Friday, June 09, 2017

AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Jack Scott

Artist:Jack Scott
Song:What In The World's Come Over You
Album:The Very Best Of Jack Scott





Jack Scott straddled country and rock in the late 50s. He had a total of four top ten hits in the late 50s including What In The World's Come Over You in 1959. He ran out of gas in the early 60s because his record label was sold and the new owners didn't know what to do with him. He was born Giovanni Scafone Jr. Jan. 24, 1936 in Windsor, ON. At age 10, his family moved to the Detroit suburb of Hazel Park. His mom taught him to play guitar. Growing up Scott was a big bluegrass fan. After graduating high school, He formed The Southern Drifters. After three years, Scott signed with ABC-Paramount Records in 1957. After two singles, Scott moved to Carlton Records owned by former RCA A&R head Joe Carlton. He scored a top five hit with My True Love in 1958. Then he served in the US Army. When he returned, Scott signed with Top Rank Records owned by the British film studio Rank Organisation. Their US branch was run by Bob Shad who would go on to found Mainstream Records. Top Rank was sold to EMI in 1960. It's with Top Rank that Scott had his greatest success. What In The World's Come Over You reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Burning Bridges reached #3. Scott wrote most of his own songs including What In The World's Come Over You. His Top Rank albums were produced by jazz musician and bandleader Sonny Lester who would go on to found Groove Merchant Records. Scott also recorded a gospel album and a Hank Williams tribute album. When EMI bought Top Rank, Scott was moved to Capitol. They released some singles but Capitol didn't seem to know what to do with Scott. One possible answer is that he clicked with Lester but he didn't have chemistry with other producers. After a final album in 1964, Scott left Capitol. You can get all his hits on this 2CD budget comp. Scott continued to tour and he would occasionally record. He had some success in country music in the 70s. Scott still lives in Detroit but he is now retired. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame in 2011. Here's Jack Scott performing What In The World's Come Over You on American Bandstand in 1960.

1 comment:

  1. Not exactly 'retire'. Last year he headlined a Rockabilly Concert in Las Vegas and then went to England and headlined another one there. Also, each summer, for many years, he plays a free concert at City Hall Square in Warren Michigan. Still sounds great!

    ReplyDelete