Record #0203: Turn Me Loose / Stop Thief! – FABIAN

Chancellor 1033 (original) USA, Mar. 1959
Words & Music by:  Side A – Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman; Side B – Aquilino, Damato, Ricci, Ricciuti
Musicians:  Fabian (lead vocals) with an orchestra and chorus directed by Peter De Angelis
Recording sessions:  Philadelphia (?), PA, 1959
Highest chart positions: US #9

In the history of rock / pop this was one of the early cases where an artist was contracted based on his looks, not on his musical capabilities. This and Fabian’s next single “Tiger” weren’t actually too bad, though. 

In the 60’s Fabian admitted that his voice had been electronically improved in many of his recordings.

List price:  Very Good+ $10, Near Mint $20; stereo release is VG+ $25, NM $50.