The Hassles | |
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| Background information | |
| Genres | Psychedelic rock, acid rock, blue-eyed soul |
| Years active | 1964–1969 |
| Labels | United Artists Records |
| Past members | Richard McKenna Jon Small John Dizek Harry Weber Billy Joel Howie Arthur Blauvelt |
The Hassles were a rock group in the 1960s, most notable for recording the first releases to feature Billy Joel. The group released two full-length albums (United Artists Records) and a number of singles. [1]
The original line-up of the group consisted of vocalist John Dizek (September 25, 1948 – June 27, 2017), [2] guitarist Richard McKenna, drummer Jon Small, and organist Harry Weber. In 1966 Weber was fired from the band due to excessive drug use (found dead a few years later on a railroad track) and was replaced by Howie Arthur Blauvelt and Billy Joel on bass and keyboards respectively. It is with this lineup that the band recorded their self-titled debut album in 1967. Blauvelt departed the band early in 1968 but returned later on in the year. Dizek departed the band in late 1968, at which point Joel took over on vocals. The band released their second album, Hour of the Wolf, in 1969, before disbanding. Following the demise of The Hassles, Joel and Small formed the duo Attila, [3] whilst Blauvelt later co-founded Ram Jam. Joel later went on to a successful solo career, and Small became a video producer and director.
John Dizek died on June 27, 2017, after a long illness, at age 68. [2]
Produced by Tony Michaels and Vinnie Gorman, The Hassles' eponymous debut album was released on November 21, 1967, and featured a number of cover versions of soul songs. [1] The single "You've Got Me Hummin'" was number 112 for one week on the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart, their only Billboard chart appearance. [4] In 1983, Billy Joel released a solo live recording of "You Got Me Hummin'" as a B-side to his hit "Tell Her About It" (available on the 12" maxi single, with the 'special remixed version' of the A-side). [5]
Produced by Thomas Kay, the Hassles' second album was released on January 23, 1969. All songs on this album were original recordings written by Billy Joel, except where noted. [1]
Single "Great Balls of Fire" (B-side "Travellin' Band') United Artists label (1969) [6]
Herman's Hermits are an English rock and pop group formed in 1963 in Manchester and fronted by singer Peter Noone. Known for their jaunty beat sound and Noone's often tongue-in-cheek vocal style, the Hermits charted with numerous transatlantic hits in the UK and in America, where they ranked as one of the most successful acts in the Beatles-led British Invasion. Between March and August 1965 in the United States, the group logged twenty-four consecutive weeks in the Top Ten of Billboard's Hot 100 with five singles, including the two number ones "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am".
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"You Got Me Hummin'" is a popular song written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. It was first popularized by Sam & Dave, who had a Top 10 R&B hit with the song in 1966 on Stax Records. It was subsequently covered by Cold Blood who had greater success with the song on the American pop charts. Additionally, the song has been recorded by the Pointer Sisters, Reigning Sound, Freddie Fender and Delbert McClinton as well as J. Blackfoot. Billy Joel released the song several times: first in 1967, when in the band The Hassles and under the title "You've Got Me Hummin' and in 1983
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