"Penny Lane" was the A side. It was actually released in 2 versions - originally with a French Horn coda. There are many examples of killer singles which became known as "Double A's" and selling in the millions because, as one side went lower in the charts, all the air personalities did was flip over the single, and another million and a half copies were sold. Elvis Presley had two of these - I know "Hound Dog" /"Don't Be Cruel" was one. And then there are the examples where the planned A sides were terrible, but when the single (or 12") was turned over - BINGO! a hit was found made. The two most notable examples here are "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice (who can thank an Atlanta DJ for his 15 minutes of fame) and "I've Never Been To Me" by Charlene (which is one of two groaners we can thank Scott Shanon for - the other is "Grandma Just Got Run Over By A Reindeer" by Elmo & Patsy)
And just to cap off some of this history - "The Twist" was actually released twice, with different B sides; once in 1960 (for the kids) and in 1962 (for the adults) Each time this single sold millions - it remains the largest selling single of all time in New York City (#2 is "Mack The Knife" by Bobby Darin)
Ed Vitale
On Sat, Oct 23, 2010 at 2:00 PM, J.C. O'Connell <hifisapi@gate.net> wrote:
not sure which side was a or b, but PENNY LANE / STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVERby the Beatles was a killer 45 ON BOTH SIDES--J.C. O'Connell (mailto:hifisapi@gate.net)Join the CD PLAYER & DISC Discussions :-----Original Message-----
From: Classic_Rock_Forever@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Classic_Rock_Forever@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Peter Enfantino
Sent: Saturday, October 23, 2010 7:02 AM
To: Classic_Rock_Forever@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Classic_Rock_Forever] B-Sides
"A Simple Man" by Elton John (b of "Sad Songs Say So Much") and "Shut Out the Lights" by Bruce Springsteen (b of "Born in the USA"). Both these artists had several great b-sides.
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Edmund A. Vitale
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1 comments:
Dr. Elmo, the voice and wit behind the ubiquitous Christmas classic "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer," returns to his beloved bluegrass roots with a new holiday album, Bluegrass Christmas. Originally a bluegrass artist prior to selling 11 million copies of “Grandma,” the Kentucky native recorded the album with a clever reworking of his signature song; a new, instrumental and – yes – bluegrass version for the disc along other holiday fare including “Jingle Bells,” “Greensleeves” and “Deck the Halls.” Bluegrass Christmas is currently available in stores and major online retailers via Time Life.
The incredible success of “Grandma” derailed Elmo Shropshire’s bluegrass career for thirty years, taking him away from his band, and radio show, the Great San Francisco Bluegrass Experience, where he played the banjo. His secret dreams of leading the bluegrass renaissance and conducting the New York Philharmonic’s version of Camptown Races faded as quickly as “Grandma” took over the top spot on the Christmas charts (unseating Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”). But Shropshire never stopped playing the banjo, finally recording Bluegrass Christmas as a labor of love.
One of the few living recording artists of a true holiday classic, Dr. Elmo has, become a Christmas tradition. The unstoppable strength of his novelty song has spawned an animated television show, several parodies and cover versions in heavy metal, folk and for children. His myriad live, in-studio television and radio performances are eagerly awaited seasonal highlights, and DJs phone from around the globe for on-air Christmas commentary.
Pam Wendell 415-893-9818 www.drelmo.com
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