THE BEATLES BELGIAN HOME PAGE Janvier 2006

• Cliff Bennett (singer) And His Band consist of :
• Mick Green (gtr) / Frank Farley (drums) ex-Johnny Kidd and The Pirates,
• Robin McDonald (bs gtr),
• Stuart Hamer (tpt),
• John Bennett (trombone),
• Alan Dover (sax).
• PARLOPHONE R 5749, 1968 - DNC.
• FR Odeon EP FO 146, 1968.
• Producer: David Paramor.
• http://youtu.be/VOy7KnJwQM4 (Back In The U.S.S.R.)

This band is formed in 1959. In 1966, it includes Clifford Bennett (vocals), b. 4 June 1940, Slough, Berkshire, England; David Peacock (lead gtr), b. 24 May 1945, Ponders End, Middlesex; Chas/Charles Hodges (keys, bs gtr), b. 28 December 1943, Edmonton, North London; Michael Burt (drs), b. 23 August 1938, Middlesex; and later famous the pianist Nicky/Nicholas Hopkins, b. 24 February 1944, Perivale (Harlesden), North West London - d. 6 September 1994, Nashville, TEN. (USA). This 45rpm7" is issued on EMI/PARLOPHONE R 5489 in August 1966 and hits UK TOP 40 #6 (according to other sources it hits UK #3). Produced by famous Paul McCartney. They had 2 hits on Parlophone: the Drifters' "One Way Love" (1964) and this one in 1966, but their records never went beyond a highly efficient plagiarism. Bennett later formed an unsuccessful progressive rock band, TOE FAT.

 http://youtu.be/QKMAZxaFuS0

Dropped by the Warner Brothers in 1961 because of poor sales of his recordings, Bill moved him to Mexico where he will be known as the King of Twist (Florida Twist single [feat. but not credited and supposed Mariachi Pedro Vargas de Tecalitlán (3rd Generation 1950-1993) on vocal] and Twist Bill Haley LP, both Mex #1) and well known under the names Bill Haley and His/The Comets and/or Bill Haley y sus Cometas as well including some famous Mariachis he engaged/hired: of the (Don Gaspar) VARGAS DE TECALITLÁN 3rd GENERATION (1950-1993): Silvestre and Pedro Vargas; Miguel Martinez on Cip A Vanna (a rework with echo effects of Caravan, Natividad Santiago [the latter, chorus on the live LP Whisky A Go Go, Orfeón/DIMSA, México, 1966 and only issued in UK on Ember in June 1968 as The King Of Rock Bill Haley Plays and, the Villas brothers: Pepe (d.1986) and Ernesto of Mariachi México de Pepe Villa from San Fernando and later the TRIO LOS PANCHOS from New York City (of the 1958-1968 Generation): Johnny Albino, 1st voice; Chucho Navarro, 2nd voice and, Alfredo Gil, requinto (= back-up vcls) on Mish Mash by Carrie Grant and The Grandeurs (Newtown Records), Jealous Heart, recorded in Phoenix, Arizona in 1967, issued in 1999 etc. and later in 1970: Miguel DIAZ on the Bill Haley Scrapbook LP record).***Let the good times roll, Creole / So right tonight were released in Sep. 1960 (DNC) and, Spanish Twist / My kind of woman in September 1961 (DNC).Why the main songs didn't chart? Because of poorest promotion by WB Records. ***Tidbit time/anecdote:BIll Haley enregistre une centaine de chansons dont la majeure partie en espagnol (p.ex. Twist Español en mai 1961) qui sortent sur Orfeón dont le réseau de distribution dans tous les pays limitrophes est excellent.***Les relations qu'entretient Haley avec la COSA NOSTRA (LORD JIM (alias JAMES H. FERGUSON), VITO CARLUCCI) l'amène à faire des concessions. C'est comme une "faveur faite à l'Organisation" (sic) que sont enregistrés 2 singles dont la version anglaise de Twist Español: Spanish Twist parue sur GONE, un label appartenant à GEORGE GOLDNER (1919-1970) en affaires "compliquées" impliquant régulièrement MORRIS LEVY, célèbre personnage du monde musical new-yorkais, notoirement lié à la famille GENOVESE .***English-speaking translation: Tidbit time: BIll Haley records a hundred songs of which the major part in Spanish (for ex. Twist Español in May 1961 and many instrumentals as well) which leaves on Orfeón whose distribution network in all the countries bordering is excellent.***The relations which Haley with COSA NOSTRA (LORD JIM (aka JAMES H. FERGUSON), VITO CARLUCCI) maintains brings it to make concessions. It is as a "favour/favor made with the Organization" (sic) that 2 individual are recorded of which the English version of Twist Español: Spanish Twist appeared on GONE, a label owned by GEORGE GOLDNER involving MORRIS LEVY in "complicated" affairs manifestly related to family GENOVESE of New York City.

R-O-C-K (#29, USA, 04/1956) "from" Columbia Picture "Rock Around The Clock". En français: "Les Rois Du Jazz" (USA, 1956).Both songs [the 2nd one "The Saints Rock 'N Roll"] hitted US and UK charts US #29 and, US #18 & UK #5.This single version is not the one heard in the movie.Tidbit time: "The Saints..." (Bill Haley-Milt Gabler) should read "arr. B.H.-M.G.".In fact, it was a very old gospel/spiritual from Cincinatti, Ohio, entitled "When The Saints Come (or Are) Marching In", 1896.

Quite terrible! Terrible? What do you mean by "terrible", Stephen?....My goodness! I wanted to say that it was terrific! The former word means "terrific" in English. Don't you think so? Impeccable condition...:-). BTW, the 1st issue was released back in 1954 as a 78 rpm b/w "Pinball Boogie" by Red Foley.RATC charted US #1, 06/55; UK #1, 10/55, UK #5, 09/56; UK # 25, 01/57; UK #20, 04/68; UK #34, 05/68 and finally UK #12 & US #39, 04/1974.***Tidbit time: the Belgian pressing which got a rotten sound had a different intro/different mix!. I'm quite sure seeing I'm still holding both US and Belgian singles.

It was one of the great times in my life. Talking a few minutes with Bill Haley in person and with the other Comets (more of them were English musicians) as well!***CD Twist, (LP DIMSA, Mex #1, 1961), released in 1998 by Orfeon Videovox, México, including Mex #1 Florida Twist (Spanish vocal by Pedro Vargas de Tecalitlán); Silbando Y Caminando (I)***Twist Español (Spanish vocal by Bill Haley, May 1961 - original version of Spanish Twist, September 1961)***Tampico Twist (I)***La Paloma (I)***Caravana Twist (I)***Negra Consentida (I)***Tren Nocturno (I)***Actopan (I)***Mas Twist.