Ken Voss of the Illinois Music Archives contacted me about a rare (obscure is probably more accurate) 45 that was recorded in Chicago in 1967 ... To my utter surprise, it was by the band I was in, His Majesty's Service, a group of 5 guys who knew each other from summer church camp. Two of us, Beach Boys fan-addicts.
We had enough money to produce 300 singles, selling them to friends and family.
My highpoint was when I had the opportunity to play it for Brian Wilson in the Beach Boy's office, with Carl at a nearby desk signing contracts and quietly encouraging Brian to send me on my way.
Music by Dave Holmbo / Lyrics by Phil Miglioratti
Grand memories.
P.S.
I think the decimal point belongs on number to the left! (:>)
• Our Prayers for The Beach Boys @ Facebook.com/groups/BeachBoysOurPrayer/
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My review of the record @ https://www.45cat.com/record/814o2584&rc=1164637#1164637
ReplyDeleteFull disclosure.
I rated each side with a 10 ... I am totally objective and a member of the band (:>
We were 5 church-camp-friends, two of us Beach Boys fan-addicts. Dave Holmbo was our Brian Wilson; wrote the music, arranged and produced the singing. I wrote the lyrics to the A-side (Only A Name) and suggested the expression "She loves m, she loves me not" as the lyric of the B-side song.
HMS - His Majesty's Service: Dave Holmbo (lead vocal on A-side; keyboards), Dick Swetman (vocals), Jim Talbot (vocals), Rick Bravine (guitar, lead B-side), Phil Miglioratti (drums, background vocals).
-Our album was like "The Beach Boys Today" with each side devoted to a different type of song. We were influenced by The Beach Boys (one side; pop) and the emerging Jesus Music of the Hippie era (Christian themes).
I took the tape with me to California (we were Chicago -based) on family vacation in Long Beach and somehow found myself in the Beach Boys' offices. I walked in a found Brian WIlson listening to one of their songs on a record player. I told hm about our group recorded a song and he asked to hear it! He placed the tape on a reel-to-reel player and hit play ... and the song sounded like it was in slow-motion. The machine malfunctioned!@<?
Carl WIlson, who was seated a few feet away at a desk signing contracts, politely but sternly suggested Brian send me on my way, but Brian persisted. He placed his index finger into a sprocket and began turning the reel in an utterly unsuccessful attempt to hear the song at a faster speed. If you thin the recording is bad, you should have heard that rendition.
I had moved to the window overlooking the street as this surreal experience was unfolding, fully aware of the irony. Brian WIlson heard our record. But he didn't. SO close yet so far.
As Brian continued to sped up then slow down the reel with his finger, Carl exhorted him again to bid me adieu, but Brian said "No, I can hear it, it sounds good." Bless you Brian for fibbing.
I have had several Brian encounters since then but was one of those "What if?s"
Phil Miglioratti
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