Well, it's been a month or so since I posted anything, so here's another all-time fave. I played this thing to death when I first got my copy and it's received multiple plays around here ever since. (Gee, I may have to look for another copy before this one wears out!) That may not be the most original way to open a post, but I can't help it, this record has warranted that strong a reaction.
The record? "She's A Bad Motorcycle" by The Crestones. As per usual, I couldn't dig up too much on the group, other than that this originally appeared in 1963 and that the group has one other single, "The Chopper" on the USA label from 1965. They may not even be by the same group, but I make no claims of being an authority. If anyone out there has the scoop on the group, please make your presence known. Spill the beans, in other words.
1963 was also the year of The Trashmen's classic trash rocker "Surfin' Bird" and this record has a lot in common with that one in terms of pure energy. It's lacking Steve Warner's snarling "AHWELLEVERYBODY'SHEARDABOUT THE BIRD" vocalizing, but it's not without its super speed and full-throttle abandon. It's also got a healthy dose of wild guitar playing, particularly in a frenzied guitar break that occurs midway through the song.
It starts off with the roar of a motorcycle (what else?) and then shifts into overdrive, flooring the pedal to the metal as a tale of the singer's baby's motorcycle is spun. "She's got a real wild machine, man, it's outta-sight! She goes VROOM-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA, VROOM-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA-BA, motorcycle!" We'll get a couple more of those "VROOM-BA-BA-BA-BA's" before the fade where the singer announces that she's runnin' nitro, and the band blazes on and the motorcycle rides away. It's a great record any way you look at it.
16 comments:
.. this one really makes it! great x-max gift, thanks a lot!
ciao
Michael Vee
Isn't this the smae "Motorcycle" by Tico & the Triumphs a.k.a Paul Simon?
I just found out tonight that the lead player lives just a couple of miles from me and a mutual friend will be introducing us soon. His group was from Chicago and was knocked out of top position by the Beatles. Today, he still jams and enjoys the music of the 60s. He also gave my friend a CD of rare cuts/tracks by his group.
Melodymaker.
Dick james of the group...richard mac along with his wife work at montini catholic high school in lombard, IL...if you want to know more info hit me up at my email...alwayssecondbest71@yahoo.com
My name is K Shaw, and the lead guitar player of this group was Paul Samario, who along with his wife Dee and their young children Mike & Linda lived next door to our house in Downers Grove Il. We grew up together and played every day as kids. We used to listen to the Crestones rehearsing in the basement of Paul & Dee's home almost every day, and I even used to babysit the kids when Paul & Dee went out to play shows. It was a great experience, we practically lived at each others house as kids, and the Smario's & the Shaw's were very close friends for many years. Paul ended up working for I think one of the major railroads (Santa Fe?). They eventually moved out to a big house in the country in I think it was Sandwich Il, where they I think still reside to this day. Oh the memories, the greatest being able to hear them rehearse and play She's a Bad Motorcycle live in the basement many many times. You can reach me at krjs_1@hotmail.com if you would like any other information. Kenn
Paul is my cousin and godfather. He was a big influence in my musical journey which I continue to enjoy today. michaeljfinn
Paul is my father, I am the youngest of 3 and still to this day enjoy when Mac and he do a jam session, or even when cuz Mike comes over. I have never been as proud of my father as I was when he picked up his ax and started to play. I love you daddy!
Denise
I'd assume it's the same group; the Markie label was distributed by USA Records. This song was a hit in Chicago in 1964.
The drummer from THE CRESTONES is Jerry ZEE (aka Zukowski, my father. Jerry Zee wrote "She's a Bad Motorcyle" and sang lead vocals on this song. Sadly, my dad, Jerry passed on 2/25/08.
RIP...U BIG STUD!
tamela.thelen@yahoo.com
PS..I have DJ vinyls and Many pictures
My name is Steph. I lived with Denise the youngest of the 3 kids. I enjoyed going to Mr Paul Samario's home lissing to him play 7 going to her coisins home where they would jam... If Denise reads this tell me how Morgan is doing? lefort_sp@yahoo.ca
You can still find their 45's on ebay and I'm looking forward to this years 25th annual Finn-Fest and jam session. In music with all our love to the Smarios... celia & michaeljfinn
my mom and dad were old time friends of paul and dee, although my mom said she dosent remember dee being pauls wifes name. My dad Tom, said he worked with paul at the Burlington Northern railroad, and my mom worked with pauls wife at douglas furniture. I myself only 5 yrs. old still remember shes a bad motorcycle! as today i still play the 45 that paul gave me, and i just so happen to ride harley choppers to this day. Guess pauls song, (actually jerry wrote it so ive heard) has had a long time significant affect on me! If you see this Paul, please email me @ cbronson58@yahoo.com as my father would love to chat with you! He and my mom are still here, retired in Az. Thanks, Rob.
Richard Mack a member of The Crestones just appeared on WGN morning news on his 83rd birthday. The man still has "it"
My father was the drummer.
They also had a followup hit in Chicago with "I've Had It".
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