Jive Bombers Record Label Shots

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You have to go back to 1936 for the origins of the Jive Bombers biggest selling record. Lillian (Lil) Armstrong wrote and recorded it as Brown Gal, with her swing orchestra. It was issued on Decca 1092 backed with "Or Leave Me Alone". She was the second wife of Louis Armstrong, and was accomplished in her own right. It was recorded by Deek Watson and the Ink Spots in 1938, and again by Deek in 1954. But, the Jive Bombers actually recorded in for the Citation label, only as a 78. The Jive Bombers go back to the 30's with Clarence Palmer as the lead, known as the Palmer Brothers, who were based out of Rhode Island. Palmer along with members of the group Sonny Austin and the Jive Bombers, recorded Brown Boy, now as Al Sears and the Sparrows on Coral in 1949. In 1952 the group name was the Jive Bombers and they recorded it again for the Detroit based Citation records. In late 1956, the title was changed to Bad Boy, and the big hit version was waxed for Savoy. The Jive Bombers recorded four more discs for Savoy, and one for the Middle Tone label in 1964. The lineup was constantly changing, but lead vocalist Clarence Palmer, Earl Johnson, plus Al and William Tinney, made up the group on Savoy. The unique vocal styling's of Palmer created a great hit and several unique follow up recordings. They continued to sing for quite some time, just on the strength of "Bad Boy".

Although not the first Jive Bombers release (As mentioned above, 1949 as the Sparrows on Coral and 1951 on Citation was earlier), this was a very odd release. It is a promo even though the typical Savoy "Sample" is not shown, and was sent out to radio stations to play. There are several interesting things. The title was not "Bad Boy" but rather "Little Bad Boy". Although the Citation release was "Brown Boy", the plan, I believe, was to title this "Bad Boy". Next, you can see in the middle left that the 78RPM release numbers were partially used- 45-1508-78. On the middle right you can see the 6914XX, the XX not used on the normal release. What you can't see are the normal machine stamped numbers in the dead wax along with RVG etched, and most odd was that it was mastered at the wrong speed! It plays at 16RPM. You can imagine that most of the DJ's threw the record away because of the errors. This is one of just a few known copies. Two of the three I know of were found in the greater Detroit area. If you have one, email me the details, including the dead wax numbers. I'd love to hear your story!

Here is the original 78 of the now correctly titled "Bad Boy". A classic song that has been revived in a couple of Hollywood movies. The flip is "When Your Hair Has Turned To Silver". This was released in 1956.

This is the next attempt at the 45 Promo. This one they did get correct. Notice the song "Bad Boy" shows writing credits to Lil Armstrong.

Here is the stock issue of "Bad Boy". I always have enjoyed the maroon savoy label. Notice that this version has the words "A Hifi Recording" in the upper right, instead of over the title of the song. This is the only Jive Bombers release I have like it. The lettering is also smaller.



This is the most common original version of Bad Boy with Hi Fi over the title.

Finally, an early 60's legitimate issue of Bad Boy on the dark blue Savoy label. The printing is larger but the information stays basically the same. Savoy actually issued a bunch of their back catalog in the early 60's.

78's and 45's were instantly pressed for the jive Bombers next release, based on the huge sales of "Bad Boy". The follow up was the Clarence Palmer led "If I Had A Talking Picture". A nice mid tempo recording that differed a little in the vocal delivery of "Bad Boy", but had a similar group sound to it. The flip was led by Pee Wee Tinney and was the up tempo"The Blues Don't Mean A Thing". This was issued in 1957.



The 45 RPM issue of the same record. Southern Music is credited on the "B" side of the 45, but not the 78. BMI appears to be dropped as well. Joe "Lucky" Carle was a DJ on the east coast and had a hand in the career of Jack Scott.

The stock copy with the usual Savoy colors to easily identify the powerhouse label of the time. I like the phrase "A Hi Fi Recording" that is placed over the title of the records.



On their third release, and second for 1957, the Jive Bombers went back to the formula that gave them their earlier hit. It is now Clarence "Bad Boy" Palmer on both sides of the record. "Cherry" is the A side and is quite enjoyable. "You Took My Love" was an up tempo effort for the flip. Another decent pairing for the group. The 78 RPM is shown.


Here is the promotional issue of "Cherry" and "You Took My Love". According to the scribble, either someone was trying out their pen, or the DJ intended to play the "You Took My Love" side.

Here is the stock pairing of the Jive Bombers record. Notice that Clarence "Bad Boy Palmer" is now listed with the Jive Bombers.

On to 1958 and the promo copy of "Is This The End". Another ballad on the plug side, and another effort using the same vocal tricks by Palmer. A fair song at best. "Just Around The Corner" was the up tempo flip which was now a pattern for the group.

The stock maroon copy on Savoy is shown. This is the second and last issue that lists Clarence Bad Boy Palmer on the label.



On their last release for Savoy, they chose the old standard "Stardust", and a nice delivery is presented by Clarence Palmer. This was recorded in 1959, and was a great choice to release. "You Give Your Love To Me" broke the previously established pattern and is a fair ballad for the flip. Notice Palmer is not given label credit on this release. The promo is shown above.

This is the stock release for the Jive Bombers last record for Savoy. If you are a fan of the group, then you have to enjoy the style they had and their treatment to the old standards.



About five years after the Jive Bombers last release for Savoy, they cut a single for the Middle Tone label from New York. The "A" side shown above is "Anytime (Is The Right Time)" and is a mediocre rock and roll record. On the flip is "Days Of Wine And Roses", which is more like what I would expect to hear from the group. This 45 was issued in 1964, so the competition for rock and roll was stiff. They might have had better luck plugging the ballad on the flip, to easy listening stations.

These next two records are way too cool. From France, above is the first of two EP's that were issued on the French label called Barclay. This EP has the "A" sides of the first three Jive Bombers releases, and the 3rd "B" side. The picture on the cover is worth the price of admission alone.

The second EP included both sides of the last Savoy 45, and two others for a total of four. The cover is almost the same. Using the native language, the Jive Bombers are now "Les Jive Bombers". Savoy is also given due credit on the Barclay label.

Although not the Jive Bombers, this is a related release featuring Lil Gal Armstrong. As discussed earlier, she is credited with writing the song, here in it's original form as "Brown Gal", before the Jive Bombers reworked it some to be Bad Boy. The record is on Decca and released in 1936.

Gone Missing: The recording by the Sparrows of Brown Boy on Coral in 1949 and the Jive Bombers Brown Boy release on Citation in 1952, both 78's. Also,other 78's by the group of 1535 and 1560.