Spreading Your Own Rumors
Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – May 2015
There’s nothing like self-promotion in the music industry as nobody tells your story better than you do.
And such was the case of a hard rock band that was originally formed in Phoenix in 1965 who were committed to “spreading their own rumors.”
During the early 70s the group became recognized as the leaders in theatrical “shock rock.” With the help of the Canadian production team of Jack Richardson and Bob Ezrin they were able to breakout nationally in the US in 1971.
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In November of 1970, the band’s initial release broke in Windsor, Ontario on the “Big 8,” a nickname synonymous with Top 40 rock radio station CKLW. The record went to #1 on the station’s charts and #7 nationwide in Canada.
The leader of the group which bears his name, is one of the first to praise this station for promoting their release and, in particular, CKLW music director, Rosalie Trombley, who was known as “the lady with the golden ears.” If Trombley liked your song and put it on the station playlist, there’s a good bet it was going to be a hit.
In addition to this, CKLW had a huge reach in the mid-US and was the #1 radio station listened to in Detroit.
As to their self-promotion, the band posed as fans and made hundreds of calls to radio stations to request their song. Complementing the band’s efforts were other supporters who were reportedly paid a dollar per radio request. Soon the song was on mainstream AM radio throughout the US, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1971.
And that was just the beginning for Alice Cooper. The band’s 1971 tour included glam rock-style costumes and centered around a stage act involving mock fights and gothic tortures being imposed on Cooper, climaxing in a staged execution by electric chair.
The band’s “coming of age” breakout recording would have considerable influence on up-and-coming hard rock, punk, and heavy metal artists. It also appealed to many a baby boomer who had just turned “Eighteen.”
Epilogue: Rosalie Trombley passed away in September 2021. She was instrumental in bringing songs to the public and forging the careers of many artists such Aerosmith and Bob Seger. Seger immortalized her in a 1973 release simply titled “Rosalie.” Fifty years later, in November 2023, a statue of Trombley was unveiled along the waterfront in Windsor.
YouTube listing of the song: Click here
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
