CBID - New covers from Germany to Japan, from Croatia to New Zealand

CBID is never complete as new records and CDs appear and some old rarities are discovered. This section presents interesting additions and corrections to CBID.

Today: Once again we found several new or previously unknown cover versions from all over the world.

Refering to page 1272 (CBID Vol.3) regarding Jim & Monica “Reelin’ And Rockin’”. It has come to my attention that Jim is not Jimmy Gilmer after all. So now they are both obscurities.

And here are the additions to our Berry covers list, alphabetically ordered as always, but starting with a well-known name:

BEACH BOYS (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1062-1063, for biographical info.

Rock And Roll Music (2:52) 2012 (live)

2-CD: Live – The 50th Anniversary Tour [Capitol Records B0018419-02] ● USA, 2013

Recorded live at the Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour during the summer of 2012. They also did the soundalikes “Surfin’ USA” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”.

JOE BROWN (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1100 for biographical info.

Thirty Days (as “Forty Days”) (3:35) 2004 (live)

2-CD/DVD: In Concert [Secret Records SECDP-231] ● UK, 2019
2-CD: In Concert [Secret Records CECDD-231] ● UK, 2026

This was originally out in 2004 as on DVD only, Secret SECDVD-130. Divided into an acoustic set (14 tracks) and electric set (16 tracks).

ROGER CASH (Finland ?)

Probably studio singer and musicians. Strange selection for songs in the ‘80s.

Too Much Monkey Business ( : ) 1981

MC: Rokki Paraati [Star Sound ST-1034] ● Finland, 1981
MC: I Love Rock [Star Sound ST-1034] ● Finland, 1982

Different MC covers. There is also one Stephen Smith doing a cover of “Route 66”, credited to Chuck Berry! And one Johnny Summer doing “Back In The USA”. A Little peculiar release!

See also Johnny Summer.

DANNY & THE WONDERBRAS (Germany)

Rock’n’roll revival trio. Guitar, stand-up bass and drums. Danny Wuenschel is the vocalist and guitarist, various bass and drums. They have 6 albums out. From what I have heard they are pretty good!

Tulane (3:27) 2013

CD: Rock It! [DMG 54.218133.3] ● Germany, 2013

Little Queenie (3:14) 2015 (live)
Memphis, Tennessee (3:16) 2015 (live)

2-CD: Live At The Fuck [DMG 54.218149.2] ● Germany, 2015

“Memphis” is done very original the Berry way, no Rivers in sight. They also do a cover of “Route 66” which is done the Stones/Berry way but with their own interpretation.

M. ELISE & FRIENDS (France)

I actually don’t know! However, music wise it should be in the folk-country genre according to discogs.

Back In The USA (2:31) 2012

CD: Got My Feet On The Ground [Self released 88160/1] ● France, 2012

Includes two Buddy Holly covers, one Dolly Parton, Freddy King, Suzie Quatro a.o.

KOZZY IWAKAWA (Japan)

Rock’n’roll singer/guitarist. Also known as Koji Iwakawa. Has been part of bands like Rollie, The Colts, The Mackshow (see own entry below), and more. It’s not easy to understand when most of the info is written in Japanese.

Sweet Little Rock And Roller (3:13) (in medley with “Slippin’ And Slidin’ ” (5:01) 2007

CD: Rockin’ Around The Music Murder [Pictus Neo ? ] ● Japan, 2007

What does the album title mean?

Thirty Days ( : ) 2012

CD: Rock-A-Mojo [Bad Records BADR-0214] ● Japan, 2012

Almost Grown (2:18) 2013

CD: The Roots [Bad Records FAMC-106] ● Japan, 2013

I’m Talking About You ( : ) 2015

CD: The Roots Vol. 2 [Bad Records FAMC-172] ● Japan, 2015

Beautiful Delilah ( : ) 2017

CD: Bootlemania Jukebox Hits! [Bad Records ? ] ● Japan, 2017

The front cover here is similar to Berry’s New Juke Box Hits album cover. Good choice.

Maybellene (2:25) 2022
Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 2022
Thirty Days ( : ) 2022

2-CD: R.A.M. [Bad Records STREC-003] ● Japan, 2022

I am not quite sure. This could be a compilation album, although I haven’t found the first two covers here on any other albums by Kozzy(?) In case it’s a new release,Thirty Days is probably a re-recording.

RANDY JOHNSTON (USA)

Guitar player, singer, songwriter from Detroit, Michigan. Born 1956.

Back In The USA (6:42) 2025 (live)

CD: Rockin' Soul at the Star Tavern [ITI Records ] ● USA, 2025

This must be the longest cover version of this Berry classic. Much good guitar playing but unfortunately too much hammond organ. 8 tracks on the album and except one at around 5 minutes, all are over 6 minutes long. That’s a live concert for you!

RAY KIRKLAND (USA)

Country singer, songwriter, guitarist

Back In The USA (3:02) 1986

2-LP: Dixie’s In Alabama / Big Hands [KCR Records KCR-1001 / 1002] ● USA, 1986

He has some fine musicians with him here, like Carl Jackson (guitars, mandolin, banjo), Jerry Douglas (dobro), Mark O’Connor (fiddle) a.o. Produced by Carl Jackson.

LIGHTS (Finland)

Rock’n’roll/surf quartet. Very much in the style of The Shadows and The Ventures.

Brown Eyed Handsome Man [as “Helvetin Komea Mies»] (2:02) 2025

CD: Off/On [Self released ] ● Finland, 2025

Unfortunately they have used the Buddy Holly arrangement, which makes it a cover of a cover.

MACKSHOW (Japan)

Rock’n’Roll trio from Tokyo, formed in 2002. Has released many albums since 2003. Featuring a.o. singer-guitarist Kozzy Iwakawa (see own entry above).

Memphis, Tennessee ( : ) 2009

CD: Early Years Of The Mackshow “Thrown Tapes” [B.A.D. Records] ● Japan, 2009
CD: Rock And Roll [B.A.D. Records FAMC-054] ● Japan, 2011

The 2009 album has 13 tracks, the 2011 album has 18 tracks: 12 tracks from the 2009 album above + 6 additional ones. One of those is:

Roll Over Beethoven (2:36) 2011

CD: Rock And Roll [B.A.D. Records FAMC-054] ● Japan, 2011

Sounds like The Beatles’ version.

Back In The USA (3:37) 2012

CD: Greasy! [B.A.D. Records FAMC-088] ● Japan, 2012

On an album from 2013 “Holy Mackerel!” they do a Berry soundalike of “I Got To Find My Baby”, short version (1:39).

Mr. AIRPLANE MAN (USA)

Blues-rock band from Boston, founded in 1988 by Margaret Garrett (vocals, guitar) and Tara McManus (drums, organ, backing vocals). Strange name for a girl duo.

Around And Around (as “Round And Round”) (3:16) 2000

10” LP: Shakin’ Around [Sympathy For The Record Industry SFTRI-727] ● USA, 2003
CD: Shakin’ Around [Sympathy For The Record Industry SFTRI-727CD] ● USA, 2003

5 tracks. On the Berry number they have help from guitarist Shawn Cripps. The album was first released on 1 January 2001 as a 5xFile, MP3.

VINCE RAY (UK)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist in the more visual way. An artist and musician with art-work very inspired by the ‘50s, Hot-rods, Pin-ups, Zombies and Voodoo lifestyle. He has a range of merchandise on his web-site. He’s also been involved in bands like The Vincent Razorbacks, Vince Ray And The Boneshakers, and Vince Ray’s Loser Machine. Several albums available with the art-work by Vince himself.

Maybellene (2:14) 2026

CD: Back In The Shack [Conquest Records CNQ-051CD] ● UK, 2026

Not the most inspiring version I’ve heard.

RITCHIE VENUS & THE BLUE BEETLES (New Zealand)

Rock/beat quartet. Michael Brathwaite (vocals, guitar) with Mick Elborado (guitar), John Markie (bass), and Norman Dufty (drums).

Around And Around (2:43) 1989

LP: You Can’t Fight It [Onset/Offset Records RV-008] ● New Zealand, 1989

Pretty ordinary ‘60s rendition.

Here is an earlier recording:

Sweet Little Sixteen ( : ) 1967 as Ritchie Venus

EP 33 ⅓rpm: Hard Knocks [Stiletto Records STAB-001] ● Germany, 2014

Recorded 21 December 1967. Ritchie Venus (vocals, guitar), Michael Ashwell (lead guitar), Steven Earl (bass), Michael Vaile (drums).

SHEENA & THE ROKKETS (Japan)

Popular Japanese punk-rock band founded in 1978, very influenced by US group The Ramones. They have released over 20 albums since 1979. Sheena Etsuko Ayukawa (vocals), born 1953, died 2015, Makoto Ayukawa (guitar, vocals), born 1948, died 2023, Takeshi Asada (bass), Kazuhide Kawashima (drums). See also Makoto Ayukawa on page 1052 CBID Vol.3.

Johnny B. Goode (2:43) 2008

CD: Japanik [Speedstar (Victor) VICL-62803] ● Japan, 2008

Album released in connection with their 30th Anniversary celebration.

Johnny B. Goode (2:47) 2014 (live?)

CD: Live For Today! – Sheena Last Recording & Unissued Tracks [Speedstar (Victor) VICL-65305] ● Japan, 2020

No exact information.

SPOONS (Croatia)

1960s style punk band from Pula formed in 1988.

Back In The USA (2:35) 1988

Various LP: T.R.I.P. Zone - Indie Rock Bands Of Croatia [T.R.I.P. LP 6 EPP-2 03911 5] ● Croatia, 1992

As far as I can tell this was originally available on a cassette in 1988. On their first album, (also cassette), ”Take The World As It Come” from 1988, they do a version of ”Route 66” which I am sure is in The Stones/Berry way(?)

STRING TONES (Sweden)

Beat quartet. They had 1 single released in 1965 and 3 in 1966.

Reelin’ And Rockin’ (2:23) 1964

Various CD: Cads, Fabians & The String Tones 1964-68 [Blaze CD-9801] ● Sweden, 1998

Previously unreleased. As I have said before, these kind of ‘60s musical performances by non-US/UK artists/bands are pretty dull and uninspired.

JOHNNY SUMMER (Finland ?)

Don’t know anything and the cassette below includes several unknown names which brings to mind that we could be talking about studio musicians with made-up names. But strange selection of songs in the ‘80s.

Back In The USA ( : ) 1981

MC: Rokki Paraati [Star Sound ST-1034] ● Finland, 1981
MC: I Love Rock [Star Sound ST-1034] ● Finland, 1982

Different MC covers. There is also one Stephen Smith doing a cover of “Route 66”, credited to Chuck Berry! And one Roger Cash doing “Too Much Monkey Business”. A little peculiar release!

See also Roger Cash.

THE CHANCES ARE (UK)

Don’t know much about this, however, according to discogs the singer is Dave Sealey and guitarist is John Hill. Bass is played by Roscoe Birchmore. The band had a single out on Columbia in 1967 titled “Fragile Child” but here the singer is said to be Dick Smith.

I’m Talking About You (2:48) mid ‘60s (previously unissued)

Various 6-CD: Wyld Beests And Weirdos [Rubble RUB6CDBOX-18] ● UK, 2020

6 CDs of British ‘60s R&B, Beat and Punk. The Berry cover above is done very differently than most others, more raw in structure. Several other Berry covers are featured in this package: Four + One - Don’t You Lie To Me (credited to Berry as it was on the original single); Pat Wayne & The Beachcombers - Roll Over Beethoven; Washington D.C.’s - Carol; Mickey Finn & The Blue Men - Reelin’ And Rockin’; The Dominoes - Bye Bye Johnny.

GEORGE WALLY (USA)

Walter George Pearch Jr. was a conservative radio and TV commentator. Born 1931 in Oakland, California, died in 2003. I have seen 3 albums by him, 1978-1986. He could sing live on TV without hesitation as you can see on You Tube.

Back In The USA (4:48) 1986

LP: Sings The Rock Hits [Taboo 1017] ● USA, 1986

TEDDY WENDER & JAZZMATIK (USA)

Musician, composer who have collaborated with many well-known artists. Born 1952. Member of White Cloud. All three covers below are on You Tube and they are pretty good.
As far as I can tell he’s featured on CD Baby.

Around And Around (3:02) 2015

CD/Digital: Play List [Self released 1586 76640 2 1] ● USA, 2015 (November)

Nadine (3:46) 2015

CD/Digital: Rockin’ Back Vol. 2 [Self released 3666 39956 2 9] ● USA, 2015 (May)

You Never Can Tell (3:03) 2025

CD/Digital: Fuse Breaker [Self released ] ● USA, 2025