COLLEY, KEITH
Homebase: Spokane / Connell / Richland, WA.
Stats: b. 1941
Misc Notes: Jarrell Keith Colley was born in Spokane in 1941, and as a teenager living in Richland he helped form his first rock 'n' roll band, the Corvairs, around 1958. The Corvairs' personnel -- Keith Colley [guitar, vocals], Larry Coryell [guitar]; Stan Cole [sax]; Don Eshelby [piano], and Ronnie Colley [drums] -- were all based out of the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco, Kennewick) area. Their gig at Nagle's Big Apple restaurant / nightclub in Portland was Coryell's very first professional out-of-town gig, and he went on to join Yakima's Checkers. In 1961 both Colley and Coryell moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. While Coryell joined on with the Dynamics, Colley was seeking a solo career and he made arrangements to record a rendition of Dion & the Belmont's '59 hit, "A Teenager In Love," at a local radio station's studio. That station began airing the song, and a Seattle record promoter, Jerry Dennon, took notice and signed Colley to a management contract with his own label, Jerden Records. First thing they did was have Colley record a demo version of the pop standard, "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart," at Joe Boles' studio in West Seattle. At that particular point in time, Dennon was working for California's Era Records and that label agreed to recut the tune and release it. Dennon transferred the contract over to Era, Colley moved to Los Angeles, recorded the tune from scratch, and "Zing!..." broke out on Boston radio for a brief period.
Era thought there was still potential and Colley's next single, "Put 'Em Down" got airplay in both Seattle and Spokane, while its flipside, "(And Her Name) Is Scarlet" went Top-40 in San Bernardino. After that Colley was free to move on and in late-1962 he signed with Al Allen's Unical Records where he cut four singles, the first being a Colley original, "Enamorado." Though originally penned in English, Allen had a hunch that it would do better if sung in Spanish. So they had it translated and Colley gave it his best shot singing in a language he didn't even speak. "Enamorado" ended up becoming a promising radio hit in the fall of '63, reaching #2 in San Bernardino, #4 in Los Angeles, #5 in Seattle, #7 in Tucson, and #11 in Vancouver B.C. "Enamorado" was an even bigger hit when the Sandpipers recorded their version, and it became a bit of a standard in the Chicano Rock scene and other acts recorded it as well -- including the jazz great, Chet Baker. More singles following the same formula followed, with Unical issuing "Cuando La Luna" and "Queridita Mia." In late-1963 Colley's "Discover A Lover" was released on the JAF label, but the song did better when recorded by the local Chicano rockers, the Jaguars. Cut in mid-1964, "Welcome Home Baby" -- a song that Colley had co-written with another up-and-coming young writer, P.F. Sloan and recorded with ace engineer Larry Levine at Hollywood's fabled Gold Star Studios -- became his best seller upon release by Vee Jay Records in January 1965. At some point Al De Lory -- a bigtime producer / arranger, and member of the famed Wrecking Crew group of session musicians -- began serving as Colley's personal manager. From there Colley jumped over to Challenge Records where he cut a couple singles -- including 1966's "Tonight I'm Telling You" which earned Top-20 status back home in Richland. In time Colley refocused his efforts and became an in-house composer for Four Star Music Publishing. Over the following years numerous hit-making acts recorded Colley's songs including: Bobby Bare, the Browns, Skeeter Davis, Jackie DeShannon, the Knickerbockers, George Morgan, the Newbeats, the New Christy Minstrels, the Standells, Thee Prophets, Gene Vincent, and Lenny Welch. It was in 1967 that Colley signed with Columbia Records who released his "Shame, Shame" that was backed with a re-recording of "Enamorado" that was produced by Gary Usher. A British group, The Magic Lanterns, scored a Top-30 hit with their rendition of "Shame Shame" in 1968. In 1974 Colley produced some recordings under the alias Sun Child. Over subsequent years Colley remained active in the administrative end of the music publishing biz and in 2005 Rev-Ola issued an album, Bird Doggin' -- the name of the Colley song Gene Vincent had cut -- which featured Colley's early song demos. Vinyl Vic Records issued an album -- Keith Colley - Forgotten Teen Idol -- in 2014.
SEE ALSO:
1.) MIckey & Bonnie "Boys Will Be Boys" / "We Fell In Love" (Jerden # 717) [Colley co-wrote both songs on this 1963 single.]
2.) Mickey & Bonnie "Test Of Love" (Jerden #723) [Colley co-wrote the song on this 1964 single]
3.) SUN CHILD
MISC NOTES: A-side by the G-Clefs
LOCATION:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7 "
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
B-SIDE MATRIX:139 B
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: 139 - B (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Colley - Ruble
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music (BMI)
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B promo disc. Orange label background. Black and orange label w/white background left center of spindle hole. Black ERA on white background right center of spindle hole. All other numerals and lettering black. PROMOTIONAL COPY.
2.) A - B retail disc. Blue (top) and green (bottom) label background. Orange, blue and yellow logo left center of spindle hole. Black ERA right center of spindle hole. Both logo and ERA on white background. All other numerals and lettering black.
A-SIDE MATRIX: 45 - BSN - 183
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^39790 45 - BSN - 183 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: J.F. Harley
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Harms, Inc. (ASCAP)
B-SIDE MATRIX: 45 - BSN - 184
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^39790 - X 45 - BSN - 184 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Bill Brock
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: JAF Music (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B promo disc. Orange label background. Black and Orange logo left center of spindle hole. Black ERA right center of spindle hole. Both on white background. All other numerals and lettering black. PROMOTIONAL COPY
2.) A - B retail disc. Blue (top), Green (bottom) label background. Orange, blue, yellow ERA logo left center of spindle hole. Black ERA right center of spindle hole. Both logo and ERA on white background. All other numerals and lettering black.
"Put 'Em Down" Album Reissues:
1.) 1964 Side 2, Track #4 on compilation lp The Original Great Northwest Hits Volume Two (Jerden #7002)
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) 45 - BSN - 213
2.) 45 - BSN - 223
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) ^41318 45 - BSN - 213 (etched)
2.) ^41318 45 - BSN - 213 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Stephen Howard
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Pattern Music Inc. (ASCAP)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) 45 - BSN - 214
2.) 45 - BSN - 214
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) ^41318 - X 45 - BSN - 214 (etched)
2.) ^41318 - X 45 - BSN - 214 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Bamboo Music & Burdett Music (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B promo disc. Orange label background. Black and Orange logo left center of spindle hole. Black ERA right center of spindle hole. Both logo and ERA on white background. All other numerals and lettering black. PROMOTIONAL COPY
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) 45 - BSN - 564
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) ^42988 BSN - 564 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Michael Gordo
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Bamboo Music, Inc. (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) 45 - BSN - 265
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) ^42988 45 - BSN - 265 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Michael Gordon
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Marathon Music (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
A-SIDE PUBLISHER:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - A promo disc. White label background. Black UNICAL firecracker logo w/lighted fuse and cloud of smoke over spindle hole. Black numerals and lettering. NOT FOR SALE
A-SIDE MATRIX: U - 34 - A
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:U - 34 - A
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley - Al de Lory
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B promotional disc. White and Green label background. Green flagpole w/green flag. Black flagpole cord and line delineating lower edge of flag. Black Unical leaf logo. All numerals and lettering black. PROMOTIONAL NOT FOR SALE
2.) A - B retail disc. White and red label background. Red flagpole w/red flag. Black flagpole cord and line delineating lower edge of flag. Black Unical leaf logo. All numerals and lettering black.
3.) A - B retail disc. Red label background. Red flagpole, but no flag. Black flagpole cord and line that would have delineated lower edge of flag. . Black UNICAL leaf logo. All numerals and Lettering black.
4.) A - B promotional disc. White label background. Black UNICAL firecracker w/lighted fuse and cloud of smoke logo. Logo, all numerals and lettering black. NOT FOR SALE
A-SIDE MATRIX: U - 36 - A
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: U - 36 - A (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley - Paul Rubio
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Mus. Co. / Kenwater Mus. Co. (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: U - 34C
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: U - 34 - C (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Mus. Co. / Kenwater Mus. Co. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
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FORMAT :disc
SIZE:7"
SPEED:45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX: U - 311 - A
A- SIDE STAMPER CODE: U . 311
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Maurice Williams - Paul Rubio
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Excello Rec Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: U - 311 - B
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: U - 311 - B
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music (BMI)
MISC NOTES: Recorded in February 1964 with "live audience" sounds added on. Issued in March 1964.
LOCATION:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - promo disc. Green and white label background. Green flagpole and flag w/black accents. Black UNICAL leaf logo. All numerals and lettering black. Promotional Not For Sale
2.) A - B retail disc. Red and white label background. Red flagpole and flag w/black accents. Black UNICAL leaf logo. All numerals and lettering black.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) U - 313 - A
2.) U - 313 - A
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) U - 313
2.) U - 313 - A - 1
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Deani - Testa - Mapel
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Criterion Music Corp.
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) U - 313 - B
2.) U - 313 - B
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) U - 313 - B
2.) U - 313 - B
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL: Mike Henderson (harns);
RECORDING STUDIO:
RECORDING ENGINEER: Paul Buff
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - A promo disc. White label background. No logo. Black numerals and lettering. PROMOTIONAL NOT FOR SALE.
2.) A - B retail disc. Black label background Red CHALLENGE. Gold crossed swords logo. All other numerals and lettering silver.
A-SIDE MATRIX: 1537
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: X - 7918 1537 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: K. Colley - D. Monda
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: 4 - Star Music Co. (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.) 1537
2.) 1538
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.) X - 7918 1537 (etched)
2.) 1538 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: K. Colley - L. Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: 4 - Star Music Co. (BMI)
MISC NOTES: B-side co-written with fellow up-&-coming songwriter, P.F. Sloan. Recorded in mid-1964, and released in January 1965.
LOCATION: Hollywood
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO: Gold Star
RECORDING ENGINEER: Larry Levine
FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Design:
1.) A - B promo disc. White and blue label background. Black numerals and lettering.*
2.) A - retail disc. Black label background with "rainbow - colored" circle around outside edge. White VJ logo and wording. All other numerals and lettering silver.
A-SIDE MATRIX:
1.)
2.) 64 - 6554
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.)
2.) ^54411 - X 64 - 6554 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Adapt. By Al Allen
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lemar Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
1.)
2.) 65 - 6942 (label)
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
1.)
2.) ^55768 65 - 6942 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: K. Colley - P. Sloan
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Screen Gems Columbia Music Inc. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
Known Label Designs:
1.) A - B promo disc. White label background. CHALLENGE in red. Crossed swords logo in gold. All other numerals and lettering black. PROMOTIONAL COPY NOT FOR SALE.
A-SIDE MATRIX: 45 - 1333
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^62157 CH 1333 RE1 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley - Linda Colley
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: 4 - Star Music Co. (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: 45 - 1334
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^62157 - X CH 1334 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: 4 - Star Music Co. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
RECORDING STUDIO:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES: 4-44410
Known Label Designs::
1.) A - B promotional disc. White label background. Red numerals, letters and logo
2.) A - B retail disc. Red label background. Black numerals, letters and logo.*
A-SIDE MATRIX:
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
A-SIDE COMPOSER: K. Colley
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Kenwater Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX:
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE:
B-SIDE COMPOSER: K. Colley - K. Henderson - L. Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Four Star Music Co., Inc. (BMI)
MISC NOTES:
LOCATION:
RECORDING PERSONNEL:
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FORMAT: disc
SIZE: 7"
SPEED: 45 rpm
DISC NOTES:
A-SIDE MATRIX: W - 388
A-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^76320 W - 388 (etched)
A-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley - Paul Rubin
A-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music (BMI)
B-SIDE MATRIX: W - 389
B-SIDE STAMPER CODE: ^76320 - X W - 389 (etched)
B-SIDE COMPOSER: Keith Colley
B-SIDE PUBLISHER: Lenmar Music / Kenwater Music (BMI)