Hollllllly Smokkkees! Does this bringme back to my Baby In the Factury Develement Days! Teens I guess -- I remember it & it was great Then as growing-up (mid_teens)
On this date in 1959 {Jan. 26th} 'I've Had It' entered the Billboard's Top 100 chart, eventually it peaked at No. 6 and spent a total of 16 weeks in the Top 100!!!
Note that Ray Ceroni played a Harmony Stratotone Jupiter... a very cool guitar with hot DeArmond pickups. His guitar was likely a '58 model, being that the Jupiter was introduced that year and "I've Had It" (from what I gather) was recorded in late '58. Ray was a very decent guitar player, and adapted Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" riff quite well for this song. Gave the tune a bit of a nasty edge on top of the Everly Brothers-style dual harmony vocals.
I corresponded via email with Ray Ceroni, the guitarist for the Bell Notes, a few times some years back. This was before the compilation CD came out with all the stuff that the band recorded for Time Records. I don't have Ray's current email address so I don't know what's happened with him. The Bell Notes were definitely ahead of their time and from what I can tell, "I've Had It" was played by nearly every bar band of the early '60s.
We sang this song in 12th grade (1963) at the end of the school day....I grew up in Levittown and never knew The Bell Notes were from East Meadow the next town over. Thanks for uploading and the information.
I had not heard this song for years untill a local group done a virsion of it at in liverpool, at a place called Latham Hall a very old venue of the Beatles.I think it's a great song and am surprised it has not been released since.
Original bass player, Lenny Giambalvo, alive and well and living in East Islip, NY. I work with his wife in Brentwood, NY. Band originally from Nassau County (East Meadow). Will try to get additional info for you.
@docsouthard Thanks for the info. I had searched each name and did recently come up with same result for Lenny, and his age seemed correct. Could not be sure till you confirmed it. I'm also from East Meadow and lived across from Peter Kane...left in '78 and have been wondering for years. A rock & roll trivia column many years ago reported there were no surviving members. Carl Bonura was killed in a car accident many years back...Any further info would be appreciated!
@docsouthard: There's a guy claiming to be Lenny who commented here nine months ago. He gave his age as 65 (?) and if you look closely at his channel it becomes clear, well, he's a homosexual. I don't know what the frig is going on. His username is anoxinomin5.
@tomthefunky Yes, I had seen that as well and discarded it as complete BS! At age 65 he would have been only 13 at the time of this song. They were all at least in high school and would be around 69 or 70 now. Also, I would think the real Lenny Giambalvo would at least know how to spell his own name right...not "Gimbalvo" as he wrote.
@tomthefunky Maybe its obvious, but I should have pointed out that the old post you saw and the info provided by docsouthard are about 2 different people. The info docsouthard gave, concerns a 70 year old man and coincides with what I know and what I've found out. That older post is obviously an imposter.
@tomthefunky No problem. It happens on YouTube more than you think. That's why in my original post I asked if anyone had any real info. Anyone can make a claim and that guy even got a few positive responses...probably made his day. People need to be aware and check profiles like we did. Sometimes they give themselves away. I'm happy to know the real one is alive and hope other group members are too.
I've heard for years, there are no surviving members of the group. Saw a band about 12 years ago using their name, but was not them at all. They were from my neighborhood and I've been researching leads for years, but so far nothing solid. Anyone have any real info?
@donsharp57 Original bass player, Lenny Giambalvo, alive and well and living in East Islip, NY. I work with his wife in Brentwood, NY. Band originally from Nassau County (East Meadow). Will try to get additional info for you.
Ellie Greenwich claimed in the publication Rock Market Place that she had written this song. She foolishly played it at a party before copyrighting it and heard it on the radio shortly after. Given the fact that she's written so many classic tunes who am I to argue that she was wrong?
They were from Long Island, NY. I'd never made any connection with this song and surf music until i just read the comments.But you're right! It does have that beat! I've had It came out early in 1959. I still have the original 45.Their follow ups weren't as memorable.
In 1959 I was in 9th grade....after school and on the way out we'd sing this songs refrain, I've Had It ! Mrs. Molinari, our teacher used to say "me too" !
I agree with loufalce who said this sounds like surf music. The drummer is my cousin, Jack Casey, from LI, NY. I never really understood why they didn't become bigger..Had a great sound, definitely ahead of their time.
@TheBreezer90 But you've got to realize that it is the other way around. Surf music may have been inspired by this song's song. In fact, that how it was. Got that Western twang? From Country Music! Check out Duane Eddy.
This has been one of my favorite songs most of my life. I was born in '45. Cool thing is that this song has NO LEAD SINGER! I love the bass guitar sound in it also. We sang on street corners n NYC and this was one of the songs we sang.
I can remember this song although I was ten years old in the 60s I took anexpress train to Manhattan and 45 minutes later I was in a record store that had a huge supply of "oldies" at that time a record close to ten years old was ancient but I loved so many I don't know if anyone knows the House of Oldies on Bleeker st. in the village later there was a second similair store a few blocks away and also I found one in the subway station at 6th ave and 42nd st. this was one of the first I bought
A solid case could be made for I've Had It as being one of the records that started the ball rolling for first generation garage rock. This record was definitely five or six years ahead of its time.
Every teenaged band of the era was a "garage band" in those days. And for those here that think this is "surf" music, is that because there were so many surfers in the NY area in the 50's? I've read here that surf music was invented by the Fireballs, the Ventures and any other band that featured a guitar. Anyone who grew up in So Cal in the 50's/60's and listened to Dick Dale, The Lively Ones, The Surfaris and the rest of the surf pioneers knows where surf music came from.
I have been looking for this song for years. I thought it was by Skip and Flip. No wonder I couldn't find it. I probably haven't heard this since it was on the radio. Thanks!!!!!!!
The night my son graduated from high school, he asked me whether he could borrow some of my "best" 45's from the 50's for a party he was attending. I gave him "I've Had It" and he put it onto my turntable. After the listening, he looked at me and said, (quote) "Damn Dad, that's what Rock and Roll SHOULD sound like!" Amen to my wise son, and thanks guys for one of the truly great efforts from that, or any era.
I'm the sad looking guy on the far right of the picture with the bass in my hand. Thanks for posting a scratch free version for people to enjoy. It's not easy being a one hit wonder,but thanks for e keeping us alive! Lenny Gimbalvo
@anoxinomin5 Lenny, thanks for a great song. My girl friend and I would listen to this song while cruising in our 1952 Ford Mainline back in 1959 down at the Jersey Shore. We married in 1961 and are still listening to those great 50s and early 60s songs on youtube today. If it wasn't for youtube, I don't think we would ever hear these again. Thanks Youtube.
@rljrl I listened to this with MY girlfriend in my '53 Ford Vicky, in Virginia, in '59, my senior year in High School...............Man, were they the days
Ted Quilan Local DJ, KFWB,So.Cal,LA,Was Fired For DEDICATING THE SONG TO ALL THE
UNWED MOTHERS OUT THERE! I
I On The Other Hand, Sang The "I"VE HAD IT ON INDUCTION DAY,The 5Th OF "JUULIE" 1967. Pronounciation By The D.I. @ BASIC TRAINING....ROCK-n-ROLL, BUBBA!!
@POLI3721 I grew up out there in SoCal and listened to KFWB in the 50's and early 60's and don't remember Ted Quilan. What years was he a DJ there? I remember Emperor Hudson and a few others, though.
what a great song, simple, easy cording, played this on my guitar many a night back in the day.
rusty44mag 1 week ago
Hollllllly Smokkkees! Does this bringme back to my Baby In the Factury Develement Days! Teens I guess -- I remember it & it was great Then as growing-up (mid_teens)
rgath1964Utube 3 weeks ago
On this date in 1959 {Jan. 26th} 'I've Had It' entered the Billboard's Top 100 chart, eventually it peaked at No. 6 and spent a total of 16 weeks in the Top 100!!!
sauquoit13456 1 month ago
A great one!
monkeeman1966 3 months ago
Really great song!!!
Thanks for posting, and keep the oldies alive.
Best,
coffeeicecream1 3 months ago
Ecellent! Couldn't have asked for better.
berean111 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Good music never dies! Glad to see you are still doing well Lenny.
Henry EMHS 59
hheinzerling 4 months ago
Great sound. A pioneer of the surf sounds. Thanks for the posting.
tigerssixty 4 months ago
It was replace by the British Invasion. You had to been young then. Hated to see go.
misscarla1962 4 months ago
Note that Ray Ceroni played a Harmony Stratotone Jupiter... a very cool guitar with hot DeArmond pickups. His guitar was likely a '58 model, being that the Jupiter was introduced that year and "I've Had It" (from what I gather) was recorded in late '58. Ray was a very decent guitar player, and adapted Carl Perkins' "Honey Don't" riff quite well for this song. Gave the tune a bit of a nasty edge on top of the Everly Brothers-style dual harmony vocals.
northlight1908 4 months ago
I corresponded via email with Ray Ceroni, the guitarist for the Bell Notes, a few times some years back. This was before the compilation CD came out with all the stuff that the band recorded for Time Records. I don't have Ray's current email address so I don't know what's happened with him. The Bell Notes were definitely ahead of their time and from what I can tell, "I've Had It" was played by nearly every bar band of the early '60s.
northlight1908 4 months ago
where did all the good music like this go? Sigh.
hockeyman551000 6 months ago
We sang this song in 12th grade (1963) at the end of the school day....I grew up in Levittown and never knew The Bell Notes were from East Meadow the next town over. Thanks for uploading and the information.
LMHS63 6 months ago
I had not heard this song for years untill a local group done a virsion of it at in liverpool, at a place called Latham Hall a very old venue of the Beatles.I think it's a great song and am surprised it has not been released since.
burton70ful 6 months ago
Original bass player, Lenny Giambalvo, alive and well and living in East Islip, NY. I work with his wife in Brentwood, NY. Band originally from Nassau County (East Meadow). Will try to get additional info for you.
docsouthard 6 months ago
@docsouthard Thanks for the info. I had searched each name and did recently come up with same result for Lenny, and his age seemed correct. Could not be sure till you confirmed it. I'm also from East Meadow and lived across from Peter Kane...left in '78 and have been wondering for years. A rock & roll trivia column many years ago reported there were no surviving members. Carl Bonura was killed in a car accident many years back...Any further info would be appreciated!
donsharp57 6 months ago
@docsouthard: There's a guy claiming to be Lenny who commented here nine months ago. He gave his age as 65 (?) and if you look closely at his channel it becomes clear, well, he's a homosexual. I don't know what the frig is going on. His username is anoxinomin5.
tomthefunky 6 months ago
Comment removed
donsharp57 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@tomthefunky Yes, I had seen that as well and discarded it as complete BS! At age 65 he would have been only 13 at the time of this song. They were all at least in high school and would be around 69 or 70 now. Also, I would think the real Lenny Giambalvo would at least know how to spell his own name right...not "Gimbalvo" as he wrote.
donsharp57 6 months ago
@tomthefunky Maybe its obvious, but I should have pointed out that the old post you saw and the info provided by docsouthard are about 2 different people. The info docsouthard gave, concerns a 70 year old man and coincides with what I know and what I've found out. That older post is obviously an imposter.
donsharp57 6 months ago
@donsharp57: Thanks. Yeah, I figured the guy was an imposter. That's a shitty thing to do. It's the first time I ever saw anyone do such a thing.
tomthefunky 6 months ago
@tomthefunky No problem. It happens on YouTube more than you think. That's why in my original post I asked if anyone had any real info. Anyone can make a claim and that guy even got a few positive responses...probably made his day. People need to be aware and check profiles like we did. Sometimes they give themselves away. I'm happy to know the real one is alive and hope other group members are too.
donsharp57 6 months ago
I've heard for years, there are no surviving members of the group. Saw a band about 12 years ago using their name, but was not them at all. They were from my neighborhood and I've been researching leads for years, but so far nothing solid. Anyone have any real info?
donsharp57 6 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@donsharp57 Original bass player, Lenny Giambalvo, alive and well and living in East Islip, NY. I work with his wife in Brentwood, NY. Band originally from Nassau County (East Meadow). Will try to get additional info for you.
docsouthard 6 months ago
I actually met a guy working at Walmart who claimed to be part of this band and wrote the tune. His name wasn't one of the ones on the label either.
harvey1954 7 months ago
Ellie Greenwich claimed in the publication Rock Market Place that she had written this song. She foolishly played it at a party before copyrighting it and heard it on the radio shortly after. Given the fact that she's written so many classic tunes who am I to argue that she was wrong?
harvey1954 7 months ago
@harvey1954 plagerism is a bitch.welcome to the human race and some of the low life that dwell among us.
nomiclas 7 months ago
They were from Long Island, NY. I'd never made any connection with this song and surf music until i just read the comments.But you're right! It does have that beat! I've had It came out early in 1959. I still have the original 45.Their follow ups weren't as memorable.
owensclock 7 months ago
Lot's of fun, summer '59 going to the beach...
stephenunzueta 8 months ago
SURF MUSIC, INDEED~~THIS IS THE NAME JAN&DEAN WENT BY EARLY ON!!
CRUUNER 8 months ago
I always thought it would have been cool if The Cramps would have covered this song and gave it their touch.
rockinbear75 9 months ago 2
i actualy mete one of the bell notes at my job when i worked for home depot in elmont i love this song
jasonvoorhees285 9 months ago
Thanks for this post oldies..!! I forgot all about this song until I heard it on the "Weather Channel" believe it or not.
I love this song.
Dudley1948 9 months ago
In 1959 I was in 9th grade....after school and on the way out we'd sing this songs refrain, I've Had It ! Mrs. Molinari, our teacher used to say "me too" !
LMHS63 10 months ago
Great old song from 1959!
fordude60 11 months ago
First song I ever taught myself as kid. My older sister had the record. I felt really cool once I mastered the solo back in the day, forever ago.
andrewr62 11 months ago
wierd. There is no sax in the song, there are keyboards, and look at the cover?
Mogelgaard 11 months ago
I agree with loufalce who said this sounds like surf music. The drummer is my cousin, Jack Casey, from LI, NY. I never really understood why they didn't become bigger..Had a great sound, definitely ahead of their time.
TheBreezer90 11 months ago
@TheBreezer90 But you've got to realize that it is the other way around. Surf music may have been inspired by this song's song. In fact, that how it was. Got that Western twang? From Country Music! Check out Duane Eddy.
deaddoc 9 months ago
2 of my all-time favs are this by Bell Notes and Let's Dance, by Chris Montez.
63striker 11 months ago 3
This has been one of my favorite songs most of my life. I was born in '45. Cool thing is that this song has NO LEAD SINGER! I love the bass guitar sound in it also. We sang on street corners n NYC and this was one of the songs we sang.
almageccom 11 months ago 3
I was in a rock n roll band in the 60's also. played this every gig. love it.
rusty44mag 1 year ago
I can remember this song although I was ten years old in the 60s I took anexpress train to Manhattan and 45 minutes later I was in a record store that had a huge supply of "oldies" at that time a record close to ten years old was ancient but I loved so many I don't know if anyone knows the House of Oldies on Bleeker st. in the village later there was a second similair store a few blocks away and also I found one in the subway station at 6th ave and 42nd st. this was one of the first I bought
elamite66 1 year ago
Where was I when this was playing when I was a youngster...love it..
nyss2jeter 1 year ago
Well, I was a teen when this was released, and we thought it was soooo cool!
sugarfoot59 1 year ago
That`s cool never heard it and it does sound like a precursor to garage rock.
pilesovinyl 1 year ago
A solid case could be made for I've Had It as being one of the records that started the ball rolling for first generation garage rock. This record was definitely five or six years ahead of its time.
MikeBlitzMag 1 year ago
@MikeBlitzMag
Every teenaged band of the era was a "garage band" in those days. And for those here that think this is "surf" music, is that because there were so many surfers in the NY area in the 50's? I've read here that surf music was invented by the Fireballs, the Ventures and any other band that featured a guitar. Anyone who grew up in So Cal in the 50's/60's and listened to Dick Dale, The Lively Ones, The Surfaris and the rest of the surf pioneers knows where surf music came from.
longbeachguy1 4 months ago
Fantastic tune !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
doowopnuts 1 year ago
Lenny, I have always loved this song, thanks for making it!!
pat8ky 1 year ago
Probably the first song to have a surf music beat-some 2 years BEORE surf music became established.
loufalce 1 year ago 18
Hey Lenny you from EAst Meadow,NY. That is where I am from. i know performed at
East Meadow HIgh School. If so what part of East Meadow are you from? It is an
honor to have you from East Meadow. We have a great page of East Meadow on Facebook, check it out. Hank 7
Hank0531 1 year ago
I have been looking for this song for years. I thought it was by Skip and Flip. No wonder I couldn't find it. I probably haven't heard this since it was on the radio. Thanks!!!!!!!
johnnydelrey 1 year ago
The night my son graduated from high school, he asked me whether he could borrow some of my "best" 45's from the 50's for a party he was attending. I gave him "I've Had It" and he put it onto my turntable. After the listening, he looked at me and said, (quote) "Damn Dad, that's what Rock and Roll SHOULD sound like!" Amen to my wise son, and thanks guys for one of the truly great efforts from that, or any era.
dorfdepp2010 1 year ago
Lenny. You guys had the rock DOWN! Classic...
TheBrdzbrd 1 year ago
the first time i herd this i was crusing in a 1955 chevy conv.top down...great memory.
LW2335 1 year ago
I'm the sad looking guy on the far right of the picture with the bass in my hand. Thanks for posting a scratch free version for people to enjoy. It's not easy being a one hit wonder,but thanks for e keeping us alive! Lenny Gimbalvo
anoxinomin5 1 year ago 2
@anoxinomin5 More power to ya then. Great job
takemeback2 1 year ago
@anoxinomin5 Lenny, thanks for a great song. My girl friend and I would listen to this song while cruising in our 1952 Ford Mainline back in 1959 down at the Jersey Shore. We married in 1961 and are still listening to those great 50s and early 60s songs on youtube today. If it wasn't for youtube, I don't think we would ever hear these again. Thanks Youtube.
rljrl 1 year ago
@rljrl I listened to this with MY girlfriend in my '53 Ford Vicky, in Virginia, in '59, my senior year in High School...............Man, were they the days
sugarfoot59 1 year ago 3
@anoxinomin5
My pleasure Lenny. Thanks for the music man!
FrightNight7387 1 year ago
@anoxinomin5 I worked with carlo bonura, still can pick his voice out of the crowd
dadmansfield41 7 months ago
Awesome tune, man.
takemeback2 1 year ago
Awesome oldie--solid gold!
srdude5491 1 year ago
This song just rocks! Fun to play and fun to listen to. Tks for posting!!
63striker 1 year ago
Sort of a hybrid of rockabilly and doo-wop.
lcar4000 1 year ago
@lcar4000 .....and surf music
loufalce 1 year ago
Ted Quilan Local DJ, KFWB,So.Cal,LA,Was Fired For DEDICATING THE SONG TO ALL THE
UNWED MOTHERS OUT THERE! I
I On The Other Hand, Sang The "I"VE HAD IT ON INDUCTION DAY,The 5Th OF "JUULIE" 1967. Pronounciation By The D.I. @ BASIC TRAINING....ROCK-n-ROLL, BUBBA!!
POLI3721 2 years ago
@POLI3721 I grew up out there in SoCal and listened to KFWB in the 50's and early 60's and don't remember Ted Quilan. What years was he a DJ there? I remember Emperor Hudson and a few others, though.
fbenenati 1 year ago
Great group with a fantastic song .... thanks!
cobray2000 2 years ago
I was in a rock band in college in the early '60's and we would end every gig with this song. Great tune and great fun indeed!
ptlover2000 2 years ago 14
@ptlover2000 A lot of people ended their
'gigs' in the backseat of a car!
Hail, hail, rock n roll!
fntime 1 year ago