Under the Big Top!

A Survival Success Story – Bigtop Records & the Bienstocks

The Bigtop Records’ story begins in Europe at the outset of the Nazi reign of terror which was to grip the world for the next several years.

In 1938 brothers Johnny and Freddy Bienstock came under the evil eye of the German Nazis who had marched into Vienna, Austria as part of Hitler’s diabolic plan to conquer the world and to eradicate the Jewish people.

Freddy and Johnny Bienstock

Frightened beyond imagination, the two huddled in a cell awaiting their fate when suddenly a jailer opened their holding cell and released them into the night offering only a ‘we made a mistake’ in the way of explanation.

Austrians Cheer the Arrival of the Nazis Into Vienna

They were spared due to a fortunate set of circumstances: Their father was a Swiss citizen and as such, citizenship was automatically extended to his children. The Germans tolerated the Germanic Swiss people and entrusted Switzerland with much ‘asset’ protection during the strong arm days of the German Reich or “Third Reich” – Reich meaning “realm”.

“League of German Girls” in Vienna Welcome the Reich into Austria

With that horrifying experience behind them, the Bienstock family would elect to make their way to the U.S. in January of 1939.

The music industry in the U.S. had been undergoing a transition. The revenues realized annually from the sales of sheet music had been on a constant decline for some number of years impacting the revenue of publishers.

So we have the publisher Hill and Range in Nashville which was headed up by two more Austrian-born brothers who also fled the Nazis, Julian and Jean Aberbach. The name of their publishing firm was selected to reflect the publisher’s specialty: hillbilly (“Hill”) and Range drawn from the song “Home on the Range”.

Julian Aberbach – Hill and Range

Rock and roll music was the furthest thing from Aberbach’s mind when he brought on the Bienstock brothers – first Freddy and later Johnny. But rock and roll was to become Hill and Range’s saving grace.

Freddy Bienstock came to Hill and Range in 1953 and would work hard to learn the music business which would culminate in 1958 when he would present his idea for a record label to Aberbach – a label which would record both pop and rock and roll.

Because Aberbach had established a friendship and business relationship with ‘Colonel’ Tom Parker, Freddy was inspired to name his label “Big Top” (and going forward appearing as “Bigtop”. The inspiration came from Parker’s background as a carnival barker. Freddy was hoping that the Colonel, who was not totally pleased with RCA Victor, would bring his big act (Elvis) under the carnival “Big Top”.

Freddy would serve as Bigtop’s executive president and his brother Johnny would come on board to work as manager.

Parker’s One-Ring Circus

The idea appealed to Parker. He informed Bienstock and Aberbach that he would require a full 50 percent cut of all Bigtop revenue. But in the end, Parker and the King would opt to remain with the record giant.

Neither brother had any working knowledge of producing rock and roll and wisely, they would turn to some seasoned pro’s to get things rolling. The writing and producing team of Kal Mann and Bernie Lowe were contacted to get things started.

Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann

Bigtop would set up shop – departing Nashville – and moving into in 1619 Broadway the home of the upstart rock and roll composers and just down the street from the famous Brill Building at 1650 Broadway – where Tin Pan Alley had resided for years.

At 1619, Bigtop would employ the composing and producing services of Mann/Lowe, Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman, Phil Spector and others.

Success wasn’t immediate. The first flirtation with rock and roll would come in the form of a song titled “White Bucks & Saddle Shoes” composed by Pomus and Shuman and recorded by a young upstart Bobby Pedrick, Jr. The record was Bigtop’s fourth release.

Johnny and Freddy were eager promoters for Bigtop and worked all the cities on the east coast meeting and warming up to DJ’s – forming relationships. They would take “White Bucks” to Philadelphia where Dick Clark would pit it against Bobby Darin’s latest release “Queen of the Hop” in a “rate-a-record’ challenge.

Darin easily prevailed over Pedrick but now Bigtop had obtained some exposure for their new label. By the way, young Pedrick would later emerge as the voice behind “Sad Eyes” and a remake of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” as “Robert John”.

Robert John

Ten more Bigtop records would be released between September 1958 and May, 1959 at which time the old pop tune “Lavender Blue” would be recorded. The Bienstocks promptly made contact once again with Clark urging him to play the single.

Clark informed them that he hated the song, had always hated the song from an earlier time in his youth when guys where he was working would sing it all the time and so would not give it a spin on his show. “Lavender Blue” was featured in the 1949 Disney motion picture, “So Dear To My Heart” and sung by Burl Ives and would chart at number 16 that year.

Not So Dear To Dick Clark’s Heart

But Clark offered a challenge: If radio stations began to play the Sammy Turner disk, he would give it a play.

The Bienstocks flooded the black radio stations with copies and hounded the DJs. It paid off, the song broke in the R&B market and quickly amassed huge sales. When the brothers informed Dick Clark, that was good enough for him and he lived up to his earlier promise and played it on American Bandstand.

Sammy Turner

“Lavender Blue” soared into the top 10 reaching number 3. The Bienstock’s joy was tempered a bit when they were berated by Aberbach for not obtaining the publishing rights to the song.

A Deal is a Deal

He firmly believed that publishing rights trumped record sales for revenue purposes and this belief turned out to be correct as future record sales for any record generally tapered off to very little in the way of sales but publishing rights would provide a continuous source of income from airplay and song performances.

In the future, Bigtop would make an extended effort to secure publishing rights on their songs.

The major break for Bigtop came the Bientstocks met Ann Arbor, Michigan DJ Ollie McLaughlin who turned them on to a young singer, Charles Westover. Bigtop took interest and would cut a record in early 1961. The song sort of drug along too slowly so it was sped up by a full ten seconds in the studio giving it just the sound Bigtop was seeking.

Upon release not much happened initially. Then one day an Orlando DJ, Bob Bartel, began playing the platter and the phone lights lit up. Next, a Miami distributor, Henry Stone got word of the action in Miami.

Charles Westover – Del Shannon

He tracked down the Bienstocks and without having even heard the recording ordered 20 thousand copies!

Bigtop had their hit and their star, Del Shannon with “Runaway”.

The song shot to the top of the nation’s pop charts remaining at number 1 for a month and also reached number 3 on the R&B charts. This was followed by another pleasant surprise when Bigtop release of “Chicken Legs” failed to interest a DJ in Pittsburgh and so he turned it over at a sock hop and the kids went crazy!

“What’s Your Name?”

R&B singers Roland “Don” Trone and Claude “Juan” Johnson had a top 10 pop smash. Johnson had been a member of the “Genies” who had a moderate hit in 1959 with “Who’s That Knocking” a song that Johnson co-wrote.

The same Ollie McLaughlin in Pittsburgh would also point the Bienstocks to the Toledo, Ohio instrumental group, Johnny and the Hurricanes who were coming off a string of hits on the Warwick record label. They didn’t set the charts on fire with Bigtop but managed to place four songs on the top 100.

Everybody Rise and Shine!

In spite of Bigtop’s success with Del Shannon and the rocking Hurricanes, most of their attention came in the way signing rather obscure vocalists without a clear cut focus on music style.

Joey and the Ambers on Bigtop – Hackensack, NJ

Down road the Bienstocks would help establish the Dunes Record label sharing ownership with Ray Peterson. That label enjoyed a few hits – primarily Peterson’s “Corinna, Corinna” and Curtis Lee’s “Pretty Little Angel Eyes”. Those proved to be the label’s only two significant hits even though Dunes from late 1960 into 1964.

Peterson and Lee

When the British arrived on the U.S. music scene, Julian Aberbach lost interest in cutting records and turned his full attention once again to publishing. Freddy Bienstock elected to also concentrate on publishing while brother Johnny headed over to Atlantic Records with Jerry Wexler and would head up the Atlantic subsidiary label, Cotillion.

Johnny Bienstock died at age 83 on January 20th, 2006. Freddy Bienstock passed away on September 20th, 2009 at age 86. Julian Aberbach died on May 17th, 2004 at age 95.

Bigtop Records’ Selected Discography

This discography includes charting Bigtop recordings as well as some extras!

45 – The Notables – Moonlight and Roses (Bring Memories of You) b/w Under the Bridges of Paris (Sous Les Ponts De Paris) – May, 1958

Bigtop debut single

45 – The Shades – Sun Glasses b/w The Knott Sisters – Undivided Attention – July, 1958

The Knott Sisters were Linda Gertz and Susan Yellin

45 – Bobby Pedrick Jr. – White Bucks and Saddle Shoes b/w Stranded – September, 1958

45 – Mae Arnette – Why Keep On Breaking My Heart b/w Fool That I Am – January, 1959

45 – Sammy Turner and the Twisters – Sweet Annie Laurie b/w Thunderbolt – January, 1959

Turner’s Bigtop debut single – Obviously Bigtop wasn’t sure what to do with Turner pairing him with the “Twisters”. Interesting that Bigtop picked up on the twist theme so early and ahead of Chubby Checker’s first charting success in 1960 – and not long after the appearance of Hank Ballard’s December 1958 release which at the time was designated only as a “B” side!

45 – The Mad Perfesser – Silent Movies b/w Talking Pictures – February, 1959

Bigtop occasionally diverted their attention to a novelty song along the way without realizing any chart success of course. Looks like this guy could have been a concoction of Colonel Tom Parker.

Obviously Mad!

45 – Clint Miller – Lonely Traveler b/w You Must Have Read My Mind – March, 1959

Isaac Clinton Miller from Ferguson, North Carolina – He scored a number 79 hit with “Bertha Lou” in 1958

45 – Jeri Lynn – If b/w Now I’m Of Age – May, 1959

Jeri Lynn was Jeri Lynne Fraser

45 – Sammy Turner – Lavender Blue – Charted Number 3 Hot 100 – Number 14 R&B – July, 1959

45 – Stan Applebaum Orchestra – Bikini b/w Everytime (I Look At You) – August, 1959

Stanley Seymour Applebaum worked as a composer and arranger and worked with Neil Sedaka, the Drifters, the Coasters, Connie Francis and many more.

45 – Ellen Van Valen – I Really Don’t Want To Know b/w I Wish I Didn’t Love You So – August, 1959

45 – The Chavis Bros. – Hey Good Looking b/w Love Me Baby – September, 1959

Also known as the Five Chavis Brothers

45 – Sammy Turner – Always – Charted Number 2 R&B – Number 19 Hot 100 – November, 1959

45 – Kenny and Corky – Nuttin’ For Christmas b/w Suzy Snowflake – November, 1959

45 – Sammy Turner – Paradise – Number 13 R&B – Number 46 Hot 100 – March, 1960

45 – Don Covay – Beauty and The Beast b/w Cause I Love You – March, 1960

45 – Johnny & The Hurricanes – Down Yonder – Number 48 Hot 100 – May, 1960

45 – Sammy Turner – Goodnight Irene – Number 105 Bubbling Under Music Vendor – June, 1960

45 – Ocie Smith – You Are My Sunshine b/w Well I’m Dancin’ – July, 1960

Yes, Icie was indeed “O.C. Smith” of Little Green Apples fame

45 – Azie Mortimer – Lips b/w Wrapped Up In A Dream – July, 1960

Chicago musician Azie performed jazz music and R&B.

45 – Sam “The Man” Taylor – Any Time b/w King Size Blues – July, 1960

45 – Barbara Lantz – One More Time b/w You’re Not Worth My Tears – July, 1960

Lantz was a jazz singer who was the featured vocalist with the Don Jacoby jazz combo.

45 – Willie Jones – Mary b/w Somewhere (with Liza Smith) – August, 1960

Willie Cornelius Jones was the lead vocalist for the Detroit, Michigan group the Royal Jokers

45 – Johnny & The Hurricanes – Rocking Goose – Number 60 Hot 100 b/w Revival – Number 97 Hot 100 – September, 1960

45 – Kenny Martin – Heart Storm b/w Lovin’ Man – October, 1960

Kenny Martin was from Detroit, Michigan

45 – Travis and Bob – Pocahontas b/w Daydreams – October, 1960

They were Bob Weaver and Travis Pritchett who earlier charted on the small Sandy record label with “Tell Him No” which reached number 8 Hot 100 in March of 1959

45 – Tom Clay – That’s All b/w The Little Boy – October, 1960

DJ Tom Clay was born in New York and later had a 1971 hit with “What The World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham, Martin and John” a spoken word hit which went top 10 (number 8).

45 – Johnny & The Hurricanes – You Are My Sunshine – Number 91 Hot 100 – December, 1960

45 – The Dream Girls – I Could Write a Book b/w Don’t Break My Heart – December, 1960

The Dream Girls were also from Detroit, Michigan: Bobbie Smith, Kay Green, Sheena Carson and Tina LaGora

45 – The Royal Jokers – Hard Times b/w Red Hot – January, 1961

45 – Johnny & The Hurricanes – Ja-Da – Number 86 Hot 100 – February, 1961

45 – The Shepherd Sisters – Hapsburg b/w Schoen – February, 1961

The Shepherd Siters were from Middletown, Ohio and had scored the 1957 hit “Alone” – number 18 Hot 100

45 – Del Shannon – Runaway – Number 1 Four Weeks – March, 1961

45 – Maximillan – The Snake b/w The Wanderer – March, 1961

45 – Arlene Smith – He Knows I Love Him Too Much b/w Love, Love, Love – May, 196

Arlene was a member of the famous Chantels – The “A” side of this single would chart later in 1961 for the Paris Sisters with Phil Spector producing

45 – Del Shannon – Hats Off To Larry – Number 5 Hot 100 – June, 1961

45 – Johnny & The Hurricanes – Old Smoky – Number 116 Bubbling Under Charts – June, 1961

45 – Mickey Denton – Now You Can’t Give Them Away b/w Steady Kind – July, 1961

45 – Don and Juan – What’s Your Name – Number 7 Hot 100 – February, 1962

45 – Patti Jerome – Mojo b/w All I Do Dream of You – August, 1961

Patti is Patricia Morris an TV actress

45 – Del Shannon – So Long Baby – Number 28 Hot 100 – September, 1961

45 – Joel Gray – Brigitte Bardot b/w same by Roberto Seto – October, 1961

Birth name Joel David Katz – actor and son of Mickey Katz comedian and singer

45 – Burt and the Backbeats – Move It On the Backbeat b/w A Felicidade – November, 1961

The group included Burt Bacharach along with sisters Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick

45 – Del Shannon – Hey! Little Girl (did not chart) – November, 1961

45 – The Visions – Tell Me You’re Mine b/w All Through the Night – December, 1961

The Visions were from Cleveland and also recorded as Bocky and the Visions

45 – Ronny Howard – Give My Toy To the Boy Next Door b/w If Santa Clause Fell Asleep – December, 1961

Seven year old Ronny would go onto fame as the co-star of the Andy Griffith Show as “Opie Taylor” and then onto motion picture acting and directing fame. This would be his only 45 recording.

45 – Don Meehan – Mama Don’t Allow No Twistin’ Here b/w Twistin’ At the Waldorf – January, 1962

Meehan was a star recording engineer for Columbia Records – He fronted a group call the Five Dons and also one called the Don Meehan Project both studio productions.

45 – Toni Fisher – West Of the Wall – Number 37 Hot 100 – May, 1962

Birth name was Marion Colleen Nolan – She acquired the name “Miss Toni Fisher” to ensure that record buyers knew she was female due to her bold and husky voice!

45 – Del Shannon – Ginny In the Mirror – Number 117 Bubbling Under b/w I Won’t Be There – Number 113 Bubbling Under – March, 1962

45 – Cliff Richard and the Shadows – The Young Ones b/w We Say Yeah – February, 1962

45 – Spencer Sterling – Jilted b/w Young In Years – March, 1962

Spencer would go on to front the Detroit soul group the Originals!

45 – Don and Juan – Two Fools Are We – Number 109 Music Vendor Bubbling Under – April, 1962

45 – Jamie Coe – Cleopatra b/w But Yesterday – April, 1962

Born George Colvas in Dearborn, Michigan he fronted his group called the Gigalos

45 – Gerri Granger – Castle In the Sky b/w What’s Wrong With Me – June, 1962

Gerri performed with the Lloyd Price band and later made appearances on the Johnny Carson show and the David Frost Show

45 – Del Shannon – The Swiss Maid – Number 64 Hot 100 – September, 1962

45 – Don and Juan – Magic Wand – Number 91 Hot 100 – October, 1962

45 – Lucky Starr – I’ve Been Everywhere b/w Cuddle Closer – September, 1962

Starr was from Australia – His version of this Hank Snow hit from the same year is one of Australia’s all-time favorite hits.

45 – Toni Fisher – The Music From the House Next Door – Number 128 Bubbling Under Record World – October, 1962

45 – Del Shannon – Little Town Flirt – Number 12 Hot 100 – December, 1962

45 – Linda Roth – Let Me Go Lover b/w The First Time – March, 1963

Linda fronted a group called Linda and the Epics

45 – Marci and the Mates – Suddenly We’re Strangers b/w Oops, There Goes Another Tear – March, 1963

45 – The Dellwoods – Don’t Put Onions On Your Hamburger b/w Her Mustache – March, 1963

The Dellwoods also recorded as the Dynamics and the Sweet Sick-Teens

45 – Lord Westbrook – Quiet Please b/w The Lady From Doby Street – March, 1963

Real name Chauncey Leon Westbrook he was a member of the Buddy Johnson orchestra

45 – Del Shannon – Two Kinds Of Teardrops – Number 50 Hot 100 – April, 1963

45 – Marsha Brody – I’m Not a Baby Anymore b/w Stranger By My Side – May, 1963

45 – Colleen Kaye and the Secrets – Joey’s Diamond Ring b/w The One I Love – May, 1963

45 – Del Shannon – From Me To You – Number 77 Hot 100 b/w Two Silhouettes – Number 150 Bubbling Under Record Mirrow – June, 1963

The first Lennon/McCartney composition to chart in the U.S. Hot 100 and Shannon’s final Bigtop single

45 – Lou Johnson – Reach Out For Me – Number 31 R&B – Number 74 Hot 100 – November, 1963

Lou Johnson hit with Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Reach Out For Me” a year before Dionne Warwick took it to number 1 R&B and number 20 Hot 100

45 – Rob E.G. – Jezebel b/w Stage To Cimmaron – July, 1963

Born Robert George Porter was an Australian singer and actor

45 – Pete and Vinnie – Hand Clappin’ Time Parts 1 and 2 – July, 1963

Pete Andreoli and Vincent Poncia Jr. would become a song writing team and studio musicians forming the Trade Winds (New York’s A Lonely Town) and the Innocence (There’s Got To Be A Word)

45 – Andrea Carroll – It Hurts To Be Sixteen – Number 45 Hot 100 – July, 1963

This would be the final charting single for Bigtop Records

45 – The Dynamics – Misery b/w I’m the Man – October, 1963

Detroit, Michigan band who later placed five songs on the R&B national charts

45 – Jimmy Little – Royal Telephone b/w Hornets – May, 1964

Jimmy was James Oswald Little from Australia – the first indigenous musician from that country to chart their nationally

45 – The V.I.P.s – Flashback b/w You Pulled a Fast One – May, 1964

The group was from New York City

45 – Lou Johnson – Walk On By b/w Little Girl – August, 1967

This would be the final Bigtop single – with Lou Johnson dipping back into the Burt Bacharach and Hal David bag of tricks

LP – Johnny and the Hurricanes – The Big Sound of Johnny and the Hurricanes – 1960

LP – Del Shannon – Runaway with Del Shannon – 1961

LP – Jeanne Hayes, Mike Russo and The Dellwoods – Mad Twists Rock N Roll – 1962

LP – Del Shannon – Little Town Flirt – Number 12 LP Charts – June, 1963

LP – Jeanne Hayes, Mike Russo and the Dellwoods – Fink Along With Mad – 1963