"And Party Every Day" Casablanca Records book coming out

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Mr Freeman I am curious - what story on Buddah is wrong regarding what AM radios story?
Larry Harris

Signing The Edwin Hawkins Singers was the launch of Pavilion Records, and the second release of their LP. The account of their signing story, no matter how glazed-over, is just...wrong. And "Oh Happy Day" was a groundbreaking single. Crossing a pure-bred Gospel recording into the Top 40 market, in a way that had never happened prior, or since. With it's success spurred-on by a particular radio DJ, before BUDDAH got ahold of it. (Not to mention that, NBLP7089 contained cover versions of almost half the material on that Pavilion LP.)

It's just too big of a BUDDAH success story, to have been intentionally left-out.

But I reiterate... You were with the company, at the time, though probably not involved in that particular release(?). It's story, like ones about Donna, Giorgio, Oasis, Douglas Records and TGIF (where it's very easy to "punch holes in the paint") are side-trips, anyway. And probably where fill-in-the-blanks stuff was done for you. I could list the details, but someone else already got paid to do that.

The lion's share of the book is about how the company was run. And that's what I wanted to know.

Though I will say that I greatly appreciate your comments regarding Alec R. Costandinos. He is my Hero of Heroes. And it's about time somebody spoke-up about how genuinely talented and friendly a man, he is.

By the way Big Big decision on the timeline boxes, and some people love them and others find them distracting as yu did, but I wanted someway to show us oldies and the younger readers what was going on then aside from the little world we lived in. I wanted something on the bottom of each page the pub wanted nothing so we compromised

I understand what was being attempted. But those little blurbs would've better served you, within the notes column of the discography. Linked to the releases that coincided with the time-lines.

[larry harris]

The Edwin Hawkins story happened before I joined Buddah- It was told to me by Neil and Cecil Holmes who were both involved with the entire signing and working the group. I was certainly not at the company during that period - The Buddah stuff in the book is really just to give background to the 4 guys who started Casablanca and explain its roots. You are right that it is easy to poke holes in paint.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

The Edwin Hawkins story happened before I joined Buddah. It was told to me by Neil and Cecil Holmes...
You are right that it is easy to poke holes in paint.

My respect for you has just doubled.

And let me say that, aside from being Casablanca's "ROCK" guy (which, to be completely fair, had you too busy to watch over Marc Paul Simon and the "DISCO" side of the company), your accounts of the financial juggling, and industry-image-building sides of the company, are so crisp in detail, and confident in recitation, that I don't doubt a single word.

After all, it's not a "DISCO" book. Nor, is it a "KISS" book. (though I loved reading about how KISS' undeniable, cultural phenomenon was crafted, from your point-of-view)
It's a "CASABLANCA" book! And it's obvious that you were the day-to-day businessman, who held the ladder for so many years, while Neil worked the paintbrush.

Thank you, too, for acknowledging my comments. I am, after all, just a humble Casablanca-geek/historian.

And terribly flattered...

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Here's my personal "4 Degrees of Separation from Neil Bogart" story.

For the first 10 years of my life, I grew-up in a large, northern New Jersey town called 'Parsippany'. And for as long as I can remember, my cousin Marc had been in rock bands. (my entire family was in show-business, going back to the 1800's)

In 1966 there was a "Battle Of The Bands" at Parsippany High School, and my cousin's band was entered. So the whole family showed-up to cheer them on. The Grand Prize was a recording contract, so a lot was on the line.

My cousin's band came in a very close, 2nd Place to a group named '? & The Mysterians'.

Very shortly thereafter, the single "96 Tears" was released on Cameo Records. (and "yes"... I still have my original copy of the 7" single)


And my "3 Degrees of Separation from KISS" is:

My cousin Marc was fairly close friends with, either Paul Stanley or Paul Frehley. And when the ad for auditions for a new band showed-up in the back of the Village Voice, Marc said "You go down and check it out. And let me know if I should bother auditioning."

When Paul came back, he told Marc: "I dunno. These guys are wearing all this weird make-up and playing really loud and aggressive stuff." So, my cousin Marc (who was very much about "art-rock", like 'Jethro Tull', 'Genesis', 'Renaissance', etc...) passed on it.

<deeeeep sigh> He passed on auditioning for KISS.

But he did turn me on to Genesis' "Nursery Crymes", as soon as it got released. And I remember the 1972 concert at Lincoln Center, because I was only 13 and my mother wouldn't let me go with my cousin. (a notorious pot-head) :o(

[ehuerta]

Well, it's out. Check out some rare clips on their own website And Party Every Day, amazing !!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

"BACK TO MUSIC" on DISCOTERIA
Online Disco Radio Station - Live365 Internet Radio - Discoteria
'Season 2' PREMIER
Thursday, November 5th, 2009 @ 9am PST ~&~ 12pm EST

join Stephen L. Freeman for a 2 1/2 hour, special edition episode...

Return To Casablanca

with special guest & co-host:
Larry Harris

author of
"AND PARTY EVERY DAY"
the inside story of
Casablanca Records
c 2009 Backbeat Books

[Cdnbob]

I just finished reading the book last night and I have to say it was a very entertaining, interesting and educational read. I learned so much about the industry and the history of one of my fave labels that I never knew before. Its a well written book and one that I'm glad Mr. Harris took the time out to write and put on paper. I highly recommend picking up the book and as its been said earlier in this thread, its a book you won't be able to put down. I think it took me a total of 2.5 days to read as it was completely fascinating. Thanks to Larry for writing the definitive story.

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Just finished loading the interview into editing.
Larry Harris was amazingly generous with information!

Stephen L. Freeman's
BACK TO MUSIC - "RETURN TO CASABLANCA"(part 1)
with special guest & co-host: LARRY HARRIS
is gonna be an AWESOME kick-off for Season 2!!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Join Author Larry Harris & myself, as we...
RETURN TO CASABLANCA

TODAY @ 9AM PST & 12PM EST
ON DISCOTERIA, Online Disco Radio Station - Live365 Internet Radio - Discoteria

For the premiere of SEASON 2, of:
STEPHEN L. FREEMAN'S
Back To Music

With repeat broadcasts:
Sat., Nov. 7th @ 12pm PST & 3pm EST
Mon., Nov. 9th @ 12pm PST & 3pm EST

[kdavid13]

Join Author Larry Harris & myself, as we...
RETURN TO CASABLANCA

TODAY @ 9AM PST & 12PM EST
ON DISCOTERIA, Online Disco Radio Station - Live365 Internet Radio - Discoteria

For the premiere of SEASON 2, of:
STEPHEN L. FREEMAN'S
Back To Music

With repeat broadcasts:
Sat., Nov. 7th @ 12pm PST & 3pm EST
Mon., Nov. 9th @ 12pm PST & 3pm EST

Why is Nov 5th circled on my calendar ??? I know something's gonna happen today...but what is it ???
p.s. : Is it noon yet ????