Record #0103: The Little Old Lady From Pasadena / My Mighty G.T.O. – JAN & DEAN

Liberty 55704 (original) USA, Jun. 8, 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – Don Altfeld, Roger Christian; Side B – Jan Berry, Don Altfeld, Jill Gibson, Roger Christian, Gene Weed
Musicians: Jan Berry (vocals), Dean Torrence (vocals), P.F. Sloan (vocals), Billy Strange (guitar), Ray Pohlman (bass), Jimmy Bond (bass), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Earl Palmer (drums), Hal Blaine (drums), Bill Pitman (guitar), Leon Russell (keyboards) plus unknown horns
Recording sessions:  Produced by Jan Berry at United Western Recorders, Hollywood, CA, Mar. 21, 1964
Highest chart positions:  US #3, UK -

The story goes that “the Little Old Lady” was written the day before the 3-hour session and that they had five songs to record in it. With only 10 minutes left on the clock they tried the song for the first time and failed. The Wrecking Crew nailed the second take and they were done right when they ran out of time. The vocals were finalized later in the studio. P.F. Sloan (of “the Fantastic Baggys”) sang some of the high notes.

I have another copy of this with the picture sleeve. When it comes up, I’ll just link it here.

List price:  “Very Good+” is $7.50 and “Near Mint” is $15; picture sleeve VG+ $20, NM $40.