April the car that was taking both Cochran and Vincent to the London airport at the end of their most recent UK tour crashes, killing Eddie. Gene suffers a broken collarbone, broken ribs and injuring his legs. On 11 May after a short stay in the Hospital in the US Gene returns to the UK to record at Abbey Road Studios in London. He is back by “The Beat Boys” and Georgie plays piano for him on his newest release “Pistol Packin’ Mama”. The song was originally a #1 US hit in 1944 by both “Al Dexter And His Troopers” and “Bing Crosby And The Andrew Sisters”. In July it would peak at #15 in the UK for Gene. In June 1961 Georgie joins “The Blue Flames” who were the backup band for “Billy Fury” who was also managed by Parnes. In February 1962 Fury decides to replace his backup band with a new backing group called the “Tornados”. There were at least 3 other groups in the 60’s with the same name one of, which was spelled “Tornadoes”. The other 3 groups were all from the US and this version from the UK was just formed in September the previous year as a studio sessions group by British producer “Joe Meek”. The first became the backup band for “John Leyton” before moving on to back up Fury. In April the group begins recording their own music separate from Fury and releases the instrumental “Love And Fury” but it fails to chart. In August they record their second single “Telstar” inspired by the launch on 10 July by the satellite of the same name. It would go on to top the charts both in the UK and the US. Georgie decides to keep “The Blue Flames” together and they become “Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames”. In December 1961 they sign a long-term contract to perform at the Flamingo a jazz club in the soho section of London. The group included Georgie on piano, “Colin Green” on guitar, “Mick Eve” on saxophone, “Tony Makins” on bass and “Red Reece” on drums. In July they add “Speedy Acquaye” on congas and begin playing a jazzy rock type sound. In November inspired by both “Booker T. Jones” of “Booker T. & The MG’s” and “Jimmy McGriff”, Georgie begins playing the very first Hammond B3 organ found in the UK. Jimmy was one of the all-time greatest soul-jazz organists whose biggest hit was his version of a “Ray Charles” written “I Got A Woman” that peaked at #5 on the R&B chart and at #20 on the pop chart in the US for him in 1962. In August 1963 the group begins a weekly Friday night only gig at the Scene on Great Windmill Street in London. In September they release their debut album on “Columbia” records titled “Rhythm And Blues At the Flamingo”. It was recorded live over several different dates performed at the Flamingo and produced by “Ian Samwell”. Ian had previously played with “Cliff Richard” and wrote some of his earlier hits in the UK including “Move It” that was the flip side of his debut single “Schoolboy Crush” in 1958. The debut album for Georgie fails to chart but in October 1964 his follow up “Fame At Last” goes to #15 on the UK album chart. In 1964 Georgie and his group appear on 5 different episodes of “Ready, Steady, Go!” on ITV in the UK. On 13 February 1965 “Yeh, Yeh” makes its’ appearance on the US chart peaking at #21 and goes all the way to #1 in the UK. His re-worked version of an Afro-Cuban song by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross is his first million seller. Prior to “Yeh, Yeh” they had the following non-charting singles shown on the list below: 1962 – Baby Baby (Don’t You Worry)/Prince Of Fools – Perry Ford & The Sapphires with The Blue Flames 1963 – Change Of Plan/Little Gloria – Clive & Gloria with The Blue Flames 1963 – J. A. Blues/Orange Street – The Blue Flames 1963 – Stop Right Here/Rik’s Tune – The Blue Flames 1963 – Shake Some Time/Comin’ Home – Ronnie Gordon with The Blue Flames 1964 – Do The Dog/Shop Around – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames 1964 – Do Re Mi/Green Onions – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames 1964 – Bend A Little/I’m In Love With You – Georgie fame & The Blue Flames On 12 March 1965 “Yeh, Yeh” the album is released and peaks at #137 on the US chart. The hit single “Yeh, Yeh” is released in many different countries, some of which have different songs on the flip side. Also in March the version released in France is backed by “In The Meantime” that becomes his next “A” side single release that debuts on 1 May. It would only peak at #92 in the US but goes all the way to #22 in the UK. From 1965 on such aspiring musical artists as “John McLaughlin”, “Mickey Waller” and “Mitch Mitchell” all played for a short time with Georgie’s backup band. They begin a 21-date UK tour on the “Tamla Motown Package Show” with “The Supremes”, “Stevie Wonder”, “Martha Reeves & The Vandellas” and many others. In July “Like We Used To Be” makes its’ debut and peaks at #33 on the UK singles chart. On 7 August they perform at the 5th annual “National Jazz & Blues Festival” at the athletic ground in Richmond, Surrey, England. On 21 September they participate in the “Pop From Britain” concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall along with “Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers”, “The Fourmost” and “The Moody Blues”. On 20 November “Something” backed up by “Outrage” is released and peaks at #23 on the UK singles chart. “Something” is not the same song written and performed by “The Beatles” who took the song along with “Come Together” to #1 in 1969. Georgie’s version of this song was written by “Jon Mark” and “John Mayall”. In 1965 Georgie appeared 6 times on “Ready, Steady, Go!”, 4 times on “Shindig” and 1 time on “Hullabaloo!”. In May 1966 “Sweet Things” is released and it peaks at #6 on the UK album chart. On 21 July “Get Away” is released in the UK and goes to the top of the chart there. It debuts on the US pop chart on 20 August but only goes to #70 there. In September they perform at the sixth annual “National Jazz & Blue Festival” in the UK. In October “Sound Venture” debuts and peaks at #9 on the UK album chart. On 2 October Georgie plays his final gig with his backup band The Blue Flames as they represent the UK in the annual “Grand Gala Du Disque” in Amsterdam, Holland. They return back to the UK and officially disband so Georgie can pursue a more flexible tour schedule. On the 9th he plays at a jazz concert with the “Harry South Orchestra” at London’s Royal Albert Hall. On the 15th his version of a #2 US pop hit by “Bobby Hebb” earlier this year debuts and peaks at #13 in the UK for him. On the 20th having formed a new group now calling themselves “The Georgie Fame Band” they begin a 16-date UK tour. On 26 December he begins his “Fame In 67” show at the Saville Theater in London that ends on 17 January 1967. On 21 January “Sitting In The Park” a #24 US pop hit for “Billy Stewart” in 1965 debuts and peaks at #12 for him on the UK singles chart. On 2 February they perform at the Cannes Musical Trade Fair in Cannes, France. In March “Hall Of Fame” debuts and peaks at #12 on the UK album chart. “Because I Love You” is his next release also in March and it peaks at #15 on the UK singles chart. On 25 May they perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall again this time backed by “Count Basie and his Orchestra”. In July “Two Faces Of Fame” is released and peaks at #22 on the UK album chart. “Try My World” debuts in September and peaks at #37 on the UK singles chart. In October they perform at the International Music Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In January 1968 the Gangster Film “Bonnie & Clyde” is released starring “Warren Beatty”, “Faye Dunaway”, “Gene Hackman”, “Gene Wilder”, “Michael J. Pollard”, “Estelle Parsons”, “Denver Pyle” and others. On 17 February “The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde” inspired by the Movie debuts where it peaks at #7 on the US pop singles chart and it is his 3rd #1 hit in the UK. It would become his second and last million selling record. It is followed by the album of the same name that peaks at #185 on the US chart. On 9 March they appear on “The Beat-Club” on Germany TV from Bremen with “The Moody Blues”, “Traffic”, “B. B. King” and “Manfred Mann”. Also this year he played the part of “Georgie Hart” in the UK Comedy Movie “The Mini-Affair” with “Rosemary Nicols”, “Eric Pohlmann”, “Roy Kinnear”, “John Clive” and others. On 17 January 1969 they perform again at London’s Royal Albert Hall along with “Family” and “Ten Years After”. In July his version of “Peaceful” makes its’ debut and peaks at #16 on the UK singles chart. The song was originally a big UK only hit for “Kenny Rankin”. In December “Seventh Son” is released and peaks at #25 on the UK singles chart. The song was written by “Willie Dixon” and first recorded by “Willie Mabon” a legendary jazz and blues singer and in 1955 it was a #7 US pop hit for “Johnny Rivers” in 1965. The album of the same name followed for Georgie and his band but it fails to chart. In 1970 composes the Music Score for the UK Comedy Film “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” starring “Beryl Reid”, “Peter McEnery”, “Harry Andrews” and “Alan Webb”. In 1970 Georgie released “Georgie Does His Thing With Strings” and “Shorty Featuring Georgie Fame” but they both failed to make any of the album charts. In May 1971 “Alan Price” who had been with “The Animals” joins Georgie and he releases “Rosetta” that peaks at #11 on the UK singles chart. Their record releases from this point indicate the artist as “Georgie Fame And Alan Price”. In 1971 he released “Going Home” in the UK and Japan but it too failed to make the album charts. They released 2 other singles this year in “Follow Me” and “Sigueme” that was released in Spain only but neither one made any of the charts. In 1972 Georgie writes a few songs for the Psychological Thriller “To Kill A Clown” starring “Blyth Danner”, “Heath Lamberts”, “Eric Clavering” and “Alan Alda”. He also released two albums in 1972 “Fame And Price/Price And Fame/Together” and “All Me Own Work” both in the UK only and both failed to chart. He released “Hey baby I’m Getting Ready” and “Don’t Hit Me When I’m Down” also this year but these too failed to make any of the singles’ charts. 1973 saw re-releases of “Bonnie And Clyde” in the UK only on album, “Yeh, Yeh” backed by “Meantime” in France only and “The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde” backed by “Seventh Son” in the UK only. Once again none of these records made any chart in any country. From 1974 to 1989 Georgie released 15 new singles and 12 new albums in different countries but most in the UK and all 27 of these records failed to make any of the charts. In 1976 he composed the score for the UK British TV comedy “Yes-Honestly” that starred “Donal Donnelly”, “Liza Goddard” and “Dudley Jones”. In June 1989 Georgie decides to join the backup band for “Van Morrison” playing keyboards. He is first heard on Van’s album “Avalon Sunset” that peaks at #91 on the US chart. In November “Connoisseur” records released a compilation album titled “Georgie Fame: The First 30 Years” and “Food For Thought Records” releases “Go For It” backed by “I Still Care About Us” on single but neither record made the charts. On 1 December he made his first and only appearance on the “Late Night With David Letterman” show along with “Van Morrison” on NBC TV. “Cool Cat Blues” was released in 1990 in the US, Germany and Japan only and it too failed to make the album charts. The album included guest musicians “Steve Gadd”, “Jon Hendricks”, “Robert Ford”, “Boz Scaggs” and “Richard Tee”. The soundtrack album from the Psychological Drama “Glengarry Glen Ross” includes one song by Georgie on it not heard in the Movie titled “Easy Street” that was released on 11 September 1992. This is not the same song that “Edgar Winter Group” took to #83 on the US pop singles chart in 1983. From 1990 to 1999 Georgie released 13 new solo albums and 2 new solo singles in different countries around the world but once again none of these made any of the charts. In February 1996 he helps Morrison co-produce Morrison’s very first Jazz album “How Long Has This Been Going On” that peaks at #55 in the UK. It would also peak at #55 on the US pop album chart and go all the way to #1 on the US jazz album chart. They would also produce this year with “Ben Sidran” and “Mose Allison” produce Van’s 2nd jazz album “Tell me Something: The Songs Of Mose Allison” that also peaks at #1 on the US jazz album chart. In 2000 Georgie released “Poet In New York” on album in the US only. He released “Relationships” on album in the UK only in 2001. In 2002 he released 4 different new albums in Germany only. “Summertime In The Park” was also released this year on a single in the Netherlands only. He released 8 different albums in 2003, some of which were re-issues. None of the records released during these years made any of the charts. Also on 3 October 2003 he appeared in the PBS Documentary Movie “Red, White & Blues”. The Movie also included performances by “Eric Clapton”, “Tom Jones”, “Jeff Beck”, “Van Morrison”, “Lonnie Donegan”, “”John Mayall”, “B. B. King”, “Steve Windwood”, “Lulu” and so many more. This year he released “The Birthday Big Band” 2 CD set in the UK only and “On The Right Track: Beat, Ballad And Blues 1964 – 1971” in the US only. Both albums failed to make the charts. My one and only CD by Georgie is 㧤 BEAT CLASSICS” that was released in 1982 on “RSO” records. The songs on this CD are listed below followed by the length of each song and then my rating of each song. A lot of the songs on this CD are remakes of hits by other artists as you will see and is missing his best hit “The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde”: 1. Yeh, Yeh – 2:45 – 5 2. Getaway – 2:32 – 5 3. Do Re Mi (Forget About The Do And Think About Me) – 2:14 – 2 4. My Girl – 2:55 – 4 5. Sweet Things – 2:32 – 3 6. Point Of No Return – 2:26 – 3 7. Get On The Right Track, Baby – 2:51 – 3 8. Ride your Pony – 2:38 – 4 9. Moody’s Mood For Love – 4:22 – 2 10. Funny How Time Slips Away – 3:28 – 4 11. Sunny – 2:35 – 4 12. Sunny Sitting In The Park – 3:21 – 3 13. Green Onions – 2:12 – 4 14. In The Meantime – 2:35 – 5 15. Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag – 3:44 – 4 16. Blue Monday – 2:14 – 4 17. Pride And Joy – 2:23 – 4 18. Pink Champagne – 3:51 – 3 19. Let The Sunshine In – 2:38 – 4 20. I Love The Life I Live, I Live The Life I Love – 3:20 – 3 TOTAL POINTS: 73 POINTS DIVIDED BY 20 SONGS = 3.65 or 3 1/2 STARS Rating Key: 5 –Great 4 – Very Good 3 – Good 2 – Fair 1 – Poor 0 – This song does not belong here! Billboard US Top 100 Pop Singles for “GEORGIE FAME” 1. Yeh, Yeh – Debut on 02/13/65, Peaked at #21 2. In The Meantime – Debut on 05/01/65, Peaked at #97 3. Get Away – Debut on 08/20/66, Peaked at #70 4. The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde – Debut on 02/17/68, Peaked at #7 Billboard US Top 200 Pop Albums for “GEORGIE FAME” 1. Yeh, Yeh – Debut in 1965, Peaked at #137 2. The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde – Debut in 1968, Peaked at #185 SOME SONG LYRICS THE BALLAD OF BONNIE AND CLYDE Bonnie and Clyde were pretty lookin' people But I can tell you people They were the devil's children, Bonnie and Clyde began their evil doin' One lazy afternoon down Savannah way, They robbed a store, and high-tailed outa that town Got clean away in a stolen car, And waited till the heat died down, Bonnie and Clyde advanced their reputation And made the graduation Into the banking business. "Reach for the sky" sweet-talking Clyde would holler As Bonnie loaded dollars in the dewlap bag, Now one brave man-he tried to take 'em alone They left him Iyin' in a pool of blood, And laughed about it all the way home. Bonnie and Clyde got to be public enemy number one Running and hiding from ev'ry American lawman's gun. They used to laugh about dyin', But deep inside 'em they knew That pretty soon they'd be lyin' Beneath the ground together Pushing up daisies to welcome the sun And the morning dew. Acting upon reliable information A fed'ral deputation laid a deadly ambush. When Bonnie and Clyde came walking in the sunshine A half a dozen carbines opened up on them YEH, YEH Every evening, when all my days work is through I call my baby, and ask her what shall we do I mention movies, but she don't seem to dig that And then she ask me, why don't I come to her flat And have some supper and let the evening pass by By playing records, beside a groovy hi-fi I say yeah yeah that's what I say, I say yeah yeah My baby loves me, she gets me feeling so fine And when she loves me, she let's me know that she's mine And when she kisses, I feel the fire get hot Se never misses, she gives me all that she's got And when she ask me, if everything is OK I've got my answer, the only thing I can say, I say Yeah yeah That's what I say, I say yeah yeah We'll play a melody and turn the lights down low So that no-one can see We gotta do that, we gotta do that We gotta do that, we gotta do that And there'll be no one else alive in all the world 'cept you and me Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea Yea, yea, yea, yea Pretty baby I never knew such a thrill Just thought I'd tell you, because I'm trembling still But pretty baby, I want you all for my own I think I'm ready to leave those others alone No need to ask me if everything is OK I got my answer, the only thing I can say I say yeah yeah, that's what I say, I say yeah yeah That's what I say, yeah yeah We'll play a melody and turn the lights down low So that no-one can see We gotta do that, we gotta do that We gotta do that, we gotta do that And there'll be no one else alive in all the world 'cept you and me Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah Yea, yea, yea, yea JAGUARDOG’S FINAL THOUGHTS The album/CD I reviewed above is the first and only one I have ever owned by Georgie. I never could find one with my favorite song on it until now but I do not wish to buy a complete album/CD just for one song. I did own that song “The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde” at one time many years ago when I had my 6,000 plus record collection. Maybe one day I will buy it on a single again? As you can tell by my review of Georgie he had very few hits and only 4 in the US but he still continues to this day to crank out more and more records. His music was amiable, boisterous, carefree, cheerful, confident, exuberant, freewheeling, fun, good-natured, joyous, passionate, playful, rollicking, rousing and smooth. Well that’s all I have for this week’s lesson of the History of Rock ‘N’ Roll and I hope you enjoyed it and maybe learned something you never new? Up next week will be a college rock group from the UK known as “The Fine Young Cannibals”. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend and God Bless. PROPOSED “F” ARTISTS FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS FIVE SATINS FIVE STAR ROBERTA FLACK FLEETWOOD MAC EDDIE FLOYD FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS DAN FOGELBERG BEN FOLDS FIVE WAYNE FONTANA & THE MINDBENDERS FRANKIE FORD FOREIGNER FOUR SEASONS FOUR TOPS PETER FRAMPTON CONNIE FRANCIS FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD ARETHA FRANKLIN FREDDIE & THE DREAMERS FREE BOBBY FREEMAN BOBBY FULLER FOUR BILLY FURY  |
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