In my lonely room--the 81--in my lonely room--the 81--in my lonely room--the 81

[Methuselah2]

As pointed out on a recent edition of Jerry [['the Geator with the Heator') Blavat's Radio Show*

See what you think:

Martha & the Vandellas/IN MY LONELY ROOM [1964]
Written by Holland, Dozier, Holland

Thanks to Wes170 for this YouTube posting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mVrZmTj_rw

&

Candy & the Kisses/THE 81 [1964]
Written by Kenny Gamble & Jerry Ross

Thanks to Bricomaligno for this YouTube posting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v9GrDbIQ5k

____________________
*Mon.-Fri. WVLT 92.1 5-7pm ET; &
Mon.-Fri. KOOL 98.3 7-9pm ET

[rrussi]

As I recall, Kenny and Jerry were writing partners and stopped by a record hop to see Jerry Blavat. He was playing Martha's In My Lonely Room and the kids were dancing a dance they called the 81. Blavat suggested Kenny & Jerry come up with a song for the dance, which they did, perhaps much too inspired by Martha's record. Motown did file suite and the Cameo record, "The 81", by Candy & the Kisses was withdrawn. That's the story I recall Kenny Gamble telling. And, of course, Motown copied too, however, any company will only file suit if they think you've got a hit, which the Cameo record was on its way to being. Motown may have filed suit too soon as the record didn't have a chance to become a big hit.

[Methuselah2]

Really interesting background story, Rrussi. Thanks very much for posting it.

[splanky]

We talked about this before if you folks remember. But what I'd like to see is footage if it
exists of somebody actually doing a dance called the 81. What were the moves, the steps?
Did it ever become really popular beyond it's local crowd? That question has bugged me for years now. Hell, the Jerk, even the Bump went global!..LOL......

[rrussi]

I don't think the dance caught on nationally as the record was withdrawn even though it did chart. And even though by then Dick Clark had packed up and moved to California, Philadelphia was still the national dance capital of the country. This record, The 81, was in the fall of 1964.

[mowest]

The recording did become something of a regional hit. It went Top 5 in Mobile, Alabama and New Haven, Connecticut. Also Top 15 in Philadelphia.

[edafan]

thanks for letting me know how good these were

edafan

[Methuselah2]

Edafan - Glad you enjoyed them. Even though they're very similar, I like both very much, too.

[rrussi]

I liked them both too!!!

[robb_k]

7700
I never knew that "The 81" was withdrawn. I remember it charting, and being a minor hit, and staying on the charts and playing rotation for a long time. I'd say that Motown waited too long, rather than suing too early. The record probably had most of its natural run, anyway. I don't remember its play being stopped abruptly while it was at its peak peak popularity.

[keith_hughes]

"The 81" just missed the Top 50. We mentioned in TCMS4 that Gamble & Ross "borrowed" this tune.

I'm not following the argument here. Jobete Music didn't want to stop the song, surely? They just wanted a piece of the action.

They made a lot more dosh from Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potato Time" and Len Barry's "1-2-3", both of which made #2.

[rrussi]

Martha told me that Motown filed a suit against Cameo-Parkway many years ago.

[rrussi]

I mean that she told me that many years ago.