Gary
U.S. Bonds
Early
in his career, Gary U.S. Bonds sang and had a heavy role in the
arrangement of his first hit, “New Orleans”. In order
to draw attention to the record, promotional copies were sent
to radio stations in sleeves inscribed “Buy U.S. Bonds”
- hence at age 19, Gary Anderson became Gary U.S. Bonds.
The follow
up to “New Orleans” was the now legendary “party”
record titled “Quarter to Three”, an instrumental, originally
called “A Night With Daddy G”. Gary and Gene Barge (Daddy
G) went on to write and arrange what became a number one hit that
would eventually inspire Bruce Springsteen to say of Bonds, “There’s
some guys out there, what they do is forever.”
Over the next
three years, Bonds co-wrote and recorded hit after hit: “School
is out.” “School is In,” “Dear Lady Twist,”
“Twist, Twist Senora,” “Not Me” and many more,
rising to a status so high that on a 1962 tour of Europe, he headlined
above a group of relative newcomers called the Beatles.
A few years
later, while still performing, Gary wrote songs for other artists.
Some of those songs became hits. There was the number one Johnny
Paycheck record, “Friend Don’t Take Her, She’s
All I’ve Got,” that was nominated for a Grammy and earned
Gary the nomination of Country Music Association’s “Songwriter
of the Year.” The song also became number one on the R&B
chart with Freddie North.
In 1980, a
chance meeting with Gary became a solid friendship. Shortly after,
a musical collaboration resulted in Bond’s “Dedication”
and “On the Line” LP’s, with singles: “This
Little Girl of Mine,” “Out of Work,” “Jole
Blon” and “Daddy’s Come Home” produced by
Springsteen and Van Zandt. Without a question, Gary U.S. Bonds
was back on stage. His gritty, soulful and powerful vocals sound
even better than before.
With the release
of Gary U.S. Bonds’ next outstanding recordings, it is likely
that his talent as a songwriter and producer will finally become
a focal point of comments about him.
Gary U.S.
Bonds is one of those rare artists who have both a rich history
and an unlimited future.
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