THE GREATEST SONGS OF THE 1960s THAT NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD
1,739) The Young Ideas — “Barney Buss”
This “ rollicking” (Bad Cat Records, http://badcatrecords.com/YOUNGideas.htm) garage pop “gem” (Craig Stichtenoth https://www.facebook.com/groups/240098362684435/posts/3253665991327642/) is a “cool ‘Secret Agent Man’ mocker was probably written about Barnabus Collins from the Dark Shadows serial that debuted around the same time.” (Tony Sanchez and Mike Stax, liner notes to Tony the Tyger Presents . . . Fuzz, Flaykes, & Shakes Vol. 3: Stay Out of My World)
“[Its] A-side [‘Melody’] went top 20 at WAEB in their hometown of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and it spent no fewer than 7 weeks in the top 40 at WEEX in nearby Easton”. (Craig Stichtenoth https://www.facebook.com/groups/240098362684435/posts/3253665991327642/)
Strange Digs gives us some idea of the band:
The Young Ideas were a band from [Allentown/]Whitehall, Pennsylvania. . . . originally called Kal’s Kids. That group was formed and managed by Frank Fasching and Charles “Kal” Kastelnik SR. Kal’s Kids began performing in 1959. In 1960, the group had a successful TV appearance on The Ted Mack Anateur Hour. The pre-teen group consisted of Craig Kastelnik on lead vocals and bass guitar, Tony Fasching on guitar, Charles “Butch” Kastelnik Jr. on drums, Alan Gaumer on trumpet, and an unknown lead guitarist. Other members are unclear. Eventually the group cut a single . . . . “Long Lonely Broken Hearted” . . . . co-written and produced by local disc jockey, vocalist, and legendary performer “Frantic” Freddie Mylander. He recorded many singles and even a full length album on his own. Kastelnik co-wrote and sang both numbers on the single. . . . one of the rarest soul records released on the east coast . . . . After the record was made, Charles Kastelnik Jr. and Craig bounced around various local groups after Kal’s Kids broke up. They had a stint with the Pro-Teens, a backing band for Freddie Mylander who released two singles. . . . Craig Kastelnik formed The Young Ideas with Frank Fashcing’s assistance . . . . The band immediately began rehearsing and seeking a record deal. They recorded two sides with another local music legend, Henry Casella who is known most commonly as King Henry. Casella was a lounge musician who operated his own studio in Easton, PA. The Young Ideas recorded Casella’s tracks “Barney Buss” and “Melody”. The single was picked up by Date and was a local chart hit. They were signed to a contract by CBS but nothing came from it. . . . The Young Ideas continued playing throughout the Lehigh Valley, eventually hitting Helffrich Recording Labs in Allentown to produce a full length album. Independently released, The Young Ideas was recorded and produced in 1970.
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