In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Sandy Deanne of Jay and the Americans. Sandy is a founding member and backing vocalist with Jay and the Americans which he helped form in 1960. Music has been a part of Sandy's life since the beginning with artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith being regular sounds on the family's record player. But It was seeing Elvis on TV and hearing Dion & The Belmonts singing “I Wonder Why” that made him want to make music his career. He formed his first group and wrote his first local hit record in high school. This group was called The Harborlites and would evolve into Jay and The Americans. Originally with Jay Traynor on lead vocals, the group was soon signed by the famous Lieber & Stoller team. Their first big hit would by “She Cried” in 1962 reaching #3 in the charts. Jay Black would replace Traynor and well into the end of the '60s, the group would go on to have more hits such as "Come a Little Bit Closer", "Cara Mia" and "This Magic Moment". They disbanded in 1973. After a three-decade hiatus, in 2006 the band reformed with Jay Reincke on lead vocals and as of 2023 they are still performing. More recently their 1964 song "Come a Little Bit Closer" was featured on the sound track to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, bringing their music to a whole new audience.

In Jack's interview with Sandy Deanne he talks with Sandy about his early music influences, the impact of seeing Elvis on TV, the forming of his first band 'The Harborlites', the signing of the group by Lieber & Stoller, the recording and success of "She Cried", opening for the Beatles on their first US concert, the story of how "Cara Mia" came to be, his thoughts on music today, how he felt about having the band's music featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and what the band's future plans are.

"And by now the kids are screaming 'We want the Beatles! We want the Beatles!' and Jay Black had quick wit and we walked out on stage and he went "Hey! wow I'm glad you guys all came to see us tonight!" and they all started laughing and then they shut up and listened and we sang our two songs, got a standing ovation and went back downstairs to the dressing room. While we are getting changed out of our stage clothes we heard them saying 'And now here they are, The Beatles!' and a scream went up. I've never heard anything like this ever again" - Sandy Deanne on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about the Beatles first US concert.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Sandy Deanne of <a href="http://jayandtheamericans.net">Jay and the Americans</a>. Sandy is a founding member and backing vocalist with Jay and the Americans which he helped form in 1960. Music has been a part of Sandy's life since the beginning with artists like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith being regular sounds on the family's record player. But It was seeing Elvis on TV and hearing Dion &amp; The Belmonts singing “I Wonder Why” that made him want to make music his career. He formed his first group and wrote his first local hit record in high school. This group was called The Harborlites and would evolve into Jay and The Americans. Originally with Jay Traynor on lead vocals, the group was soon signed by the famous Lieber &amp; Stoller team. Their first big hit would by “She Cried” in 1962 reaching #3 in the charts. Jay Black would replace Traynor and well into the end of the '60s, the group would go on to have more hits such as "Come a Little Bit Closer", "Cara Mia" and "This Magic Moment". They disbanded in 1973. After a three-decade hiatus, in 2006 the band reformed with Jay Reincke on lead vocals and as of 2023 they are still performing. More recently their 1964 song "Come a Little Bit Closer" was featured on the sound track to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, bringing their music to a whole new audience.
In Jack's interview with Sandy Deanne he talks with Sandy about his early music influences, the impact of seeing Elvis on TV, the forming of his first band 'The Harborlites', the signing of the group by Lieber &amp; Stoller, the recording and success of "She Cried", opening for the Beatles on their first US concert, the story of how "Cara Mia" came to be, his thoughts on music today, how he felt about having the band's music featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and what the band's future plans are.
"And by now the kids are screaming 'We want the Beatles! We want the Beatles!' and Jay Black had quick wit and we walked out on stage and he went "Hey! wow I'm glad you guys all came to see us tonight!" and they all started laughing and then they shut up and listened and we sang our two songs, got a standing ovation and went back downstairs to the dressing room. While we are getting changed out of our stage clothes we heard them saying 'And now here they are, The Beatles!' and a scream went up. I've never heard anything like this ever again" - Sandy Deanne on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about the Beatles first US concert.
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

Jack Hodgins speaks with the people behind the music you love.

Jack Hodgins speaks with the people behind the music you love.

Vinyl Vibes

Jack Hodgens talks to the people who created the music that is the foundation of today's music.

Jack Hodgens talks to the people who created the music that is the foundation of today's music.

Sandy Deanne Interview - Founding member of Jay and The Americans (Remastered Version)

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by David Rivkin, Grammy Award-winning recording engineer. The music of artists such as The Kingston Trio first sparked Dave’s interest in music, but it was when he heard the electric guitar for the first time that his life was forever changed. In 1963, Dave joined a local Minneapolis band called The Chancellors, and after recording the group’s local hit Little Latin Lupe Lu, Dave became hooked on learning how to record music.

By the mid-'70s, Dave was recording music professionally at ASI Studio. In 1976, Grand Central, an early band to feature Prince, came into ASI Studio to record some demos with Dave as the engineer. A year later, in 1977, with Dave now at Sound 80, he recorded Prince again. Dave’s sessions with Prince in 1977 resulted in three songs that would be featured on Prince’s debut album, For You. One of those songs, Soft and Wet, would become Prince’s first single.

While working at Sound 80, Dave also became involved with a group called Lipps Inc. In 1979, Lipps Inc. recorded a disco track called Funkytown, which Dave engineered and played on. Despite being released at the tail end of the disco era in 1980, the Funkytown single would sell 8 million copies and hit number one in Australia, Canada, the United States, and many other countries worldwide.

In 1983, Dave worked again with Prince when he recorded a short-notice benefit concert at First Avenue in Minneapolis. At this concert, Prince debuted the now-classic Purple Rain. The 70-minute benefit concert was recorded by Dave outside the venue in a mobile recording truck. Unknown to Dave at the time, the version of Purple Rain he engineered would become the official recording, both as a single and on Prince’s 1984 album of the same name.

In 1987, when Prince opened his Paisley Park studio, Dave moved from Sound 80 to become a producer at the new complex. One of his early production projects at Paisley Park was working with The Fine Young Cannibals. Dave produced the band’s hit She Drives Me Crazy, and he was responsible for the iconic snare drum sound on the track. The song would go on to hit number one in the U.S., number five in the UK, and number one in Australia.

Today, Dave is still active in the music industry, with recent work including mixing Jonathon Long’s debut album and remixing various Prince releases.

Jack phoned David to discuss his early days, the impact folk music had on him, the experience of hearing the electric guitar for the first time, his time with The Chancellors, his early production work at ASI Studio, recording early Prince demos, the making of Funkytown, the recording and success of Purple Rain, the iconic snare sound on She Drives Me Crazy, and his more recent work.

"We were in the moment. There’s no way you could know that this was going to be iconic... you just don’t know." — David Rivkin on engineering Prince’s Purple Rain in this episode of Vinyl Vibes.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by David Rivkin, Grammy Award-winning recording engineer. The music of artists such as The Kingston Trio first sparked Dave&rsquo;s interest in music, but it was when he heard the electric guitar for the first time that his life was forever changed. In 1963, Dave joined a local Minneapolis band called The Chancellors, and after recording the group&rsquo;s local hit Little Latin Lupe Lu, Dave became hooked on learning how to record music.
By the mid-'70s, Dave was recording music professionally at ASI Studio. In 1976, Grand Central, an early band to feature Prince, came into ASI Studio to record some demos with Dave as the engineer. A year later, in 1977, with Dave now at Sound 80, he recorded Prince again. Dave&rsquo;s sessions with Prince in 1977 resulted in three songs that would be featured on Prince&rsquo;s debut album, For You. One of those songs, Soft and Wet, would become Prince&rsquo;s first single.
While working at Sound 80, Dave also became involved with a group called Lipps Inc. In 1979, Lipps Inc. recorded a disco track called Funkytown, which Dave engineered and played on. Despite being released at the tail end of the disco era in 1980, the Funkytown single would sell 8 million copies and hit number one in Australia, Canada, the United States, and many other countries worldwide.
In 1983, Dave worked again with Prince when he recorded a short-notice benefit concert at First Avenue in Minneapolis. At this concert, Prince debuted the now-classic Purple Rain. The 70-minute benefit concert was recorded by Dave outside the venue in a mobile recording truck. Unknown to Dave at the time, the version of Purple Rain he engineered would become the official recording, both as a single and on Prince&rsquo;s 1984 album of the same name.
In 1987, when Prince opened his Paisley Park studio, Dave moved from Sound 80 to become a producer at the new complex. One of his early production projects at Paisley Park was working with The Fine Young Cannibals. Dave produced the band&rsquo;s hit She Drives Me Crazy, and he was responsible for the iconic snare drum sound on the track. The song would go on to hit number one in the U.S., number five in the UK, and number one in Australia.
Today, Dave is still active in the music industry, with recent work including mixing Jonathon Long&rsquo;s debut album and remixing various Prince releases.
Jack phoned David to discuss his early days, the impact folk music had on him, the experience of hearing the electric guitar for the first time, his time with The Chancellors, his early production work at ASI Studio, recording early Prince demos, the making of Funkytown, the recording and success of Purple Rain, the iconic snare sound on She Drives Me Crazy, and his more recent work.
"We were in the moment. There&rsquo;s no way you could know that this was going to be iconic... you just don&rsquo;t know." &mdash; David Rivkin on engineering Prince&rsquo;s Purple Rain in this episode of Vinyl Vibes.
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.

David Rivkin Interview - Grammy Award Winning Recording Engineer

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by J.P. Pennington, guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Exile. J.P. joined a group called The Exiles in 1964. The following year, in 1965, the band recorded their first single, an original song called The Answer to Her Prayers. The single did not chart, but in 1966, the band had its first big break when they had the opportunity to be a support act on Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars Tour. From playing small gigs around their local area, the band soon found themselves playing alongside hitmakers such as Paul Revere and the Raiders and Tommy Roe.

In 1973, the band changed its name from The Exiles to Exile. The group released their first two albums on the Wooden Nickel label in the same year, but they didn’t achieve chart success. Exile was soon dropped by Wooden Nickel, but in 1975, the band came to the attention of established Australian songwriter Mike Chapman. Chapman wanted to break into the U.S. music market and began writing songs for the group. In 1978, Exile recorded Chapman’s song Kiss You All Over and signed a three-album deal with Curb Records. Kiss You All Over was released as a single and brought the group immense success, reaching #1 in the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. The song is remembered today as one of the signature tracks of the '70s.

After the success of Kiss You All Over, Exile struggled to match that same level of success in the pop music world. In the early '80s, the band decided to shift their musical direction from pop to country music. In 1983, they released their first album as a country band, titled Exile. The second single from this album, Woke Up in Love, written by J.P., became a #1 hit on the U.S. country charts. It was the first of ten consecutive #1 country hits the band would have, bringing the group back into the spotlight.

More recently, Exile released a studio album in 2023 called A Million Miles Later. This double album features a staggering 16 new original songs by the group. The album is available on CD, Vinyl, and USB and can be purchased from the band’s website at exile.biz.

"We didn’t really know what to think! We were all like, 'Can we say that? Can we sing those lyrics?' We had been told 'no' so much that we thought, 'What the heck, what is there to lose?' And they put Kiss You All Over out, and I mean, it shot up the charts like a rocket ship. It was incredible." — J.P. Pennington on this episode of Vinyl Vibes, talking about how Exile’s number one hit Kiss You All Over came to be.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by J.P. Pennington, guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Exile. J.P. joined a group called The Exiles in 1964. The following year, in 1965, the band recorded their first single, an original song called&nbsp;The Answer to Her Prayers. The single did not chart, but in 1966, the band had its first big break when they had the opportunity to be a support act on Dick Clark&rsquo;s Caravan of Stars Tour. From playing small gigs around their local area, the band soon found themselves playing alongside hitmakers such as Paul Revere and the Raiders and Tommy Roe.
In 1973, the band changed its name from The Exiles to Exile. The group released their first two albums on the Wooden Nickel label in the same year, but they didn&rsquo;t achieve chart success. Exile was soon dropped by Wooden Nickel, but in 1975, the band came to the attention of established Australian songwriter Mike Chapman. Chapman wanted to break into the U.S. music market and began writing songs for the group. In 1978, Exile recorded Chapman&rsquo;s song Kiss You All Over and signed a three-album deal with Curb Records. Kiss You All Over was released as a single and brought the group immense success, reaching #1 in the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia. The song is remembered today as one of the signature tracks of the '70s.
After the success of Kiss You All Over, Exile struggled to match that same level of success in the pop music world. In the early '80s, the band decided to shift their musical direction from pop to country music. In 1983, they released their first album as a country band, titled Exile. The second single from this album, Woke Up in Love, written by J.P., became a #1 hit on the U.S. country charts. It was the first of ten consecutive #1 country hits the band would have, bringing the group back into the spotlight.
More recently, Exile released a studio album in 2023 called A Million Miles Later. This double album features a staggering 16 new original songs by the group. The album is available on CD, Vinyl, and USB and can be purchased from the band&rsquo;s website at <a href="http://exile.biz">exile.biz</a>.
"We didn&rsquo;t really know what to think! We were all like, 'Can we say that? Can we sing those lyrics?' We had been told 'no' so much that we thought, 'What the heck, what is there to lose?' And they put Kiss You All Over out, and I mean, it shot up the charts like a rocket ship. It was incredible." &mdash; J.P. Pennington on this episode of Vinyl Vibes, talking about how Exile&rsquo;s number one hit Kiss You All Over came to be.
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

J.P. Pennington Interview- Guitarist and Co-Lead Vocalist of Exile

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Gary Moberly, keyboardist of The Ramrods and Sweet. Gary first found his love for music growing up amidst the rock and roll of Jerry Lee Lewis and Col Joye. During the instrumental craze of the early ‘60s, along with workmates from the Sydney Morning Herald, Gary formed The Ramrods in 1961. By the mid-‘60s, The Ramrods were popular around the Sydney area, playing gigs in pubs. It was around this time that the band came to the attention of then-President of New South Wales Young Labor, Paul Keating. Keating would become The Ramrods' manager, getting the band more gigs and even a recording contract with EMI. The Ramrods recorded two singles for EMI Records, but neither achieved chart success. As a result, the band became better known for being managed by Paul Keating rather than for their own musical output. Gary would leave The Ramrods soon after the band’s second single.

After his days in The Ramrods, Gary joined another local Sydney group called Asprope Fables in 1968. The band became popular playing covers around the Sydney area and even came third overall in the 1969 Holiday's Battle of the Sounds. Gary left Asprope Fables in late 1970 and made his way to the UK to play with a group called The Honky Tonk. This led to Gary playing with other artists in the UK, such as Cane and Able, Tina Charles, and John Miles.

A big break came in 1977 when glam rockers Sweet were looking for a keyboard player, and Gary got the job. Although at first the band wanted to keep Gary behind the curtain at shows as an unofficial member, they were so impressed with his playing that he was made an official member of Sweet. Gary’s first work with Sweet involved playing keyboards on the band’s hit Love Is Like Oxygen. Gary went on to record two albums with Sweet: Cut Above the Rest in 1979 and Water’s Edge in 1980 before leaving the group. Today, Gary is still playing music, with recent performances being with The Spirit of Smokie.

Jack phoned Gary to talk about his early days, the impact the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Col Joye had on him, the formation of The Ramrods, his memories of playing live with The Ramrods, what Paul Keating was like as a manager, The Ramrods' recording career, his time in Asprope Fables, his early work in the UK, how he came to join Sweet, the recording and success of Love Is Like Oxygen, his memories of touring with Sweet, playing on Sweet albums Cut Above the Rest and Water’s Edge, and his more recent music work.

"When I went to meet them about the gig in the office, Mick Tucker walks in with a fur coat on, a David Bowie haircut, haha, a golden drumstick hanging off his ears, pelican skin-pointed powder blue shoes – I thought, 'Bloody hell mate, this is weird!' Then in come Steve and Brian, and we went down to the pub. We drank from midday till midnight, and one of them came up and said, 'You've got the gig.' I said, 'I haven't played anything yet.' They said, 'You've got the gig, you can handle the drinking.' I found out later that wasn't quite true, because they’d seen me on The Old Grey Whistle Test with John Miles the week before." — Gary Moberly on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about joining Sweet.

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.

On this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Gary Moberly, keyboardist of The Ramrods and Sweet. Gary first found his love for music growing up amidst the rock and roll of Jerry Lee Lewis and Col Joye. During the instrumental craze of the early &lsquo;60s, along with workmates from the Sydney Morning Herald, Gary formed The Ramrods in 1961. By the mid-&lsquo;60s, The Ramrods were popular around the Sydney area, playing gigs in pubs. It was around this time that the band came to the attention of then-President of New South Wales Young Labor, Paul Keating. Keating would become The Ramrods' manager, getting the band more gigs and even a recording contract with EMI. The Ramrods recorded two singles for EMI Records, but neither achieved chart success. As a result, the band became better known for being managed by Paul Keating rather than for their own musical output. Gary would leave The Ramrods soon after the band&rsquo;s second single.
After his days in The Ramrods, Gary joined another local Sydney group called Asprope Fables in 1968. The band became popular playing covers around the Sydney area and even came third overall in the 1969 Holiday's Battle of the Sounds. Gary left Asprope Fables in late 1970 and made his way to the UK to play with a group called The Honky Tonk. This led to Gary playing with other artists in the UK, such as Cane and Able, Tina Charles, and John Miles.
A big break came in 1977 when glam rockers Sweet were looking for a keyboard player, and Gary got the job. Although at first the band wanted to keep Gary behind the curtain at shows as an unofficial member, they were so impressed with his playing that he was made an official member of Sweet. Gary&rsquo;s first work with Sweet involved playing keyboards on the band&rsquo;s hit Love Is Like Oxygen. Gary went on to record two albums with Sweet: Cut Above the Rest in 1979 and Water&rsquo;s Edge in 1980 before leaving the group. Today, Gary is still playing music, with recent performances being with The Spirit of Smokie.
Jack phoned Gary to talk about his early days, the impact the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis and Col Joye had on him, the formation of The Ramrods, his memories of playing live with The Ramrods, what Paul Keating was like as a manager, The Ramrods' recording career, his time in Asprope Fables, his early work in the UK, how he came to join Sweet, the recording and success of Love Is Like Oxygen, his memories of touring with Sweet, playing on Sweet albums Cut Above the Rest and Water&rsquo;s Edge, and his more recent music work.
"When I went to meet them about the gig in the office, Mick Tucker walks in with a fur coat on, a David Bowie haircut, haha, a golden drumstick hanging off his ears, pelican skin-pointed powder blue shoes &ndash; I thought, 'Bloody hell mate, this is weird!' Then in come Steve and Brian, and we went down to the pub. We drank from midday till midnight, and one of them came up and said, 'You've got the gig.' I said, 'I haven't played anything yet.' They said, 'You've got the gig, you can handle the drinking.' I found out later that wasn't quite true, because they&rsquo;d seen me on The Old Grey Whistle Test with John Miles the week before." &mdash; Gary Moberly on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about joining Sweet.
Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins.

Sandy Deanne Interview - Founding member of Jay and The Americans (Remastered Version)

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