Not a Second Time : Reviews of Beatles Songs as Sung by Other Artists

Published at the end of 1990, this is a collection of columns from a workplace newsletter called WLN Ink. I wrote about 8 more columns on this subject after this booklet was published.

A number of comix people knew about this little, shall we say, disease of mine and enabled it by sending me really bad versions they had come across, among them were Lynn Hansen, Wayno, Bruce Chrislip, Mark Campos. But I also started corresponding with garage bands, cassette artists and independent musicians like Micky Saunders and Greg Stomberg-- who were to music what we Newavers were to cartooning-- and really enjoyed hearing their original takes on the Beatles.

I must say I sure was pretty mean-spirited about Paul McCartney's music in here, and he really didn't deserve it. In fact, in a lot of ways he was the most experimental and creative of the Fabs. I now extend a public apology to Sir Paul McCartney, although he did a have a real bad musical patch there in the 1970s.

Anyway, before the days of Internet I started to acquire versions of Beatles songs as sung by other people. But it came to a screeching halt. Here's what I wrote in OlyBlog about the whole thing in 2007:

I used to acquire bad versions of Beatle songs sung by other artists. It all started with hearing Bing Crosby's version of "Hey Jude" on the radio in 1980, but it grew into something of a disease. However, I eventually cured myself.

Back about 1990, when I had been at this little activity for a decade, fellow-cartoonist Peter Bagge paid me a visit here in McCleary. I showed him my collection of bad Beatle versions and he sort of shook his head in dismay. A little later he wrote an introduction to the paperback Morty the Dog volume 2 (1991) and included this bit: "Now get this: life is so boring in this 'town' of his that this Hick-Who-Calls-Himself-Willis is forced to amuse himself collecting on cassette tapes every version of every Beatle song ever recorded ('Yesterday takes up three-and-a-half tapes alone!' he informs me with pride), easily the most pointless and absurd 'hobby' I've ever come across."

So here is how I cured myself. In 2003 I drove to Redding, California to visit a friend. By that time I had collected over 15 hours of "Yesterday" alone. So I played them all back-to-back on the way south, and part of the way north. They didn't end until I hit Salem on the return trip. By that time I had become another person-- a person no longer interested in hearing another version of Beatles song sung by a different artist.

Anyway, for your bibliographic pleasure, here is list of the artists who covered "Yesterday" that serenaded me to Redding, and back again to Salem. From Salem to McCleary I was numb and almost comatose:

12 Cellos of the Berlin Philharmonic
52 Key Verbeek Fairground Organ
101 Strings
All Star Pop Orchestra
Allen, Robert
Ambrose, Amanda
Ames, Ed
Arizita
Armenian Philharmonic
Arnold, P.P.
Arpin, John
Arthur Wilkinson & his Orchestra
Atkins, Chet
Ballard Beatles
Band of the Irish Guards
Banda de los Corazones Solitarios
Barbosa-Lima, Carlos
Basie, Count
Bassoon Extravaganza
Bayless, John
Bayless, John (as Bach)
Beatlemania
Beatles (Anthology)
Beatles (Anthology)
Beatles (Christmas message)
Beatles (Tokyo 7/1/66)
Beatles (Tokyo 7/2/66)
Beatles (Germany 1966)
Beatles (Sullivan 1965)
Beatles (TV anthology)
Bendorff, Benny
Berberian, Cathy
Bettys
Big Ben Banjo Band
Black, Cilla
Boltin, Michael
Boyz II Men
Brodshy, Vadim
Brothers Four
Brothers Four (Mono)
Bruno, Tony
Bugs & Friends
Byrd, Charlie
Canadian Brass
Caravelli
Cavallaro, Carmen
Chacksfield, Frank
Charles, Ray
Clark, Roy
Clayderman, Richard
Clayderman, Richard (Medley)
Columbia Musical Treasuries Orchestra
Cooper Point Gong Band (1990)
Cooper Point Gong Band (1995)
Corbett, Bill
Cramer, Floyd
Creams
Cugat, Xavier
Current Event
Dandy
David, Mel "Trumpet Man"
Dean, Billy
Diana Ross & the Supremes
DiCola, Vince
Dillards
Dino, Desi & Billy
Domingo, Placido
Domino, Floyd
Don Ho & the Aliis
Don Shirley Trio
Doodletown Pipers
Doonican, Val
Douglas, Steve
Dougals, Steve
Dr. Fink & the Mystery Band
Drusky, Roy
Duffy, John
Duke, Patty
Ed Kilbourne, Kent Kilbourne, Dave Myers
Ed Sullivan Singers
Edwards, Jackie
Elena Duran & Stephane Grappelli
Ellis, Ray
En Vogue
Esposito, Tony
Essex, David
Euphoria
Expressions
Eyes of Blue
Faithfull, Marianne
Farlowe, Chris
Farm Beatles
Feliciano, Cheo
Feliciano, Jose
Ferrante & Teicher
Fiedler, Arthur
Fisher, Eddie
Franchi, Sergio
Frank Pourcel Grand Orchestra
French & Saunders
Gary, John
Gary Tesca Orchestra
Gaye, Marvin
Gemini
Gene Siskel & Dennis Rodman
George Shearing with Quintet & Multi-Colored Orchestra
Gerald Wilson Orchestra
Gleason, Jackie
Gloriuex, Francois
Gold, Marty
Goldsboro, Bobby
Goodman, Benny
Gordon, Michael
Grant, Earl
Grebmots
Grossman, Mike
Grossman, Mike
Grossman, Mike
Grossman, Mike
Grossman, Mike
Gruisin, Dave
Guaraldi, Vince
Haax
Hanson, Paul, Jr.
Harry Deal & the Galaxies
Harvard Glee Club
Herbert Rehbein & his Orchestra
Hesitations
Hill/Wiltschinsky Guitar Duo
Hirt, Al
Hollyridge Strings
Hollywood Brass
Husky Marching Band
Inman, Jerry
Itoh, Kimiko
Ives, Burl
Jack Hansen & his Orchestra
Jack Hansen & his Orchestra
Jalopy 5
Jamie & the J. Silvia Singers
Jankowski, Horst
Jeebs, Prof. Hokum W. (TV)
Jeebs, Prof. Hokum W. (Radio)
Jensen, Dick
Jerry Murad's Harmonicats
John, Dr.
Johnny Mann Singers
Jones, Jack
Jones, Linda
Jones, Tom
Jurgens, Udo
Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus
Keith Textor Singers
Kerr, Anita
Kessel, Barney
King's Singers
Kiriakou, Emanuel
Kosinkis et al.
Kostelanetz, Andre
Lanin, Lester
Last, James
Lawrence Welk & Neil Levang
Lawrence Welk & Norma Zimmer
Lee, Brenda
Lee Castle & the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra
Lefevre, Raymond
Lendzian, Klaus
Lettermen
Lewis, Barbara
Liberace
Lindsay, Mark
Lipskin, Mike
Liverpool
London Fogs
London Starlight Orchestra
London Symphony Orchestra with the London Pop Choir
Longines Symphonette
Lopez, Trini
Lunch Time
Lynn, Vera
Lynne, Gloria
Mancini, Henry
Mantovani
Mario Argandona/Tato Gomez
Marlowe, Michell
Marsden, Gerry
Marston, Stephen
Martin Bottcher und sein Orchester
Mathis, Johnny
Matsuoka, Keiko
Maxiplay Pops et al.
McCallum, David
McCartney, Paul
McCartney, Paul (Medley)
McCartney, Paul (Live 1990)
McCartney, Paul (Live 1993)
Merrill Jr. High School Intermediate Band of 1968
Midnight String Quartet
Moments
Monro, Matt
Monterey String Ensemble
Montez, Chris
Montgomery, Wes
Moon Flower
Moon Flower
Morgan, Jane
Morgan, Lee
Mottola, Tommy
Mullard, Arthur
Nero, Peter
Nevin Platt Jr. High School 7th Grade Chorus of '73/'74
New Classic Singers
New World Electronic Chambre Ensemble
Newman, David
Nordisle Bois et Son Orchestre
Now Sound Orchestra
Ofra Harnoy & the Orford String Quartet
Parigi, Gastone
Paw Prints
Percy Faith & his Orchestra
Percy Faith Strings
Pickin' On Pickers
Presley, Elvis
Pretty Goods
Pucho & the Latin Soul Brothers
Prysock, Arthur
Quezada, Vinicio
Rafey, Susan
Rage Against the Machine
Rainy Day Orchestra
Rainy Day Singers
Randolph, Boots
Raney, Sue
Raschi, Gene
Rawls, Lou
Ray Charles Singers
Ray Conniff & the Singers
Ray Martin & his Orchestra
Raymond & Eddie
Red Stripe Ebony Steel Band
Renay, Diane
Riddle, Nelson
Ripoffs
Robbins, Marty
Rochester Pops
Romantic Strings & Orchestra
Romantic Voices
Ron Butler & the Saxist
Rostal & Schaefer et al.
Rowan Atkinson & Peter MacNicol
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Russ Sainty & the Johnny Arthey Sound
Russell, Andy
Russell, Mark
Sandpipers
Seekers
Seely, Jeannie
Seltaeb
Shank, Bud
Sigler, Bunny
Sill, Tristan
Simon Gale Orchestra
Sinatra, Frank
Sir John Quintet
Smith, Kate
Smothers Brothers
Snoopy's Classiks on Toys
Sollscher, Goran
Spirit
Starlight Woodwinds
Stereo Sound Orchestra & Strings
Stomberg, Greg
Stomberg, Greg
Swarf Sisters
Swoboda, Carl
Syd Lawrence & his Orchestra
Sylvers
Szabo, Gabor
Takahashi, Aki
Taylor, Tyrone
Teddy Phillips, Colleen Lovett & their Mexicali Brass
Templeton Twins
Terry Baxter Orchestra & Chorus
Thielemans, Toots
Thomas, Carla
Toussaint, Allen
Toys
Trio Rococo
Unknown (A sing along ...)
Unknown (German)
Unknown (16 exitos)
Unknown (Yugoslavia)
Unknown (Let your feet walk ...)
Unknown (Seattle demo studio)
Van Eps, George
Van Palthe, Don
Vaughan, Sarah
Vaughn, Tom
Vernon, Jackie
Vic Lewis Orchestra
Villa, Claudio
Village Stompers
Waikikis
Warren Covington Orchestra
Warwick, Dionne
Wayne King & Orchestra
Welk, Lawrence
Wells, Mary
Williams, Andy
Williams, Roger
Willis, Bryan
Wilson, Nancy
Wings
Womenfolk
Wynette, Tammy
Zamfir

Fun in Acapulco

A weird "half-comic" named in honor of the movie starring Elvis, who happens to be a character in the first story.

1st edition, September 1982, Olympia, Washington, 30 copies, pink cover, enlarged digest size.

2nd edition, August 1984, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 30 copies, white cover, enlarged digest size.

1996, print-on-demand, regular digest size.

1st Danger Room Reprint Edition, July 2005, 5 copies, pink cover, regular digest size.

The story "Tomorrow is Yesterday" was reprinted in Portland Underground Comix # 3 (Portland, Or. : Pastime Pub. Co., 1983)

I have always liked the cover of this one. The rest of the comic comes across as sort of a crazy quilt of ideas linked together with a fraying string of consciousness.

Inside back cover, panel 4. That's a self-portrait.

The back cover is entirely true, except for maybe the final panel.

Dogtown Zoo # 1

OK, here's the screwy deal with the first three editions of this title. They all have the same info on page [2] of the cover: "First and final edition of 60 copies printed in Seattle and Olympia, Wash." But that is, in actual fact as we understand it in this plane of existence, not true.

1st edition, June or July 1982, Seattle and Olympia, Washington, 60 copies, blue cover, enlarged digest size. This was published during the time I moved from Seattle to Oly. I don't remember where it was printed, but the job was so bad I basically discarded most copies and started over. I think I went down a few streets in Oly and just stuck them in people's mail or newspaper boxes at random. Today this edition is one of the harder-to-find books I've published.

[2nd edition], 1982, Olympia, Washington, 30 copies, white cover, enlarged digest size.

[3rd edition], 1982, Olympia, Washington, 30 copies, white cover, enlarged digest size. Indistinguishable from the 2nd edition.

Print-on-demand, 1996 (reprint series), unknown number of copies, regular digest size.

1st Danger Room Reprint Edition, July 2005, 5 copies, yellow cover, regular digest size.

Page 5, panel 3: Another reference to Olympia's newspaper, The Daily Olympian. I think they changed their title to just The Olympian about the time I drew this comic. Who knows, maybe one of those blue cover editions found it's way to the owners of the paper and they decided it was time to change their name as a result of this snarky little detail in the story!

Page 9, panel 1: I always loved that leprosy scab joke, ever since I was a kid.

Page 10, panel 5: Based on Albert Camus, The Stranger, I think.

Page 11, panel 1: "Squirmy Eyed Q-Ball" is an insult my brother came up with and I have employed numerous times in my comix.

Page 12, panel 3: "Unga" was a comic sound my old friend (and comic art fan) Rex Munger used frequently.

Page 15, panel 4: Batum and Schrag are two small hamlets in eastern Washington State.

Page 17: If I don't use the long fadeout, then I'm concluding a story with Morty on the sax. Sorta tiresome after awhile if you ask me.

Page 18, panel 3: In addition to the obligatory "NRA" and "Reagan 80" stickers the others say: "We've been to Humptulips, WA," "Falwell for Prez," "Mukey River, Ioway," "Winooski, Vermont" (I used to drive a taxicab in neighboring Burlington. Sometimes I'd take drunks home from a certain bar in Winooksi. A female bartender would assist a few of these patrons to the car. In just a few years, by a weird coincidence, the bartender and I met again in Puget Sound country, where we were both librarians!).

Another bumpersticker, "Wildermuth Caves, Mo." is in honor of Missouri native (now Seattle resident) and conceptual artist Kevin Wildermuth. Speaking of bumper stickers, he made one that declared "I'd rather be masturbating" and proudly placed it on his rear bumper. While this was on his car I rode with him from Oly to Seattle. The response from the other motorists is worth an entire article.

Page 23: Another early version of the Big G.

Page 25: Apparently Prof. Verner Von Vernervon was a character I used a several comix in the early 1980s.

Page 27, panel 1: I think the fellow with the beard is Dean True, a friend from college days. There's probably a story behind his quote, "Avacados are too expensive to mash into your face," but I have no memory of why I included that.

The title of this comic has a little history. Around 1980 I got into a drinking contest with a Scandinavian guy in a Spokane bar. He was a fellow houseguest of some friends. I can only recall that I didn't lose. Anyway, the next morning we both accompanied our hosts on a little field trip, to an area they called Dogtown. And we stopped and looked through the fence at a small private zoo. In my hungover state I mumbled "Dogtown Zoo," but it took a couple years to surface in print.