M- 1967 The Five Americans WESTERN UNION Teen Garage a+

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27

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*** ATTENTION!

1967 TEEN GARAGE SENSATIONS ~ RARE ORIGINAL COLLECTORS CLASSIC!                                         

     THE FIVE AMERICANS

                 WESTERN UNION

                                USA - ABNAK Records - ABLP 2067 - MONO

Scarce and clean 1967 MONAURAL first pressing original "garage" teen sounds album, the mono release offers a punchy sound production, much different from the stereo issue

In 1966-1967, the FIVE AMERICANS, a Dallas Texas group enjoyed national success with the number 3 hit "Western Union," as well as a few other Top 40 entries, "I See the Light," "Zip Code," and "Sound of Love." Dominated by high bubbling organ lines and clean harmony vocals, the group favored high-energy pop/rock far more than British Invasion or R&B-inspired sounds, although a bit of garage/frat rock raunch could be detected in their stomping rhythms -- and their guitar-dominated tracks offered something else again... the Five Americans  1967 "Western Union" Lp was their high point, generating music that was not only superb radio teen-scene rock, but also credible garage rock on occasion, and excellent pop/rock overall, with killer harmonies and excellent playing, filled with the kinds of hooks that most bands would kill for on their records.

The members of Five Americans first met in Durant, Oklahoma at South-eastern Oklahoma State University in 1962. Under the leadership of lead guitarist, Mike Rabon, they formed a group called the Mutineers. The band played local beer joints and frat dances until the summer of 1964, when Mike suggested that they go to Dallas to try and make enough money to pay for tuition for the following fall semester. With the onslaught of the "British Invasion" by bands with strange sounding names, the group also took on a new handle. They were not bugs or beasts of any kind, they were simply, Five Americans.
They achieved some local notoriety in a dive called the Pirate's Nook. There, they were discovered by a local record label called Abnak Records. John Abdnor, president of the label, took the group under his wing and provided them the resources to write and practice original songs. In the summer of 1965, they released an original tune entitled "I See The Light". The song went to the top twenty in Billboard Magazine and paved the way for a string of hits by the five. "I See The Light" was followed by "Evol-Not Love" which also charted in the top 40 nationwide.
Then came the biggest hit of all by the band, "Western Union". With Mike Rabon on lead vocal, this song, which was inspired by a Western Union telegram sign, went on to become number 6 on Billboard and number 3 on Cashbox. "Western Union" sold in excess of one million records and paved the way for the group to appear on American Bandstand twice and Where The Action Is 4 times as well as The Steve Allen Show.
"Western Union" was followed by a less gimmicky and more melodic song entitled "Sound Of Love" which charted in the top 40 as well. Then, bowing to pressure from DJ's the world over to write another communication song, they followed "Western Union" with "Zip Code", which also went top 40.

Western Union

Gimme Some Lovin'

Husbands And Wives

If I could

Sympathy

Big cities

B:
Sound Of Love

I Put A Spell On You

Tell Ann I Love Her

Reality

Now That It's Over

See Saw Man

CONDITION: The cover is very stiff and solid with no bends, no seam splits and no writing anywhere, "M-" ...very collectible...

The vinyl is all glossy clean and clear M- TOP LEVEL keeeper

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record