Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Jody Reynolds - R.I.P.

Jody Reynolds, who recorded one of the all time classic songs of the rock & roll era for Demon Records, 'Endless Sleep', passed away on November 7 in Palm Springs, CA. He was 75.

'Endless Sleep' was recorded at the legendary Goldstar recording studio in Hollywood in 1958, with Al Casey picking those unforgettable ominous sounding deep guitar chords which punctuate the song. He was accompanied on the classic by ex-Nat King Cole guitarist, Irving Ashby, as well as jazz great Howard Roberts, with Raymond Martinez on drums.

Jody wrote the song in 1956, although 2 years passed before he got it into the recording studio. The record sold a million for Jody and became an international hit. The follow-up, 'Fire Of Love' also charted, but somehow it just lacked that special something which made 'Endless Sleep' such anunforgettable record and also one of the earliest death songs.