Records by Jackie Gotroe
This is the first version of the "Raised on Rock and Roll" and "Rock it to the Moon" single as released on Rhythm Records in June 1958. This version features publishing credits to Don Barksdale Pub and Clockus Music, Inc. "Rock it to the Moon" is the alternate take without the background vocals from the Modellos and a raunchier guitar solo from George Salas. Note the handwritten matrix number left of the play hole. This version does not have the "111" release number on the bottom of the label. Copies of this record are incredibly rare.
This is the more common version of the Rhythm 111 single. The publishing credits have been removed from the label and the matrix numbers are now typeset instead of hand written. The phonetic spelling of Jackie's name has been changed from Gotroe to Goetroe and the record release number "111" is now listed on the bottom. This version of Rock it to the Moon is the less raunchy version with the Mondellos singing background vocals. Both versions of "Rock it to the Moon" were sped up in mastering to increase the tempo.
Golden Spur and Summer Lightning were recorded at Keen studio in Los Angeles with the Blossoms singing background vocals and Bumps Blackwell producing. Golden Spur was cut because Don Barksdale thought he could pitch it to sell Golden Spur wine and Summer Lightning is a typical 1950's love ballad in style of Rick Nelson. The DJ Promo version is featured in the middle image.
Lobo Jones was also cut a Keen studio in LA and released in Febraury 1959. This song is an all out rocker and has attained cult status on the rockabilly scene being released on over 20 compilations in the EU and on Bay Area Rockers (Ace Records) and Rockin' Bones (Rhino). Original clean copies of this record are incredibly rare and have sold for good money on eBay. The rarity of this record has created the demand to press counterfeit copies and they are actively being sold in the EU and US on eBay for $10-$15. There was also a "reissue" pressed in 1972 but it is easily identified because the fonts are wrong on the label and "1972" is etched in the trail off groove. These were selling for upwards of $75 a few years ago.
Jackie's final release was Decca's "Child's Play" backed with "Carolina Moon". These cuts were recorded at Decca studios in New York City along with two tracks that remain unreleased to this day called "No Money Down" and "Strollin' to School". We have copies of these tracks and hopefully will put them out some day. The stock copy is on the black Decca label from the era and the promo copies are on the pink label. The promo copies are far more common than the stock copy. I have never seen a stock copy available for sale. Only the promos. This record was released at the height of the payola scandal of the late 1950's. jackie was supposed to perform on Amercian Bandstand but it was not to be. Soon after this record came out Jackie sold his trusty Gretsch Streamliner and bought a Martin folk guitar. He went on to form a folk duo with Don Perini and perform in musical theater into the mid 1960's.