Gay Records 629: LA CHORDS To Be & Flame Out , RARE Arizona Biracial Doo-Wop
$
77
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Description
Up for auction is an EXTREMELY RARE 45 RPM vinyl record from an inter-racial doo-wop group out of Phoenix, Arizona!
Artist: La Chords
Record Label: Gay Records, Phoenix, Arizona 258-1787
Record Number: 629
Side A (629-A): "Flame Out" (Gray-Owens), Renda Music (BMI - 2:44)
The wax markings on this side read: "GAY 629-A"
"Flame Out" is sung by a pilot who has lost control of his airplane due to an unintentional stoppage of the jet engine. This song is a bit humorous, a bit scary (in my opinion).
Side B (629-B): "To Be" (Blde-Post-Moss-Brown), Hightower Pub. (BMI - 2:44)
The wax markings on this side read: "GAY 629-B"
"To Be" is a more traditional doo-wop love song. It has a great tune and, in my opinion, compares favorably to other similar, more well known, doo-wop classics.
Both sides Directed by Jimmy Wilcox
Release Year: Not stated on record; probably 1962
"La Chords" was the second name of a doo-wop group that was originally known as "Les Chimes". It consisted of a group of four US Air Force servicemen who were stationed in West Germany: Dan Moss, Gene Blue (singing high tenor), Robert Brown and Ron Post (singing bass). (NOTE: The four last names are listed on the 'B' side of the record under the song title "To Be". Interestingly, the last name of Gene Blue was mis-spelled as 'Blde'.) Moss, Blue, and Brown were African-American. Post was white. At some point they were transferred back to Luke Air Force Base (outside Phoenix) and took the new name of "La Chords". During their brief existence, they were very well received in Arizona both on radio and in live appearances. The group broke up when Ron Post moved back to his original home in California to join the family business there. Robert Brown, still in the service, left for personal reasons. The remaining members, Dan Moss and Gene Blue, picked up a new singer, Al Douglas, and recorded as an all black trio.
Gay Records was a label owned by Carl Hightower, a special education teacher in the Phoenix Union School District who wanted to get into the record industry. (Note: Some websites refer to Hightower as a dairyman, rather than a teacher.) The label released no more than 10 singles in total.
This is a terrifically rare 45. I was fortunate to have a copy a few years ago which was in much worse shape than the one I am selling now. It sold almost immediately for a "Buy It Now" price that was significantly higher than the opening bid for this auction. I never thought I would see another copy, but lightening has struck twice.
See above for more on condition and for photos.
Attention US Buyers: I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice. Please note that if you have a Military Mail address (e.g. APO), I must ask that you pick USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is not reliable to Military Mail addresses.
Attention International Buyers: I will ship using USPS Priority International Mail (worldwide) or by USPS First Class International Mail (to countries with e-Delcon service), your choice. Please note that the price does not include any customs that may be charged by the country to which the record is delivered.
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