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Posted By: Jim Liddane on: 06/21/2009 13:40:48 EDT
Subject: RE: Instrumental: B. Bumble & The Stingers. Nut Rocker - 1962

Message Detail:
John wrote...

Even though this only made #23 on the US charts

Jim replied....

I know, but it made Number 1 in the UK in 1962!

Then they re-issued it and it make Number 19 about ten years later!

B Bumble's version was actually a cover version of one by Jack B Nimble & The Quicks (where did they get the names in those days?).

Jack B Nimble was actually the record producer Hal (or H B) Barnum, and his own version is almost identical to B Bumble's which is hardly surprising, as the pianist on the B Bumble version was given the original 45rpm single and told to copy it note for note!

John wrote....

Featuring Lincoln Mayorga on the piano.

Jim replied...

I keep hearing different names for the piano-player (although not Lincoln's before!) - but usually it is credited to Ernie Freeman or occasionally even Kim Fowley (who simply put his name down as the composer instead of Tchaicovsky and took all the songwrtiting and publishing royalties!).

However, the original session notes say the piano was played by Al Hazan, but only because Freeman who had played on the group's first hit, "Bumble Boogie", failed to turn up for the session.

Hazan, is still around, (he is now Dr Al Hazan), and he is a psychotherapist in Los Angeles. Over the years, he has been treating victims of crime, and has written several books, including at least one novel.

He has an excellent website where he has written all about his session work with such people as Ritchie Valens, Phil Spector, the Beau Brummels, Terry Melcher, Kim Fowley (the guy who came up with the B Bumble operation), and his meetings with The Beatles etc.

He has a chapter on the "Nut Rocker" session and explains that he turned down the chance to perform live as B Bumble (now re-named Billy Bumble!) but when the record hit Number 1 in the UK, and the follow-up was due out (actually called "Apple Knocker"), he did come over to do some TV interviews and a few live shows - which caused a bit of a stir as simultaneously, a second "B Bumble & The Stingers" were touring France, while a third was touring the US East Coast!

Lincoln Mayarga was of course the pianist with the rival LA instrumental band, The Piltdown Men, as well as playing the magnificent piano on Ketty Lester's "Love Letters" and acting as musical director for the 4 Preps.

But Al Hazan played on the B Bumble version of "Nut Rocker".

Honestly Judge!

Message Link:

Al Hazan website
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