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AdvprosD MusicFan
Joined: 12 June 2020 Location: United States
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Posted: 03 August 2024 at 9:01pm | IP Logged
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I picked up a four CD set locally of Roulette records "Rock 'N Roll Hits of the 50's" recently. (1986) RCD 58002
I was surprised to hear some differences in a few tracks. Most notably was this Lloyd Price classic.
I had no idea there was a censored version of this song released shortly after the original version.
Looking around the forum here, I didn't find a mention of it, so I went to the open internet and discovered that there indeed was a censored version
released. I keep picking up oddities like this from time to time, and am glad I occasionally find things unknown to me.
I know the 50's were a weird time of censorship and such. I didn't know there was a all out assault on R&B like this.
Dave
__________________ <Dave> Someone please tell I-Heart Radio that St. Louis is not known as The Loo!
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PopArchivist MusicFan
Joined: 30 June 2018 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 August 2024 at 7:55am | IP Logged
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AdvprosD wrote:
I picked up a four CD set locally of Roulette records "Rock 'N Roll Hits of the 50's" recently. (1986) RCD 58002
I was surprised to hear some differences in a few tracks. Most notably was this Lloyd Price classic.
I had no idea there was a censored version of this song released shortly after the original version.
Looking around the forum here, I didn't find a mention of it, so I went to the open internet and discovered that there indeed was a censored version
released. I keep picking up oddities like this from time to time, and am glad I occasionally find things unknown to me.
I know the 50's were a weird time of censorship and such. I didn't know there was a all out assault on R&B like this.
Dave |
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Dave,
What exactly was censored from the song?
__________________ "I'm a pop archivist, not a chart philosopher, I seek to listen, observe and document the chart position of music."
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vanmeter MusicFan
Joined: 28 December 2005
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Posted: 04 August 2024 at 10:28am | IP Logged
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It's been said that the alternate version didn't appear until the CD age, but it's definitely on an old Pickwick LP album I have of his from the 70s called His Big Hits.
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Santi Paradoa MusicFan
Joined: 17 February 2009 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 August 2024 at 1:55pm | IP Logged
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Here is what I know. This song tells the story of Stagger Lee who shoots Billy after gambling and losing. When Lloyd Price was going to perform the song on American Bandstand, a new version was recorded
where the two men argue, but nobody gets shot and killed. That version is a tad shorter than the hit version. Listen to it here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwiauf4OgwU
This alternate version seems to be rare on CD and I'm not surprised it appeared on a compilation LP from the 70s. Interesting that this info was never posted here until now.
The song spent four weeks at the top of the Hot 100 65 years ago. Feeling old?
Edited by Santi Paradoa on 04 August 2024 at 2:03pm
__________________ Santi Paradoa
Miami, Florida
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AdvprosD MusicFan
Joined: 12 June 2020 Location: United States
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Posted: 04 August 2024 at 6:00pm | IP Logged
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This version I have is on a compilation CD from Roulette Records called "The Original Rock n Roll Hits of the 50's" 1986 Roulette Records RCD 58002.
There are four of these that I have in the set which may or may not be larger than 4 discs.
I'll send it to you Rich.
Dave
__________________ <Dave> Someone please tell I-Heart Radio that St. Louis is not known as The Loo!
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TomDiehl1 MusicFan
Joined: 13 January 2006 Location: United States
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Posted: 06 August 2024 at 8:24pm | IP Logged
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The earliest release I know of for the
Bandstand version of Stagger Lee is a 45 on
the Goldies 45 label, number D-2410,
released in 1973. The B side is Personality,
and both sides play in mono.
__________________ Live in stereo.
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LunarLaugh MusicFan
Joined: 13 February 2020 Location: United States
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Posted: 06 August 2024 at 9:14pm | IP Logged
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The database lists the version of the Roulette CD mentioned in the OP as an "alternate take" but it also lists an MCA Greatest Hits containing both the
stereo version and a mono "re-recording with sanitized lyrics"). Is this 'sanitized' version the same as the "alternate take" on the Roulette CD?
The mono hit appears on Rhino's Loud Fast and Out of Control box set, for what its worth.
__________________ Listen to The Lunar Laugh!
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