CBID - Johnny B. Goode's covers list keeps growing

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: Johnny B. Goode is by far the most often covered Berry song. And I keep finding more and more.

As always, my sources are: Discogs, YouTube, Google, and most importantly my own collection.

On page 1240 (CBID Vol.3) I have a band called Help Yourself doing “Johnny B. Goode” on United Artists UP-35466 (1972). Well, it turns out that this is wrong. The single in question has two different performers. Side A is by Help Yourself and side B doing Johnny B. Goode is by someone called Space Truck & The Freight Yard Marshalls which consisted of people from Flying Aces, Ducks Deluxe & The Helpless Elves. And it was recorded live at The Dead Canary, Pontneddfechan, a village in Powys, Wales. On the actual single Berry was not credited.

On page 1288 (CBID Vol.3), German band The Kettels with “Maybellene” (1965) turns out NOT to be the Berry number. Scrap it to the NO Chuck section.

Refering to page 1327 (CBID Vol.3). I got me the Andy Lloyd CD “Rock Hits” (1996) and it turns out that “Reelin’ And Rockin’” actually is a cover of “Around And Around”. An unforgivable title-mistake from the producer or whatever.

ALBOROSIE (Italy/Jamaica)

Real name Alberto D’Ascola, singer, songwriter, guitarist in the reggae genre. Born 1977 in Marsala, Sicily. In the mid ‘90s he was part of the reggae movement in Italy. He moved to Kingston, Jamaica in 2001, and his first album “Soul Pirate” came out in 2008. Has been active ever since with several albums to his credit.

Johnny B. Goode (4:34) 2017

CD: Soul Pirate – Acoustic [Evolution Music Group EVSA-476] ● Jamaica, 2017

As expected this sounds very much like the Peter Tosh rendition from 1983.

ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (USA)

Famous southern rock band founded 1969 in Macon, Georgia, by Greg and Duane Allman (Duane died 1971). Their first album came out in 1969 on Atco Records. In 1976 the band had an album titled "Wipe The Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas" which of course is a text-line from Berry’s Too Much Monkey Business. Despite that they never recorded a Berry tune. When searching discogs I got the «Grateful Dead» syndrome, you wouldn’t believe how many live albums and box sets there are of this group. For instance, in 2007 they released through Peach Records a 71 CD wooden box-set (really?) of their 2007 Summer Tour.

Johnny B. Goode (6:20) 1972 (live) feat. Johnny Winter

CD: Welcome To Hollywood [Archivio ARC-025] ● Italy, 1994
LP: Hollywood Bowl 1972 [Let Them Eat Vinyl LETV-229LP] ● UK/Europe, 2014

Recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California, 6 August 1972.
Also see page 1038 (CBID Vol.3) under Duane Allman.

ALWARI TUOHITORVI (Finland)

Pop/glam rock quartet founded in 1968 in Ähtäri. Disbanded in the early ‘80s.

Johnny B. Goode (2:37) 1974

LP: Pop Liisa 11 [Svart Records SRE-016] ● Finland, 2017

Live broadcast on Channel 2, Wednesday 13 March, 1974. 450 copies released in two different vinyl versions, black 300 copies, hot pink 150 copies. The music is just a standard rock rendition.

ANGELUS APATRIDA (Spain)

Trash metal band (quartet) from Albacete, founded in 2000. They have some 10 albums out since 2006.

Johnny. Goode (3:01) 2015

33 1/3 EP: Immersed [Metal Blade Records 3984-41078-1] ● Germany, 2015

This is Berry on heavy high speed … Angelus has 2 titles on one side and the band Dew-Sceented has 2 on the other. This came in three variations, 200 copies in black vinyl, 200 copies in orange marbled vinyl, and 100 copies in magenta marbled vinyl.

LES BARKER (UK)

Poet and musician, songwriter, born in Manchester in 1947, died 2023, by then living in Wales. He published many books and recordings during his career. He also performed at various folk festivals in the UK.

Johnny B. Goode [as “Quasi B. Goode”] (2:46) 1980 vocals by Ian A. Anderson

45: Avada AVS-112 ● UK, 1980
LP: Dogmatic [Avada AVA 111] ● UK, 1980

New lyics by Les Barker. Recorded in March 1980 at Millstream Studio, Cheltenham. Produced by Les Barker. This was also covered in 1986 by Jon Benns with Fairport Convention & Würzel, see page 1068 in CBID Vol.3.
See also Mrs Ackroyd Band

COCK’O’DRILLS, The (Italy)

I am not quite sure if I bother. On discogs it says Electronic, rock. Created by Claudio Casalini. They are a rock’n’roll trio - quartet – quintet, take your pick.

Johnny B. Goode (1:45) (in a Rock’n’Roll Medley) 1994

12” single 33 1/3 rpm: Claudio Casalini Presents The Cock’O’Drills [Flying Records Itaalia FIT-015] ● Italy, 1994
LP: Chupa Chupa [Flying Records Italy FIT-016CD] ● Italy, 1994

The medley has 7 rock’n’roll classics together with an original opening song titled “The Fifties”. All covers are about 1:40 long take or give a few seconds.

DEADYN (Italy)

Metal band from Rimini, Emilia-Romagna. I have found only this one album.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1989

LP: Back Street Heroes [Splattered Records SPLAT-013] ● USA, 2019

This is a reissue of an original self-released cassette tape from the band in 1989. 500 copies pressed on random colored vinyl. Also includes a folded poster.

GIRLS (Japan)

They were a quintet. Seem to be pioneers of the Josei rock movement. Very inspired by US group The Runaways.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1977

LP: Girls [Philips S-7016] ● Japan, 1977

HARD ROCK CANDY (USA)

Sorry, haven’t the slightest idea. Nothing is mentioned on discogs about who it is or on the label for that matter, except that it’s printed Oklahoma City on the label. It’s on You Tube if you like and it’s not hard rock at all, rather a primitive rock version. But overall a good one.

Johnny B. Goode (2:58) 1970s

45: HRC Records no cat no ● USA, 1970s

IMPECCABLE (USA)

Hard rock/heavy metal quartet from Lubbock, Texas, founded in late 1976. On the album below the members were: Don Allison (lead vocals), Darren Welch (lead guitar, vocals), Richard Rico (bass), and Morris Payne (drums). On discogs there’s only one album (as below) mentioned.

Johnny B. Goode (3:16) 1979 (live)

LP: Live On The Rox [GBC Records GB10-451-2] ● USA, 1979
CD: Live On The Rox [Rockadrome ROCK-057-V-2] ● USA, 2016

Pretty fast and noisy. Recorded live 24 & 25 August ’79 at a club called The Rox in Lubbock, Texas.

MANY And THE TEDDYSHAKERS (West Germany)

Rock’n’roll revival band from Freiburg, founded in 1971 by Many Sievert, known as Freiburg’s King of Rock’n’Roll. He died in 2008.

Johnny B. Goode / Around And Around (as “Jonny B. Goode”) ( : ) 1982

45: EOM Records 12601 ● West Germany, 1982 (PS)

Not quite sure what this is. According to discogs it’s a medley of Berry’s ‘Johnny B’. and ‘Around And Around’. However, track 1 is credited to one J. Weirich and the other is credited as Traditional. I haven’t been able to listen to it, so…

Carol (2:15) 1988 (live)
Sweet Little Sixteen (2:56) 1988 (live)

LP: Rock And Roll Live [Aurophon AU-11191] ● West Germany, 1990

Recorded 1988 at International "Zelt-Musik-Festival", Freiburg.

MARDS (USA)

Sorry, have no idea. Except they sound like a typical mid ‘60s beat group.

Johnny B. Goode (2:34) 1965

45: Carney Records R-1215-3-BL-1 / 2 ● USA, 1965

Vocals by Tom Langlois. B-side “High Heel Sneakers” has vocals by Bill Large. The record number looks like a matrix no.

MESSAGE (USA)

Rock group from Boone, North Carolina.

Johnny B. Goode (2:55) 1974

45: Message Records GLX/KP-808 ● USA, 1974

It says Recorded at Galaxie III Studios, Taylorsville, North Carolina, which was opened in 1968 by brothers Harry and Jim Deal. On the record above Harry Deal was the engineer.

MRS ACKROYD BAND (UK)

Featuring Les Barker. Based in Manchester. Also consisting of Alison Younger, Hillary Spencer, Chris Davey and others. Named after the small mongrel (mixed breed) dog Mrs. Ackroyd belonging to Barker.

Johnny B. Goode [as “Quasi B. Goode”] (2:44) 1990

CD: Oranges And Lemmings [Mrs Ackroyd Records DOG-007] ● UK, 1990

On this version Les Barker himself is doing the vocals.
See also Les Barker on this blog.

PARADOX (USA)

Again, too little info on who, what, when? Except that the label was from Coventry, Rhode Island and was started in the mid ‘80s. Listening to “Sea Cruise” (B-side) they sound like a country/rock band.

Johnny B. Goode (3:01) 1984

45: Hot Rock Records CVY-103 ● USA, 1984

RANDY & ALTHEA (Canada)

Randy Read (vocals, acoustic guitar, tenor sax), Althea Digregorio (vocals), Rob Wright (electric guitar), Jim Cobban (piano), Gary Spicer (pedal steel), Stu Valance (bass), John Meydam (drums). This is probably a country group. I haven’t found anything else by them.

Johnny B. Goode (5:13) 1979

45: STC Productions STC-001 / 002 ● Canada, 1979 (PS)

Recorded 4-11 February ‘79 at Grange Studio, Whitby, Toronto.

ROADENTZ (USA)

Rock band. 5 guys from Coventry, Rhode Island. However, there were some changes made between the two albums below. Several clips on You Tube by them (but not from the actual albums below). In 2020 they reunited.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1985
Reelin’ And Rockin’ ( : ) 1985

LP: No Sweat! [Hot Rock Records CVY-104] ● USA, 1985

Run Rudolph Run ( : ) 1987
School Day ( : ) 1987
You Never Can Tell ( : ) 1987

MC: Return To Parts Unknown [Hot Rock Records CVY-106] ● USA, 1987

BOB STEELE (USA)

Would be interesting to know but no info available. Except he’s probably from Philadelphia.

Johnny B. Goode (2:32) early 1970s
Johnny B. Goode (2:32) early 1970s (instr)

45: Grand Prix Records GP-202 ● USA, early 1970s

Recorded at Queen Village Studios, Philadelphia, PA. The B-side instrumental is for sing-a-long, without Bob Steele.

FREDDY STEWART (Belgium)

Pop singer born in Sint-Niklaas in 1950. Real name is Freddy De Cohen. On discogs I have found 5 singles by him from 1982-1985.

Johnny B. Goode ( : ) 1992

45: VGent Inc 92001 ● Belgium, 1992 (PS)

Not quite sure about 1992. I have decided for that year because of the record #. I have not been able to listen to the song either, so…
The most strange thing is that the sleeve says Freddy but on the label itself it says Freddie on both sides(!)

SCREAMING LORD SUTCH & His Savages (UK)

See Volume 3, page 1543-1544 for biographical info.

Johnny B. Goode (run through #1) (2:18) mid 1960s
Johnny B. Goode (run through #2) (2:16) mid 1960s
Johnny B. Goode (rehearsal) (2:11) mid 1960s
Bye Bye Johnny (2:38) mid 1960s

10” LP: Joe Meek’s Tea Chest Tapes: Savage Sounds From The Halloway Road [Trophy (Western Star) TRV10-13] ● UK, 2024

Again the trouble is the year!!! No info about recording date(s). Anyway, Joe Meek died in February 1967, so I think mid ‘60s is okay.

JOHNNY WINTER (USA)

See Volume 3, page 1610-1611 for biographical info.

Johnny B. Goode (6:51) 1979 (live)

CD: Blues Rock Legends Vol.3 [Mig-Music (WDR) MIG-90362] ● Germany, 2011

This is in the Rockpalast Series. Recorded live at Grugahalle, Essen, 21-22 April ’79. Featuring Johnny Winter (vocals, guitar), Jon Paris (bass), Bob Torello (drums). There’s also an LP containing part of the concert but with no Johnny B.

Johnny B. Goode (4:14) 2011 (live)

CD: Live From Japan [MVD Audio MVD-6664A] ● USA, 2015

Recorded live in Tokyo on 15 April 2011 at the Zepp Tokyo Music Hall. Featuring Johnny Winter (vocals, guitar), Paul Nelson (guitar), Scott Spray (bass), Vito Liuzzi (drums).