Record #0348: Haunted House / Hey, Hey Little Girl – JUMPIN’ GENE SIMMONS

Hi 2076 (original) USA, May 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – Robert Geddins; Side B – Gene Simmons, Ray Harris
Musicians: Jumpin’ Gene Simmons (vocals), others unknown
Recording sessions: Memphis, TN, 1964
Highest chart positions:  US #11

No, this is not that Gene Simmons (of Kiss) but there is a link between the two as Gene Klein chose his stage name as a tribute to this rockabilly artist, who started his career with Sun Records in 1958. Before working for Sun he performed as an opening act for Elvis Presley in Tupelo, MS, back when the latter was just starting to gain fame.

This was Simmons’ biggest hit as a recording artist, and he had only one other entry in US Top 100 (“The Dodo”, later in 1964; US #83, US R&B #24).

Simmons worked with groups such as The Bill Black Combo and later he also co-wrote (with Tommy Barnes and John D. Loudermilk) Tim McGraw’s first US Country Top 40 single “Indian Outlaw” in 1993.

List price:  Very Good+ is $7.50, Near Mint is $15