Record #0017: Bad Boy / Teenage Tears – MARTY WILDE

Epic 5-9356 (original), USA, 1959
Words & Music by:  Side A – Marty Wilde; Side B – B. Mure, D. Wolf
Musicians:  Marty Wilde (vocals), “the Wildcats” – Big Jim Sullivan (lead guitar), Tony Belcher (rhythm guitar), Brian “Licorice” Locking (bass), Brian Bennett (drums)
Recording sessions:  London (?), UK, 1959
Highest chart positions:  US #46, UK #7

This record has a load of big names of UK’s early rock and pop scene.
Marty Wilde was one of the first British rock’n’roll stars.
Big Jim Sullivan was the most sought-after session guitarist in the UK in the 60’s & 70’s and a producer, arranger & innovator (he also gave some guitar lessons to a certain Richard Blackmore in the late 50’s). Brian Bennett and Brian Locking joined the Shadows in 1961 and 1962 correspondingly.
The Wildcats also backed some US rock stars on their tours in the UK. Perhaps the most famous one is the tour with Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran, which ended when the latter died in a traffic accident on April 16, 1960.

Side A was later covered by Robin Luke and Robert Gordon. The original UK release had a different B-side (“It’s Been Nice”).

Marty Wilde is the father of Kim Wilde, a pop star of the 80’s.

List price:  “Very Good+” is $6 and “Near Mint” is $12