Ohio Express - Four Best Songs from BEG, BORROW, AND STEAL

We all know that the Ohio Express became famous for their bubblegum pop hits like "Yummy, Yummy, Yummy" and "Mercy," but like most bubblegum groups, they started off as a garage band, and their debut album, BEG, BORROW, AND STEAL shows them in their early incarnation--much more at home in the garage than the candy shop.

These early Ohio Express recordings are, in fact, the work of at least three different bands: the Rare Breed from New York (who recorded the hit "Beg, Borrow, and Steal"); Joe Walsh's early band the Measles from Kent, Ohio; and the actual Ohio Express, from Mansfield, Ohio.

Here are four of the best songs from their garage-rocking debut album on the Cameo label. These songs, you'll see, sound much more like "It's Cold Outside" than "1-2-3 Red Light":

1) "Try It"
2) "I Find I Think of You"
3) "Had to Be Me"
4) "Soul Struttin'"

"Try It," of course, is a cover of the hit song by the Standells. Although Ohio Express change the lyrics to make them more innocuous, that roaring fuzz guitar more than makes up for it.

"I Find I Think of You" is one of the songs from the album that was recorded by Joe Walsh's Measles. The Measles were students at Kent State University, and the group prefigured Walsh's later, much better-known band, the James Gang.

I decided not to include the song "Beg, Borrow, and Steal" because most garage rock enthusiasts already have it in their collections; the Rare Breed's "Beg, Borrow, and Steal" is featured on the NUGGETS box set, and it's the exact same recording as the Ohio Express hit (which made #29 in the Top 40).

I found my copy of this first Ohio Express album at a flea market in Rogers, Ohio.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 60s
• garage
• punk
• rock
• bubblegum
• nuggets
• vinyl
• records
• albums
• Lps

[begborrowandsteal]

Hi. While your notes say that The Rare Breed recorded Beg Borrow and Steal, actually we recorded it while we were The Conquests. It was released under the name Rare Breed, and then Ohio Express. Both those groups went on to record other songs. We put Beg Borrow and Steal on YouTube recently, as well as Lightning Doesn't Strike Twice, the other song we recorded at that time. Just wanted to set the record straight. Thanks for posting these songs, they're great!

[myrecordcollection]

Thanks for the info. So are we talking about 3 different groups of guys here?  Or is it just 1 or 2 groups with a name change?

[DandyDanOH1]

I remember these guys before they were famous back in the 60's. They were known as Sir Timothy and the Royals. They played at the Holiday Swim Club about every other week, they were that good! Hearing these songs brings back many memories. I also remember another good group from Ohio! The Dante's, and they were very good to.

[myrecordcollection]

Yeah, the Dantes were a good group! I love their song "Can't Get Enough of Your Love." That's an Ohio 60s classic! Sadly I've never come across any of their 45s.

[DandyDanOH1]

@myrecordcollection I have a couple videos of the Dantes Reunion tour on You Tube. Its under The Dantes Reunion Tour 2008 taken at The Valley Dale Ballroom. I also have the whole show that I ordered. I use to see them every sunday afternoon in the 60's at Valley Dale.

[myrecordcollection]

Seen it! Yeah they sounded pretty decent after all of these years. I keep hoping one of these days I'll stumble on one of their original records.

[tigerspooks]

Had to be me singer was Dale Power's. Soul Struttin was Jamie Lyons from my band The Music Explosion.

[badge1957]

Yep, Joe Walsh is singing ( I find I think of you ) at the time he was with The Measles, A group from Kent Ohio..Larry lewis giutar, buddy bennett on drums and bobby Sepulveda on bass,Walsh played lead guitar, that is actually them doing that song on that L P. And the song ( And it's true ) was sung by the bass player bobby and the measles did all of the sound track for that song as well. On the beg,borrow & steal 45, the B side had the instrumental version of (And it's true ) done by them.

[vangelisideras]

gracias por el post, interesante primera etapa.... siempre pensé que ohio express hacía algo más que bubblegum music y tu me lo confirmas, sixties 4ever!

[gypsy43235]

i miss my uncle jimmy, he was the organ player. rip! xoxo

[begborrowandsteal]

Yes, 3 different groups.  Thanks again for your post.