RCA Records in Australia issued a collector's item in 1978 called 'Ripsnorter' which was sort of capitalising on the success of the Polystar 'Ripper' series from 1975-1977, but stepped back from the sexualised marketing of that other brand, and instead utilised an expression that was probably antiquated by then, that of something being really special or intense. "it was a ripsnorter of a storm last night". Not sure if this word was commonplace all around the English speaking world, but RCA adopted it for this one and only collection with that name. Another point of difference to the K-Tel series, was that 'Ripsnorter' only had 16 tracks as opposed to the long held mantra of '20 Original Hits'. The reason I am re-creating this series for my youtube subscribers and the main motivation of purchasing it back in '78, was that it had some hard to find songs on it, and as any hoarder seeks, the opportunity to add these rarities to my growing collection was too good to overlook.
In 1978 there was just the radio, vinyl records and a cassette player - and from those rudimentary forms, I began my quest to collect as many of the hits of the day. In 2021 I have more than 20,000 songs! The rarer the song, the more I wanted it, as any culture vulture knows only too well :)
Ok, on with the music. One of the biggest hits of 1977/8 was Bonnie Tyler's 'It's A Heartache'. The song was the first she had recorded after surgery and her voice was even more husky than the one her fans loved from 'Lost In France' from the year before. 'It's A Heartache' ultimately sold 6 million copies and here in Australia it was a #1 hit nationally; entering the chart in January of 1978 and spending 21 weeks there; 4 of them in the top spot and it became the 7th best seller of the year! In America it made #3 and in Britain the Welsh singer reached #4. To illustrate this great version of a great song, rather than risk the clip being blocked (Bonnie's management and/or record labels can be quite punitive on youtube), I have 'borrowed' the great footage from the movie 'Napoleon Dynamite' - why? I dunno, i've always loved this sequence and for me it fit!
Next up, an oddity from late 1977, this instrumental track was the brainchild of one Richard Anthony Hewson who used his initials to provide the moniker for this studio 'band', who are best known for this Top 10 British hit. Not one hit wonders, the Rah Band also charted in 1980 and 1985 respectively with 'Falcon' and 'Clouds across the moon'. 'The Crunch' spent more than 5 months bouncing around the Australian Top 40; finally landing at #16 nationally (#13 in Sydney) but were never heard of again here. Playing all the instruments on the 'Rah band' records, Hewson was also a prolific arranger having worked with such megastars as The Beatles, Supertramp and the Bee Gees. Instrumentals were quite commonplace in the 1970's on the charts, and 'The Crunch' is a great example of how to create a vibey, and memorable piece of pop magic.
Speaking of instrumentals and pop magic - Meco's disco-fied 'Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band' absolutely capitalised on both the phenomenon that was George Lucas' mega movie, as well as the disco genre. Meco Monardo; an American from an Italian heritage, expanded John Williams' brilliant main theme with an entire album called 'Star Wars & Other Galactic Funk'. His single 'Star Wars/Cantina Band' was a #1 on the Billboard pop chart, and here in Oz, was a #3; spending more than 6 months in the chart, well into 1978 and registering as the 46th best seller of that year; despite its October '77 release. Meco tried again in 1978 to follow up the Star Wars cash in, with 'Theme From Close Encounters' (the Steven Spielberg classic) which also was scored by the maestro John Williams. Interestingly one week before Meco's version entered the Aussie chart (March 27, 1978), Williams' own theme from the same movie also began its ascent. John Williams managed a #47 locally, whilst Meco's only #76.
Meco re-entered my radius in 1982 with 'Pop Goes The Movies'.
Finally in this first installment from 'Ripsnorter'is a one hit wonder from America and a very smooth and soulful vocal band named The Floaters and their very hypnotic 'Float On'. A bigger hit on the other side of the Atlantic (#1 U.K), 'Float On' made #2 on the pop chart in America and #16 here in Australia; faring better in my hometown #8.
Tomorrow's upload with find two extremely rare local songs; one of which is by arguably the best vocalist Australia ever produced; as well as a Spanish mega hit which on our charts for 8 months!!!! More 'Ripsnorter' tomorrow. Oink!
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