While researching last week's post on Cast, I came across a number of bands called The Castaways, many of whom seemed slightly more interesting than the various Casts I ended up listening to.
Time to get cast away then... with, hopefully, no Tom Hanks in sight. Frankly, if I was stranded on a desert island with that smug git, I'd start swimming...
THE CASTAWAYS #1
Let's start in 1954, with a superb slice of doo wop on Excello Records. I can't find his name, but the lead singer has an excellent voice.
THE CASTAWAYS #2
Next, a slightly discordant surf instrumental, originally released in 1959 as Beatnik by the Royal Jokers... then reissued one year later as this...
THE CASTAWAYS #3
In 1961, Henry Thome and Loy Clingman were the Castaways. Loy, also known as Bolliver Boswell, set up his own record label and enjoyed a reasonably successful solo career (well, he put out a lot of singles under his own name... but I guess he was the boss, so he could do that).
This is the B Side, which I prefer to the A because of its title...
THE CASTAWAYS #4
With lead singer Bill Trader, these country castaways jumped on board the cultural appropriation caravan (they also had a song called Caravan, which I wanted to find for CC, but couldn't) back in 1962.
THE CASTAWAYS #5
Led by one Tony Rivers, no relation to Joan, this lot hailed from That London in 1963, but seemed to stick around doing their beat thing for most of the swinging decade. Here is their debut single...
THE CASTAWAYS #6
Also from 1963, The LA Castaways have written a song about Tarzan. Extra marks for that, especially when they start doing the "Awwwwooooowwwwoooowwww!" Tarzan cry.
THE KASTAWAYS #7
Originally spelled with a C, this lot changed to a K when the group below hit the "big time". Also known as the Sigma Five, they hailed from Indiana... but did Indiana want them?
THE CASTAWAYS #8
"Welcome to the Home of the Nationally Famous Band in Minnesota USA!" says the website for these Castaways. As an English teacher, I'm not sure about the grammar in that sentence, but I think you get the gist. This lot had a Top Ten US hit back in 1965 which sold a million copies and presumably kept them in Mai Tais for at least a week. Lead singer and songwriter Jim Donna is still in the Castaways, who now appear to be available to hire as a wedding band, should you be planning on tying the knot in the Minnesota area.
Their big hit (included in the soundtrack to Good Morning Vietnam) benefits from a video, which is the most quaintly 1960s thing you will see all week...
THE CASTAWAYS #9
One year later, and another bunch of liars took the name Castaways. These guys were from Lake Charles, Louisiana, a town later immortalised by Lucinda Williams. They would soon change their name to The Sound Rebellion.
THE CASTAWAYS #10
It's 1967 now, and that's all I can tell you... other than that this lot were also known as The Beepers.
That was their only release, so clearly nobody came back for more.
THE CASTAWAYS #11
Here we find the Kiwi Castaways in 1968. They'd been recording since the early 60s with original frontman, Peter Nelson, until he was lured away by Cilla Black's husband, Bobby Willis, who promised to make him a solo star. The Castaways continued, drafting in new singer Frankie Stevens, who's clearly taken some lessons from Tom Jones...
THE CASTAWAYS #12
Classy soul number from 1968...
THE CASTAWAYS #13
And more soulful Castaways from sometime in the 60s, hailing from Augusta, Georgia.
THE CASTAWAYS #14
Into the 70s now and an Illinois band who released one single: a cover of Midnight Special on the A Side and this self-penned B Side...
THE CASTAWAYS #15
Here's a crew of Castaways from Birmingham in 1971. That's Birmingham in the Midlands, not Birmingham, Alabama... though they do sound like they hail from the other side of the pond.
THE CASTAWAYS #16
Look at these guys! From 1980, but still dressing like it's the 70s. What a bunch of dudes.
THE CASTAWAYS #17
Retro rock n roll band from... I dunno, sometime, some place... I mean I wouldn't have included them except for the song title, which made my inner 14 year old guffaw.
THE CASTAWAYS #18
French Castaways from 2016 with a cool, girl-punk sound...
THE CASTAWAYS #19
Southern Californian pop punk Castaways from about ten years ago...
THE CASTAWAYS #20
Liverpudlian songwriter David Silcock appears to be one of those artists who made a name for himself during lockdown. And as soon as restrictions were lifted, he blagged his way into Abbey Road...
CASTAWAYS #21
Bang up to date with some Tasmanian hip hop...
THE CASTAWAYS #22
And finally, some Brazilian alt-rockers who can't make up their minds...
Rather disturbingly, one of the band appears to go off and take a nature dump about half way through the video. I point this out for anyone who doesn't believe I listen to these things all the way through...
Which Castaways would you like to find on your desert island... and which ones would you cast away?
That's a lot of Castaways for me to plough through. It looks like I will have spend an hour or so of my valuable time to do so.
ReplyDeleteYou love it.
DeleteIt is possible that 16 and 17 may be the same band. 16 are on a North Carolina label and the Carolinas are where the shag and beach music scenes were based.
ReplyDelete5 and 12 for me.
I'll bow to your superior geographical knowledge any day, Ernie.
DeleteI'm really struggling with this lot, but then came the ridiculous #15, which made me smile.
ReplyDeleteIt's #8. I've got that song on a Nuggets compilation. I also quite liked #20 #22. The rest? Bobbins.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for your service, as always.
DeleteSame with me, George. I know number 8 from Nuggets. Top of the heap this week. - Brian
ReplyDelete