That Sixties Music - “Hanky-Panky” - What Really Happened

[@stevengolfs]

Enjoyed your video. I have a suggestion for a future video. There was an Indiana group that was very popular around 1963/64 called Rick and the Raiders. They eventually changed their name to the McCoys, and their hit, “Gloria” became a big hit. The group consisted of 4 musicians, Rick Zehringer, his brother Randy on drums, Randy Hobbs on Bass, and Bob Peterson on rhythm guitar. Rick Zehinger changed his stage name to Rick Derringer, and the rest is history.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hi Steve! Thanks, that’s a great suggestion! “Gloria” wasn’t their record, though. That song was written by Van Morrison for his group at the time called “Them”. The hit that everyone associates with The McCoys ( the revised name of Rick and the Raiders when they signed with Bang records) is “Hang On Sloopy” I have THAT song in my development queue now with no scheduled publication date. You’ll see it sometime in 2025.

[@stevengolfs]

@@the_guitar_trooper​​⁠ You’re correct, of course GT. The Shadows of Knight actually had a more popular version of Gloria. My memory in my 77 year old brain got the wires crossed. I knew better! I played in a competing band during those years and covered many of the popular songs at that time. Those were fun years, for sure! Thanks for bringing back so many great memories, GT!

[@dhpbear2]

The story I heard was that it was recorded in 1961. In 1966, it was found in a radio station on a dusty shelf.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Definitely NOT recorded in 1961 by the Shondells. The original recording on the B-side of “That Boy John” was in 1963. There’s no history on it before that.

[@rainbowmade1880]

My brother had that 45 in 1966. I was about 4 years old and loved that song!! My other favorite 45 was Wild Thing by the Troggs. Of course the Beatles, Doors, Cream and Hendrix dominated the stereo at our house…

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view and the comment!!

[@davidmester6530]

Hi GT… local boy from South Bend, Indiana. Great piece on Tommy James. I read his memoir “Me, the Mob & Music” and discovered I played many of the same dance clubs, including Shula’s. 1969 the Summer of Love, TJ opted out of Woodstock for a honeymoon in Hawaii. As for your channel, please continue to keep music history alive. I look forward to new content!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

hi, David! I am glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for the great memories! That book of his was one of the best descriptions of the true life of a recording ever artist.

[@guarddave]

The first time I heard the Shondells' "Hanky Panky", it grabbed me. It's simplicity and sexy whammy bar guitar at the end of each verse and chorus was magic. Being in a garage band, that sound drew me like a magnet, making me ask: "Why didn't WE come up with something like that?" Thank you for another enthralling, first-class history lesson!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks as always, Dave! There are so many other pieces to this that I had to ignore more than I included just to keep the story linear.

[@mjemigh3304]

You GOTTA read Tommy's book. It's a crazy story and it appears to be a true one.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

It was a major source for this piece. And it is 100% true.

[@Mick_Ts_Chick]

Thanks for another interesting and well thought out video. I think TJ and the Shondells song Gettin Together was one of my first 45s as a kid. I recognized that Roulette label instantly. They made some good records! 👍🏻

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for listening! Yeah - in spite of their seedy back office, Roulette marketed singles like nobody else.

[@sapelesteve]

Very interesting musical history video! Never knew that about that song. Thanks for posting this and Happy Holidays to you and your family!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks as always and Same to you, Steve!

[@l.salisbury1253]

This is the same way the Cramps- Lux Interior and Poison Ivy-would choose what songs to cover. They'd hit these out-of-the-way record shops and delve deep into the rare/obscure 45s. This is how "goo goo muck" became an underground hit in 1981- aprox. 20 years after it was written!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Interesting! Thanks for the view and comment!

[@Wally97523]

The very first video I saw of yours I asked about this exact story. Thank you for covering it in such a complete and delightful manner.😅

[@the_guitar_trooper]

I am so glad you asked, and that you enjoyed it! This one was a booger to produce because early pictures of the groups development are scarce!

[@MrKaywyn]

Fascinating.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view! Please help me to share the love 💕 by sharing the video!

[@edcowles6414]

Another great one. Thanks,and keep them coming I’m hooked.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks as always, Ed! You know I appreciate your ongoing support and enthusiasm!

[@johnwright8612]

Another awesome video, GT!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks a million, John!

[@SharpByCoop]

Loved the in-depth story and the wacky path it took. I'm thinking about the 'Shondell' High School lads who ACTUALLY played: "Have I got a sob story for YOU...!"

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hey, Thanks for the post!

[@lashumbah]

Great job

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks a million!

[@mikesweet2554]

Very catchy song, always liked it. Would like to know more about Every Mother's Son and their song Come On Down To My Boat if possible please?🤔

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Hi Mike! Come On Down To My Boat will be the the subject of a Version Verdict, but not yet scheduled.

[@judih.8754]

Another cool tune!

[@happyolddude]

Hello Mr Trooper! As a researcher and writer of six books on Buddy holly, Eddie Cochran etc I am very impressed with your research. It never ceases to amaze me with the titbits you arrive at. So impressive. I would love to talk to you if you could. - Roddy in Australia

[@aarongrooms8881]

Boy oh boy!! some of the stories behind some of these old songs!! There's alot more sh!t behind them than you know!!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the view! And , yeah, there are a TON of details that I deliberately filtered on this one so that the story would remain linear.

[@woodyjames4095]

Awesome video! I had also read that Tommy James got the name The Shondells from Troy Shondell. Tommy James was a huge fan of his record “This Time” and named his band after him. Thanks again for all the awesome videos!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thank YOU so very much for the view and king words! This one was a booger to produce because there are a ton of tangential story lines and keeping it linear meant ignoring dozens of those tangents.

[@bigbadbillb]

Interesting fact. Never knew this. ❤

[@tomsmith7785]

Great story....loved every minute...it just upsets me that the Lucchese crime family was the royalty recipient. That song was hot at the Jersey shore back in the 60's.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Well,actually, the $$$ ended up in Morris’ pocket. Roulette Records was a financial clearinghouse for the Genovese crime family, not Lucchese, and truly was one of the best 45 RPM operations in the business. Since all decisions started and stopped with Morris Levy, it was very efficient, even if a tad shady. It took years of federal investigation to finally indict Morris.

[@tomsmith7785]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[@tomsmith7785]

Actually, I have a few roulette 45's in my collection including Hanky Panky. A bit worn and scratched though.

[@linda1915]

I had their album with "Crimson and Clover" completely out. Thank you for the history about that song and group.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@sludge8506]

When I was a kid, my older siblings had records. One day, my younger sister and I started playing B sides of 45s. One song started out with Neil Diamond saying “No, I’m not going to do this song.” And a crowd urges him to do it. And he says “No, I don’t care who wrote it.” And the crowd urges him to do it. And he says “OK, here goes.” All quotes are paraphrases. The writers of the song were Neil’s producers, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry. And the song was Hanky Panky.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Nice post! Thanks for the input!

[@joeyvocals1]

Teriffically enjoyed this video! Being born in July of 1996, it's way before my time. However, being a front man, for a band that is doing strictly covers , to get known, eventually going to originals. My grandparents tell me about the 1960s, music! I am subscribed to your channel sir, and again: an extremely enjoyable video! Merry Christmas to you and your family sir, and everyone here! Joey in Cleveland

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the sub, Joey, glad you enjoyed it! We’re a family here!

[@TGWW]

As always your detailed research makes the story flow. Your delivery is outstanding ! Keep 'em coming my friend.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks as always for watching! Please share it for me!

[@timnotbrianmay]

The spinners! It seems like Tommy James is actually still touring! AMAZING! GENIUS! YOU KNOW WHO'S GETTING THIS! 😸😸😸

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Don’t get The Spinners in this tale confused with The Spinners on Motown. Two different groups.

[@timnotbrianmay]

@the_guitar_trooper I didn't realize that! THANKS! 😺😸

[@josephcooter5763]

Apparently Morris Leavy made Tommy James an offer he couldn't refuse.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Pretty much. In this case, Tommy, then 19, had nothing to do with the contract though. They just took him to the table to sign it.

[@richardwhitfield9901]

Great video!!!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thank you, Richard!! The subject required a lot of storeyline editing and there aren't very many pics available from that time of his career either. The thing took longer than I expected in production.

[@judih.8754]

Great video GT!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for the visit, Judith! Great to see you again on the channel!

[@PaisleyPatchouli]

Good job, straight and to the point!

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks for watching!!

[@kelf114]

Posted five minutes ago? I swear I don't sit here and just wait for you to post! 😄😄 Thank you for another great video! 😊♥️ (Side note - While making yet another playlist, I was reminded of an old 45 I had...and found the song online. Do you remember The Assembled Multitude? The Overture for Tommy! 😊 Well, one Tommy leads to another...😄)

[@w.llawrence86]

Grew up with WLS (and WCFL) IN Chicago. Great video. Still waiting for the movie of Tommy's book 😅

[@w.llawrence86]

I remember that one !

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks! Yep. The Tommy album was an odd experience for me. And my mom dashed into the room during the finale after the line "we forsake you, Gonna rape you, Let's forget you, better still" and said (very concerned voice here) DID THEY JUST SAY 'RAPE'??

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Thanks! Yeah where did that movie go? I guess that the production company rejected it. I was going to try to dig that up.

[@w.llawrence86]

@the_guitar_trooper The Professor of Rock said it was "stuck in development hell"

[@thomastimlin1724]

this storyissol wild, was a kid then. It reminds me of Tom Hank's movie That Thing You Do! lol.

[@the_guitar_trooper]

Sort of yeah. A closer story would be The Cyrkle though. Check out this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZK5kIyQn62efJIsi=XK3ox6S3nr2W0tEM