"Wild Weekend" is an instrumental written by Phil Todaro and Tom Shannon and performed by The Rebels, later known as The Rockin' Rebels.
| "Wild Weekend" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by The Rockin' Rebels | ||||
| from the album Wild Weekend | ||||
| B-side | "Wild Weekend (Cha Cha)" | |||
| Released | November 1962 | |||
| Genre | Surf rock[1] | |||
| Length | 2:15 | |||
| Label | Swan | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Phil Todaro, Tom Shannon | |||
| The Rockin' Rebels singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The tune was originally heard in a theme song for Shannon's radio show on WKBW in Buffalo, New York.[2] The words "Wild Weekend" are not found in the song's lyrics (Shannon's show aired on weekdays).[3]
The Russ Hallett Trio recorded the original theme for radio airplay by Shannon in 1958.[4][5] Buffalo band The Rebels reworked it as an instrumental that was released as "Wild Weekend" on the Marlee label in 1960 without national chart success.[6]
In November 1962 the Rebels' single was re-released on the Swan label.[7] The band name was changed to The Rockin' Rebels, apparently to avoid confusion with Duane Eddy And The Rebels.[8] It entered Billboard's national Hot 100 at the end of December with its chart run continuing into 1963 when it peaked at #8, and at #28 on the U.S. R&B chart.[9] The song ranked #22 on Billboard magazine's Top 100 singles of 1963.[10][11]
"Wild Weekend" was featured on the 1963 Rockin' Rebels album Wild Weekend.[12]
Other versions
edit- Bill Justis released a version of the song on his 1963 album Bill Justis Plays 12 Instrumental Smash Hits.[13]
- Disc jockey Joey Reynolds (who had worked with Shannon at WWKB) added lyrics to make this the theme song for his nightly show on WPOP, Hartford, 1963. [14]
- The Surfaris released a version of the song on their 1963 album Wipe Out.[15]
- The Thunderbirds from Melbourne, Australia charted locally with their version in 1961 and upon re-release in 1963.[16]
- Kim Fowley released a version of the song on his 1968 album Born to Be Wild.[17]
- Andy Mackay released a version of the song as a single in 1974 in the UK, but it did not chart.[18] It was featured on his album In Search of Eddie Riff.
- Jon and the Nightriders released a version of the song on their 1987 album Stampede![19]
- NRBQ released a version of the song as a single in 1989 with lyrics entitled "It's a Wild Weekend", but it did not chart.[20]
- Euphoria's Id released a live version of the song on their 2003 compilation album Mastering the Art of French Kissing.[21]
- The Ventures released a version of the song on their 2009 compilation album with The Fabulous Wailers entitled Two Car Garage (50 Years of Rock 'N Roll).[22]
- The Offbeats on the compilation LP, Do You Wanna Dance - The Best of Frank's Bandstand: Arc Records A669 - a band from Halifax featuring future world class producer, Brian Ahern,
- Beaver Brown released a live version of the song on their 2017 album Live at the Bottom Line 1980.[23]
References
edit- ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 203. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
- ^ "WKBW Radio, Tommy Shannon, 1961" (video). youtube.com. Posted by ForgottenBuffaloTour (theme song begins after short introduction). 15 August 2011.
- ^ Cichon, Steve (8 June 2007). "Tom Shannon explains "Wild Weekend"– KB 1983". Retrieved 14 March 2021.
- ^ Lee, Brian. "Colorradio.com - Rebels-Et All". Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ Lee, Brian. "Russ Hallett interview (audio)". Retrieved 5 May 2024.
- ^ The Rebels - "Wild Weekend", on Marlee label, USA, March 1960, details at 45cat.com. Retrieved 8 March 2024
- ^ The Rockin' Rebels - "Wild Weekend", on Swan label, USA, November 1962, details at 45cat.com. Retrieved 8 March 2024
- ^ Some early pressings on Swan still had the band name as simply The Rebels: release details at 45cat.com, retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ "The Rockin' Rebels, "Wild Weekend" Chart Positions". Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Top Records of 1963", Billboard, Section II, December 28, 1963. p. 30. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ Kowal, Barry. Billboard Magazine's (USA) Top 100 Single Recordings of 1963, Hits of All Decades. August 27, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "The Rockin' Rebels, Wild Weekend". Discogs. 1962. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Bill Justis, Bill Justis Plays 12 Instrumental Smash Hits". Discogs. 1963. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ Joey Reynolds wiki page.
- ^ "The Surfaris, Wipe Out". Discogs. 1963. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ History of "Wild Weekend" at poparchives.com.au. Retrieved 14 January 2021
- ^ "Kim Fowley, Born to Be Wild". Discogs. 1968. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Andy Mackay, "Wild Weekend" Single Release". Discogs. 1975. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Jon and the Nightriders, Stampede!". Discogs. 1990. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "NRBQ, "It's a Wild Weekend" Single Release". Discogs. 1989. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Euphoria's Id, Mastering the Art of French Kissing". Discogs. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "The Ventures, Two Car Garage (50 Years of Rock 'N Roll)". Discogs. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^ "Beaver Brown, Live at the Bottom Line 1980". Discogs. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
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