(Joy Byers)
Australia
#21 Melbourne #5 Brisbane
The Purple Hearts emerged in Brisbane 1963-64 and removed briefly to Sydney before becoming a popular live band in Melbourne from 1966. Founding members Mick Hadley and Bob Dames, recent arrivals from the UK, had first-hand experience of the London R&B scene, and the band was strongly influenced by the likes of John Mayall, Graham Bond, the early Rolling Stones and through them, authentic American blues. Essential to the Purple Hearts’ image as a credible R&B-blues band were vocalist Hadley and lead guitarist Barry Lyde, later known as Lobby Loyde.
This track seems to have acquired cult status, if the Big Beat/Ace anthology CD that uses its title is any indication.
See also Early In The Morning.
The Purple Hearts issued a series of tough, incomparable R&B singles that remain classics of their type. The band’s uncompromising approach to music-making was unrivalled in its day.
Ian McFarlane, The Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop
References: 1. Ian McFarlane, Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop (1999), pp. 500-501. 2. Purple Hearts history and discography at Milesago.
Further reading:
1. Interview with Lobby Loyde from Wild About You [archived page].
2. Purple Hearts by Mick Hadley from Aint Got No Feelin [archived page].
Thanks to Terry Stacey for starting this one off.
(Joy Byers)
USA
Influential version
Single on Columbia October 1965, the commercial release of a track already distributed to radio stations to support a US Government program (see below).
The unknown Jimmy Fraser’s public service single, about sticking with school and getting qualified, became an R&B classic in Australia when it was covered by The Purple Hearts.
In spite of its governmental origin, this is a convincing piece of mid-60s popular music. This is somewhat confirmed by its later adoption by Britain’s Northern Soul movement (it’s an NS powerhouse according to one comment at 45cat).
Joy Byers (1934–2017) wrote, for example, Eddie Cochran’s C’mon Everybody (1958, #35 USA, #6 UK), Timi Yuro’s What’s A Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You?) (1962, #12 USA, co-writer Clyde Otis), and several Elvis Presley songs.
See also Sorry by The Groop
Notes:
1. Joy Byers filmography at IMDb includes her compositions heard in Elvis films.
2. Joy Byers’ husband, notable producer Bob Johnston (1932–2015), stated that he wrote some songs with Byers that were credited solely to her for contractual reasons, but it is difficult to clarify or quantify this. See B-Dylan.com or the Bob Johnston Wikipedia article although the story is widely repeated without additional insights.
(Joy Byers) USA
Original version
Free radio copy, September 1965.
As you can see at 45cat.com, this was distributed to the “Program Directors and Disc Jockeys of America” with a message from Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey.
The aim was to encourage teenagers to stay in school, unlike the singer who is working three jobs a day and regrets quitting school too early.
The name of the singer, Jimmy Fraser, is not mentioned on the label but is replaced by the title of the program, although his name was not suppressed during the campaign.
This is the same recording that was released under Jimmy Fraser’s name on Columbia.
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Website by Lyn Nuttall. © Lyn Nuttall 2004-2026. Chart positions courtesy of Gavin Ryan’s Australian Chart Books and Dean Scapolo’s Complete NZ Music Charts. Special thanks to Terry Stacey for information, corrections and suggestions. Thanks also to Tony Watson, Philippe Edouard, Dave Overett.., More…