Kip Tyler (May 31, 1929* – September 23, 1996) was an American rock and roll singer and bongo player.
To become a true rock 'n' roll singer back in the fifties
meant that almost everyone hated you - parents, the church, the establishment
and the old time musicians. But this did not bother a cool cat like Kip Tyler,
as long as the kids loved him and his music. He often joined his band on stage
dressed in black leather and on a motorbike. But let there be no doubt - he was
an important leader, and part, of the fifties Californian rockabilly and rock
'n' roll history.
Kip Tyler, born Elwood Westertson Smith was born in
Chicago, Illinois. Lead singer of Sleepwalkers during his time at Union High
School and later teamed up with rival musicians from Fairfax High School to
form the early version of Kip Tyler and the Flips. Besides the usual shows at
high school dances and parties, the group's wild rockabilly sound and stage
performances soon made them the most popular band at the legendary shows at the
El Monte Legion Stadium. Indeed, they virtually became the house band as they
often provided the backing for other artists appearing at the venue.
In early, 1957, Kip caught the attention of arranger
Joseph Gershenson who hired him to work on a project connected to the movie
"Rock, Pretty Baby". Stemming from the success of movie, Tyler took
on the name of Jimmy Daley (the main character of the movie who he provided a
voice over for) and formed the band Jimmy Daley And The Ding-A-Lings. He
recorded his first album at Decca records. Songs such as "Red Lips and
Green Eyes", "Hole in the Wall" and " Bongo Rock" were
produced at Decca Records. Unfortunately for Tyler, the sequel to "Rock,
Pretty Baby", "Summer Love" was a flop and so was the career of
his surname, Jimmy Daley.
In late 1957, he formed a new group, Kip Tyler And The
Flips. Their first record was "Lets Monkey Around" (b/c
"Vagabond Mama"); recorded at Starla Records. The group recorded at
Challenge Records and found more success from their singles produced there. In
early 1958, Challenge released their first hit "Jungle Hop" and the
great driving rockabilly tune "Ooh Yeah Baby" complete with one heck
of an instrumental break. Whilst again achieving good reviews in the musical
press upon release on Challenge, sales were poor.
Later in 1958, after a change of band members, they
recorded at Ebb Records with another single: "She's My Witch" (b/c
"Rumble Rock"), on which they were assisted by Jim Horn, saxophone
player with Duane Eddy's Rebels. The next, and final, session for Ebb Records
was in January 1959 and this brought "Oh Linda" and
"Hali-Lou" to the listening public. It was one of the final releases on Ebb before the label closed its doors. Some noteworthy members of all those that played in the band included Bruce
Johnson, Sandy Nelson, future Wrecking Crew members Larry Knechtel of Bread and guitarist Mike Deasy.
"Hali-Lou" to the listening public. It was one of the final releases on Ebb before the label closed its doors. Some noteworthy members of all those that played in the band included Bruce
Johnson, Sandy Nelson, future Wrecking Crew members Larry Knechtel of Bread and guitarist Mike Deasy.
Kip Tyler formed another new group and signed a deal with
the Los Angeles based Imperial Records with the help of his old drummer Sandy
Nelson - who had already joined the label after leaving Art Laboe who had only
signed him to a publishing contract and not as a recording artist. In 1960,
Tyler recorded four songs for the label but only two "Rocket Round The
Universe/The Goblin Trot" were issued. These were commercially still born.
Despite his meagre success as a recording artist, Kip was
in demand for personal appearances in the Los Angeles area and around the West
Coast in which he constantly captured the audience with his dynamic live
performance. He also succeeded in obtaining a weekly television show in the
early sixties. There are rumors that Tyler in 1962 recorded the single
"Drum Twist 1 & 2" under
the name of Kipper & The Exciters but there is no conclusive proof of
this. Similarly, it remains to be established the "Target
Twist/Stompin" released under the name of Kippster was Kip Tyler.
Dick at the Gyro Disc Hollywood office. |
For jukeboxes, a stereo version of Kip's interpretation of the song was made available. His success briefly peaked after recording a number of songs. Tyler's last single was made in 1965.
Seemingly Kip had become disillusioned by this lack of
success, especially as many of his former band members had made the big time.
Whilst he remained a local star, he entered into other forms of business. He
died on September 23, 1996 Los Angeles, California from natural causes.
(Edited mainly from CD liner notes) (*one source gives 29th
as birth date)
1 comment:
For ”Kip Tyler – Ooh Yeah Baby...!!!” go here:
https://www.upload.ee/files/11798625/Kip_Tyler.rar.html
1 Red Lips And Green Eyes
2 Bongo Rock
3 How's About A Little Kiss
4 Hole In The Wall
5 Let's Monkey Around
6 Vagabond Mama
7 Summer Love
8 Beatin' On The Bongos
9 Wail, Man Wail (instr)
10 Wail, Man Wail
11 Nothing But Though
12 Hello Mr. Dee-jay
13 Shadow Street
14 She Got Eyes
15 Introduction By Johnny Otis
16 Jungle Hop
17 Ooh Yeah Baby
18 Rumble Rock
19 She's My Witch
20 Oh Linda
21 Hali-lou
22 That Bell Of Freedom
23 On The Flipside
24 Girl From Ipanema
25 Toledo
26 Eternity
27 Ooh Yeah Baby (instr)
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