Oxford 5

sircyclops

Mark VII Class
Joined
Oct 29, 2012
Location
Southeast U.S.A.
Through happenstance I learned that an acquaintance of mine is the son of the keyboardist of the Oxford 5 (Michigan group comped in a bunch of places). Said acquaintance is no garage fan per se, but says that he learned to play the cool keyboard break in "World I've Planned" as a kid growing up!

Like a lot of garage heroes, his dad has little to no knowledge of his relative fandom within the garage underworld, except that a 45 version of "World" was uploaded somewheres on the interweb recently. Apparently, he was tickled pink by this!

I'm gonna meet with said acquaintance tomorrow and show him some comps of Michigan sounds including Grains of Time and Highs Michigan pt 3, and then probably chat with his dad via phone or skype.

Dunno if anyone out there has any burning queries for the keys man, but here is your chance I guess. I'm planning on hipping him to his band's existence within the garage collector scene since the 1980s and complimenting him on his manual dexterity. :) Perhaps someone higher up the food chain wants to get in touch for research purposes, etc, and I'm happy to pass along your info. Anyone looking for an in on o.g. copies of the "Friday at the Cage A Go Go"/"Long Hot Summer" LP should look elsewhere, cuz Mr. Keys only has one and it is considered a family heirloom as it should.

Sir Cyclops
 
You do know that there was a 45 that is probably as rare as the LP. The O5 song is the best thing on the LP, BTW. Since 45 was on Sidra, I would be interested to know where it was recorded and who they knew (if anyone) from the Detroit soul crowd (almost all the Sidra 45s are soul).

It's a great 45. Not only do I love it, I have fond memories of getting it from Rich Rosen in the parking lot of a Boston record show c. 1989. He sold it cheap thinking it was weak, one time where I got the better of Mr. Wax Trax.
 
My Question would be why there were two different promo-pressings done, of which the one I have doesn't even show the band name:

20fwcu8.jpg


Here's the other promo taken from popsike:

330527285658.jpg
 
My Question would be why there were two different promo-pressings done, of which the one I have doesn't even show the band name:

20fwcu8.jpg


Here's the other promo taken from popsike:

330527285658.jpg

Okay, I will ask him about that today. In talking with his son last night I got the impression that his dad only recently learned of the 45's existence when it was posted online!
 
You do know that there was a 45 that is probably as rare as the LP. The O5 song is the best thing on the LP, BTW. Since 45 was on Sidra, I would be interested to know where it was recorded and who they knew (if anyone) from the Detroit soul crowd (almost all the Sidra 45s are soul).

It's a great 45. Not only do I love it, I have fond memories of getting it from Rich Rosen in the parking lot of a Boston record show c. 1989. He sold it cheap thinking it was weak, one time where I got the better of Mr. Wax Trax.
I will ask him and see what he recalls. I will also encourage him to visit the site, sign up, and give direct answers, but according to son, he may not be the most internet savvy guy around.
 
Okay, I will ask him about that today. In talking with his son last night I got the impression that his dad only recently learned of the 45's existence when it was posted online!
Oh well, turns out I was wrong. Dad (Tom) was certainly aware of the 45 and the differences between it and the LP cut. He had no idea about the mislabeled promo though.

Our conversation this afternoon was cool. He was pleased to learn of his band's "classic" status via Acid, Fuzz, Flowers book and the general esteem for their work in the garage community. Tom relayed a pretty quintessential garage band story, and showed me some cool clippings and posters from way back when, including a business card from their prior iteration "The Intruders."

I encouraged Tom to come on over to G45 and share his tales with y'all and perhaps upload some pics of his old swag as I'm sure there are some folks here who would be interested. He says that he is still occasionally in touch with his former band mates, but the guitarist passed away about 10 years back.
 
You do know that there was a 45 that is probably as rare as the LP. The O5 song is the best thing on the LP, BTW. Since 45 was on Sidra, I would be interested to know where it was recorded and who they knew (if anyone) from the Detroit soul crowd (almost all the Sidra 45s are soul).

It's a great 45. Not only do I love it, I have fond memories of getting it from Rich Rosen in the parking lot of a Boston record show c. 1989. He sold it cheap thinking it was weak, one time where I got the better of Mr. Wax Trax.
He told me that his band got booked in the studio by their manager ____ Alpert, who he said took care of all the business, paid for the recording, and was convinced the Oxford Five would be the next big thing. Of the recording session he says it directly followed Eartha Kitt! Tom relayed that his band shared the stage with a variety of R N' B/Soul acts and the Beau Brummels, and played the Hideout club a bunch of times as well!