Rare and collectable 1961 Bert Weedon Vinyl EP Top Rank JKP3008

	£		18
	$		24

The EP listed here (Top Rank JKP 3008) contains quite a decent set of biographical notes written by James Wynn of New Musical Express.

He tells us that Bert appeared uncredited on recordings made by Tommy Steele, Marty Wilde, Laurie London and Terry Dene. He doesn't tell us which ones though!

Bert Weedon

·  Real Name: Bert Weedon

·  Birth Date: May 10th 1921

·  Birth Place: East Ham, London

Bert Weedon studied music as a child and by the time he'd entered his teens had decided to try his hand with the guitar. Although he didn't initally have very lofty ambitions with the instrument, after hearing it played classically he became fascinated by the complexity of the music it could produce. He decided that he wanted to be able to play in the same way and was very fortunate to find a local tutor who was capable and willing to teach him the instrument to this high standard. Despite his classical training, the greatest demand was for jazz and popular dance music and it was this that brought him his first engagements and raised him to the status of a professional musician. His skill with the guitar placed him at great demand, and by the end of the 1940s he had begun a progression that would lead him to play with the great orchestras of the time including those of Cyril Stapleton , Ted Heath and the Squadronaires. He is also known to have accompanied the great Django Reheinhardt, and Stephane Grappeli when these legendary members of the 'Hot Club Of France' toured the UK..

When 'Rock And Roll' hit the UK during the late 1950s, Bert was already producing recorded material- frequently as a session musician. Despite the fact that he sometimes found himself backing singers who had little musical ability Bert decided to embrace the new music rather than spurn it, as many musicians of his generation did. As the 1950s drew to a close Bert was undoubtedly recognised as the UK's premier popular guitar soloist. In addition to playing and recording, Bert also began composing 'rock and roll' instrumental numbers, the best known of which is probably 'Ginchy'- a number that has been covered and remade by guitarists on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although Bert Weedon became the only British guitarist to rival the great Duane Eddy, his main influence would be through a book. Realising that the enthusiasm for the guitar shown by many youngsters in skiffle and rock and roll groups was not matched by their ability to play the instrument, Bert set about writing a book that would introduce them to the basics. It was called 'Play In A Day' and this simple work was probably responsible for helping to get some of the best known future names in music started. The book became so well known at a time when so many youngsters were turning their attentions to the guitar that it became popular all over the world.

As record buyers' tastes for guitar instrumentals waned during the 1960s, Bert Weedon's production of singles slowly came to an end. However, he has remained a popular, even revered, musical figure and a popular stage and cabaret virtuoso.

1950s & 1960s 45rpm UK Discography

• This list includes UK 45 singles releases only
• See list below for EP releases

Parlophone MSP6242

1956

The Boy With The Magic Guitar/ Flannel Foot

Parlophone R4256

1957

Theme From ITV's '64000 Question'/ Twilight Time

Parlophone R4315

1957

The Jolly Gigolo/ Soho Fair

Parlophone R4381

1958

Play That Big Guitar/ Quiet, Ssh!

Parlophone R4446

1958

Big Note Blues/ Rippling Tango

Saga SAG2906

1959

Fifi/ Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Top Rank JAR117

1959

Guitar Boogie Shuffle/ Bert's Boogie

#10

Top Rank JAR121

1959

Sing Little Birdie/ The Lady Is A Tramp

Top Rank JAR122

1959

Petite Fleur/ My Happiness

Top Rank JAR132

1959

Charmaine/ It's Time To Say Goodbye

Top Rank JAR136

1959

Teenage Guitar/ Blue Guitar

Top Rank JAR210

1959

Jealousy/ Tango Tango

Top Rank JAR211

1959

Stardust/ Summertime

Top Rank JAR221

1959

Nashville Boogie/ King Size Guitar

#29

Top Rank JAR300

1960

Big Beat Boogie/ Theme From 'A Summer Place'

#37

Top Rank JAR360

1960

Twelfth Street Rag/ Querida

#47

Top Rank JAR415

1960

Apache/ Lonely Guitar

#24

Top Rank JAR517

1960

Sorry Robbie/ Easy Beat

#28

Top Rank JAR537

1961

Ginchy/ Yearning

#35

Top Rank JAR559

1961

Mr. Guitar/ Eclipse

#47

Top Rank JAR582

1961

Ghost Train/ Fury

HMV POP946

1961

China Doll/ Red Guitar

HMV POP989

1962

Twist A Napoli/ Twist Me Pretty Baby

HMV POP1043

1962

Some Other Love/ Tune For Two

HMV POP1077

1963

South Of The Border/ Poinciana

HMV POP1141

1963

Night Cry/ Charlie Boy

HMV POP1216

1964

Dark Eyes/ Black Jackets

HMV POP1248

1964

It Happened In Monterey/ Lonely Night

HMV POP1302

1964

Gin Mill Guitar/ Can't Help Falling In Love

HMV POP1355

1964

Tokyo Melody/ Theme From 'Limelight'

HMV POP1387

1965

Twelve String Shuffle/ Colour Him Folksy

HMV POP1485

1965

High Steppin'/ East Meets West

HMV POP1535

1966

Kick Off/ McGregor's Leap

HMV POP1592

1967

Stranger Than Fiction/ Malaguena

EP Discography

See Upper List For Singles releases

Esquire EP56

1956

"Waxing The Winners"

Top Rank JKP3008

1961

"Weedon Winners"

Ginchy/Nashville Boogie/Guitar Boogie Shuffle/Sorry Robbie

HMV 7EG8856

1964

"Guitar Man"

Poinciana/South Of The Border/It Happened In Monterey/Lonely Night

This record was bought by my Dad a few days after its release and has been well played.

On inspection I can only see minor marks on the playing surface which I’m sure will be no detriment to it.

Unfortunately I no longer have a working record player to test records on, but I can categorically say that they all played fine when I did.

Please Check out my other items! there will be more records added shortly