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NORMIE ROWE
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) Australia 1965 #6 Sydney #1 Melbourne #3 Brisbane #5 Adelaide #2 Perth Single on Sunshine label. Melbourne singer Normie Rowe became Australia's top teen idol of the late 60s and the star of Ivan Dayman's Sunshine label. He had a string of hits in Australia from 1965, recorded four singles in London, toured Britain and America, and even inspired a tribute song, Norman-Normie. After he was conscripted to serve in Vietnam he never regained his earlier 'King of Pop' status, but he re-established himself as a respected performer, especially on stage, starring in such productions as Les Miserables and Annie. Further reading: Full biography at Milesago; the official site at www.normierowe.com
THE MOODY BLUES
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) UK 1965 On their first album The Magnificent Moodies, on Decca, entitled Go Now - The Moody Blues on London in the USA, released in July 1965, about a month after Normie Rowe's version was released. Thanks to David Overett.
IAN & THE ZODIACS
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) UK 1963 Influential version On Volume 2 of This Is Merseybeat, a 2 LP set recorded in Liverpool by John Schroeder using a mobile recording unit: see the 1963 story by Bill Harry from Mersey Beat magazine. This recording appears to be the inspiration for Normie Rowe's version. Some sources cite the Merseybeats, but that band never recorded It Ain't Necessarily So. (The name of the album This Is Merseybeat has apparently been confused with the name of the band The Merseybeats.) Ian & The Zodiacs - It Ain't Necessarily So.mp3 Ian & the Zodiacs were a Merseyside band most popular in Germany. See band history here [archived page].. Musicology by Terry Stacey.
"PORGY AND BESS"
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) USA 1935 Original version: live performance From the stage musical Porgy and Bess, written by the Gershwin brothers: words by Ira (1896-1983), music by George (1898-1937).
It Ain't Necessarily So was sung by John W. Bubbles (John William "Bubbles" Sublett 1902-1986) in the role of "Sportin' Life".
Reference: Porgy And Bess opening night credits and links at the Internet Broadway Database. US Copyright Office. ASCAP. Later versions:
P. J. PROBY
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) UK 1966 Later version Single on Liberty (UK). Texas-born James Marcus Smith, who changed his name initially to Jett Powers and then to P. J. Proby, had worked in the LA pop scene from 1957 as a versatile singer and songwriter. His deep, mannered vocals, often on reworkings of standard songs, benefited from skilful arrangements and production by the likes of Jack Nitzsche. Proby was always more popular in the UK - where he was based for some time in the mid-60s - and in Australia than in his home country. References: P. J. Proby page at British Beat Boom; P. J. Proby article at Wikipedia (partly unsourced); P. J. Proby UK single discography at P. J. Proby - Blue Velvet.
BRONSKI BEAT
It Ain't Necessarily So (George and Ira Gershwin) UK 1984 Later version #40 Sydney #19 Brisbane #42 Perth #27 NZ Single released 1984. Previously on 1983 album Age Of Consent [Bonus Tracks] Corrections or comments? Contact the writer. |
]. It was made in the early 1940s "with members of the original cast".)