I don’t remember ever seeing a recording with one name on the label as a composer and another name (of the same person) as the artist. Well, in 1961, it happened.
My stage name, “Gary Weston” was my writing name while my original last name, “Temkin” was the name as the artist. You can see it on the label which of which the “visual” link will show.
The audio link to YouTube will play the recording. (This was my very first released recording in my career). The label showed #45-10232 which was MY FIRST RECORDING! WOW What a Break!!
I was extremely nervous, especially when in those early days, we never did portions of a record in pieces. If there was a mistake by myself or a missed note by a musician (Called a “CLAM), the tape would stop and we would record the song again, over and over until it was done, right.
Connie, in the engineer’s booth, as my producer, suddenly stopped the band and said out loud, “Gary, You’re Flat!”. I was so embarrassed! I wanted to disappear! I had forced all those musicians to play the song over again. I don’t really remember how many “takes” there were, but I finally nailed one which became the final recording. Thank God, I didn’t totally blow my golden opportunity.
The label on which I recorded was ABC Paramount. ABC had Lloyd Price, Ray Charles, Danny & the Juniors and Paul Anka as well as a host of other superstars of the day on that label. I couldn’t imagine sharing these other stars’ spotlight!
Paul Anka wrote and sang “Diana” at age 15. He was the artist which I truly admired as I believe he never learned to read or write music, same as myself.
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