The String-A-Longs
Famed for their instrumental smash "Wheels," Plainview, TX rock & roll combo the String-A-Longs was formed in 1956 by singer/guitarist Keith McCormack, guitarist Richard Stephens, and bassist Aubrey de Cordova. High school classmates who originally joined forces under the name the Patio Kids, the group expanded to a quartet with the addition of drummer Charles Jay Edmiston, and in early 1957 changed their name to the Rock 'n' Rollers to coincide with the arrival of second guitarist Jimmy Torres. Their growing local popularity inspired McCormack's mother to fund a recording session at producer Norman Petty's Clovis, NM studios, and after replacing Edmiston with drummer Don Allen, the band -- which had again changed its name, this time to the Leen Teens -- recorded the tracks "So Shy" and "Dreams About You," later issued on Imperial. The record stiffed, and although Petty produced several more sessions in the years to follow, none of the material saw an official release.
While cutting a 1960 date, McCormack's voice gave out, and Petty suggested they record his Tex-Mex-influenced instrumental composition "Wheels" backed by the Leen Teens' own instrumental "Tell the World." At Petty's insistence, the name "String-A-Longs" was installed prior to the single's release on Warwick; when both sides began earning airplay, the label split the disc into two A-sides, although "Wheels" (newly backed by the vocal performance "Am I Asking Too Much") became the far bigger hit, reaching the number three spot in the U.S. in early 1961. The follow-up, "Brass Buttons," also hit the Top 40, a distinction narrowly missed by the String-A-Longs' third release, "Should I." A series of singles as well as an LP, Pick-A-Hit Featuring "Wheels", followed before Warwick filed for bankruptcy in 1962; the group then signed to Dot, where efforts like "Twist Watch," "Replica," and "Myna Bird" failed to attract much attention. After 1965's "Caravan" met a similar fate, the String-A-Longs disbanded, with McCormack -- who'd earlier penned the Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs chart-topper "Sugar Shack" -- replacing Gilmer three years later.
© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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The Complete Instrumentals - Norman Petty Masters
Classical - Released by Nor-Va-Jak Music on Sep. 18, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Pick A Hit
Jazz - Released by ibomusic vs ibosound on Jan. 1, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wheels (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on Jan. 1, 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Tex-Mex Teen Magic of the String-a-Longs
Rock - Released by ACE RECORDS on May 26, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brass Buttons / Panic Button (2023 Remastered)
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on Apr. 22, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pick A Hit (2023 Remastered)
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on May 24, 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Wheels / Am I Asking Too Much? (2023 Remastered)
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on Apr. 21, 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wheels / Am I Asking Too Much (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on Jan. 1, 1961
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Twistwatch / Sunday (Mono Version)
Pop - Released by BNF Collection on Jan. 1, 1962
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Mina Bird / Scottie (2023 Remastered)
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on Apr. 22, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Should I / Take a Minute (2023 Remastered)
Rock - Released by Warwick Records on Apr. 21, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tell the World / For My Angel (2023 Remastered)
Pop - Released by Warwick Records on Apr. 22, 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Wheels (UK Chart Top 40 - No. 8)
Pop - Released by Music Manager on Oct. 9, 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Splash Of Color
Jazz - Released by Sandmann & Walther on Aug. 30, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
A Prairie Windstorm
Jazz - Released by prairie windstorm on Feb. 7, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Essential Collection
Jazz - Released by Essential Collection on Oct. 30, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -