Thunderbirds - Hey Little Girl (Libra)

[bosshoss]

An ex-member of the Thunderbirds contacted me yesterday with a request. He needs help to find buyers for 4 copies of the Thunderbirds cool and very rare 45 on Libra. Roger Brown was the original drummer of the Thunderbirds, and needs to sell the records because he has cancer and really needs the funds. Roger says the 4 copies are mint, and he has a fifth copy which has some scratches. This 45 is in the less-than-10 known copies category, and is currently placed at #34 on the G45 list.
I already have a copy which I purchased for $1000 from the band about 5 or 6 years ago. It was described as mint, and that turned out to be accurate. I therefore presume that the remaining 4 copies will also be the same.
I told Roger that a fair price for the mint records would be $750 per copy. He would accept that price, (or maybe he would accept an offer, I'm not sure). In any case, in my opinion the record is easily worth $750 in m-, considering that there are only 4 mint copies available.
If anyone would like to contact Roger with the idea of purchasing a copy, please contact me and I'll give you Roger's address.

 

[bosshoss]

Amendment to the above post :
Roger sent me a label scan of the Thunderbirds 45. All 5 copies are on the Century label, not the Libra label. The label is the stock black/rainbow Century design. This is considered by me and by MTM to be equally as rare as the Libra label, possibly rarer. I am buying one copy for my own collection for $750, so that means only 3 mint copies left.

 

[bosshoss]

2 m- copies left

 

[Mr.Segment]

It's a different take! Earlier and primitive as hell. This certainly made my day/week/month.

 

[pfft]

Wow, sounds great! This version is non-comp, right?

 

[Mr.Segment]

Wow, sounds great! This version is non-comp, right?

Yes, don't think this has been heard by anyone other than the band themselves and those who bought one of the copies Roger offered now. The vocals are drowning quite a bit and the drumming is completely different. I'm guessing the Century pressing was scrapped by the band once they heard the result and that they decided to have another go at it.

 

[bosshoss]

Just got my copy. As noted by Mr. Segment, it's a completely different version. I would say different version rather than different take, since it's obviously from a different and earlier recording session. I haven't compared it yet to the Libra, but it sounds slightly slower, far more primitive, recorded in a barn or something. Still sounds fantastic and has loads of pounding energy, with wild screams in the break and at the end. There's also a lot more vocal ad-libbing at the end. The clean guitars have a piercing, ringing tone.

It's (almost certainly) the first recorded version. Drumming would be Roger I guess, as he was only the drummer for the very early stages of the band's career. The record I received is stone mint, and I presume there are still 2 left.

Apart from the 5 copies Roger had, there are no other copies known, none held by any other band members as far as I know, and none ever discovered in the wild. Will surely be a contender for the new G45 Top 200.

 

[bosshoss]

After comparing the 2 versions, both are actually about the same speed. And there's not much difference in the vocal ad-libbing, contrary to my first impression. My impression now is that the Century version, while muted in sound quality is probably the tuffer version, definitely cruder, and the screams are more aggressive and less affected. Both versions are great!
Having said that, the Libra is probably still the one to own, because you can hear the words.

 

[mr. splendid]

thanks for the information Mark . Any chance for a sound sample ?

 

[purpleheart]

After comparing the 2 versions, both are actually about the same speed. And there's not much difference in the vocal ad-libbing, contrary to my first impression. My impression now is that the Century version, while muted in sound quality is probably the tuffer version, definitely cruder, and the screams are more aggressive and less affected. Both versions are great!
Having said that, the Libra is probably still the one to own, because you can hear the words.

 

[purpleheart]

Hi Mike, Just got an MP3 from Doug - sounds a lot rawer, almost a live recording. Whilst the lyrics are less distinct the screams more than make up for this. Personally, I prefer this version to the Libra 45. Are there any mint copies remaining? If so, would really appreciate the contact details...

 

[MopTopMike]

I believe all four unplayed copies have been sold.

 

[purpleheart]

I believe all four unplayed copies have been sold.

Thanks for the info Mike. I'll have to hope that Doug's secured a copy for me..

 

[rev.sideburn]

It's a different take! Earlier and primitive as hell. This certainly made my day/week/month.

Snotty, primitive teen version endeed.

Bummer i didn´t react when I got the tip.

 

[michaelvee]

..what about the same track comped on Punk Classics and Quagmire#1? (band is listed from WI tho'...)

 

[Steve Brown]

Purpleheart: Steve Brown here, one of the founding members of The Thunderbirds. Was scrolling through the website and noticed your 2011 thread that you'd be interested in purchasing a rare copy of our Century record "Hey Little Girl". Since that was 9 years ago you've probably found a copy, but thought I'd let you know I have a "New" never played M- in the original jacket Century "Hey Little Girl" record available for sale for $750 US. (note: I rate it a M- only because people have different opinions as to what is + and what is - and I'd rather under rate it a little to satisfy some who might think different). Transaction thru Paypal only, and I would cover "normal" shipping costs.
It still amazes me that what we did for fun back then is being recognized.
Thanks for your interest in The Thunderbirds, and look forward to hearing from you.
Keep on rockin'
Steve

 

[Steve Brown]

Snotty, primitive teen version endeed.

Bummer i didn´t react when I got the tip.

Mr. Segment:
Steve Brown here, one of the founding members of The Thunderbirds. Was scrolling through the website and noticed your 2011 thread that you'd be interested in purchasing a rare copy of our Century record "Hey Little Girl". Since that was 9 years ago you've probably found a copy, but thought I'd let you know I have a "New" never played M- in the original jacket Century "Hey Little Girl" record available for sale for $750 US. (note: I rate it a M- only because people have different opinions as to what is + and what is - and I'd rather under rate it a little to satisfy some who might think different). Transaction thru Paypal only, and I would cover "normal" shipping costs.
It still amazes me that what we did for fun back then is being recognized.
Thanks for your interest in The Thunderbirds, and look forward to hearing from you.
Keep on rockin'
Steve

 

[chas_kit]

do you have more than 2 copies left? I could be interested. Thanks

 

[Steve Brown]

do you have more than 2 copies left? I could be interested. Thanks

chas_kit: Thanks for your interest in our record. My original intent when I posted to two (2) separate individuals on this site was to merely offer a single copy of the record to either of those 2 who had shown an interest in it back in 2011. I figured maybe one of the two might still be interested, or neither. It really hadn't crossed my mind the possibility that both of them (and now you) might be interested. Since I've not heard from either that one copy is still available. If I'm reading your message correctly, are you stating you'd be interested in purchasing two (2) of the Century records? If so, I guess I would consider selling a second record FYI, I still have a M-/new in the jacket/never played Libra available for $1,000.00 US if you are interested. Would consider selling one of each.
Thanks for contacting me and your interest in our record.
Keep on rockin'
Steve