Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – October 2016
We are going to talk a little turkey in this week’s Moment In Time. The tune we are featuring was performed by Gerry Goffin and Carole King’s babysitter and was released in 1963 … but it has roots back to 1956.
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That babysitter of course was Eva Boyd whose demo version of “The Loco-Motion” wound up being the original release and went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 & R&B charts in 1962.
The record was supported by Don Kirschner’s PR machine with the introduction of the less than 5 foot tall “Little Eva,” including the lopping off of two years from her age. Singing backup vocals on the record was none other than Carole King.
Later in 1962, Little Eva’s follow up record “Keep Your Hands Off My Baby” went to #12 on the charts.
However, it was her third record release in 1963 that created some controversy.
Upon its release, it was quite apparent that the writing team of Gerry Goffin and Jack Keller had borrowed heavily from a Morris Levy/Herb Cox composition, “Little Girl Of Mine,” which was released by the Cleftones in 1956 … so much so, that the melodies of the two songs were virtually identical. Needless to say, compensation for composing rights became an issue with Levy and Cox eventually gobbling up co-writing credits after “talking turkey.”
What is also interesting about this recording is the fact that the singing group, the Cookies, who were hot at the time, provided farm yard backup vocals.
Regardless, the record made it to the Top 20 in 1963 and solidified Little Eva’s star status nationally.
So grab some mashed potatoes, a little gravy, and “Let’s Turkey Trot,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKRmoIDLxNU
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.
