Obscure Recordings By 1960s - 1970s Artists Quiz

Answer: "Looking For Love" and "I'll Be Yours"

"Looking For Love" backed with "I'll Be Yours" is the 1966 US original on Magic Lamp Records, that was Karen's very first record. It was recorded when Karen was just 16 years old. The songs were written and arranged by Richard Carpenter who also played keyboards. Karen played the drums! This is a legendary rarity! I finally own a copy of this 45 RPM. I wasn't aware of the value and paid over four times what it's worth.

In the year 2009 I believe the value to be roughly $500.00. So make sure when you buy that you buy from a reputable dealer. Unfortunately I trusted the extremely well know dealer I bought mine from when he told me what the value was and I really wanted the record for my collection.

Answer: It was accidentally credited to Jethro Toe

"Sunshine Day" is the title of British progressive rock group Jethro Tull's debut single. It was produced by Derek Lawrence and released in 1968 by MGM Records. On the record's label, the band is credited as Jethro Toe. I get bragging rights here! I finally tracked down a copy of this record! It's not very good musically but it's extremely rare and very collectible.

Answer: Facets

Probably one of the most sought-after Jim Croce items is this ultra rare album titled "Facets" that Croce issued himself back in 1966. With 500 dollars in his pocket (a wedding gift from his parents), Croce recorded 11 tracks and pressed up 500 copies of the resulting album, all of which sold in a heartbeat except for a handful. From my recollection, his parents thought that if he recorded an album and it failed, (of course it would surely fail) he would forget about being a professional musician and buckle down to a normal life.

Then he could get a normal job to support his family in the way that he should. To say their plan backfired is ludicrous. The rest is history! I have a copy of this album and it was extremely hard to find.

Answer: The Daybreaks

As a teenager, Ann Wilson performed in such bands as The Mode (1966), The Viewpoints (1966-1967), The Rapunzel (1968), White Seal, A Boy And His Dog, Proof and The Daybreaks (1969). The Daybreaks was the band Ann Wilson recorded her first two 45 RPM records with. One of the 45s contained the song "Through Eyes And Glass." This song was written by Ann along with her sister Nancy who was 12 yrs old at the time! It is one of the rarest items that one could find of the sisters Wilson. Only roughly 500 copies of each single were made.

The titles are "Through Eyes And Glass" backed with "I'm Gonna Drink My Hurt Away" and "Wonder How I Managed" backed with "Standing Watching You." I was fortunate enough to find a pristine copy of each 45. I still haven't listened to either of them!

Answer: "Salt Lick" and "Miller's Farm"

In 1969 ZZ Top had just formed out of the bands American Blues and Moving Sidewalks. The first 45 RPM credited to ZZ Top is "Salt Lick" backed with "Miller's Farm." ZZ Top was later picked up by the London label which reissued this record but it failed to chart. I own an original copy of this record. As of the year 2009, it can still be obtained at a fair price.

Answer: "Stealin'" and "Don't Ease Me In"

In 1966 the Grateful Dead released their very first 45 RPM record, "Stealin'" with "Don't Ease Me In." It was on the very tiny Scorpio label. Only 250 were pressed, making this record an extremely rare and valuable Grateful Dead collectible. Sly Stone produced it. "Stealin'" is actually an American folk song from the 1920s.

This record has been bootlegged. I know because I bought a copy that turned out to be the fake. It was from a friend who was not sure about its authenticity so I was able to return it. I never owned an original nor have I seen one in person.

Answer: Shotgun Express

Shotgun Express was a short lived band. They only stayed together for a few months from late 1966 until early 1967. Their claim to fame lies in what the individual members went on to achieve with other groups. Group members consisted of Rod Stewart, Beryl Marsden, Peter Bardens, Peter Green, Phil Sawyer, Dave Ambrose and Mick Fleetwood. Rod Stewart joined ex-Yardbird Jeff Beck in The Jeff Beck Group, Green and Fleetwood were briefly with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers before going on to form Fleetwood Mac, Bardens was with The Love Affair before forming Village. I'm quite sure that Youtube has "I Can Feel The Whole World Turn Round" in their repertoire. I have the Shotgun Express 45 RPM record and the French 7" EP. I believe the French record to be the rarest Rod Stewart record that exists.

Answer: Listen

Robert Plant is without reservation, one of the most influential hard rock vocalists of our time. Before gaining fame with Led Zeppelin, Plant had his first single release as the vocalist for Listen. It was "You Better Run" backed with Everybody's Gonna Say" on the UK CBS label from 1966.

As a matter of fact, Plant stayed with the label and released two solo singles, "Our Song" backed with "Laughin' Cryin' Laughin'" and "Long Time Coming" backed with "I've Got A Secret." Not long afterward he united with drummer John Bonham to form Band of Joy. Shortly after that he joined Obs-Tweedle before rejoining John Bonham with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, as Led Zeppelin.

In my humble opinion, the greatest hard rock band that ever was and ever will be. I have all three of these records.

Answer: The Chain Reaction

The Chain Reaction was Steven Tyler's first recording band. The bands' first 45 RPM record was "The Sun" backed with "When I Needed You." It was produced by Richie Gotteher and released on Date Records which was part of CBS and now Sony. "The Sun" was recorded at CBS studios beginning August 25, 1966.

The recording took three weeks because Tyler wanted it to be perfect. "When I Needed You" was recorded in 15 minutes on September 9, 1966. Tyler was taken on as the drummer for Chain Reaction. I've done a lot of research and cannot determine if he sang or not.

Some sites say he was lead vocals, others say background vocals and yet others say just drums. I've heard both songs and it sure doesn't sound like Tyler. He may be singing backup though. Both songs can be heard on Youtube and many other internet sites. I've never owned this record...not yet.

Answer: Opal Butterfly

Opal Butterfly was formed in 1967, with 17-year old drummer Simon King asking his old band member Robbie Milne to join on lead guitar, with Allan Love on vocals, Richard Bardey on bass and Tommy Doherty on guitar. Lemmy was asked to join around 1969/1970. Opal Butterfly was one of Lemmy's bands previous to Hawkwind, after Sam Gopal and the earlier Rockin' Vickers.

His psychedelic leanings were on display and this features some classic late 1960s guitar. It is a perfect example of the sound cultivated from this period, when psychedelic music was melding into underground progressive music. I've never had this record nor have I heard it as of yet. I'm sure a download can be found on the internet.