Don't Call Us, We'll Call You

[winston]

Sugarloaf perhaps best known for it's incredible song "Green Eyed Lady" played an enormous practical joke on CBS Records (and also the White House) when it released "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You". CBS Records had turned them down in their bid for a recording contract.

The song includes the sound of a touch-tone telephone number being dialed near the beginning and ending of the song. Those numbers were an unlisted phone number at CBS Records and a public number at the White House respectively.

[8mileshigher]

Speaking of touch-tone phone sounds... has anybody de-coded, or does anyone know any of the history or nuances on that overseas phone Operater stuff (...United States calling...he hung up, etc.) in between the tracks on Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" ?? Is there any significance ?
Rich F.

[winston]

Based on my experience as a school age resident of Southampton England in the late 50's and early 60's Rich if we wanted to make a "Trans Atlantic Telephone Call" as we called it, from England to say New York, we had to go through an overseas operator who would call the New York exchange operator and they would put us through to our contactee. Direct dialing became the norm a few years later.

Aitch is probably the biggest Floyd fan that I know. Perhaps if he spots this thread he can comment further on your question.

[ozover50]

Don't know of any significance, Rich. I'll see what I can find out.

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

I LOVE "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You"... great song, with that excellent "I Feel Fine" riff.

I used to work with a restaurant manager who was a keyboard player for Sugarloaf before they made it big. Or at least he said so.

[mgauction]

I actually worked at CBS Television with the "Green Eyed Lady" that the song was written for, and yes, she was worth the inspiration

[winston]

Mike,

A picture is worth a thousand words....................Please

[mgauction]

Ha! Unfortunately it was in the early 1970s, Brian. Not so sure how she looks now. Can't imagine what it would be like to inspire a song! She hasn't attended any of the reunions.

[winston]

Too bad Mike. She must have really been a beautiful woman because she inspired an incredible song in her honor.

[alanz]

Speaking of touch-tone phone sounds... has anybody de-coded, or does anyone know any of the history or nuances on that overseas phone Operater stuff (...United States calling...he hung up, etc.) in between the tracks on Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" ?? Is there any significance ?
Rich F.

Isn't that stuff on "The Wall"? And the story I've heard is that Pink knew Floyd was going to call him when he was in the States and so the recording your hear is an actual operator and hr actual reactions as Pink hangs up without saying anything.

[doctorwho]

Sugarloaf's follow-up release after Green-Eyed Lady did not break the top 40 barrier ... darn if I can remember the title of it, and my 45 of it is back at my sister's house in Illinois.

[mgauction]

Sorry to reopen this thread again but there is something that been bugging me since I last posted here. I ended up calling an old friend I worked with at CBS in the early severties and he confirmed the name of the "Green Eyed Lady" as Kathy Peacock, who we worked with, as I could not remember her last name. I vividly remember her telling me the story and she was incredibly confident, either that, or she was a master liar. I was about 23 then and had NEVER known or heard of anyone that had inspired a "hit" song, so it's something that stunned me, and to some extent, still am. Since then, have only read about people who inspired great songs, thats it.

Anyway, I see on the internet where the Classic Rock Stars: http://www.classicrockallstars.com/flash.html, members of Sugarloaf, Rare Earth, Blues Image and Cannibal & the Headhunters are playing about 70 miles from me in a small Arizona casino. Their site allows you to email any of the members, so I emailed keybordist, Jerry Corbetta, who wrote "Green Eyed Lady." Here's what I wrote him and here is how he responded:

Jerry - I worked at CBS Television City in LA in the seventies and
worked with a girl named, Cathy Peacock, who claimed that she was the "Green
Eyed Lady" you sung about. Any truth to this?
I live in Scottsdale, AZ. and look forward to seeing you guys in Tucson later
this week!

Mike,

Yes , Kathy was My girlfriend at the time. She is the "Green Eyed Lady" I saw her about 8 years ago in Reno. She looked great. She lives in San Louis Obispo. Ca
See you in Tucson.
Jerry

Quite an exciting moment for me as 30 odd years later the story is finally confirmed to me from the horses mouth!

[winston]

Mike,

This is a great way to re-open a thread. It's amazing that Jeryy Corbetta wrote back to you and confirmed the story that you were told. Wow that blows me away. Literally.

Thanks again Mike I love contributions to this section like this. You have made my day. I'll bet it made yours too when you heard from him?

Now if we could only find a picture of this amazing woman who inspired such a beautifuly crafted song...............Is that too much more to ask? I hope not.

[mgauction]

For me, Brian, it just confirmed a story that was supernatural for 30 years! I realr "mindblower" to be conservative. I appreciate the thoughts, Brian! I plan on taking this a step further --- when I see Jerry at the meet & greet on Thursday I'm going to ask for Kathy's last name, as I'm certain she's married, and then look her up. She'll remember me and maybe I can get one of those photos, old or new, and plaster it on this thread.

[shamustwin]

Based on my experience as a school age resident of Southampton England in the late 50's and early 60's Rich if we wanted to make a "Trans Atlantic Telephone Call" as we called it, from England to say New York, we had to go through an overseas operator who would call the New York exchange operator and they would put us through to our contactee. Direct dialing became the norm a few years later.

Aitch is probably the biggest Floyd fan that I know. Perhaps if he spots this thread he can comment further on your question.

Dang, I recently watched a PF or Syd Barret bio, and something about the numbers punched was discussed, but I don't remember.

There, I hope that helps!