Googie Rene

[Roburt]

As there is currently a thread extolling the virtues of instrumentals, thought I'd put up a thread about Googie Rene.

Most well known on the scene for his big mod outing "Smokey Joe's La La" from the mid 60's, Googie was involved in the music biz from an early age.

His father was Leon Rene who was writing hit songs by 1940. Leon (& his brother Otis) set up Exclusive & Excelsior Records in the 1940's. By the 1950's, it was the turn of his Class Record label and Googie (Rafael Rene) was soon recording for the inking (1956). Googie was recording by 1956 and was enjoying sales success before the end of the decade. Other guys that Googie got to meet through his father & Class Records were the likes of Bobby Day (the 1st Bob in 'Bob & Earl' + Barry White who's 1st experience of a recording session was on a Class track). Down the years, Googie had releases on Class, Kapp & New Bag + the resurrection of his 1st label in the 1970's as 'Class of 74' Records. As well as being involved with outfits such as R.A.I.D. & Googies Junk Band, he worked with the likes of Starborn in 1973.

His father passed away in 1982 and by then Googie had moved on with his career. Googie himself left this world on November 25th 2007 .......... a bit about him ...........

He may be gone, but he's not forgotten .....

,

[Roburt]

..... Starborn from 1973 ..... is much known about the group ?.......

.. & a review for his last (?) 45 outing at the end of 1974 (strangely slotted in as a' First Time Around' entry) ..........

[Roburt]

BTW, Googie's son; Chris Rene, did well (I'm led to believe) on last years's (US) X Factor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdsSY-SfX1k

[Roburt]

Of course, Googie would also have known Kell Osbourne well.

Kell recording for Class & New Bag in 1962/63/64/66. The likes of Bobby Day (also signed to Class) sang on Kell's tracks and I'd guess that Googie himself played on a couple.

Another 'New Bag' artist was Count Yates (aka Sammy Hagan / Sammy Yates) who had been around the recording scene since the mid 50's (using this name since the early 60's). Sammy Hagan / Count Yates was certainly a 'stayer'. He was still singing at the end of the 1990's !!.

Count Yates being a member of the 11 strong 'Blowin Smoke Rhythm & Blues Band'. The L.A. based band was led by singer/bassist Larry "Fuzzy" Knight (originally from St Louis). Also in the group was ex Ikette Carolyn Basley (RIP).

....... in passing ....... Larry "Fuzzy" Knight is the guy who cut for Golden World (as Larry Knight & the Upsetters).

The picture below shows some members of the Blowin' Smoke R&B Band with Count Yates being the guy on the far left.

Was the Starborn 45 the only release on New Bag in the 70's ?

Edited December 12, 2012 by Roburt

[Ljblanken]

i used to DJ rock-a-billy and this Googie Rene song always went down a STORM!

"bigfoot"