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One of these rare instances IMO where Beatles Original surpassed by the Hit version.

GO NOW was a UK Number 1 hit for the Moody Blues in January 1965. It was written by US songwriters, Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. Reportedly, Larry Banks had is then wife and singer, Bessie Banks record the song as a demo disc. When famed record producers Leiber and Stoller heard the demo they persuaded Bessie Banks to record the song herself. Soon after the release of the Bessie Banks version in early 1964 then Moody Blues guitarist and singer, Denny Laine got to hear it … and as they say, the rest is history as Bessie Banks sunk without a trace under the weight of the “British Invasion” of the US.

IT’S ALL OVER NOW was the first UK Number 1 hit for the Rolling Stones in July 1964. Written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, it was originally recorded by the Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack on lead vocal.

The Wikipedia entry for the song makes interesting reading:

The Valentinos' original version of the song was played to the Rolling Stones during their first North American tour in June 1964 by New York radio DJ Murray the K. After the band heard the song they recorded it nine days later at Chess Studios in Chicago. Years later Bobby Womack said in an interview that he told his manager that he did not want the Rolling Stones to record their version of the song, that he told Mick Jagger to get his own song. His manager convinced him to let the Rolling Stones record a version of the song. Six months later when he received the royalty check for the song he told his manager that Mick Jagger can have any song he wants.

I would agree Billy J's version is a bit better than the one The Beatles released, which wasn't in George Harrison's key. Nice guitar on Billy J's take too. The flip side "I'll Be On My Way" has a nice solo as well; another Beatle song, though they never offically released it themselves (they did do it on their BBC radio show).

[quote="royclough"]One of these rare instances IMO where Beatles Original surpassed by the Hit version.

Agree with you, Roy! As much as I love BJK, The Beatles version is superior -- George does a fantastic lead vocal with that romantic unmistakeable accent!

chriscurtisfan wrote:

royclough wrote:One of these rare instances IMO where Beatles Original surpassed by the Hit version.

Agree with you, Roy! As much as I love BJK, The Beatles version is superior -- George does a fantastic lead vocal with that romantic unmistakeable accent!

OOps I misread your comment Roy -- I guess I will be the Lone Wolf who prefers George even if it isn't in his key. Back to my dark room!

hamilton_square wrote:IT’S ALL OVER NOW was the first UK Number 1 hit for the Rolling Stones in July 1964. Written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, it was originally recorded by the Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack on lead vocal.

The Wikipedia entry for the song makes interesting reading:

The Valentinos' original version of the song was played to the Rolling Stones during their first North American tour in June 1964 by New York radio DJ Murray the K. After the band heard the song they recorded it nine days later at Chess Studios in Chicago. Years later Bobby Womack said in an interview that he told his manager that he did not want the Rolling Stones to record their version of the song, that he told Mick Jagger to get his own song. His manager convinced him to let the Rolling Stones record a version of the song. Six months later when he received the royalty check for the song he told his manager that Mick Jagger can have any song he wants.

Pete, I prefer the Stones version -- even though they don't appeal to me as people, they made some good music. Never heard the other version, fortunately.

Speaking of Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas and their connection to the Beatles … which was obviously facilitated by both acts being managed by Brian Epstein.

BJK and the Dakotas had their first UK Number 1 with the Lennon & McCartney song BAD TO ME in August 1963. Posted on You Tube is the original demo version made of the song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

hamilton_square wrote:Speaking of Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas and their connection to the Beatles … which was obviously facilitated by both acts being managed by Brian Epstein.

BJK and the Dakotas had their first UK Number 1 with the Lennon & McCartney song BAD TO ME in August 1963. Posted on You Tube is the original demo version made of the song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Definitely BJK on this one!! Interesting about both bands being managed by BE. On this side of the pond, the first BJK song I heard was "Little Children" and I was then a permanent BJK fan.

hamilton_square wrote:GO NOW was a UK Number 1 hit for the Moody Blues in January 1965. It was written by US songwriters, Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. Reportedly, Larry Banks had is then wife and singer, Bessie Banks record the song as a demo disc. When famed record producers Leiber and Stoller heard the demo they persuaded Bessie Banks to record the song herself. Soon after the release of the Bessie Banks version in early 1964 then Moody Blues guitarist and singer, Denny Laine got to hear it … and as they say, the rest is history as Bessie Banks sunk without a trace under the weight of the “British Invasion” of the US.

Peter, Definitely The Moody Blues gave this song the distinction it needed. Wonderful sound! BB version sounds like alot of the other girlgroup songs that were kicking around the US back then.

The Bad To Me demo fisrt appeared on a bootleg called Not For Sale, it is just Lennon. Not really a original v hit comparision as clearly had the Beatles actually done this would have been far different, interesting if one not heard it before though.

royclough wrote:The Bad To Me demo fisrt appeared on a bootleg called Not For Sale, it is just Lennon. Not really a original v hit comparision as clearly had the Beatles actually done this would have been far different, interesting if one not heard it before though.

You are sooo right! I just listened to the DEMO by JL; it's lovely, and the guitar work is brilliant. BJK added his own personal vocal touches to make it very appealing. Now I'm finding I can't choose. So I love them both!

BJK but after August Bank Holiday.............................Beatles!

Formed in Birmingham [UK] 1963, the Spencer Davis Group were signed to Island Records the following year by Chris Blackwell, the founder of the label. Emanating from Jamaica, Chris Blackwell and Island Records moved to England in 1962 ostensibly to promote and record West Indian Reggae music.

While the Spencer Davis Group (and in particular, brothers Steve and Muff Winwood) were yet to fully try out their collective song writing talents with hits like, Gimme’ Some Lovin’ and I’m A Man. They nevertheless had two UK Number 1 hits in quick succession during early part of 1966 with Keep On Running and Somebody Help Me, both of which were written and originally recorded by fellow Island Records artiste and reggae performer Jackie Edwards.






Taken from the Jackie Edwards album Put Your Tears Away, one can clearly see the UK pre-decimal price of the record when new … that of 14 Shillings and 6 Pence, which translates as 72.5p in the Pounds and Pence of today’s money.

Thanks for posting that Hamilton Square. They were two of my SDG favorites! The originals were pretty cool too, but I like SDG's versions better.
I named my son Spencer for Spencer Davis. He was ALMOST Peter Townshend Baker!