Here's an interesting little novelty 45 from circa 1958. It's "Froggie" Landers and his trusted by The Cough Drops, performing the song "RIver Rock".
Froggie sings in a Popeye-ish throat singing style, and while he doesn't have a whole lot to say, he sure says it in a memorable fashion. I also particularly like the addition of the bassoon adding a single deep note here and there, echoing the tone of Froggie's singing.
All the worthwhile bits of this record can be heard on the a-side. Perhaps due to having no other ideas at the moment, those behind this record put elements of the backing track on the b-side, with a couple of rough edits, one of them truly awful, and a reprise of the vocal near the end.
"Froggie" Landers was apparently the same person as Bob Landers, who made a single (and collectable) 45 for the Specialty label in 1956. But the most interesting thing about this record may be that the song was written by two men, unknown at the time, who were each about to start off on the legendary parts of their respective careers: Lou Adler and Herb Alpert!
"Froggie" Landers and the Cough Drops - River Rock (Part I) (MP3)
"Froggie" Landers and the Cough Drops - River Rock (Part II) (MP3)
Hello, Clarence "Frog Man" Henry, we salute you!
Posted by: MrFab | August 12, 2013 at 12:19 PM
Froggy Landers' other disc, Hound favorite "Cherokee Dance," is way hepper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3UNpITvSA
Posted by: cavorting with nudists | August 12, 2013 at 06:07 PM
This is absolutly amazing. I mean your blog and this record as well.
Posted by: Phil | September 02, 2013 at 04:09 PM
This record has been something of the holy grail for me, searching to recapture some of my carefree days as a kid, listening to Froggy...
Posted by: Gary Snyder | December 15, 2013 at 05:03 PM
Has he made any other recordings, I can't seem to find any info on frog man..
Posted by: Dave Rittinger | January 13, 2014 at 12:31 AM
Hi,
Thanks, Phil, for the nice words! And Dave, as Cavorting (the previous poster) indicated, there is a youtube clip for his only other known record here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq3UNpITvSA
Bob
Posted by: Bob Purse | January 15, 2014 at 01:42 PM
And hey, Gary - glad I could fill in a gap in your musical life!
Bob
Posted by: Bob Purse | January 15, 2014 at 01:45 PM