For some Feb.3 1959 was “the day the music died” with the tragic loss of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens & the Big Bopper. I can understand this thought, however for another generation of music fans.. almost 50 years later, Feb. 4, 2009 was also a significant day when the music died. Lux Interior, lead mayhem singer/founder of The Cramps left this crazy planet for another mission. He and his band’s influence on me as well as many many more worldwide fans is immeasurable.

                                                                                         +++ R.I.P Lux. +++

So this post is about a band from Akron who officially never released any of their own material but who also craved the cool/obscure tunes of the late 50′s / early ’60′s. The Walking Clampetts line-up in the beginning included: John Teagle, Bob Basone, Michael Purkhiser and Mike von Hammer. The band has been at it since the ’80s when I would catch their shows around Y-town & Kent.  Always a fun time. You see, Mike is the younger brother of Lux, hence the intro. I got to talk with Mike and John a few times mostly discussing obscure 50′s music. John told me a neighbor (I think) gave him an original copy of the classic/rare Johnny Burnette and the Rock n Roll Trio LP. I’m still jealous! John also a vintage gear aficionado, co-authoring Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years and another about Washburn Guitars. Mike runs a tube amp repair and design business seen HERE.

Check YouTube for some recent videos of the band live. Today’s post is a rare demo from back in the day.

The Walking Clampetts – Great Balls of Fire (demo)