George McCurn | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 21, 1920 Chicago |
| Died | April 1985 (aged 64–65) Los Angeles |
| Genres | Soul, gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Labels | A&M |
George McCurn (born January 21, 1920 – April 1985)[1] was an American bass singer who started off singing gospel and switched to pop in the 1960s. He had a hit in 1963 with "I'm Just a Country Boy".
Career
Group
In 1948, he joined the vocal quartet Kings of Harmony, replacing their bass singer Isaac "Dickie" Freeman. In the early days he was also a member for a brief period of West Coast-based group the Gospel Harps. In 1950, he joined Fairfield Four and replaced Isaac Freeman who had previously replaced in Kings of Harmony. In October 1950, he recorded with the group and this marks the period of his first time recording.[2] In 1954, he joined the Pilgrim Travellers, replacing their original bass singer, Rafael Taylor.[3] At one stage when he was in the Pilgrim Travellers, the other members at the time were Jesse Whittaker, Ernest Booker, Louis Rawls, and J.W. Alexander.[4]
Solo
- 1960s
In early 1963, he had his I'm Just a Country Boy single released on A&M Records. It was listed in the February 23 issue of Billboard as a regional breakout single which though at that time, not on the Billboard Hot 100, but selling strongly.[5] By April 6, the single had climbed from 64 in the Hot 100 to 56.[6]
His album Country Boy Goes to Town was a special merit pick in the June 1 edition of Billboard.[7] It was reported in the June 29 edition of Billboard, following Festival Records exec director Frederick C. Marks signing a 5-year deal with A&M, the album was going to be rush released in Australia.[8]
In March 1964, the single "Guess Who" which was written by JoAnn Belvin was released. It was backed with "One More Time For The Poor Man", which was written by Sonny Knight and Thora Johnson.[9][10] "Guess Who" also appeared on the Vault Records label with the cat no V.R. 002. The other side "At The Of A Rainbow" had the cat no V.R. 001., which indicates that it was probably the B side.[11][12]
In 1966, the single "Too Many Tears" bw ": You Say You Don't Want Me" was released on Reprise.[13]
- 1970s
In later years McCurn did some recording session work as a backing vocalist.[14] Along with Delia Gartnell, Gwenn Roberts, and Herman Hitson, he was one of the backing vocalist on the Truth album by King Hannibal, released in 1973.[15][16] He was also one of the backing vocalists on Ry Cooder's Paradise and Lunch album which was released on Reprise Records in 1974.[17]
In 1976, "Satchmo" bw "Old LA" was released on the Star-Brite label.[18]
Personal life
McCurn died in Los Angeles in 1985, aged 65.[19]
Discography
| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Your Daughter's Hand" / "The Time Has Come" | Liberty 55418 | 1962 | |
| "I'm Just A Country Boy" / "In My Little Corner Of The World" | A&M 705 | 1963 | |
| "Please Send Me Someone To Love" / "How's The World Treating You" | A&M 715 | 1963 | |
| "When The Wind Blows (In Chicago)" / "Georgia Town" | A&M 726 | 1963 | |
| "Guess Who" / "I've Got To Move" | A&M 731 | 1964 | |
| "Well" / "Clap Your Hands" | A&M 741 | 1964 | |
| "Your Friend" / "While The Bloom Is On The Rose" | A&M 748 | 1964 | |
| "As Tears Go By" / "Georgia Town" | A&M 759 | 1965 | |
| "You Say You Don't Want Me" / "Too Many Tears" | Reprise 0479 | 1966[20] | |
| "Satchmo" / "Old LA" | Star-Brite IRDA 2048 | 1976[21] | |
| "Guess Who" / "At The End (Of A Rainbow)" | Vault Records V.R. 001 | 19?[22] | |
| Title | Side A | Side B | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I'm Just A Country Boy | 1. "I'm Just A Country Boy" 2. "In My Little Corner Of The World" |
1. "The End" 2. "Goodnight, My Love, Pleasant Dreams" |
Festival FK-331 | 1963 | Australian release[23] |
| Title | Release info | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Country Boy Goes to Town | A&M LP 102 | 1963[24] | |
References
- ↑ All Music George McCurn, Biography by Uncle Dave Lewis
- ↑ Billboard Artists, George McCurn, Biography
- ↑ Cross Rhythms Friday 23rd December 2011 Tony Cummings chronicles the history of one of the great gospel quartets THE PILGRIM TRAVELERS
- ↑ Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm And Blues And The Southern Dream Of Freedom - Peter Guralnick Prologue to Soul: Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Business of Music
- ↑ Billboard February 23, 1963 Pag 1 Billboard Page 1 Singles *Regional Breakouts
- ↑ Billboard April 6, 1963 Page 28 Billboard HOT 100 For Week Ending April 6
- ↑ Billboard June 1, 1963 Page 30 Album Reviews Continued, Special Merit Picks
- ↑ Billboard June 29, 1963 Page 48 International NEWS REPORTS, AUSTRALIA, Festival Distrib For A&M Label, By GEORGE HILDER
- ↑ 45cat Catalogue: 731
- ↑ Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who
- ↑ Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)
- ↑ Popsike COUNTRY 45: GEORGE McCURN At The End ( Of A Rainbow) VAULT RECORDS RARE ?
- ↑ 45cat George McCurn - Discography
- ↑ Wilde Life Wilde World: George McCurn
- ↑ Discogs King Hannibal – Truth
- ↑ Discogs King Hannibal, Profile
- ↑ Discogs Ry Cooder – Paradise And Lunch
- ↑ 45cat George McCurn - Discography
- ↑ Wilde Life Wilde World: George McCurn
- ↑ Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records 6th Edition by Tim Neely Page 453 McCurn, George
- ↑ 45Cat George McCurn - Discography
- ↑ Discogs George McCurn – Guess Who / At The End (Of A Rainbow)
- ↑ 45cat Catalogue: FX-10,703
- ↑ Billboard June 1, 1963 Page 30 Album Reviews Continued, Special Merit Picks