James Brown's mid '60s King Anti-Drug Song

[Robbk]

Hi folks.  I had a James Brown King record from his late King period, which was a public service song telling kids not to take drugs.  It was on the last label design, with a white background and artistic lettering.  I think it was DJ only, and its catalogue number was not in the regular series.  I think it had 2 letters a dash and 2 numbers (like JS-23).  It was a funky dance tune.  The only part I can remember was: "Don't take drugs, y'all, there KILLERS!  Good Gawd!  It was very funny.  I had it in L.A. in 1966 or 1967, while attending university.  I took to a friend's house in The hot San Fernando Valley, for him to hear it.  Four of us went in my car to Busch Gardens to take the free tour, and drink a lot of free (American watered down beer) .  I inadvertently left the record sitting on my dashboard top.  After a couple hours of drinking and relieving ourselves we returned to my car to find the 45 warped like it had been wearing curlers to get a perm! 

I was heartbroken.  It was the only copy of that record I'd ever seen.  I never found another.  I've looked for it on You-Tube, but can't remember the title.  When I describe it, they just keep sending me to Polydor's much later, "King Heroin".

Do any of you know of the King record, and its title.  If you have it, I'd also like to see a scan.  Thanks for any help.  It was pants-wetting funny!

[Bo Diddley]

4 hours ago, RobbK said:

Hi folks.  I had a James Brown King record from his late King period, which was a public service song telling kids not to take drugs.  It was on the last label design, with a white background and artistic lettering.  I think it was DJ only, and its catalogue number was not in the regular series.  I think it had 2 letters a dash and 2 numbers (like JS-23).  It was a funky dance tune.  The only part I can remember was: "Don't take drugs, y'all, there KILLERS!  Good Gawd!  It was very funny.  I had it in L.A. in 1966 or 1967, while attending university.  I took to a friend's house in The hot San Fernando Valley, for him to hear it.  Four of us went in my car to Busch Gardens to take the free tour, and drink a lot of free (American watered down beer) .  I inadvertently left the record sitting on my dashboard top.  After a couple hours of drinking and relieving ourselves we returned to my car to find the 45 warped like it had been wearing curlers to get a perm! 

I was heartbroken.  It was the only copy of that record I'd ever seen.  I never found another.  I've looked for it on You-Tube, but can't remember the title.  When I describe it, they just keep sending me to Polydor's much later, "King Heroin".

Do any of you know of the King record, and its title.  If you have it, I'd also like to see a scan.  Thanks for any help.  It was pants-wetting funny!

Hi Rob,

Is this it? I didn't know it but was intrigued so did a little looking. Side 1 is JB and side 2 is BB. Both sides are on the same youtube song below. Both very short

I hope it is the one.

All the best

Kev Bod

 

Edited May 10, 2017 by bo diddley

[Robbk]

28 minutes ago, bo diddley said:

Hi Rob,

Is this it? I didn't know it but was intrigued so did a little looking. Side 1 is JB and side 2 is BB. Both sides are on the same youtube song below. Both very short

I hope it is the one.

All the best

Kev Bod

 

No.  That's the same label design, but mine had James brown on both sides and he was singing, not talking, and the song was about 2 minutes long.  It was a real song, like "Don't Be A Dropout".  But, it was more funky, as it was from a later period.  it was probably put out in conjunction with this release.  One was The PSA for airing, while the other was a song to be played, in a rotation, just like "Don't Be A Dropout".

[dthedrug]

Hi Rob..... I have many James Brown records + other King Artists, I'm sorry that I do not have this, but way back in the early 7t's I did, I got it from my fave place for finding rare soul, DAVIDS BOOKSHOP in Letchworth Herts, the place still exists, but not the place I use to get my finds, which was a warehouse attached to the SPIRELLA building, I found this & many more of JB's records along with boat loads of soul, I know that I no longer have that copy however I have a box of KING records that I have yet to look through, but don't get your hopes up to much as it must be rare if you have not found a copy?. if I have a copy I will gladly give you it for nothing, there must be someone who can help you? KTF Dave K.

[Robbk]

3 hours ago, dthedrug said:

Hi Rob..... I have many James Brown records + other King Artists, I'm sorry that I do not have this, but way back in the early 7t's I did, I got it from my fave place for finding rare soul, DAVIDS BOOKSHOP in Letchworth Herts, the place still exists, but not the place I use to get my finds, which was a warehouse attached to the SPIRELLA building, I found this & many more of JB's records along with boat loads of soul, I know that I no longer have that copy however I have a box of KING records that I have yet to look through, but don't get your hopes up to much as it must be rare if you have not found a copy?. if I have a copy I will gladly give you it for nothing, there must be someone who can help you? KTF Dave K.

Thanks.  But just getting an MP3 sound file and a label scan would be enough.   I don't post on this forum to have people give me their records.

[dthedrug]

1 hour ago, RobbK said:

Thanks.  But just getting an MP3 sound file and a label scan would be enough.   I don't post on this forum to have people give me their records.

HI ROB.....Regarding your reply, my gesture was not meant to cause you a stressful night, indeed far from it but as a long time collector of vinyl, I thought you would appreciate my soulful gesture, proves how wrong I was, not to be a mind reader, I will keep that in mind, in future .

PLEASE try to KEEP THE FAITH SOUL BROTHER.

, Dave K.  

[Jim G]

The best anti drug record of all time IMHO is a James Brown's "King Heroin". Even though the song is about Heroin, it could be about any addiction. It is brilliant.

 

 

[Robbk]

3 hours ago, dthedrug said:

HI ROB.....Regarding your reply, my gesture was not meant to cause you a stressful night, indeed far from it but as a long time collector of vinyl, I thought you would appreciate my soulful gesture, proves how wrong I was, not to be a mind reader, I will keep that in mind, in future .

PLEASE try to KEEP THE FAITH SOUL BROTHER.

, Dave K.  

Sorry to seem ungrateful.  I DID appreciate your kind gesture. It's just that that Funk song is NOT my sound at all.  James Brown changing to Funk was one of the main reasons I stopped listening to Soul radio in 1966-67 (I can't even listen to "Licking Stick", "I Got Ants In My Pants and I Gotta Dance" and the like).  I only liked "Don't Take Drugs" for its comedy value.  I figured someone like you, who has all the James Brown King records, probably likes it a lot more.  I just wanted to hear it again, as I hadn't heard it for almost 50 years.  But, I don't care if I would have it in my "collection".  If you had offered me a rare Detroit "Sweet" Soul record from 1961-67, I might not have been able to resist your offer. 

[dthedrug]

Hi Rob.. I fully understand where you are coming from, can I assure you that I read your comments on SoulSource almost daily & enjoy your knowledge of SOUL  However admitting not to like "licking stick" would be like knowing this Saturdays Lotto? any way no harm done, so KEEP ON KEEPING ON, Dave K

[Bo Diddley]

On 10/05/2017 at 03:53, Robbk said:

Hi folks.  I had a James Brown King record from his late King period, which was a public service song telling kids not to take drugs.  It was on the last label design, with a white background and artistic lettering.  I think it was DJ only, and its catalogue number was not in the regular series.  I think it had 2 letters a dash and 2 numbers (like JS-23).  It was a funky dance tune.  The only part I can remember was: "Don't take drugs, y'all, there KILLERS!  Good Gawd!  It was very funny.  I had it in L.A. in 1966 or 1967, while attending university.  I took to a friend's house in The hot San Fernando Valley, for him to hear it.  Four of us went in my car to Busch Gardens to take the free tour, and drink a lot of free (American watered down beer) .  I inadvertently left the record sitting on my dashboard top.  After a couple hours of drinking and relieving ourselves we returned to my car to find the 45 warped like it had been wearing curlers to get a perm! 

I was heartbroken.  It was the only copy of that record I'd ever seen.  I never found another.  I've looked for it on You-Tube, but can't remember the title.  When I describe it, they just keep sending me to Polydor's much later, "King Heroin".

Do any of you know of the King record, and its title.  If you have it, I'd also like to see a scan.  Thanks for any help.  It was pants-wetting funny!

Hi @Robbk

I was just having a look and John Manship current auction items and your old thread came to mind!!

https://www.raresoulman.co.uk/james-brown-bobby-byrd-fight-against-drug-abuse-fight-against-drug-abuse-king-psa-1-dj.html

I know it's 7 years too late, but is this what you were thinking about

 

James Brown / Bobby Byrd - Fight Against Drug Abuse / Fight Against Drug Abuse - King PSA 1 DJ

James Brown / Bobby Byrd

Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown) / Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

King: PSA 1 DJ

Artist: James Brown / Bobby Byrd

A Side: Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown)

B Side: Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

Label: King

Format: 45s

Condition

Vinyl Condition:M-

Label Condition:M-

Sleeve Condition:M-

 

 03/07/2024 18:00 UK TIME

 

Promo only "Public Service Announcement" 45s, one of James's rarest singles.

Apparently only promoted by Starday-King Records, Inc. mail out exclusively to "Black Radio Stations".

Incredibly elusive and in flawless condition.

In repetitive "Trumpian" style JB preaches in "Drugs Are Super Bad, Super Bad, Super Bad, Super Bad..."

On the flip Bobby Byrd, repeats the message over a proper hard hitting FUNK rhythms track.

Ideal for Breaks, Beats and comping... both the menacing vocal and the edgy music begging to be utilized.

For the serious JB collector this is hard to find, in mint condition very hard.

Condition Report

Two clean promo labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl, still housed in birth-sleeve.

A Side

Title: Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown)

B Side

Title: Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

Year: 1970

City: Cincinnati, Ohio

© 2017 John Manship Records. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Website Made by iWeb |  

 

[Simon T]

[Zoomsoulblue]

 

[Robbk]

On 25/06/2024 at 03:44, Bo Diddley said:

Hi @Robbk

I was just having a look and John Manship current auction items and your old thread came to mind!!

https://www.raresoulman.co.uk/james-brown-bobby-byrd-fight-against-drug-abuse-fight-against-drug-abuse-king-psa-1-dj.html

I know it's 7 years too late, but is this what you were thinking about

 

James Brown / Bobby Byrd - Fight Against Drug Abuse / Fight Against Drug Abuse - King PSA 1 DJ

James Brown / Bobby Byrd

Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown) / Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

King: PSA 1 DJ

Artist: James Brown / Bobby Byrd

A Side: Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown)

B Side: Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

Label: King

Format: 45s

Condition

Vinyl Condition:M-

Label Condition:M-

Sleeve Condition:M-

 

 03/07/2024 18:00 UK TIME

 

Promo only "Public Service Announcement" 45s, one of James's rarest singles.

Apparently only promoted by Starday-King Records, Inc. mail out exclusively to "Black Radio Stations".

Incredibly elusive and in flawless condition.

In repetitive "Trumpian" style JB preaches in "Drugs Are Super Bad, Super Bad, Super Bad, Super Bad..."

On the flip Bobby Byrd, repeats the message over a proper hard hitting FUNK rhythms track.

Ideal for Breaks, Beats and comping... both the menacing vocal and the edgy music begging to be utilized.

For the serious JB collector this is hard to find, in mint condition very hard.

Condition Report

Two clean promo labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl, still housed in birth-sleeve.

A Side

Title: Fight Against Drug Abuse (James Brown)

B Side

Title: Fight Against Drug Abuse (Bobby Byrd)

Year: 1970

City: Cincinnati, Ohio

© 2017 John Manship Records. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Website Made by iWeb |  

 

Thanks for remembering the thread and posting this.  My copy was a bit different.  It had James Brown on both sides, and I remembered him singing along with the rhythm track that was the backing for The Bobby Byrd side on this issue.  I could have sworn that James was singing to it, rather than just talking.  But, it was 55 years ago, and his singing on his last King and his Polydor records didn't sound all that much more melodious to me than just talking.  But, my photographic memory still tells me BOTH sides were James, and he was backed (at least on one side) by the Rhythm Track that backed up Byrd on this issue.  Maybe mine was just a variant of this public service issue?  Maybe there were two different pressings?  And maybe my memory just added the "Good Gawd" and screeching yells, and, perhaps a few grunts (conflated from other Funk songs of his).  Too bad!  MY memory's version was better (and funnier) than this.  And that's the way my friends remembered it, too.  It's a bit of a disappointment.  The "legend" that we morphed it into, was much better than the "real thing".

Edited June 26 by Robbk