Shimmy Shimmy: The Definitive Research
Ken Smith
This is the letter I sent in to rec.music.rock-pop-r+b.1950s, regarding
the origins of this song:
**********
I am trying to verify for all time whether the song, misidentified as
"Shimmy Like Kate" (a misappropriation of the title "If I Could Shimmy
Like My Sister Kate") that The Beatles recorded at the Star Club in
Hamburg, Germany is either of these songs (we *know* it isn't the
aforementioned one):
"Shimmy Shake", composed by Joe South & Billy Land, issued by Billy
Land, 1959 on Esoteric 100
"Shimmy Shake", composed by Massey/Schubert and issued 1960 by Bobby
Freeman on King 5373
or
"Shimmy Like Kate", composing and issue date and details unknown
(1950s), by The Olympics. (This song is not listed in the BMI
catalogue.)
See, it is continually written up under the wrong title by record labels
and discographers alike, because apparently none of us have ever heard
the original version(s) of this song (which, incidentally, is sung as
"Shimmy Shimmy" by The Beatles).
Can anybody here with a large record collection help us out?
All advice will be much appreciated.
**********
And this was the reply:
From what I gather, Ken, the song sung by The Beatles is:
Bobby Freeman's (I DO THE) SHIMMY SHIMMY
(B. Massey/ A. Schubert/ P. Maurice)
Curtesy, Lothar Demelius.
Geoff
*********
So now we have the proof that it's the Bobby Freeman song and not any of
the others, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with the old standard
about shimmying like your sister Kate.
Ken
diane lacasse
(double CD), the song is titled The Hippy Hippy Shake and not the Shimmy
Shimmy Shake.
Listen closely to the track that's played on the CD. I also have the album
Live at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, and it's also mentioned there as
well.
Perhaps the words you are hearing in the song, may seem to sound.
As a matter of fact, in the documentary, The Compleat Beatles, the owner/MC
of the Cavern Club, Bob (I don't remember his last name) was interviewed for
this, and spoke about it! He said that Paul heard of this record and asked
Bob if he had it, cause he wanted to try it out. Because of Paul's falsetto
range, Bob thought the song was ideal for him. He even mentioned the name
Chamber Meero (not sure of the correct spelling, though!) was the one who
originally sang it.
If you have this documentary, check it out!
Good luck and I hope I was of some help to you!
Diane
Donz5
>I just checked all of my Beatles collection, and on the Live At The BBC
>(double CD), the song is titled The Hippy Hippy Shake and not the Shimmy
>Shimmy Shake.
Different songs, diane.
Tom
">Bob thought the song was ideal for him. He even mentioned the name
> Chamber Meero (not sure of the correct spelling, though!) was the one who
> originally sang it.
They're talking about the song listed as Shimmy Shimmy.
The original artist for Hippy Hippy Shake was Chan Romero.
Incidently, one of the guitarists on the song was Barney Kessel. So much for
the idea that he couldn't play rock and roll. (Didn't like to play it might
be accurate) The reissue I have credits him with rhythm guitar, but Rene
Hall, who is credited as lead guitarist, is playing a 6-string bass on the
song, so I'd guess the solo is either Romero or Kessel and the other one is
playing the acoustic rhythm guitar.
bea...@tdo.infi.net
Dear Diane:
We are talking here about two completely different songs. Read the
title of this thread again, and the other posts on the subject.
> Listen closely to the track that's played on the CD. I also have the
album
> Live at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany
Me too, four times over.
> As a matter of fact, in the documentary, The Compleat Beatles, the
owner/MC
> of the Cavern Club, Bob (I don't remember his last name) was
interviewed for
> this, and spoke about it! He even mentioned the
name
> Chamber Meero (not sure of the correct spelling, though!) was the one
who
> originally sang it.
Um, Chan Romero.
> If you have this documentary, check it out!
I have it, and I've seen it a great number of times. I'm sorry you
misunderstood what we were talking about.
Ken
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
diane lacasse
Bob Wooler!
Diane
diane lacasse wrote:
> I just checked all of my Beatles collection, and on the Live At The BBC
> (double CD), the song is titled The Hippy Hippy Shake and not the Shimmy
> Shimmy Shake.
> Listen closely to the track that's played on the CD. I also have the album
> Live at the Star Club in Hamburg, Germany, and it's also mentioned there as
> well.
> Perhaps the words you are hearing in the song, may seem to sound.
>
> As a matter of fact, in the documentary, The Compleat Beatles, the owner/MC
> of the Cavern Club, Bob (I don't remember his last name) was interviewed for
> this, and spoke about it! He said that Paul heard of this record and asked
> Bob if he had it, cause he wanted to try it out. Because of Paul's falsetto
> range, Bob thought the song was ideal for him. He even mentioned the name
> Chamber Meero (not sure of the correct spelling, though!) was the one who
> originally sang it.
> If you have this documentary, check it out!
diane lacasse
Can you hum a few bars for me, then?
Diane
Donz5 wrote:
> diane lacasse dia...@sympatico.ca wrote:
>
> >I just checked all of my Beatles collection, and on the Live At The BBC
> >(double CD), the song is titled The Hippy Hippy Shake and not the Shimmy
> >Shimmy Shake.
>
> Different songs, diane.
diane lacasse
Diane
diane lacasse
Diane
Tom wrote:
> ">Bob thought the song was ideal for him. He even mentioned the name
> > Chamber Meero (not sure of the correct spelling, though!) was the one who
> > originally sang it.
>