Asia Minor - Kokomo - 1961

[Kenbramham]

DO you have Arab by the Titians

[nomiclas]

great tune,great pix,great stereo,great mix.boogie woogie classic.

[Sjmoeel]

For a whole generation of Dutchmen pure nostagia!

It was the tune of the most popular radio show ever on the pirate station Radio Veronica (1959-1974).

[rainstormz28]

Thanks for the post, have not heard this since the mid '70's, this wild and crazy song always jumped...

[Kenbramham]

Great oldie thanks forthe upload

[rin3guy]

Reached #8 in 1961. (U.S., Billboard)

[TheLarryBirds]

this song is fucking dope

[DGillyy]

Well, without 1961 I for one wouldn't be here! First upside-down year since 1881!!

[1985OldSkool]

@DGillyy And the last, until 6009.

[cruiser1947]

Great tune and photos!! Thanks for posting it.

[XxLadyxGaladrielxX]

Does this count as a one hit wonder?

[ramhakus]

great song, really takes me back to better time, when all we cared about was the yankees winning another world series.

[mikietful]

This music is culture and team work promotion ,no narcisistic selfishness that has been poisoning our showbizness since 1965,no names but lots of primadonas that compite to show who is more decadent and felty ,well thank you for sharing

Jesus

[unicornus33]

74sodapop, i love what you said in your paragraph about 1961 being the third year of 1959. i could not agree more and have never heard anyone say something about that time in history that i agree with so whole heartedly. you really get it.

[dewey44]

This song was played constantly on Chicago radio in the spring of 1961.

[davefromacquisitions]

I'm looking for the piano Sheet Music to this song. Any help? Thanks in advance!

[PAULLONDEN]

Used by 'Joost the Spinner' since '65, this tune is etched in my memory, when it was used as the end tune on his show (8 o clock in the evening,Veronica shut's down),after that last piano chord ,you'd hear that a m radio background noise,phasing etc.

Nice memories ;]

[desmones]

I've not heard this in over 45 years-wasn't even certain of the title. Caught the end of it on an oldies channel, and now, here I am. Thank you.

[grammarita1]

I have a single of "Asia Minor" by Johnny Maddox, who had a big hit of "Crazy Otto."

[sloanesqua]

What a great record - only heard on the great 208 in UK as the BBC wouldn't play it

[wullytube]

Thanks for uploading this great tune. It was athe first song I ever bought (45 RPM record) after getting my first stereo phonograph. Next came Let's Get Together by Haley Mills followed by Johnny Tilitson's Poetry in Motion. They were simpler, and cheaper times.

[prehistory42]

Great sound, happy memories of this in 1961 England.

[chkjns]

Sorry, long answer to coyotetown. Wisner was a genius! Hope someone appreciates knowing more about him.

[chkjns]

He released several full-length albums as a jazz musician, but in 1961 recorded a rock & roll adaptation of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor, using shellac on the hammers of a cheap piano so as to effect a honky tonk sound.[2] So as not to alienate his jazz fans, he released the tune, titled "Asia Minor" under the name Kokomo; he was turned down by 10 labels and had to release the track on his own label Future Records.[1] The song became a hit, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100.

[chkjns]

James J. "Jimmy" Wisner (born1931, Philadelphia) - American pianist, arranger, songwriter, and producer. He is best known for his hit single "Asia Minor", released under the name Kokomo.

Wisner received classical training as a youngster, and attended Temple University as a psychology student in the late 1950s. He formed the Jimmy Wisner Trio in 1959. This ensemble backed musicians who toured through Philadelphia, including Mel Torme.

[coyotetown]

Who is Kokomo?

[xmurli]

City in Indiana.

[bheffley2002]

@coyotetown His real name is Jimmy Wisner.

[AnthonysDen]

Great instrumental!Thanks partner!

[Aphidboy]

Sure sounds like Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto #1.

[sicilianosolitario]

This a "rock" version of Greigs Piano Concerto in A minor.

[streetdale1]

@Aphidboy Also know as Concherto in A Minor. Do you think we're on to something here?

[Aphidboy]

@streetdale1 Edward Grieg would be completely insane and running naked in the streets if he heard this version. This version sounds like The Living Strings on acid. But that's cool. 1961 was a long time ago in terms of popular culture. What next? A rap version of "Hall of the Mountain King?" :)

[rdf1947]

Great 0ne

[Jeweldee]

Awesome!! Thx.

[laura060366]

Another great song I'd all but forgotten. Thanks for the reminder!

[jameycruz]

Great job,man.