Rich here. I was dispiritedly doing my 8th grade math homework in early 1966 with my transistor radio on my desk, tuned alternately to WLS in Chicago and KOMA in Oklahoma City, two 50-thousand watt AM behemoths whose signals I could pick up only at night. And both stations were enthusiastically promoting a rocking new single -- a slab of disc full of Beatles magic. I mean, that was John Lennon's distinctive mannerisms on the lead vocal, and the backing vocals were drenched in those signature Fab Four harmonies. And the rhythm section -- that was George Harrison's explosive guitar licks and Ringo's driving beats. Right???
But, NO! It wasn't the Beatles at all!
It was The Knickerbockers, a rather generic New Jersey dance band that somehow had nicked the Beatles Sound to perfection -- so much so that it fooled this 14-year-old Beatlemaniac!
And here it is 60 years later, and "Lies" still sounds like vintage British Invasion Beatles, just as fresh as it did back in 1966. It's the Best Single The Beatles Never Recorded.
As many of you know, The Knickerbockers went on to be one of the featured House Bands on Dick Clark's daily "Where The Action Is" TV show. They subsequently released a handful of other great guitar-driven pop records. But none were as catchy and undeniable with their pop hooks as "Lies."
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