In the 1950's and 1960's, there was a man working behind the scenes in the music business. This man, while having another public persona that made him a household name, was also the head of artists and repertoires for Columbia Records.
In that position he had tremendous control over who recorded, what they recorded and what was promoted by the company. He controlled the hit machine at Columbia.
This man was a fan and a proponent of classic pop music -- Frankie Lane, Patti Page, Tony Bennett. When rock and roll came rushing onto the scene in 1955, this music veteran did not hold the new sound in high regard.
Enter the first rock band signed to Columbia: Paul Revere and the Raiders. Their first release was Louie Louie, which became a classic for another band. Most critics believe the Raiders did a better job than the Kingsmen. A big reason for the lackluster performance of their song was Columbia did not promote it. The company was focusing on Steve Lawrence and Andy Williams at the time.
Yes, it is time for Twin-Pick. It is your chance to determine which ogre was lurking behind the scenes at Columbia, making it hard to be a rock and roller. This works like it always does. Get it right and you will see an award winning performance by the party in question. Get it wrong and you will be razzed by my assistants.
Question: Which of the individuals, listed below, was the director of artist development for Columbia and, over the years, earned a reputation for shunning or ignoring the rock artists?
For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar Steven L. Smith Bellingham WA Home Inspections 
You know its going to be a fun question when Soupy Sales is a possible answer!!!
Really Steve, I didn't expect that but I should have figured as he was a local here.
I am not going to cheat, so I have to say this was wayyyyy before my time and I have no idea which one it was. I do love the song Louie Louie though. Good luck with the challenge!!
;)
Betina,
No chating. Just click on the answers and you will find out.
Jevun, I think it is pretty amazing that we used to watch TV shows like that.
I just figured it had to be Ed Sullivan as he really did'nt like the Beatles either.He introduced them on his show but it was against his better judgement.
Well Spencer,
You need to try the contest to find out if you got it our not
I got it right! No ugly little faces this time. Can you imagine how folks would laugh if he were on TV with that song now? It almost reminded me of old bouncing ball sing alongs that used to be used in schools.
I got it this one right first try. My mom listened to him.
I heard it at home till it ran out my ears.
By the way, I like the PR and R version of Louie Louie better.
here it is
Steven, you're slipping. Most of these could be ruled out fairly easily. Unfortunately of the ones that couldn't I picked the wrong one. Got it on the second try though.
Thanks for posting these they're really fun.
Kathy,
I cannot be perfect all the time. Plus, figure those of us who can remember Mitch, probably have much of the gray matter gone by now. My Lord that was a bad show and I remember having to sit through it with my dad. I wanted to watch anything else, maybe even Lawrence Welk. So who did you guess the first time?
This one wasn't so easy...but eliminated the bottom three right away, I just couldn't see them at Columbia. It took me twice before getting it right...thanks for the music history lesson :) It's amazing what kinds of shows were on then...maybe we need to put them back on the air.
Cris,
It is amazing what was on. What is more amazing is that my friend Charlie Buell has videos of all those shows and keeps the Saturday night tradition alive if you visit him at his Seattle area home. You get no talking done, just sing along with Mitch.
Steve, I do remember the sing-a-longs with Mitch Miller and his Gang. We would follow the a large dot that "bounced" above the words that were superimposed on television of the song that Mitch and the chorale were performing. We sang along with the bouncing ball I was in High School when the program was in popularity. My Mom and Dad loved the program.
Kathleen,
Yes, I remember it too. I feel kind of silly admitting it.
Steve, I'm actually old enough to remember Sing Along With Mitch!
Pat,
Join the club. But I did not remember how silly it was.
Sing Along with Mitch - now I know I'm getting old. Silly, but it did have a catchy tune as some much of that music did. It was also HAPPY music!