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Church Key
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Wikipedia article
'"Church Key"' is a classic instrumental single that was released by California surf group The Revels on Tony Hilder's Impact Records label in 1960. It was a hit for the group and later a hit for Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones.
Background
The song was written by Dan Darnold and Norman Knowles.'Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series', July - December, 1960 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=0zEhAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1044&dq=%22Church+Key%22Dan+Darnold%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiev_Ojmv_hAhVTVH0KHVQiCNwQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=%22Church%20Key%22Dan%20Darnold%22&f=false Page 1044]'Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series', July - December, 1964 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=LzIhAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1330&dq=%22Church+Key%22Norman+Knowles%22Copyright&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiJqtuOm__hAhUbT30KHY-iCvQQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=%22Church%20Key%22Norman%20Knowles%22Copyright&f=false Page 1331]
A version of the song by The Biscaynes appears on the 'Surf's Up! At Banzai Pipeline' compilation album.Artistdirect - [http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,171261,00.html Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline, 'Surf's up at Banzai Pipeline Track Listing']
The Revels version
History
The involvement with Tony Hilder came about as a result of meeting him early in 1960. The group were playing for a March of Dimes benefit in San Luis Obispo at a Chevrolet dealership. Hilder had come into town to promote a couple of his artists, Billy Watkins and Charles Wright. He was looking for a band to back them while on tour. Knowles wanted Hilder to think about The Revels as the backing group. It didn't happen but Hilder still left his business card. The second time that the group came across Hilder was in the summer of 1960. The group had driven down to LA for what was to be their second recording session. They were at a small studio located on the corner of Santa Monica and Western.'Intoxica!', The Best Of The Revels - Sundazed Music SC 11020 CD booklet, Page 7 It's Party Time, Norman Knowles and The Revels The session wasn't too fruitful so Knowles decided to ring Hilder with his experience to come over to help them with the session. Soon Hilder arrived with Robert Hafner who was his partner and songwriter. Hilder's attention was drawn to Dan Darnold's playing around with the vibrato bar. Hafner helped with a melody centering around a hook with the vibrato. An arrangement was developed and later the title "Church Key" came about. Barbara Adkins, Hilder's girlfriend and future wife provided the giggles on the recording. Robert Hafner had some other tunes with him, one of which was "Vesuvius". The band learnt it in the studio and recorded it. Not having his own label to release the recording at the time, Hilder and Norman Knowles started their own co. as partners, splitting the costs as well as the profits.'Intoxica!', The Best Of The Revels - Sundazed Music SC 11020 CD booklet, Page 8 It's Party Time, Norman Knowles and The RevelsThe A side which was credited to The Revels with Barbara Adkins. The B side to the single was "Vesuvius which was written by Robert J. Hafner45Cat - [http://www.45cat.com/record/1im The Revels California - Church Key / Vesuvius - Impact California - USA - 1] However, the 1959 release on CT 1-IM, 1-IMX credits Norman Knowles as the composer.Discogs - [https://www.discogs.com/The-Revels-Vesuvius-Church-Key/release/12908556 The Revels Vesuvius / Church Key, Label: CT (3) 1-IM, 1-IMX] Knowles' involvement as well As Hafner's is confirmed in 'Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series'.'Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series' - [https://books.google.com/books?id=LzIhAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA1330&dq=%22Church+Key%22Norman+Knowles%22Dan+Darnold%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjR74mg7tHgAhWKfisKHbNRADIQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=%22Church%20Key%22Norman%20Knowles%22Dan%20Darnold%22&f=false Page 1330]
This was the first release on Hilder's Impact Records label.'Billboard', May 9, 1964 [https://books.google.com/books?id=iEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=the+revels+Church+Key+IMpaCT&source=bl&ots=PnGMv2n1Ye&sig=KlbPF8NUXkyVNa9dYX1pwatgFLk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xzcyVcWeM-S3mAWxtYBg&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=the%20revels%20Church%20Key%20IMpaCT&f=false Page 22, Programming Specials] It was also previously released on the CT label which was another record label of Hilders.Popsike - [http://www.popsike.com/Rare-Surf-45-The-Revels-Church-Key-on-CT-from-1960/261583424535.html Rare Surf 45 The Revels ' Church Key ' on CT from 1960]AllMusic - [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/tony-hilder-mn0000005010 Tony Hilder] According to Norman Knowles, the song was banned in some cities because of it being "derogatory of religion."'Los Angeles Times', January 06, 1989 - [http://articles.latimes.com/1989-01-06/local/me-177_1_vintage-surf-music/2 Reunion Discussed : Former Surf Musicians See a New Wave of Popularity - Gerald Faris] According to the liner notes in the CD release of 'Intoxica! The Best Of The Revels' by John Blair (author of 'The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961-1965'), Adkins who did the female giggling voice on the recording was Tony Hilder's girlfriend and future wife.'Intoxica! The Best Of The Revels', Sundazed Music SC 11020, 1994 - Page 8 - John Blair author of 'The Illustrated Discography of Surf Music, 1961-1965'
Appearances
It appears on The Revels 1964 album 'Revels on a Rampage', 'Intoxica!!! The Best of the Revels' in 1995 and various artist compilations 'Kahuna Classics: Surf Music', 'Surf Wax: Songs of the Beach' and 'Instro Poker of Aces'.Allmusic - [http://www.allmusic.com/song/church-key-mt0002602054 The Revels Church Key]The single was picked up by Liberty Records for national distribution. The banner that it was released under was that of Impact. This was to retain the identity of Tony Hilder's label.'Billboard', November 28, 1960 - [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/60s/1960/Billboard%201960-11-28.pdf Page 26 'Music As Written', Page 28 'Music As Written']
The track
The track starts off with a guitar intro, following with the main theme of the number is handled by the guitar in a 12 bar blues progression. There is a party atmosphere in the track. The title of the track is spoken. There is the sound of a beer can being opened as well as a voice of giggling female.'Inside the Music of Brian Wilson: The Songs, Sounds, and Influences of the Beach Boys' Founding Genius', By Philip Lambert [https://books.google.com/books?id=3sGoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA61&dq=%22Church+Key%22Instrumental&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vz8yVcjXB-TlmAWppoCYAg&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Church%20Key%22Instrumental&f=false 'Chapter 4' Surfin' U.S.A. Page 61] The piano player on the track is said to be Langdon Winner.'New West', Volume 6, Issues 5-9 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=dUEcAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Langdon+Winner%22Church+Key%22&dq=%22Langdon+Winner%22Church+Key%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjG1pTG3N7hAhUNEnIKHcikAYgQ6AEILjAB -]'The New Rolling Stone Record Guide' - [https://books.google.com/books?id=QpXkSKRpMg0C&q=%22Langdon+Winner%22Church+Key%22&dq=%22Langdon+Winner%22Church+Key%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjy3JjN3t7hAhWCT30KHR3SA3kQ6AEIKDAA Page 579]The group
"Church Key" and "Comanche" were the tracks The Revels were best known for.Way Back Attack - [http://www.waybackattack.com/revels.html THE REVELS Midnight Stroll] "Church Key" was a hit for them in 1960.'Surfin' guitars: instrumental surf bands of the sixties', Robert J. Dalley - [https://books.google.com/books?id=z9EiAQAAIAAJ&dq=The+Revels%22Church+Key%22Hit&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=Church+Key%22Revels Page 259]'Real Life Rock: The Complete Top Ten Columns, 1986-2014', By Greil Marcus - [https://books.google.com/books?id=0XWhCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA403&dq=The+Revels%22Church+Key%22Hit&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0x7HkqM_gAhUJSX0KHUKUBEsQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=The%20Revels%22Church%20Key%22Hit&f=false Page 403 9 = 'The Exiles', directed by Kent McKenzie (Milestone) and Revels, 'Intoxica!' (Sundazed)] The band's next single was "Intoxica" / "Tequila" which was released in 1961.'Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records' by Tim Neely - [https://books.google.com/books?id=Dm3zZZeBWGQC&pg=PA567&dq=cHURCH+kEY+vESUVIUS&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JzgyVYz6K4POmAXCx4HwDw&ved=0CBwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=cHURCH%20kEY%20vESUVIUS&f=false Page 567 Revels, The (2)]Dave Myers and his Surf-Tones version
Dave Myers and The Surftones had their version released on Impact records as well. Their version which was backed with "Passion" was released on Impact 27/27-IM / 27-IMX. The B side composition was credited to Robert J. Hafner and Anthony Hilder.'Surf & Hot Rod Music of the 60's: Collectors Quick Reference', By R. Duane Cozzen - [https://books.google.com/books?id=_25gCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA48&dq=%22Church+Key%22Dave+Myers&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiuy9L-m__hAhUWOSsKHYwzBQEQ6AEIKDAA#v=onepage&q=%22Church%20Key%22Dave%20Myers&f=false Page 48 DAVE MYERS & THE SURFTONES, Singles (45's)]45Cat - [http://www.45cat.com/artist/dave-myers-and-the-surftones Dave Myers And The Surftones - Discography, USA] They managed to have a local hit with it in L.A. in 1963.'Pop Surf Culture: Music, Design, Film, and Fashion from the Bohemian Surf Boom', By Brian Chidester, Domenic Priore - [https://books.google.com/books?id=MSFaAAAAYAAJ&dq=The+Revels%22Church+Key%22Hit&q=The+Revels%22Church+Key%22&redir_esc=y -]
The version of "Church Key" by Dave Myers & The Surftones is on the ultimate surf music playlist by SurferToday.com.SurferToday.com [https://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/the-best-surf-songs-of-all-time The best surf songs of all time]
Releases including other versions
Note: "Church Key" by The Fabulous Pharaohs released in 1966 is a different track all together and was credited to Fisher-Stevenson.Discogs - [http://www.discogs.com/Fabulous-Pharoahs-Church-Key-Route-66/release/4209182 Fabulous Pharoahs, The Church Key / Route 66]
References
Category:1960 songs
Category:1960 singles
Category:1960s instrumentals
Category:Surf instrumentals
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