67 replies to this topic

[Ray Bell]

Lately the 'ultimate price' thread has been getting to me a little...

I mean, there's lots of names on there. Lots of them!

Then the other day I head the old Ray Peterson (or is it Petersen?) song, Tell Laura I Love Her, which we all know was followed up by a female vocalist trying to Tell Tommy I Miss Him.

All of which was floating around in my mind as I recognised what ideas non-racing people had about racing and the dangers thereof. Of course, in my mind, fatalities weren't that frequent, where they?

I was there for so many of the fatal crashes in Australia in the sixties and seventies. I saw the crashes, I saw some of the bodies, I saw the bent cars going home on forlorn trailers... and I chose to rationalise it all a bit.

Now I begin to wonder if the songwriters were nearer the truth. It really was that dangerous... well, not so much dangerous but costly in human terms.

So am I unusual in these views? Have others been as keen to rationalise as I have? To look for sports with more deaths (spurred on by the Moss book, All But My Life, wherein boxing and mountain climbing are mentioned...), to take it all in and then put the deaths into a compartment of the brain that remembers them but ignores their number?

Should I really fall for the message of the songs at last?

[275 GTB-4]

Is the answer:

In vacant or pensive mood?

[Ray Bell]

Thoughtful...

Like you get into in the middle of a twelve hour drive on lonely straight boring roads.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Then the other day I head the old Ray Peterson (or is it Petersen?) song, Tell Laura I Love Her...

...which was a hit in Britain for Ricky Valance, a genuine bona fide 1 hit wonder. Godawful record.

[VAR1016]

And how about this one from the Everly Brothers:

"My ebony eyes was coming to me,
From out of the skies on flight twelve-o-three"
Etc., etc....

Obviously she didn't....

PdeRL

[Henri Greuter]

"Tell Laura I love her"

In the mid Seventies it was a hit in the Netherlands, covered by a certain Albert West, a local hero at that time.

A similar kind of record was released by a group named, I believe Air bubble, (not to be confused with Australian band Air Supply) the young driver then was named Johnny, the title of the song if I remember correct was "Racing car"


Henri Greuter

[Frank de Jong]

To get back to the subject - I'm afraid we were used to fatal accidents then; I've witnissed at least two: Hans-Georg Bürger and Rob Slotemaker. Dreadful, painful - but the racing went on without looking back too much. I remember that the fatal accidents in the 90's (like Senna, Ratzenberger and Marcel Albers) shocked me far more - because thankfully a fatal accident became quite unusual by then.
So Ray, I'm afraid we were too much used to it in the old days. The songwriters may have a point there.

[Geoff E]

Then there was "Terry"

"He road into the night
Accelerated his motor bike"

By Twinkle

[VAR1016]

And Jan & Dean:

"I was ridin' on the strip,
Late one night,
And an XKE pulled up on the right;
He wound down the window of his shiny new Jag,
And challenged me there and then to a drag..."

*****

"The last thing I remember Doc.,
I started to swerve,
And I saw the Jag slide into the curve..."


Dead Man's Curve

[Edit] He should have bought a Lancia methinks!


PdeRL

[Henri Greuter]

I wrote:

A similar kind of record was released by a group named, I believe Air bubble, (not to be confused with Australian band Air Supply) the young driver then was named Johnny, the title of the song if I remember correct was "Racing car"


I reacted too quickly, remembering the song again, now I thing the drive was named Tommy or Tony.


To topic:

It is indeed somewhat strange that such a song was recorded in the 50's or 60's in the USA. Read the Dick Wallen books about the 50's and 50's and id is almost sickening to read how many drivers got killed in dirttrack machinery large and small and all this simply being taken for granted and part of the show. I don't want to think about the Stockcar boys that were killed in those days as well.
Speaking for myself, I can recall some fatalities of the early '70, having read or heard about them on the news (Courage, Rindt) but at the time I began to watch racing seriously, fatalities during a race were rather rare already. Williamson (I am still ashamed that this could happen at my national race track the way it did) and Tom Pryce were the first I recall of being killed during a race. Any driver being killed nowadays and in recent years sickened me. I know there is indeed the rik for that to happen then and now. But maybe I alos put too much faith in good luck that it wasn't to happen when I watched.
But if I had been a US citizen who lived in the 50's and 60's I wonder if I would have become a racefan then, way too many orbituaries in the National Speed Sport News to my liking....
Yes, those songwriters were indeed right at that time.


Henri Greuter

[ensign14]

And when they drove off they were crying
And nobody knows for sure
If that is why they didn't see
The sign that said detour...

"-Give Us Your Blessing", The Shangri-Las, not content with killing off the leader of the pack they killed off Betty and Jimmy.

[eldougo]

The songwriters do have there point to get across in a short time an it somehow smooths over
our thoughts about the subject, an as Frank said the racing went on just the same without
looking back to much.
Rationalising is our way of dealing with Death an to use Rays words the compartment of my brain
has been busy these last few months dealing with the passing of my parents. However i do
digress motoracing is a personal challenge an some pay the ultimate price.

[Patrice L'Rodent]

Ray, its daydreaming like that on the lonely Aussie roads that can hurt you. I recall many years ago on the straight road between Burke and Nyngan in an old (new then) Valiant 265. Flat as a biscuit and had been for 30 minutes, I suppose I was doing about 120 in the old money, gazing out the window thinking "That seagull is a long way from the sea".
I swear that telegraph pole stepped out into the road, and the black marks I left on the tar for several hundred yards missing it was a real wake up call!
Definately believed in Guardian Angels after that!
Pat D'Rat

[Lec CRP1]

And of course, there's 'Lone Rider' written by Geoff Goddard and sung by John Leyton :

Cross fields, cross forests
Through city and town
I'll ride for my journey is endless
Oh, risks for kicks will bring you
Nothing but tears and pain
Just like me you'll be ridin'
Through the wind and the rain
Be warned, young riders or soon you will see
You'll become just as lonely and sad as me

Motor racing safety at it's finest. Probably

[John Fransson]

"Tell Laura I love her" is a great song, and indeed it was Ray Peterson who sang it.
A question though, who sang "Tell Tommy I miss him"?

Any information?

[ensign14]

Originally posted by John Fransson
A question though, who sang "Tell Tommy I miss him"?

Any information?

Doris Stokes?

[Eric McLoughlin]

Aah - Death Songs. What were teenagers into at the time that these songs sold so well? Were they missing the war?

[dmj]

Originally posted by Henri Greuter
It is indeed somewhat strange that such a song was recorded in the 50's or 60's in the USA. Read the Dick Wallen books about the 50's and 50's and id is almost sickening to read how many drivers got killed in dirttrack machinery large and small and all this simply being taken for granted and part of the show. I don't want to think about the Stockcar boys that were killed in those days as well.

Of course in song Tommy died in a stockcar race...
And "Tell Tommy I miss him" was sang by Skeeter Davis on her 1960 abum "Here's the Answer", half of it originals sang by others, half answers to their songs...
Ah, it's refreshing to see that I'm not the only one here with soft spot for pathetic teenage ballads...
And, of car accident songs there is Bruce Springsteen "Wreck on the Higway", with some of his best lyrics ever...

[Rob29]

Originally posted by John Fransson
"Tell Laura I love her" is a great song, and indeed it was Ray Peterson who sang it.
A question though, who sang "Tell Tommy I miss him"?

Any information?

The version of 'Laura ' released in the UK was by Ricky Valance and got to #1 in the chart,despite being banned by the BBC,who in those days were about the only place you could hear a song,without buying the record.

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Rob29
The version of 'Laura ' released in the UK was by Ricky Valance and got to #1 in the chart,despite being banned by the BBC,who in those days were about the only place you could hear a song,without buying the record.

Wasn't Radio Luxembourg around then? Also, often the BBC would not play the actual record but would get the Mike Sammes Singers and the BBC Orchestra to recreate them (along the lines of the Top Of The Pops bargain albums). The Mike Sammes singers had some hits under the name the Stargazers (indeed the first British group to have a number 1).

[Ray Bell]

Well, we got a response, didn't we?

Isn't 'Ricky Valance' actually 'Richie Valens'? Or am I even further from the pop music scene than I thought I was?

Death songs, yeah, they're still around I'm told, Eric. Though you can't hear the words these days for the jingle jangle and thumping drums. Apparently there are songs that encourage youngsters to kill their parents, all sorts of claptrap.

My brother is right into this stuff, he even produces books on record catalogue numbers, top 40s and so on. His home is loaded down with records, tapes and CDs... and the odd Matchbox toy.

dmj... that sounds like a good album... songs that respond to other songs or parodies, they're interesting. Like The Battle of Camp Kookamunga (is that how it's spelled?)... and a few years ago I picked up a Hello Dere! album that brought back memories of a life long gone.

At Westmead Speedway, according to my brothers, the only record they ever had was I'm Gonna Knock on your Door... well, I remember it, but maybe I spent too much time down in the pits talking to Tom Stranger.

And the warning from Pat d'Rat
Ray, its daydreaming like that on the lonely Aussie roads that can hurt you. I recall many years ago on the straight road between Burke and Nyngan in an old (new then) Valiant 265. Flat as a biscuit and had been for 30 minutes, I suppose I was doing about 120 in the old money, gazing out the window thinking "That seagull is a long way from the sea".....

No, it's not like that these days, Pat...

Limited severely in speed (get over 60% of your clip and you're busted!), with all the luxuries a good road and fair car can offer, I'm allowed to sing to myself, think about projects, whatever I like. My 'auto pilot' skills at these times are capable of taking care of the rest...

One of the hard stretches, strangely enough, is the first 45kms out of Forbes headed for Grenfell... but by doing mental arithmetic relating to average speeds, fuel consumption etc I keep myself awake.

Of course, I never found it a bother at all staying awake at 180kmh+ speeds. Sydney to Adelaide in 11 hours after a full day at the office? No bother...

As to the BBC and their remakes... there was the Nash Rambler song, wasn't there? Can't have advertising, can we?

My little bubble car was right beside him
couldn't believe his eyes...

Yeah, and the Cadillac became a limousine... but was that an outsider's remake for the BBC, or did the original artist redo it for them?

And in none of this has there been a mention of any song I really like...

[Geoff E]

Originally posted by Ray Bell
Isn't 'Ricky Valance' actually 'Richie Valens'?

Ricky Valance from UK, one hit "Tell Laura I love her" 1960, reached No 1

Richy Valens from US, 2 UK hits "Donna" 1959 and "La Bamba" 1987, reaching numbers 29 and 49 respectively.

(Guinness Book of Hit Singles)

[Ray Bell]

There, I told you I didn't know this subject!

Of course, there was a Liberty Valence somewhere...

[Eric McLoughlin]

Ricky Valance - obviously a total rip off sound-a-like name, probably hoping to confuse the British record buying public.

Richie Valens died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper in 1959.

As for Liberty Valence, who did shoot him? (Also a vehicle for Gene Pitney, who sang the theme song from the movie).

[Ray Bell]

Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
.....As for Liberty Valence, who did shoot him?

Or was the movie made from the song?

As to who shot him, there were some clues...

From out of the East a stranger came...

So he came from somewhere east of the west... good clue.

...a law book in his hand...

Now this is good. He had a law book, maybe a driver's manual? No, maybe not... he might have been a lawyer!

... the kind of a man the West would need to tame a troubled land

Ahhh... a crusader type perhaps... but what of his personal life?

...alone and afraid she prayed that he'd return that fateful night...

Now it seems he had a woman in his life. The plot thickens! But where did she come from? And note that she prayed? Maybe they met in church?

...from the moment a girl gets to be full grown, the very first thing she learns...

Ahhh... she was a local girl, must have been, knew the ropes!

...when two men go out to face each other, only one returns.

Well versed in local lore and law.

So who's the snoopy one, who can work out the name of this churchgoing lawyer from the East who went West carrying his law book, snapped up some of the local talent and then strapped on a gun to go shoot old Liberty?

[theunions]

What about the far more recent "Jerry was a Racecar Driver," I believe by Cake?

[Jim Thurman]

Originally posted by theunions
What about the far more recent "Jerry was a Racecar Driver," I believe by Cake?

Primus. The video for "Jerry Was a Racecar Driver" featured some nice footage of some Northern California dirt tracks. I recognized the Late Models of Ed Sans and Milt McGinnis. The clips were too short to tell if it was Petaluma or Antioch, or both.

Cake did "Going The Distance" which lyrically would seem to reference a race driver (though the video didn't go with that theme, being too obvious apparently).

I really shouldn't spend time on this, as I'm still trying to finish my scan project, but this caught my eye and since pop/rock music is my other big passion...

There was a obscure country song called "Jimmy Lee's Last Race", very much in the "Tell Laura I Love Her" vein. I remember picking up a promo copy of the 45 (sound unheard as usual) in a 30 for a dollar bin at a used record shop in San Diego as a kid. A bit disconcerting that there was a driver at the local track named Jim Lee.

The Rolling Stone Book of Rock Lists had a list of "death rock" songs with some appropriately snide side comments.

Don't forget "Last Kiss", written by Wayne Cochran and a hit in the 60's for J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers, the 70's by a band called Wednesday and just a few years ago by (of all people) Pearl Jam!.

I'll have another quick post here on a couple of others brought up here, and then try and reply to Ray's original thoughts and Henri's well worded follow-up.


Jim Thurman

[Jim Thurman]

On Jan & Dean (well, Jan), Ritchie Valens and who shot Liberty Valance...

Originally posted by VAR1016
And Jan & Dean:

"The last thing I remember Doc.,
I started to swerve,
And I saw the Jag slide into the curve..."

This took on a sadly bizarre twist a year or two later when Jan Berry's Corvette ended up crashed into parked cars along (IIRC) Sunset Boulevard, inflicting severe head injuries that he never really fully recovered from On the bright side, he recovered far more than thought possible, learning how to speak and walk again.

Originally posted by Eric McLoughlin
Ricky Valance - obviously a total rip off sound-a-like name, probably hoping to confuse the British record buying public.

Richie Valens died in the same plane crash that killed Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper in 1959.

As for Liberty Valence, who did shoot him? (Also a vehicle for Gene Pitney, who sang the theme song from the movie).

Ritchie Valens, real name Valenzuela. From Pacoima, in the San Fernando Valley. Buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetary, which I pass by any trip I make to Los Angeles.

Curiously, there's movies about both we've discussed here ("Dead Man's Curve" a TV movie on Jan & Dean and "La Bamba" about Valens - both heart tuggers, though very well acted).

As far as who shot Liberty Valance, watch the movie I'm not a big fan of the Western genre, but that is one of my favorites. And Gene Pitney's song didn't make it to the movie score through some sort of misunderstanding (it arrived too late for the soundtrack).

For those who want a spoiler...please look below (but you really should check out the movie)...









John Wayne, errr, his character Tom actually shot Liberty Valance. But, Jimmy Stewart, errr, Rance got all the credit...and the girl.

[Ray Bell]

Is that right, Jim?

Sounds more like a High Noon description to me... though it's many many years since I saw either movie.

[Tim Murray]

Neither John Wayne nor James Stewart played leading roles in High Noon, so I'll go with Jim. And as for the theme song, you can keep the Gene Pitney version. I'll take the magnificently over the top version by that wonderful British loony, John Otway.

[Rob29]

Originally posted by ensign14
Wasn't Radio Luxembourg around then?

Yes,but reception was awful where I lived in London. You could not get anything before dark. They had a motor racing programme hosted by Les Leston.This once played a song which went something like'Nurburgring,Nurburgring,Grand Prix Germany,with Fangio you'L surely see he'l bring victory' Anyone know who that was by?

[Eric McLoughlin]

Radio Luxembourg - "Fabulous 208". Home of erstwhile racer and team owner Kid Jensen.

[dmj]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
Neither John Wayne nor James Stewart played leading roles in High Noon, so I'll go with Jim. And as for the theme song, you can keep the Gene Pitney version. I'll take the magnificently over the top version by that wonderful British loony, John Otway.

I never thought I'll see John Otway mentioned in TNF.

[Tim Murray]

Dino, another Otway fan? That makes two of us.

[Impspeed Gerry]

Make that 3 and counting - had we better start a separate thread for TNFers who are also Otwayites?

And don't forget the classic Otway near-miss, 'Racing Cars - Jet Spotter of the Track'. He used to play it while driving a home-made go-kart around the stage!!

[dmj]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
Dino, another Otway fan? That makes two of us.

Just recently discovered him.. I'm not a fan yet but I like what I heard so far. And his life story is great, certainly...

[VAR1016]

I've just remembered another one with motorbikes: "Leader of the Pack" by the excellent Shangri-Las.

Can anyone remember what happened to him? Did he kick the bucket too?

PdeRL

[Tim Murray]

LEADER OF THE PACK
(G. Morton - J. Barry - E. Greenwich)
THE SHANGRI-LAS (Red Bird 10014, 1964)

[spoken]
Is she really going out with him?
Well, there she is. Let's ask her
Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?
Mm-hmm
Gee, it must be great riding with him
Is he picking you up after school today?
Uh-uh
By the way, where'd you meet him?

I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture? (yes, we see)
That's when I fell for (the leader of the pack)

My folks were always putting him down (down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(whatcha mean when ya say that he came from the wrong side of town?)
They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for (the leader of the pack)

One day my dad said, find someone new
I had to tell my Jimmy we're through
(whatcha mean when ya say that ya better go find somebody new?)
He stood there and asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you (the leader of the pack)

[spoken]
He sort of smiled and kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
But whether he heard, I'll never know

Look out! Look out! Look out! Look out!

I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we'd been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide the tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him (the leader of the pack)

The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone

[VAR1016]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
LEADER OF THE PACK
(G. Morton - J. Barry - E. Greenwich)
THE SHANGRI-LAS (Red Bird 10014, 1964)

[spoken]
Is she really going out with him?
Well, there she is. Let's ask her
Betty, is that Jimmy's ring you're wearing?
Mm-hmm
Gee, it must be great riding with him
Is he picking you up after school today?
Uh-uh
By the way, where'd you meet him?

I met him at the candy store
He turned around and smiled at me
You get the picture? (yes, we see)
That's when I fell for (the leader of the pack)

My folks were always putting him down (down, down)
They said he came from the wrong side of town
(whatcha mean when ya say that he came from the wrong side of town?)
They told me he was bad
But I knew he was sad
That's why I fell for (the leader of the pack)

One day my dad said, find someone new
I had to tell my Jimmy we're through
(whatcha mean when ya say that ya better go find somebody new?)
He stood there and asked me why
But all I could do was cry
I'm sorry I hurt you (the leader of the pack)

[spoken]
He sort of smiled and kissed me goodbye
The tears were beginning to show
As he drove away on that rainy night
I begged him to go slow
But whether he heard, I'll never know

Look out! Look out! Look out! Look out!

I felt so helpless, what could I do?
Remembering all the things we'd been through
In school they all stop and stare
I can't hide the tears, but I don't care
I'll never forget him (the leader of the pack)

The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone
The leader of the pack - now he's gone

Thank you Tim,

I had a feeling that things may have ended that way
=choke=; =sob=

PdeRL

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Tim Murray
LEADER OF THE PACK
(G. Morton - J. Barry - E. Greenwich)
THE SHANGRI-LAS (Red Bird 10014, 1964)

The Julian Clary version is hilarious, all deadpan - "At school they all stop and stare, probably because I'm far too old to be there..."

Shangri-Las ruled. They killed more than any death metaller.

[Kerb Bouncer]

My brain is a little fuzzy, but didn't the Shangri-La s warn that "My Boyfriend's Back"? So much for metal head violence.

Anyhow, Rhino Records (US) released a collection in the 1970s called, Teenage Tragedy with Tell Laura I Love Her, Leader of the Pack, Patches, [and the Mark Dining song whose title refuses to come to mind] and whole bunch more. As I remember, most of these were US hits from about 1962 - 1966, not really war related, just teen angst that wasn't as poetic as Romeo and Juliet. Cars, sex, and death, sort of grim material though.

Now, Running Bear and Little White Dove, there was a song with tragedy and history, no cars though. :

[theunions]

Originally posted by Jim Thurman
Don't forget "Last Kiss", written by Wayne Cochran and a hit in the 60's for J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers, the 70's by a band called Wednesday and just a few years ago by (of all people) Pearl Jam!.

I've never heard the originals. MP3's, anyone?

[dbw]

YES!!! another dead teenager thread!

my current favorite is "52 vincent black lightning" off richard thompson's "rumour and sigh"...not a car ,not a crash ,mebbe not even teenagers...but you just can't beat a motorbike,a dead young man and a red headed girl...

god i love this place...

[dmj]

Originally posted by dbw
YES!!! another dead teenager thread!

my current favorite is "52 vincent black lightning" off richard thompson's "rumour and sigh"...not a car ,not a crash ,mebbe not even teenagers...but you just can't beat a motorbike,a dead young man and a red headed girl...

god i love this place...

Another great song deserving mention here... but it reminded me of another car song thread... I have to dig it and post something there.

[Kerb Bouncer]

Richard Thompson is a favorite of mine. His 1952 Vincent Black Lightning has been recently covered as a bluegrass song by Ricky Scaggs, I think. Then there is his MGB GT song!

[ensign14]

Originally posted by Kerb Bouncer
My brain is a little fuzzy, but didn't the Shangri-La s warn that "My Boyfriend's Back"? So much for metal head violence.

That was the Angels.

How about Billy Connolly?

Well somebody sent for a doctor
And an ambulance too, it was called
And the people who lived in the neighbourhood
Stood around and they cried, how they bawled
Well the doctor and the ambulance came rushing, friends
They were rushing from two different ways
And they crashed with a biff and shot over the cliff
In that old seaside town far away.

[Lec CRP1]

Originally posted by Kerb Bouncer
My brain is a little fuzzy, but didn't the Shangri-La s warn that "My Boyfriend's Back"? So much for metal head violence.

Actually, (this sounds pompous ) 'My Boyfriend's Back' was sung by the Angels - A #1 in the US and #50 in the UK. Ok, I'll admit it - I'm a 'girl pop' fan too...

[VAR1016]

And there's "Crawling from the wreckage" (into a brand-new car) by Dave Edmunds' Rockpile.
I contains the excellent line:

"So I took my revenge on the revolution counter"

PdeRL

[Kerb Bouncer]

That was the Angels.

Okay, right you are ! The Angels were more dangerous looking anyway, from the cover of the single, "Thank you and Good Night".

I was listening to "Crawling from the Wreckage" the other night as well. The Mark Dining ditty came back to me too: "Teen Angel" which talked about what she had clasped in her cold dead fingers, a source of many later urban legend parodies.

You know, the triangulation of cars(speed), sex, and tragedy is a potent teen draw. I guess, for me, Formula One in those days was a triangulation of sleek sophistication (cars, drivers, and circuits), speed, and drama, with tragedy too frequent a visitor.

[Ray Bell]

Teen Angel (are you near me?)... yeah, I remember that!

Man, I wanted a discussion on Tommy and Laura, but everyone else has their favourites!

Well, it could be worse...

Running Bear? How did Running Bear get in here... didn't he drown years ago?