Post by 1finemrg on Jul 31, 2022 10:31:12 GMT -5
The story goes that WLS-Chicago program director Clark Weber had a dilemma. He had a great song he wanted to add to the current playlist, but couldn't because of the controversial line "Then she comes to my room, and makes me feel alright". He played the song to Bill Traut, co-founder of local Dunwich Records explaining the issue.
Bill said if he could record the song with a local band changing the controversial lyric could it be considered for airplay? Clark said yes.
The next morning Clark was given an acetate of the recording. The original version of "Gloria" by Them featuring Van Morrison had been covered by the Shadows Of Knight, with the lyric changed to "She calls out my name. That makes me feel alright."
On February 18, 1966, "Gloria" would debut at #18 on the WLS Top 40 Silver Dollar survey. It would ascend to #1 seven weeks later (4/1/66) knocking out "California Dreamin'" from the top spot before being replaced by "Kicks".
It is with great sadness to report the passing of hometown hero Shadows of Knight lead singer Jimy Sohns. He died July 29 at the age of 75 after suffering a stroke. He would have celebrated his 76th birthday August 23.
The Shadows of Knight would chart 5 times on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Gloria" peaking at #10. A cover of Bo Diddley's "Oh Yeah" would be their other Top 40 entry, peaking at #39.
Gloria would reach #7 on Cashbox. In somewhat of a chart oddity, "Oh Yeah" would miss the Top 40 on Cashbox, but "Shake" from late 1968 / early 1969 would top out at #39. "Shake" is a great song, a combination of two widely diverse styles. The song featured straight-ahead guitar rock combined with the bubble gum organ driven music produced by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz (Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Music Explosion).
Saw Jimy at a local show several years ago. While performing "Gloria", he quipped that he'd be singing these lyrics until the day he died.
And so he did. And rock & rollers are all the better for it.
Local Obituary
Obituary
Bill said if he could record the song with a local band changing the controversial lyric could it be considered for airplay? Clark said yes.
The next morning Clark was given an acetate of the recording. The original version of "Gloria" by Them featuring Van Morrison had been covered by the Shadows Of Knight, with the lyric changed to "She calls out my name. That makes me feel alright."
On February 18, 1966, "Gloria" would debut at #18 on the WLS Top 40 Silver Dollar survey. It would ascend to #1 seven weeks later (4/1/66) knocking out "California Dreamin'" from the top spot before being replaced by "Kicks".
It is with great sadness to report the passing of hometown hero Shadows of Knight lead singer Jimy Sohns. He died July 29 at the age of 75 after suffering a stroke. He would have celebrated his 76th birthday August 23.
The Shadows of Knight would chart 5 times on the Billboard Hot 100, with "Gloria" peaking at #10. A cover of Bo Diddley's "Oh Yeah" would be their other Top 40 entry, peaking at #39.
Gloria would reach #7 on Cashbox. In somewhat of a chart oddity, "Oh Yeah" would miss the Top 40 on Cashbox, but "Shake" from late 1968 / early 1969 would top out at #39. "Shake" is a great song, a combination of two widely diverse styles. The song featured straight-ahead guitar rock combined with the bubble gum organ driven music produced by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz (Ohio Express, 1910 Fruitgum Company, Music Explosion).
Saw Jimy at a local show several years ago. While performing "Gloria", he quipped that he'd be singing these lyrics until the day he died.
And so he did. And rock & rollers are all the better for it.
Local Obituary
Obituary