Cry Cry Cry

Here it is – the Holy Grail of Late 78s: Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Cry Cry Cry” from September 1960. It was Duke 327. The A-side rose to #9 on Billboard Magazine’s R&B charts that fall, and even charted #71 on the pop music charts. The B-side was “I’ve Been Wrong So Long.”

I have confirmed with record collector extraordinaire John Tefteller that this is authentic and not a photoshop creation. He regularly auctions off high quality collector records at his website, tefteller.com .

Unbelievable – fall of 1960. This may very well be the last regular issue, non-niche/fringe/novelty American 78 rpm record.

Goodbye Kansas City

A January 1960 78 record: “Goodbye Kansas City” backed with “1960” by Wilbert Harrison on Fury 1028. This follow up to his no. 1 hit “Kansas City” featured the same melody, written back in 1952 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. However, as you can see on the record label, the didn’t get co-composer credit on this. They probably could have pressed the issue if they wanted to, like Chuck Berry did with ‘Surfin’ USA”, or what happened with “My Sweet Lord” and Ronnie Mack’s heirs.

The B-side is a pleasant, swinging shuffle.

Hold Me Tight

July 1959 saw the release of Duke 308, which was “Hold Me Tight” b/w “Count The Stars” by Ted Taylor.  This was an up-to-date, modern-sounding sound in the fledgling soul music field.

I’m Achin’

Lightnin Hopkins’s “I’m Achin'” backed with “Let’s Move” was originally recorded in 1954, but not released until September 1959 on Herald Records.  That same year Herald also released an album of Lightnin’s 1954 sessions titled, “Lightnin’ and the Blues.”  The label had been releasing songs from the sessions over a five year period.  There would only be one more after this one, and it was in January 1960.  Wouldn’t it be cool if that one was on 78, too?

You’re On My Mind

In June 1959 Argo records released their issue #5338 – You’re On My Mind b/w My Life is a Mystery by “swamp pop” artist Rod Bernard.   This was the follow up to his early 1959 hit “This Should Go On Forever.”

Let Them Talk

Aidan M. was kind enough to share these photos of the October 1959 record “Let Them Talk” b/w “Right There” by Little Willie John.  This is the latest King 78 that I am aware of.  Thanks Aidan!

Update:  I have found an even later King 78.

Jesus I’m Waiting

Well, this is the first post I’ve made in a long time.  I just became aware of this May 1960 gospel record, Vee-Jay 887, by the Highway Q Cs – “Jesus I’m Waiting” b/w “We’re Working Hard.”

Crawdad

A reader contributed these images for us to enjoy.  It’s an April 1960 issue on Checker 951 titled “Crawdad” backed with “Walkin’ and Talkin'” by the great Bo Diddley.  I’m not used to seeing the font used on Bo Diddley’s name on Checker.

Jack O’ Diamonds

Ruth “Miss Rhythm” Brown’s “Jack O’ Diamonds” was on the pop chart in June 1959.  Released on Atlantic 2026, the flip side was “I Can’t Hear A Word You Say.”

Well, that’s it.  That’s all of the mid-1959 to mid-1960 78s I have for now.  If more late 78s are unearthed in the future, or if anyone has any more to contribute, I will try to add them in the future.   Thanks for viewing.

Everything Gonna Be Alright

From July 1959 here is Little Walter’s “Everything Gonna Be Alright” backed with “Back Track” on Checker 930.  Again here is Checker trying to use up their different styles of labels at the end of 78 production.