November 1, 1957 : DAVE BARTHOLOMEW and his band record at Cosimo's
in New Orleans. "Cinderella" becomes the B-side of his next single
(Imperial 5481, December). "I Can't Take It No More" stays on the shelf
until 1984, when it appears on Dave's LP "Jump Children" (Pathe-Marconi
1546601, France). See also November 7.
Personnel : Dave Bartholomew (vocals / trumpet) ; Clarence Hall, Herb
Hardesty , Lee Allen (tenor saxes) ; Justin Adams (guitar) ; Frank
Fields (bass) ; Edward Frank (piano) ; Charles 'Hungry' Williams (drums).

November 1, 1957 : ERSEL HICKEY makes his debut as a recording artist
at the National Studio in New York City. "Bluebirds Over the Mountain"/
"Hangin' Around" is purchased by Epic Records on January 24, 1958 and
released a few weeks later (Epic 9263). It will be Ersel's only chart 
entry, peaking at # 75.
Musicians : Ersel Hickey (vocals / rhythm guitar) ; Jimmy Mitchell 
(lead guitar, percussion) ; Mike Corda (bass, producer).

November 1, 1957 : SAMMY SALVO covers the Crescendos' smash "Oh Julie",
scoring a # 23 hit in the process. The reverse, "Say Yeah" is another
cover, of a Wayne Handy number. Release on RCA 7097 in late November.
Personnel : Chet Atkins, Hank Garland (guitars) ; Bob Moore (bass) ;
Floyd Cramer (piano) ; Dutch McMillin (sax) ; Buddy Harman (drums) ;
The Anita Kerr Singers (vocal chorus). Produced by Chet Atkins at RCA 
Victor Studio in Nashville.

November 3, 1957 : Also at Nashville's RCA Victor Studio, THE EVERLY 
BROTHERS record five tracks for their first LP ("The Everly Brothers", 
Cadence CLP 3003), due for release in January 1958. Two of the five 
tracks will also see a US single release : "This Little Girl Of Mine"
(Cadence 1342, January 1958, b/w "Should We Tell Him", already recorded
on August 16) and (belatedly) "Be Bop A Lula" (Cadence 1380, May 1960,
b/w "When Will I Be Loved" from their final session for Archie Bleyer,
February 16, 1960).
In Germany the other three tracks will also see single releases : "Rip It
Up" (Heliodor 453010, October 1958), "Leave My Woman Alone" (Heliodor 
453020, February 1959) and "Keep-A Knockin'" (Heliodor 453025, March 1959).
Personnel : Don and Phil Everly (vocals / guitars) ; Hank Garland, Chet
Atkins, Ray Edenton (guitars) ; Lightnin' Chance (bass) ; Floyd Cramer
(piano) ; Buddy Harman (drums). Produced by Archie Bleyer.

Monday, November 4, 1957 : THE CADILLACS cover "Buzz Buzz Buzz" (the 
Hollywood Flames version hasn't even charted yet!) and the Bobby Charles
number "Yea Yea Baby". Release on Josie 829 at the end of the month.
The Cadillacs are : Earl Carroll, James Bailey, Charles Brooks, Earl
Wade and Bobby Phillips. Label credit goes to "The Original Cadillacs".
Location : New York City. See also November 20.

November 7, 1957 : Six days after his last session, DAVE BARTHOLOMEW
is back at Cosimo Recording Studio in New Orleans. This time he records
two instrumental tracks : "Hard Times (The Slop)", which is chosen as 
the A-side of the new single (Imperial 5481, December), and "Good News",
which is held in the can until the release of the "Jump Children" LP
mentioned above.
Personnel is the same as on November 1, except that Allen Toussaint
replaces Edward Frank on piano.

November 7, 1957 : FARON YOUNG waxes the single "The Locket"/"Snowball"
(Capitol 3855, December) at Bradley Studio in Nashville, with : Hank
Garland, Jack Shook (guitars) ; Bob Moore (bass) ; Marvin Hughes (piano) ;
Rufus Long (tenor sax) ; Buddy Harman (drums) ; The Anita Kerr Singers
(vocal chorus). Produced by Ken Nelson.

November 11, 1957 : MARIE ADAMS and JOHNNY OTIS join forces on "Bye
Bye Baby" (Capitol 3852, December, b/w "Good Golly", from the August 19
session. Marie also records "All I Want Is Your Love", which is overdubbed
with the same audience tape that was used for "Ma! He's Making Eyes At Me"
on January 8, 1958. In the US this track will find a place on the Various
Artists album "Everybody Rocks!" (Capitol T 1025), in Europe it will be
coupled with "The Light Still Shines In My Window" from a future session
for a single release in February 1958 (Capitol CL 14837, UK and Capitol
HF 196, Holland). "Shuggie's Song" from this session remains in the vaults.
Personnel : Jimmy Nolen (guitar) ; Curtis Counce (bass) ; Plas Johnson,
Jackie Kelso (saxes) ; Ray Johnson (piano) ; Earl Palmer (drums).
Produced by Tom Morgan at the Capitol Tower in Hollywood.

November 11, 1957 : ONIE WHEELER's total output for Sun Records (five
tracks) is recorded on three days in 1957 : November 11, November 22
and December 6. "Jump Right Out Of This Jukebox"/"Tell 'Em Off" is 
eventually released on Sun 315 in February 1959. "Walkin' Shoes", "That's
All" and "Bonaparte's Retreat" stay in the can until the release of Bear
Family BFX 15211 (Sun Records : The Country Years 1950-1959, 10-LP box-
set) in 1986.
Musicians : Onie Wheeler (vocals / harmonica) ; Roland Janes (guitar) ; 
Stan Kesler (bass) ; Jimmy Wilson (piano on November 11) ; Jimmy Smith
(piano on November 22) ; Jimmy Van Eaton (drums) ; Smokey Joe Baugh
(drums on December 6). Produced by Jack Clement and Bill Justis at the
Sun studio in Memphis.

November 11, 12, 15, 19 and 21, 1957 : Spread over five days, BILL
HALEY and his Comets record the LP "Rockin' Around the World" (Decca 
DL 8692, March 17, 1958) and the single "Mary Mary Lou"/"It's A Sin"
(Decca 30530, release date December 23). 
LP contents : "Pretty Alouette", "Piccadilly Rock", "Rockin' Rollin' 
Schnitzlebank", "Vive La Rock 'n' Roll", "Come Rock With Me", "Wooden
Shoe Rock", "Me Rock A Hula", "Oriental Rock", "Rockin' Matilda", "El 
Rocko", "Rockin' Rita", "Jamaica, D.J.".  
Personnel : Bill Haley (vocals / rhythm guitar) ; Franny Beecher (lead
guitar) ; Joe Oliver, Rusty Keefer (guitars) ; Billy Williamson (steel
guitar) ; Rudy Pompilli (tenor sax / clarinet) ; Johnny Grande (piano) ;
Al Rex (double bass) ; Ralph Jones (drums).
Produced by Milt Gabler at the Pythian Temple in New York City.  

Tuesday, November 12, 1957 : JOHNNY CASH cuts his next single at the 
Sun Studio in Memphis : "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen"/"Big River" (Sun
283, December). It will top the country charts for ten weeks and also 
reaches # 14 pop.
Personnel : Johnny Cash (vocals / acoustic guitar) ; Luther Perkins 
(electric guitar) ; Jack Clement (guitar, producer) ; Marshall Grant
(bass) ; Unknown (drums, possibly Jimmy Van Eaton) ; The Gene Lowery 
Singers (vocal chorus, overdubbed at a later date).

November 14, 1957 : GUY MITCHELL is at Columbia Recording Studio A in
New York City for a three-track session. "The Lord Made A Peanut"/"One
Way Street" is released on Columbia 41075 on December 2. "Wonderin' And
Worryin'" is not issued in the US, but sees a UK release on Philips PB
798 in March 1958. Backing by Ray Conniff's orchestra and chorus.
Produced by Mitch Miller.

November 15, 1957 : Freshly signed to King Records, RUSTY YORK does
a demo session for the label. All five tracks, "Peggy Sue", "Mean
Woman Blues", "Sweet Love", "Great Balls Of Fire" and "A Fallen Star"
stay in the can until 1990, when they are released on the LP "Sweet
Love" (Eagle 901008, Germany).
Backing by : Bill Lanham (rhythm guitar) ; Gordon Clemons (bass).
Produced by Syd Nathan in Cincinnati. See also November 29.

November 17, 1957 : Also in Cincinnati, BOYD BENNETT and his Rockets 
have their penultimate session for King Records, which results in two 
singles : "Boy Meets Girl"/"Sentimental Journey" (King 5097, December)
and "Her Momma Doesn't Think It's Right"/"Signed, Sealed, Delivered" 
(King 5113, February 1958).

November 18, 1957 : While RICKY NELSON is still in the Top Five with
"Be-Bop Baby", it's time to record a follow-up single. This becomes the 
excellent double-sider "Stood Up"/"Waitin' In School" (Imperial 5483, 
December). It is the first Ricky Nelson session to feature James Burton
(on rhythm guitar, soon he will switch to lead) and Richie Frost. Also 
the last session to feature Joe Maphis and to be co-produced by Ozzie 
Nelson, Ricky's father. From 1958 on, Jimmie Haskell will be the sole 
producer of Ricky's Imperial output.
Personnel : Joe Maphis (lead guitar) ; James Burton (rhythm guitar) ;
James Kirkland (bass) ; Don Ferris (piano) ; Richie Frost (drums).
Arranged and co-produced by Jimmie Haskell at Master Recorders in L.A.

November 18, 1957 : JERRY REED is at Bradley Studio in Nashville where
he lays down three tracks. "Bessie Baby"/"Too Young To Be Blue" becomes
his next single (Capitol 3882, January 1958). The third (and best, IMO)
song, "Teardrop Street" is held in the can, until it is saved by Bear
Family (CD "Here I Am", BCD 16306) in 1999.
Personnel : Jerry Reed (vocals / guitar) ; Hank Garland (guitar) ;
Floyd Cramer (piano) ; more details unknown. Produced by Ken Nelson.

November 19, 1957 : TONY ALLEN records four tracks at Master Recorders
in Hollywood. "Holy Smoke Baby"/"Time Won't Wait On You" is released on
Aladdin 3403 in January 1958. On "Now You Tell Me"/"Lillie Mae" Tony is
joined by his cousin Beulah Mae Allen ; this is credited to The Cupids
(Aladdin 3404, February 1958).
Personnel : Rene Hall (guitar) ; Plas Johnson (tenor sax) ; Jewell Grant
(baritone sax) ; Ted Brinson (bass) ; Ray Johnson (piano) ; Earl Palmer
(drums).

November 19, 1957 : TOMMY SANDS records 12 numbers for the soundtrack
of the movie "Sing Boy Sing" : "I'm Gonna Walk And Talk With My Lord",
"Who Baby", "A Bundle Of Dreams", "Just A Little Bit More", "People In
Love", "Crazy 'Cause I Love You", "Your Daddy Wants To Do It Right",
"That's All I Want From You", "Soda Pop Pop", "Would I Love You",
"Rock Of Ages" and "Sing Boy Sing". The LP "Sing Boy Sing" is issued
in January 1958 on Capitol T 929. The title song and "Crazy 'Cause I 
Love You" will be rerecorded in December for single release.
Orchestra conducted by Lionel Newman. Produced by Ken Nelson at the
Capitol Tower in Hollywood.

Wednesday, November 20, 1957 : CLINT MILLER covers "Bertha Lou", 
previously recorded by Dorsey Burnette and Johnny Faire. The flip is 
"Doggone It Baby, I'm In Love", a 1954 country hit for Carl Smith. 
Release on ABC-Paramount 9878 in the first week of December. "Bertha 
Lou" is arranged and conducted by Don Costa, the other side by Nick 
Perito. Location : New York City.

November 20, 1957 : MACK VICKERY auditions for Sun Records in Memphis.
Three tracks are laid down : "Drive-in", "Fool Proof" and "Have You Ever
Been Lonely". They are first released in 1985 on the Various artists LP
"Rockin' Rollin' Country Style" (Sun LP 1030, UK).
Backing by : Roland Janes (guitar) ; Stan Kesler (bass) ; Unknown
(piano) ; Jimmy Van Eaton (drums).

November 20, 1957 : Second session for THE CADILLACS this month, as
usual in New York City. "Holy Smoke Baby"/"I Want To Know" will appear
on Josie 842 in August 1958, this time simply credited to the Cadillacs
(see also November 4). Arranged by saxophonist Jesse Powell, who also 
cuts his own single, "Ain't You Gonna"/"Turnpike" (Josie 834, March 
1958). Credit goes to Jesse Powell and the Caddys, who probably are the 
Cadillacs (on the A-side at least, "Turnpike" is an instrumental).

November 21, 1957 : JIMMY DONLEY is at Bradley Studio in Nashville for
a three-track session. "Born To Be A Loser"/"Please Baby Come Home" is
chosen for single release (Decca 30574, April 1958). "Child Love" is
first released on Jimmy's LP "Give Me My Freedom" (Charly CR 30265) in
1987.
Personnel : Bob Moore (bass) ; Prof Carpenter (sax) ; The Anita Kerr
Singers (vocal chorus) ; more details unknown. Produced by Owen Bradley.

November 21, 1957 : In Los Angeles, LOUIS PRIMA records "Beep! Beep!",
which will be used as the B-side of "Buona Sera" (an LP track recorded 
in April 1956, which suddenly proves popular in Europe). Release follows
on December 23 (Capitol 3856). Also recorded is "Natural Guy" with a
vocal by Keely Smith, which stays in the vaults until 1994 (8 CD-set
"Louis Prima : The Capitol Recordings", Bear Family BCD 15776).
Personnel : Louis Prima (vocals / trumpet) ; Sam Butera (sax, vocals) ;
Keely Smith (vocals) ; Bobby Roberts (guitar) ; Tony Liuzza (bass) ;
Harvey Lang (drums) ; Willie McCumber (piano) ; Lou Sino (trombone).

November 24, 1957 : At Reco-Art Sound Recording in Philadelphia CHARLIE
GRACIE records "Snuggle Up Baby" and a cover version of Carl McVoy's 
"Tootsie". Both tracks will stay on the shelf for more than 30 years
and they will finally see the light of day with the release of the album
"Cameo Parkway Sessions" (London LP HAU 8513, UK, 1978).
Personnel : Charlie Gracie (vocals / lead guitar) ; Fred Nuzzullio aka
Dan Daily (sax) ; Joe Sgro (rhythm guitar) ; Joe Macho (bass) ; Jerry
Kilgore (drums) ; Bernie Lowe (piano). Produced by Bernie Lowe. 
 
November 25, 1957 : A busy day for BILLY RILEY and his Little Green Men.
Six tracks are recorded at the Sun studio in Memphis. "Wouldn't You Know"/
"Baby Please Don't Go" is selected for single release (Sun 289, February
1958). "That's Right", "Open the Door Richard" and a new version of "Rock
With Me Baby" stay in the can until the release of the LP "The Legendary
Sun Performers : Billy Lee Riley" (Charly CR 30131, UK) in 1977. "Searchin'"
is first released on the Various artists LP "Sun - The Roots Of Rock, Vol.
8 : Sun Rocks" (Charly CR 30115, UK), also in 1977.
Personnel : Billy Riley (vocals / guitar) ; Roland Janes (guitar) ; Marvin
Pepper (bass) ; Jimmy Wilson (piano) ; Martin Willis (sax) ; Jimmy Van
Eaton (drums). Produced by Sam Phillips and Jack Clement.

November 25, 1957 : Also recording at Sun on this day is ERNIE CHAFFIN.
"The Heart Of Me" is held in the can until 1977, when Charly releases the
Various artists LP "Sun - The Roots Of Rock, Vol. 10 : Sun Country" (CR
30117). "I Walk Alone" is first issued on Bear Family's 10-LP set "Sun
Records : The Country Years, 1950-1959" (BFX 15211) in 1986.
Personnel : Ernie Chaffin (vocals / guitar) ; Sid Manker (guitar) ; Pee
Wee Maddux (fiddle) ; Stan Kesler (bass) ; Jimmy Van Eaton (drums).

November 25, 1957 : TABBY WEST is in Nashville (probably Bradley Studio)
to record four songs which will appear on two singles : "All That I Want"/
"If You Promise Not To Tell" (Capitol 3896, February 1958) and the rocking
"I Can't Stop Loving You" c/w "Careless Darlin'" (Capitol 4039, August
1958). Produced by Ken Nelson. Personnel unknown.

November 26, 1957 : SAM COOKE records a version of "You Were Made For
Me" that is finally deemed suitable for release (Keen 3-4009, February
1958), after earlier attempts on June 1 and August 23.
Personnel : Rene Hall, Cliff White (guitars) ; Ted Brinson (bass) ; Earl
Palmer (drums). Produced by Bumps Blackwell at Radio Recorders, Hollywood.

November 27, 1957 : THE DIAMONDS are at Mercury Sound Studio in New York
City, where they record three titles. "The Stroll" is released on Mercury
71242 in December and will become the second biggest hit of their career,
peaking at # 4. "Walking Along"/"Eternal Lovers" is saved until September
1958, for release on Mercury 71366 (peak position # 29).
The Diamonds are : Dave Somerville, John Felton, Evan Fisher and Mike
Douglas. The sax player is King Curtis, more personnel details unknown.
Produced by Clyde Otis.

November 27, 1957 : JOE BENNETT and the Sparkletones are at Capitol
Recording Studio in New York City. "Cotton Pickin' Rocker" will become
the A-side of their third single (ABC-Paramount 9885, February 1958).
"Blue Bop" from this session has never been issued.
Personnel : Joe Bennett, Howard Childress (vocals / guitar) ; Wayne
Arthur (bass) ; Jimmy Denton (drums). Produced by Don Costa.

November 27, 1957 : LOU GRAHAM records the single "Wee Willie Brown"/
"You Were Mean Baby" for Bill Haley's Clymax label (C-318, December).
However, the master is assigned to Coral Records when Haley's enterprise
runs into financial difficulties. Rerelease follows in early January 1958
on Coral 61931. Unissued from this session are "Sweet Sensation" and
"Take Me As I Am". Backing by Bill Haley's Comets.
Location probably Chester, Pennsylvania.

Friday, November 29, 1957 : BRENDA LEE, two weeks short of her 13th 
birthday, waxes her next single at Bradley Studio in Nashville : "Rock 
the Bop"/"Rock-A-Bye Baby Blues" (Decca 30535, December). 
Personnel (probably) : Grady Martin, Ray Edenton (guitars) ; Bob Moore
(bass) ; Owen Bradley (piano) ; Dutch McMillin (sax) ; Farris Coursey 
(drums) ; The Anita Kerr Singers (vocal chorus). Produced by Paul Cohen.

November 29, 1957 : RUSTY YORK rerecords "Peggy Sue" for King and this
time the recording is deemed fit for commercial release, coupled with
"Shake 'Em Up Baby" from the same session (King 5103, December).
Personnel : Zeke Turner (guitar) ; Bill Lanham (rhythm guitar) ; Gordon
Clemons (bass) ; Edison Gore (drums).
Produced by Syd Nathan at the King Studio in Cincinnati.

(Circa) November 1957, unknown date : DORSEY BURNETTE records "Bertha 
Lou"/"Til the Law Says Stop" (Surf 5019) at Master Recorders in Hollywood.
But the single is almost immediately withdrawn, as Dorsey is contracted to
Imperial Records. Both sides are then "overdubbed" (in this case sung over
Dorsey's voice) with new vocals by Johnny Faire (aka Donnie Brooks), whose
record also appears as Surf 5019, in early December.
Personnel : Dorsey Burnette (vocals / bass) ; Johnny Burnette (guitar /
handclaps / backing vocals) ; prob. Odell Huff (guitar) ; Danny Flores
(piano) ; H.B. Barnum (drums). Produced by John Marascalco.      

November 1957, unknown date : AL CASEY cuts the single "Willa Mae"/
"She Gotta Shake" (Liberty 55117, December) at Gold Star Studios in
Hollywood. Produced by Lee Hazlewood and Lester Sill.
Personnel for "Willa Mae" is : Al Casey (vocals / lead guitar) ; Eddie
Cochran (rhythm guitar) ; Gerald Wiggins (piano) ; Unidentified (stand-up 
bass) ; Sharkey Hall (drums).
On "She Gotta Shake", Casey is accompanied by Duane Eddy on guitar ; the 
backing track will be recycled (with overdubs by Plas Johnson and the
Sharps) as "The Walker" by Duane Eddy (Jamie 1109).

November 1957, unknown date : DUANE EDDY records his first single for
Jamie Records, "Moovin' And Groovin'"/"Up And Down" (Jamie 1101, February
1958), at Ramsey Recorders in Phoenix, Arizona. Peak position in Billboard
will be # 72 (take note: original title was "Moovin' ...", on subsequent
releases often spelled as "Movin' ..."). 
Backing by : Vivian 'Corki' Casey, Donnie Owens (guitars) ; Al Casey (bass) ;
Jimmy Dell (piano) ; Bob Taylor (drums). Producers Lee Hazlewood and Lester
Sill will overdub the sax of Plas Johnson in January 1958, at Gold Star 
Studios in Hollywood.

(Probably) November 1957, unknown date : RENE HALL cuts the instrumental
single "Twitchy"/"Flippin'" (Specialty 618, December) in Los Angeles.
"Twitchy" gives label credit ("Featuring Willie Joe") to Willie Joe Duncan
on unitar, a one-string guitar.
Additional personnel includes : Rene Hall (guitar) ; Plas Johnson (tenor
sax) ; Earl Palmer (drums). More details unknown. Involvement of Sonny
Bono, who co-wrote "Flippin'" with Hall, is likely.

November 1957, unknown date : Singer-pianist CHUCK MILLER records "Down
the Road Apiece"/"Mad About Him Blues"(Mercury 71308, May 1958) at Mercury
Sound Studio in New York City. Three other titles are rejected : "Last Night
in the Moonlight", "The Rooster And the Turkey" and "Hong Kong Blues".

November 1957, unknown date : BOBBY LEE TRAMMELL records his first single,
"Shirley Lee"/"I Sure Do Love You Baby" at Western Recorders in Hollywood.
First released on Fabor 4038 in December, then on ABC-Paramount 9890 in
January 1958. 
Personnel : Bobby Lee Trammell (vocals / guitar) ; James Burton (lead
guitar) ; James Kirkland (bass). Produced by Fabor Robison.

With thanks to Steve Walker, Stuart Colman and Henk Gorter.

Additions and corrections welcome.
 
Dik

In the can index