#539 (Week of 10/6/07 - 10/12/07)

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"Maria Mia"/ "We're Gonna Move" by The Bill Johnson Quartet on Jubilee 5211 released in 1955

"Oh Marie (Maria Marie)"/ "Shtiggy Boom" by Bill Johnson And His Rockers on Ronnex 1105 released in 1955

[NOTE: Above image provided by Marv Goldberg courtesy of Gus Gordon.]

Above: The Bill Johnson Quartet and Bill Johnson And His Rockers were actually Bill Johnson And His Musical Notes. The above photo shows (L-R) Bill Johnson, Harold Holmes, Gus Gordon, and Lonnie Slappey.

Bill Johnson and Gus Gordon, along with various line-ups of The Musical Notes, had recorded for the Harlem (1947), RCA Victor (1947-48), King (1949), Regal (1951), and Tru-Blue (1954) labels.

Click HERE for an article about Bill Johnson And His Musical Notes by Marv Goldberg.
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The Age Dispatch, Strathroy, Ontario (August 10, 1967)

Former "Ink Spot" Entertains Crowds In Appin

One of the featured artists of last Friday evening's gala Garden Party that opened Ekfrid Township's centennial celebrations, thrilled many of the 1,200 persons in attendance with his renditions of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "San Francisco". Gus Gordon, who for many years was the baritone voice with the famed "Ink Spots" recording quartet from the United States, came on stage with a brilliant mauve jacket, and soon captured the hearts of both the young and old alike with his fine singing. The Garden Party was the "kick-off" for a full weekend of activities sponsered by the Ekfrid Township council.

[Above image and article provided by Gus Gordon.]

Above: Label images for Jubilee 5211 and Ronnex 1105. Both Jubilee sides were leased from Ronnex. "Maria Mia" and "Oh Marie" are the same exact recording (but note the different composer credits). Gus Gordon sings lead on "Maria Mia" and "Shtiggy Boom", while Bill Johnson does that honor on "We're Gonna Move".

Listen to this week's selections by The Bill Johnson Quartet/Bill Johnson And His Rockers:
[Audio restoration by Dave Saviet.]

A. Stream RealAudio (DO NOT USE...LISTEN USING DOWNLOAD REALAUDIO)...        Maria Mia/Oh Marie - Jubilee 5211/Ronnex 1105 - 1955      We're Gonna Move - Jubilee 5211 - 1955      Shtiggy Boom - Ronnex 1105 - 1955        ALL THREE SONGS played in sequence   B. Download RealAudio...        Maria Mia/Oh Marie - Jubilee 5211/Ronnex 1105 - 1955      We're Gonna Move - Jubilee 5211 - 1955      Shtiggy Boom - Ronnex 1105 - 1955     C. Stream/Download** Media Player...        Maria Mia/Oh Marie - Jubilee 5211/Ronnex 1105 - 1955      We're Gonna Move - Jubilee 5211 - 1955      Shtiggy Boom - Ronnex 1105 - 1955        [**To download Media file, right-click on link under C      and then click "Save (Link) Target As..."]

CLICK HERE FOR "THE BILL JOHNSON AND HIS MUSICAL NOTES WEB PAGE".
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