Rosie and the originals claim to fame was "Angel Baby", released in late 1960, and peaked   on  the Billboard  charts at #5 in 1961. Rosie Hamlin, lead vocalist,has told the story of   recording their big hit in an airplane hangar in the San Diego area. Included on this   page are all the Highland, Brunswick,and only Globe 45's. Also,the mono and stereo   versions of her Brunswick LP,a Canadian issue of"Angel Baby", and a couple of radio station promos. I also have an interview that was split into three parts as I ran it on consecutive radio shows. Listen to them here. 1 2 3 . They were recorded in the summer of 2003.

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This is the first record,"Angel  Baby" on Highland 1011. It would prove to be Highland's biggest hit by far, selling millions of copies. The flip side of "Angel Baby", "Give Me Love, sounded much different then the hit.They needed something for the flip, and put this blues number on.
 
 
 
Here is a  variation  of  the Highland  label that  shows no  lines in the middle of the label.    The dead wax numbers in this copy are the same as the numbers in the previous two, so it was manufactured in late 1960.
 
 
 
Same record label, same matrix and record label numbers, but it's the bright yellow version. Not uncommonly rare, but certainly less were pressed in this color. Did they run out of Orange paper?
   
If they did run out of paper, they apparently used red as well. Everything on the label,   and  the dead wax numbers appear to be the same as the other color labels with lines.
   
 
 
 
This is the  authentic Canadian release  on Zircon 1025,  of Angel Baby. The flip side is the   same as the US issue.Note the reference to Highland records  on the label.
 
 
 
The UK London issue of "Angel Baby" The center has been punched out for use with a 45    RPM spindle adapter.  This may have been released  in early 1961. On the UK issue, much of   the  instrumental introduction has been chopped out.
   
Angel Baby was such a big hit, that London pressed records for Australia. When they did   that, the record numbers were normally different, as above. Highland records was credited, and the center piece on this example is still in tact. You can see it is a four point versus the UK style which was three points.
   
 
 
 
The second release was Highland # 1025 "Angel From Above".This is another fine ballad from Rosie.The flip side shown here,is "Why Did You Leave Me?".Notice the Highland letters are thinner.
 
 
 
The  final release, "Lonely  Blue Nights"  on Highland 1025, is  one of two versions   recorded by Rosie.  The other is  shown below on Brunswick records. "We'll Have A   Chance" was the flip side of this Highland records release, and the Brunswick release shown below.
   
With the  advice and assistance  of  Jackie Wilson,  Rosie switched  to Brunswick records   and recorded"Lonely Blue Nights",  and had  chart action on the Billboard top 100 list.This   is a different version then the Highland issue.The flip is the same as the Highland 1025 release in title,but like "Lonely Blue Nights" on Brunswick, "We'll Have A Chance" was   recorded using the Brunswick studios,and have some differences in quality and sound.   The yellow label "promo" is shown.
   
 
 
Here is the bright orange stock copy of "Lonely Blue Nights". Interestingly enough, the   notation of Figure Music has been deleted from the left side of the label. Though not as   big  of a hit as Angel Baby, it was a great song and performance from Rosie.
   
Here is the UK issue of the minor chart hit for Rosie. The Coral label released it after it showed promise in the USA.
   
 
Rosie's follow-up on Brunswick 55213,"My Darling Forever". No real national chart   activity,  but did hit some  local and regional lists. The"B" side of her last release for   Brunswick is "The Time Is Near".This is the Promo copy,even though it doesn't seem to mention it on the label.
 
 
 
Here is the orange stock copy release. You can see that the text  on the label has been   slightly repositioned.
 
 
 
This is a seldom seen recording from 1962. "My  One And Only Love  was issued on the   Globe  record label.  This song  shows more  of Rosie's vocal  abilities."It Kinda Makes   You   Wonder" is the flip.  Another good side from Rosie.  Not too many of these were originally pressed due to lack of distribution. Contrary to some opinions, Angie Kay, who also recorded a record on Globe - blue wax- is not Rosie.
 
 
In 1973, Rosie Hamlin made a comeback to   the recording industry, and with the   assistance of Gilbert Quesada and Doug   Salma,issued"I Don't Understand" on the   Wax World label. Pictured to the left is the   promotional version, which has the same song   on both sides.It made it easy for the DJ to   decide what to play! This recording was also   issued on a black and white stock release,   paired with "You're No Good".
 
 
 
 
Using  black and  white as  the  label  colors often  indicated  a  promo release, but in  this case, it is the stock copy. "You're No Good"  is the plug side,indicated by the "Side 1" marking  and contrary to the purple promo issue shown above this picture.  Side two of this 1973  release is "I Don't  Understand" by Rosie And The Originals. Both sides   were  produced by The Walrus,  and included Gil Quesada, Bob  Benay, Doug Salma and others in the creation and overall production  of the record.
 
 
 
 
Above is the lone  Brunswick LP that was  produced in 1962.This is the stereo version. On the right is a good shot of the black Stereo Brunswick label, 754102.
 
 
 
This is the mono version of the Brunswick LP, and the mono Brunswick label.
 
 
Here  is  a  promo version  of  Rosie's   Monaural  Brunswick  LP.  Notice  the   yellow/cream color of the label, which is   associated with Brunswick promo LP's The    label  color  is apparently the one and only   indication of the promo copy as there is no   lettering on the label or cover alerting you to it's status.
 
 
 
Canada got  into the act,  and  issued at  least the  mono version of the LP,  on a maroon Brunswick label.  As shown,  it  has a completely  different design. The phrase "Pressed In Canada" appear near the bottom, above  Microgroove. The cover  is almost identical  except  it's lower  quality printing and  images.  It also has  a small made in Canada symbol on the back.
 
 
 
Here's a radio station promo 45 from KDEO AM radio 910.L It looks like it was issued in the   early 70's, when the station format was oldies. Art Laboe, a Los Angeles DJ, put this out  as a promotional item,  pushing  "Art Laboe's  Oldies Club"on Sunset Blvd. Free copies of   the disc were handed  out at  the door.  The flip  side is Little Caesar and the Romans with  the classic" Those Oldies But Goodies  Remind Me  Of You". Art Laboe was promoting   both artists, especially Little  Caesar, whom he he likely had publishing rights with.
 
 
 
Another promotional disc,  this time issued  in conjunction with KERN radio in   Bakersfield, CA.  Angel Baby  was the "B" Side!  This was a  freebie that was given away.   The "A" side "You're No Good" was the record that Rosie was promoting at the time. In   small print,the label mentions that both sides are from an LP "Rosie Remembers", which   never saw the light of day.
 
 
 
This is a radio Station  promotional release by radio station  KRTH in Los Angeles. This   was  issued in the same way  as the above  disc for KDEO radio, and complete with the   pairing of Little Caesar on the flip.  I suspect  Art Laboe  may have been involved with this  release,issued as a freebie not too long after KRTH signed on the air in LA.
   
Here is an odd release on the Sparta label. The label mentions stereo, which indicates it   could be as early as the late 60's, but probably the early 70's. Even though stereo did  show up on 45's in the late 50's, it is my best guess. The label is not the same style as the   Sparta label out of Los Angeles from the early 60's. Sunny And The Sunliners occupy the flip with Think It Over.
   
A real odd release on a short lived Holiday label. "Angel Baby" was the "A" side, the incredibles had the flip side. Very little is correct on the Angel Baby label. The writer is wrong, the "John Ackerman Production" is bogus, and the length of time for the record is too short. Looks like they did get the artist and the speed of the record right.
   
 
 
 
Interesting item that was produced in the late 90's by Erica records. Erica was a   company    that specializes (Still) in colored and shaped picture discs. This was produced   at the same  time Rosie's independently  produced CD was  released. This was a very   limited offering, and less than 200 were manufactured. The same version of Angel Baby   is  on both sides  of the record,  and it is the version released on Rosie's CD. Click the   pictures to see an enlarged view of record labels.
 
   
An interesting record that came out in in early 1961, not long after Angel Baby was issued. This is a tribute song of sorts, and is by Robbie and the Downbeats. "Rosie Baby" is all about Rosie Hamlin and the singer's affection for her. Could it be that Robbie is Robbie Daniels as is listed of 1/2 the writer credits on both sides of the record? The promotional copy is shown by the inscription on the middle right. "Kickin Rocks" is the flip.
   
Have you seen or heard this one before? It came out on the Starlight label in the 1990's, and also was issued on a Starlight accapella CD, too. It says Rosie and the Originals, but it's not. It doesn't even sound like her. Somebody at the label must have really been fooled to have issued this. When Rosie was asked about it at the time ACE was issuing the CD's of her music, she had never heard of the recording before. Here it is, and you can listen to the "Angel Baby" side, by...............
   
 
 
One of two CD's issued by Ace from the UK."The Best Of Rosie And The Originals" has many released and unreleased cuts. It's a really good combination of  fine recordings.  Combined with the previous CD, "Angel  Baby  Revisited" will complete your vintage Rosie And The Originals collection.
 
 
Summary: Rosie and the  originals had a  great selection of records that were issued in   the   early 60's. Angel Baby was the hit, but many fine follow-ups were quality recordings  that really  deserved more attention.  One added note on the Highland and Brunswick   45's. The chronological order of releases is not as straightforward as it may appear.   After  "Angel Baby", Rosie moved to Brunswick, were they began to issue recordings.   Highland tried to capitalize on Rosie's success, and issued the two follow-ups.For a   review on the latest Rosie and The Originals CD, please visit"Rosie Review". For   additional  information on Rosie and the Originals, go to Rosie's web site.
 
 
Gone Missing: If a stereo Brunswick promo LP exists on a USA or Canada press, it is   needed If you have a copy to sell of these releases, or any other unusual issues, please   contact me via email.
 
 

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