Micky Moonshine - Going Rate?

[Prophonics 2029]

Yes I have called him but no reply.

[Guest moggy]

So....

has anyone called yet?

No but here goes

"Sebassssssstiiiiioooooonnnnn"

Hows that

[Sebastian]

No but here goes

"Sebassssssstiiiiioooooonnnnn"

Hows that

[Guest ruffsounds]

Guess what record is gonna be given an outing at every venue this weekend making it a massive comeback tune lmao , mind you didnt the b side Baby Blue the instrumental version get a few spins at Wigan.

Ralph

[Prophonics 2029]

Well.

with all the excitement I have been sat on the edge of my chair and I have now got pins & needles in my left buttock

I bet he's called the police about harassing phone calls.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Guest Paul]

Where are all the bets??? Where is everyone???

I'll stake money on it not being Chris Rainbow. My entire life savings *

* AMOUNT SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, RATES MAY GO DOWN AS WELL AS UP, YOUR HOME MAY BE AT RISK, YOU MAY HAVE TO SELL YOUR CHILDREN TO SLAVE TRADERS ETC...

Paul

[Guest]

According to my data:

Mickey Moonshine was issued once.

1974 - DECCA F13555

his other release

1975 - DECCA F13616 "Baby Blue" Did not have " Name It You Got It" on the flipside.

We have only ever had in on the F13555 and they all looked the same. I have been looking for the rumoured inverted matrix press for years and haven't come across it. If anyone has a scan of two different label design releases, I'd love to see them.

PS. I've just took a few minutes checking other UK Decca releases in and around, before and after F13555 they all have the master # numbers text the correct way up. Suggesting the F13555 master # ZDR55438 was never issued inverted.

I'd love to be corrected though..

Edited September 10, 2008 by john manship

[ChrisOD1964]

Mr moonshine? photo on 1st page.

chris

Edited September 10, 2008 by ChrisOD1964

[Guest Paul]

Still no bets???

[Godzilla]

According to my data:

Mickey Moonshine was issued once.

1974 - DECCA F13555

his other release

1975 - DECCA F13616 "Baby Blue" Did not have " Name It You Got It" on the flipside.

We have only ever had in on the F13555 and they all looked the same. I have been looking for the rumoured inverted matrix press for years and haven't come across it. If anyone has a scan of two different label design releases, I'd love to see them.

PS. I've just took a few minutes checking other UK Decca releases in and around, before and after F13555 they all have the master # numbers text the correct way up. Suggesting the F13555 master # ZDR55438 was never issued inverted.

I'd love to be corrected though..

I don't think the Mickey Moonshine ever had an inverted Matrix at all. I do however know how to tell the difference.

I used to collect the Decca label in the mid/late 70s - both US and UK - much to the amusement of pals due to having dodgy Dave Berry cover versions and so on in my box. But I digress. Anyway, I took a particular interest in the reissues as I had originals of John E Paul and Micky Moonshine. Here's what I spotted:

When the first issue of NIYGI came out Decca was still using 60s style paper. If you looked closely around the push out centre, or scratched the surface of the paper you'd see it was black underneath. By the time of the reissue the backing or none print side of the label was pink and if you examine carefully you can see it around the centre. I'm going to add a scan of the John E Paul reissue. Zoom in bigly around the centre and you'll see it.

At the time of the reissue I worked in a record shop as my Saturday job. I confirmed the pink under-paper theory with represses of Rolling Stones and other Decca records that were kept on catalogue and always stocked by the shop.

Original John E Paul did have inverted matrix too of course.

Did mention this a few years ago I think.

Paul

[Godzilla]

Actually it's even clearer on the other side. Pink as owt

[Guest Paul]

...If you looked closely around the push out centre, or scratched the surface of the paper you'd see it was black underneath. By the time of the reissue the backing or none print side of the label was pink...

I'm amazed that you notice these things but your'e quite right.

They use special paper for record labels because it needs to be able to withstand the effects of printing, quick drying, reheating and pressing etc without burning or shattering and without losing its colour properties too much during the process.

There have only ever been a handful of record label printers in this country and in the 1970s most of them bought specialist paper stock from a company called Johh Heyer Paper Ltd. The reverse side is coated and coloured pink and it is known in the trade as John Heyer "pink-back" paper.

In the 1980s and 1990s they also used a paper spec which had a very light ice blue coating.

Rather than order new blank labels for test pressings, a few plants have been known to use other people's unused labels but with the reverse side facing up. In those cases the "white" label test pressing is actually slightly pink or ice blue.

Is this interesting or am I sad?

Paul Mooney

[Godzilla]

I'm amazed that you notice these things but your'e quite right.

I got eyes mate

I've also got ears and I don't think he's Chris Rainbow either

[Pete S]

These are nothing but myths.

Mickey Moonshine doesn't sound like Chris Rainbow to me.

And I already said on Ian Levine's thread that it isn't very likely to be Pip Williams the arranger.

Does anyone actually have an idea that isn't just a wild guess???

I'm waiting for someone to suggest "Mickey Moonshine" was Sir Cliff Richard or Sir Gary Glitter or Sir Donny Osmond.

Paul Mooney

I can now announce that Mickey Moonshine was in fact a pseudonym.

The guy's real name was Norman Moonshine.

[Sean Hampsey]

Actually it's even clearer on the other side. Pink as owt

Mmmmmmm not realised, until now, that John E. Paul's "I Wanna Know" was produced by Beacon Record label owner, Milton Samuel.

[Steve G]

anyone found out who he is yet?

[Harry Crosby]

According to my data:

Mickey Moonshine was issued once.

1974 - DECCA F13555

his other release

1975 - DECCA F13616 "Baby Blue" Did not have " Name It You Got It" on the flipside.

We have only ever had in on the F13555 and they all looked the same. I have been looking for the rumoured inverted matrix press for years and haven't come across it. If anyone has a scan of two different label design releases, I'd love to see them.

PS. I've just took a few minutes checking other UK Decca releases in and around, before and after F13555 they all have the master # numbers text the correct way up. Suggesting the F13555 master # ZDR55438 was never issued inverted.

I'd love to be corrected though..

This is strange then john, my mate has one with, small silver dashes all the way round the circumference of the label,

[Guest Paul]

anyone found out who he is yet?

Hello,

I know who he isn't. He isn't Alvin Stardust, Chris Rainbow or Pip Williams. Where do these myths come from?

Paul Mooney

[Mach]

anyone found out who he is yet?

mickey rooney,s brother?,ha.. . always assumed that the matrix no was upside down on the re-issue,i,ve got one somewhere, will dig it out.

[manus]

We need to know who he was. Once heard he was from newcastle, but scotland is close enough, so who knows.

Val Mckenna of Love Feeling fame (infamy) was from Newcastle. Alledgedly.

Manus

[Pete Eccles]

Hello,

I know who he isn't. He isn't Alvin Stardust, Chris Rainbow or Pip Williams. Where do these myths come from?

Paul Mooney

I have no idea who Mr Moonshine might be, but Paul with respect, if you don't know for definite who it is either, how may i ask do you know for definite who it isn't?

Just askin

Pete Eccles

[Guest Paul]

Val Mckenna of Love Feeling fame (infamy) was from Newcastle. Alledgedly.

Manus

Hello Manus,

I didn't know that.

I take it you haven't found a trace of anyone called Mickey Moonshine down in Brighton?

I checked the Middlesbrough phone book and there was no Mickey Moonshine listed. I suppose he might be ex-directory.

Take care,

Paul

[Prophonics 2029]

Chris got back to me and said he was never Mickey Moonshine.

I think the next step is a door to door search. I have tried my street but only got 2 blackeyes and a broken arm so far, if any one else dose this Brixton has no Mickey Moonshines take my word for it.

Edited September 10, 2008 by Prophonics 2029

[Guest Paul]

Chris got back to me and said he was never Mickey Moonshine.

I think the next step is a door to door search. I have tried my street but only got 2 blackeyes and a broken arm so far, if any one else dose this Brixton has no Mickey Moonshines take my word for it.

Good job nobody placed a bet on him then.

[manus]

Hello Manus,

I didn't know that.

I take it you haven't found a trace of anyone called Mickey Moonshine down in Brighton?

I checked the Middlesbrough phone book and there was no Mickey Moonshine listed. I suppose he might be ex-directory.

Take care,

Paul

Well Paul I've drank buckets of the mountain dew as it's known but never found a Michael Moonshine ESQ I think he's definitely ex directory.

Come to think of it I think the same person who told me Mickie Moonshine was one Mickie Most also told me Val McKenna was from Newcastle.

Cheers

Manus

[Guest Paul]

I have no idea who Mr Moonshine might be, but Paul with respect, if you don't know for definite who it is either, how may i ask do you know for definite who it isn't?

Just askin

Pete Eccles

Hello Pete,

Just by listening.

I detect a slight accent in Mickey Moonshine's voice and it isn't the Middlesex accept of Pip Williams (not that Pip is a singer anyway) and it isn't the Scottish voice of Chris Rainbow and it certainly isn't the voice of Alvin Stardust.

Alvin was a huge pop star in 1973. Why would he risk his career by recording for another company in 1974, changing his voice, his style and his name???

All these myths and still no bets.

Paul Mooney

[Pete Eccles]

Hello Pete,

Just by listening.

I detect a slight accent in Mickey Moonshine's voice and it isn't the Middlesex accept of Pip Williams (not that Pip is a singer anyway) and it isn't the Scottish voice of Chris Rainbow and it certainly isn't the voice of Alvin Stardust.

Alvin was a huge pop star in 1973. Why would he risk his career by recording for another company in 1974, changing his voice, his style and his name???

All these myths and still no bets.

Paul Mooney

Valid points Paul,

Russ Abbott maybe?

[Prophonics 2029]

He has a very conservative voice, but stiff upper lip from memory.

[Guest Paul]

Valid points Paul,

Russ Abbott maybe?

I must admit, in all seriousness, that someone told me "Mickey Moonshine" had a bit of an Alvin Stardust image. That's quite possible for any wannabee pop star in 1974.

And that's just a coincidence.

[Mike]

as he's credited as the writer (moonshine) then could that not be a way to track him down ?

real name must be recorded somewhere for royalties etc etc yep?

[Guest Paul]

He has a very conservative voice, but stiff upper lip from memory.

Exactly!

A bit stiff and middle-class.

He didn't sound very relaxed or confident at all.

Like a bad actor.

Good job the guitar and strings were great.

Paul Mooney

[Guest Bogue]

What about PETER DOYLE ??

Ex Virgil Brothers & The New Seekers, he left the New Seekers at the end of 73 fed up with the industry & lack of money from it but later carried on as a singer/song writer. Definite Decca link & similar voice, could it have been an attempt on the growing pop soul/disco boom by him under a pseudonym ?

Still a cracking feelgood tune though ain't it, soulful or not.

[Guest Paul]

as he's credited as the writer (moonshine) then could that not be a way to track him down ?

real name must be recorded somewhere for royalties etc etc yep?

Hello Mike,

Sensible idea.

But there's a danger you might find the truth and it might be boring.

These bizzare myths are more fascinating than the truth can ever be.

That's why I've been enjoying this thread so much.

Having said that, I don't suppose it can go on forever.

Paul Mooney

[Guest Paul]

I have no idea who Mr Moonshine might be, but Paul with respect, if you don't know for definite who it is either, how may i ask do you know for definite who it isn't?

Pete Eccles

Alright, it's time to admit that YES I do know who Mickey Moonshine is.

I've been struggling to keep it to myself because I'm fascinated by the myths. And I was hoping that someone would actually place a bet so I could have made a few quid.

It's great fun, though. All these postings about Mickey Moonshine. If only he'd had this kind of attention when he was signed to Decca!

Paul Mooney

[Steve G]

Hello Mike,

Sensible idea.

But there's a danger you might find the truth and it might be boring.

These bizzare myths are more fascinating than the truth can ever be.

That's why I've been enjoying this thread so much.

Having said that, I don't suppose it can go on forever.

Paul Mooney

But seriously Paul as the person who started this all off by hijacking the thread from someone who wanted the record - I think we do NEED to know now WHO IS MICKEY MOONSHINE. I don;t actually care if it's someone from the New Seekers or Mike Batt at this point.

I mean it is on three threads at least, and one of the great unanswered questions of the week along with the origin of life / the universe. I m an hour away from waking up the guys on the Wigan Casino thread, and asking one of them to call up Russ as he may know the true identity

Mike's point is a good one though, as he does appear as a writer.

[Steve G]

Alright, it's time to admit that YES I do know who Mickey Moonshine is.

I've been struggling to keep it to myself because I'm fascinated by the myths. And I was hoping that someone would actually place a bet so I could have made a few quid.

It's great fun, though. All these postings about Mickey Moonshine. If only he'd had this kind of attention when he was signed to Decca!

Paul Mooney

So the newcastle connection holds water then?

[Guest Paul]

So the newcastle connection holds water then?

No, I think Surrey is his location.

"Mickey Moonshine" was a pseudonym for a singer/songwriter called PAUL CURTIS.

His full name is Paul Michael Curtis.

He's written a few pop hits under his real name, mostly Eurovision kind of things and some stage musical numbers. Some of you might know some of his songs.

Nothing really exciting. The myths were far more interesting.

Paul Mooney

[Steve G]

No, I think Surrey is his location.

"Mickey Moonshine" was a pseudonym for a singer/songwriter called PAUL CURTIS.

His full name is Paul Michael Curtis.

He's written a few pop hits under his real name, mostly Eurovision kind of things and some stage musical numbers. Some of you might know some of his songs.

Nothing really exciting. The myths were far more interesting.

Paul Mooney

Ok at least we know - and we also know that Pete Smith who wins all the pop quizs single handed was also wrong on this.

Does ian Levine concur?

Edited September 10, 2008 by Steve G

[Guest Bogue]

No, I think Surrey is his location.

"Mickey Moonshine" was a pseudonym for a singer/songwriter called PAUL CURTIS.

His full name is Paul Michael Curtis.

He's written a few pop hits under his real name, mostly Eurovision kind of things and some stage musical numbers. Some of you might know some of his songs.

Nothing really exciting. The myths were far more interesting.

Paul Mooney

Doohh ! couldn't you have let it run a bit longer ? I was just going to throw Melvin Hayes into the pot, linked by the B side

Mind you.... How do we know you are telling the truth Paul ?

Edited September 10, 2008 by Bogue

[Guest gordon russell]

As a collector of NS could somebody give a sensible answer regarding orig/reissue and also stop dissin Mickey Moonshine - had many a good jig to it!

Paul

sorry mate ...l,ll give you a biggsy marble, my old catapult and a slghtly tatty copy of the beano for it...how bout that

[Guest Paul]

Ok at least we know - and we also know that Pete Smith who wins all the pop quizs single handed was also wrong on this.

Does ian Levine concur?

Actually, Pete Smith might know more about Paul Curtis than he knew about Mickey Moonshine.

I dont know if Ian Levine knows anything about Paul Curtis.

Having said that, it's a small world. In the 1980s and 1990s Paul's publishing company was administered by the same company who administered one of my old catalogues.

Apart from that, I probably wouldn't have heard of him.

Best regards,

Paul

[Guest gordon russell]

Ivor Bird

I have asked Ian Levine if he can shed any light on this. Russ might know too.

one of RW'S big discoveries lol

[Steve G]

Actually, Pete Smith might know more about Paul Curtis than he knew about Mickey Moonshine.

I dont know if Ian Levine knows anything about Paul Curtis.

Having said that, it's a small world. In the 1980s and 1990s Paul's publishing company was administered by the same company who administered one of my old catalogues.

Apart from that, I probably wouldn't have heard of him.

Best regards,

Paul

Paul Curtis ALSO recorded for Decca so there might be some smoke in your pipe after all Paul

[Guest Paul]

Paul Curtis ALSO recorded for Decca so there might be some smoke in your pipe after all Paul

Thanks Steve,

That doesn't surprise me. It's obviously the same man.

If you give me a song title I can check it out.

I also double-checked with PRS and "Name It You Got it" is actually registered to Paul Michael Curtis these days. I don't suppose he uses the "Mickey Moonshine" pseudonym any more.

That's what finally made me 100% certain.

Paul

[Guest Paul]

Paul Curtis ALSO recorded for Decca so there might be some smoke in your pipe after all Paul

Yes the Paul Curtis who had a single called "Call Me Back" on Decca is the same person. He also had a single on United Artists and an album or two. Probably more.

Paul

[Johnlloyd]

Now the mystery has been solved......or has it?

I've got a single on the UK Destiny label, the label is grey and white, with Mickey Moonshine "The Statue" hand written.

It was bought for 50p from Chris Savory at a fair about 25 years ago.

As far as I know it did not get released.

Is this our man or someone having a laugh?

I apologise if this is all well known.

John.

[Guest]

Actually it's even clearer on the other side. Pink as owt

Interesting, I'd now like back all the Micky Moonshine we've sold over the years..

Conincidently I pulled a MM off the shelves and it clearly shows a pink shade under the the blue label.

Chocolate Boys - Voltaire Pier - was one release # after Micky Moonshine, so it would be near conclusive to check out the "under" the blue colour of that press. Perhaps someone can check that out for us, as I'm out of stock at the moment.

So we can now dispel the "inverted matrix" theory which most never thought was accurate.

Paul, thanks for the insight on the "colour" thing, very interesting.

Edited September 11, 2008 by john manship

[Guest moggy]

So who the fook is Paul Curtis, if that's his real name

and please dont say

Mickey Moonshine

[Mike]

So who the fook is Paul Curtis, if that's his real name

and please dont say

Mickey Moonshine

trick is to read what people have posted before posting

https://www.soul-source.co.uk/Micky-M...461#entry866461

[Mach]

anybody intrested in joining the "micky moonshine"appreciation society?..