2021-07-21 SiriusXM Studio, New York City, NY

Scheduled: 10:00 Local Start Time 10:03 / End Time 10:43

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The 'From My Home To Yours' series continues with Episode 25, themed "Frat Party". Bruce sings the chant from "Land Of 1000 Dances" over the intro while introducing the Cannibal & The Headhunters recording of that song.

E Street Radio

Bruce Springsteen

Frat Party

Oh yes, oh yes! The Swingin' Medallions, who unforgettably guested with us down South with the E Street Band, with "Double Shot (of My Baby's Love)". Greetings, fans, friends, freaks and listeners at home in the U.S.A. and around the world. We're coming to you from Stone Hill Studios via E Street Radio on satellite XM. And we are so glad to be here with you today with Vol. 25 of "From My Home To Yours", titled "Frat Party"! Let's get with it.

That was the immortal "Surfin' Bird", by a group with one of the greatest names in rock 'n' roll, The Trashmen. Sung in a state of transcendental grace by their drummer and vocalist, Steve Wahrer, this wild motherfucker of a record reached Number 4 on the charts - impossible to believe - and as far as I know, they never had a comparable hit. How do you follow up perfection? One and done. Put this record in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"96 Tears" by Question Mark & the Mysterians. Another one of the coolest monikers in rock 'n' roll history, by one of the coolest frontmen in rock 'n' roll. It is absolutely perhaps the ultimate organ lick of all time. The song was written by Question Mark, Rudy Martinez, in 1962, in his manager's living room. It was recorded in Bay City, Michigan. Rumor: The original title was "69 Tears". But it was changed due to fear it would be banned from the radio. I don't know why. So came "96 Tears" and, once again, immortality and one of rock's most mysterious frontmen awaited.

Here's Farmer John, one of the most fabulous party-sound records that we stole quite a bit of for "Sherry Darling" ourselves. With one of the greatest introductions: "Has anybody seen Kosher Pickle Harry? Tell him Herbert's lookin' for him". I'll let the band introduce themselves.

That was brothers Lawrence Perez and John Perez, on lead guitar and drums, respectively. It was producer Billy Cardenas who suggested doing the song in an East L.A. style similar to "Louie Louie". It was Billy Cardenas performing its spectacular opening monologue. And though the record sounds totally live, it was recorded at Stereo Masters studio in Hollywood with the all-girl Chevelles Car Club supplying the spectacular background brawl.

Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs, not out of Egypt, but Dallas, Texas. Domingo "Sam" Samudio wrote this masterpiece and recorded it in Memphis at the Sam C. Phillips- yup, that Sam Phillips - Recording Studio. This studio was the successor to Sam's original Sun Studios. "Wooly Bully" sold 3 million copies and was a worldwide success, reaching No. 2 in America. The song was the first American record to sell during the British Invasion. Greatness cannot be stopped! Mixing British rock sounds with traditional Mexican-American conjunto rhythms, it stayed in the Hot 100 for 18 weeks, and in our hearts and souls forever. With its great opening count and Tex-Mex rhythms, it became one of the most recognizable openings in rock 'n' roll history. Do it, Sam!

That was the classic "Money", performed by The Flamin' Groovies, out of San Francisco, formed in 1965, one of the early forerunners of power-pop and punk. Here's The Fleshtones, with Lee Dorsey's "Ride Your Pony".

I love that version. It just swings. CBGB alumni, they had a long career of excellent, excellent records. Check out The Fleshtones. Let's go to Philly. Formed at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia as a doo-wop group, The Brooktones, they changed their name and had a national hit with "The Bristol Stomp". "You Can't Sit Down" was an E Street Band barn burner of a encore for quite a few years. Of course, my man Little Steven Van Zandt played and traveled with The Dovells for a number of years. With its great organ and frenetic pace, it is a guaranteed showstopper. Get out of your seats!

"Land of 1000 Dances", Cannibal & the Headhunters were one of the first Mexican-American groups to have a national hit record. They were an opening act for The Beatles' second American tour. They were discovered by Rampart Records owner Eddie Davis. They were among the 1960s Mexican-American musicians and singers who pioneered the East Side Sound of Los Angeles. Francisco Mario "Frankie Cannibal" Garcia founded the group in 1964. They came from the Ramona Gardens and Estrada Courts Housing Projects of East L.A. They were inspired by the African-American doo-wop groups in their neighborhood before honing their own sound of doo-wop and garage rock in East L.A. They played the historic Beatles Shea Stadium concerts but will always be remembered for "Na, na na na na, na na na na, na na, na na na, na/Na na na na". Enough said.

This song was simply another one of the E Street Band's favorite early live encores, copped simultaneously by the version by The Kingsmen and, of course, The Righteous Brothers. "Little Latin Lupe Lu" was written by a 19-year-old Bill Medley in 1962 and was the song that launched their careers. He said the song was inspired by a girl he dated at Santa Ana High School in California named Lupe Laguna, whose nickname was Lupe Lu, who loved to dance. Well, she danced straight into rock 'n' roll history with this one.

Oh yeah! The Righteous Brothers. But where would we be if we didn't include this next song. It's simply hits too fuckin' hard! Let's hear it.

That was The Romantics with their ass-kickin', hard-rockin' "What I Like About You" out of Detroit, Michigan. Where else? What I can't believe is this song only made it to Number 49 on the Billboard chart. What is the matter with people! There will never be peace on Earth with that kind of judgement, people! The Romantics. One fuck of a job, boys! P.S.: Another great vocal sung by a drummer! Mighty Max, your day will come. This next song is one of my favorite completely nonsense-syllable songs that makes absolute sense! I mean, you know exactly what she's saying: "You put the shama lama in my rama lama ding dong".

That's our show for today. I just want you to drink beer and go apeshit listening to this music. Go in peace.

^{By Bruce Springsteen via E Street Radio.}

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