By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 02:37 pm:

While at work last night the topic of who originally recorded "Don't Let Go" by Isaac Hayes came up. Now I realize that I should remember this but as often happens, I've got a bad case of CRS!

By Chancellor of Soul (66.207.40.18) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 02:56 pm:

Hey WaltBaby,
The orginal recording of "Don't Let Go",
was recorded by Roy Hamilton in 1957 on Epic.

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 02:57 pm:

Roy Hamilton recorded it first in 1958 for Epic Records. It was a #2R&B/#13Pop hit.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 03:07 pm:

Thanks a lot. I knew I could depend on you guys!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 03:12 pm:

Walt:
Were you by chance a radio disc jockey in another life? Your "handle" sounds very familiar.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Chancellor of Soul (63.78.189.114) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 03:17 pm:

You're welcome Walt.

Peace,
Mike Boone
(Chancellor of Soul)

By TonyRussi (68.18.227.45) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 03:41 pm:

The Orlons do my favorite version of "Don't Let Go" on an LP in '63.

By Musicchef (68.104.25.189) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 03:54 pm:

Here's a shot of Roy recording about the same time period...

Da Chef



www.popsiephotos.com

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Monday, July 14, 2003 - 10:05 pm:

I had that Epic 45 of "Don't Let Go" years ago... Roy Hamilton was a great talent.

By dvdmike (68.72.85.8) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 12:00 am:

The original version of the Jesse Stone composition was recorded by Roy Hamilton at Columbia Recording Studios in NYC on November 26, 1957. Not sure who produced the session, it could have been his manager, Bill Cook or Columbia A&R man, Al Ham. I believe Jesse Stone was the arranger. If anyone has anything to add or to correct, please feel free.

By dvdmike (68.72.87.195) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 11:30 am:

As an added note, "Don't Let Go" was one of the first pop recordings to be released as a stereo 45 RPM single.

By HW (65.116.80.10) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 06:10 pm:

Kev - you're thinking of Walt "Baby" Love, one of my faves from the classic radio days. Same guy??

By WaltBaby (64.12.97.7) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 06:24 pm:

Sorry to disappoint. My friends call me WaltBabyLove, but here is only one of them and that is not me, so I shortened it to WaltBaby. I am however a former co-worker of HW at Polygram from 1979 thorugh 1989 and promoted records throughout Ohio, Western Pa, Western NY, Kemtucky and Michigan from '79 through '94.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 07:07 pm:

HW:
Looks like WaltBaby has answered my question!

WaltBaby:
Was the Rochester/Buffalo area part of your Western NY territory? That's where I'm from originally.

And HW is a colleague of mine who I hold in the highest regard.

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 07:20 pm:

Yes I went to WBLK & WUFO in Buffalo and WDKX in Rochester promoting my records.

By HW (68.37.216.164) on Tuesday, July 15, 2003 - 08:09 pm:

Walt - I need more info!

You can get me still at the old spot.

By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 10:51 am:

So KevGo what are you trying to say???
Walter B. White - WaltBaby

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 11:06 am:

Walt:
I was just curious because I worked in Rochester radio during the 1980s (WVOR-FM & WHAM-AM) and WDKX's Andre Marcel (PD) and air personality Jeremy Rice (now at WBLI-FM) were colleagues of mine.
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By WaltBaby (152.163.252.68) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

I know Andre Marcel and the previous PD the now deceased "Little John" Smith from WDKX. I also remember Clint Works and Danny Harris from their days there.

HW: I hope the "old spot" you're referring to is the one on Yahoo otherwise I don't have another e-mail address.

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 06:28 pm:

Walt:
"Little John" Smith was probably WDKX's(and one of Rochester's) best radio jock(s) - his delivery was so natural he sounded like your next door neighbor.

I had no idea he had passed. I remember when I was in the radio biz John was ill for a time but he still did his show and sounded great.

Kevin Goins - KevGo