RIP, Paul Leka, pioneer of the Bubblegum Sound

[rasputin1963]

RIP, Paul Leka, one of the key players in the so-called "Bubblegum Sound" of the late 1960's. He was 70.

Don't pretend you didn't love these singles!

 

[video=youtube;hO5Z0PxiZkg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO5Z0PxiZkg&feature=fvst

 

[video=youtube;1HoCgtBLars]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HoCgtBLars

 

[video=youtube;1BjQKMxJNEc]

[Lee Knight]

Totally awesome hippie comb-over for the Steam singer.

 

Yeah, I love this stuff. That Peppermint Rainbow tune is just great. Green Tambourine? Of course! These songs are even more Bubblegum than Micky Most. I love it.

 

RIP Mr. Leka. My kinda guy.

[blue2blue]

"Green Tambourine" really was kind of a guilty pleasure for me... It had a really distinctive, bold sound. I think you really have to give him and his crew credit for that. (And, if you've ever heard much Lemon Pipers, you'll probably find it safe to agree that Mr Leka probably brought a lot to that musical union.)

 

"Kiss Him Goodbye" (or whatever it's called, it's playing now so I can't see the title) almost rose to that. If I punched in during the outro, I'd usually leave it on. Not sure I'd really call that a comb over, per se, but the studio lights seem to have undone him. (He has a sort of Rob Reiner look, doesn't he?) BTW, I don't know if that's the actual single mix or not -- but if it is, I can't believe I never noticed the incredibly bad conga playing. Holy arhythmia, Batman!

 

There's room for infectious pop... you have to love a song (on some level) that makes you want to listen -- even if you hate yourself for doing so. Especially.

 

 

 

RIP, Mr Leka.