The Music Explosion

The Music Explosion was an American garage rock band from Mansfield, Ohio, discovered and signed by record producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz. The quintet is best known for their number two hit, "Little Bit O' Soul", that received gold record status by the RIAA.[1] Written by John Carter and Ken Lewis, who had previously written big hits for The Ivy League and Herman's Hermits, the song (Laurie Records No. 3380, subsequently reissued on Buddah Records) was the band's only top 40 hit.[1] This single paved the way for tours with contemporaries like The Left Banke and The Easybeats.

The Music Explosion
Background information
OriginMansfield, Ohio,
United States
GenresGarage rock, psychedelic rock
Years active1966–1969
LabelsLaurie Records, Attack Records
Associated actsCrazy Elephant, Ohio Express
MembersJamie Lyons (d. 2006)
Don Atkins
Rick Nesta
Bob Avery
Burton Sahl

"Little Bit O' Soul" has been subsequently covered by several bands including The Ramones; Dodging Susan; and 2 Live Crew, who sampled the melody. On its own, the flip "I See The Light" (featuring a surf guitar bridge) was covered by The Fourth Amendment and had a resurgence on some stations in the Midwest four years later.[2]

The production team of their sole album, Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz, wrote several of the band's tracks which were blatant re-writes of existing songs. Bassist Burton Stahl acknowledged these claims.[3]

Lead singer Jamie Lyons also recorded several solo singles on Laurie while still recording with the group. His first single, "Soul Struttin'", became a Northern Soul hit in several Northeast regions. Lyons died of heart failure at his home at 57 in Little River, South Carolina on September 25, 2006. The band continues touring in festivals with a new lead singer.[2][4] Drummer Bob Avery later became a member of Crazy Elephant.

Band members

Music Explosion
  • James "Jamie" Lyons – singer, percussion
  • Donald (Tudor) Atkins – guitar
  • Richard Nesta – guitar
  • Burton Stahl – bass guitar
  • Robert Avery – drums

Super K staff musicians

Discography w/Billboard chart peak positions

Singles
Year Title Peak chart
position		 Record Label B-side Album
US[5]
1966 "Little Black Egg" – Attack Records "Stay by My Side"
1967 "Little Bit O' Soul" 2[6] Laurie Records "I See the Light" Little Bit O' Soul
"Sunshine Games" 63[7] "Can't Stop Now"
"We Gotta Go Home" 103 "Hearts and Flowers"
1968 "What You Want (Baby I Want You)" 119 "Road Runner"
"Where Are We Going" – "Flash"
"Yes Sir" 120 "Dazzling"
1969 "What's Your Name" – "Call Me Anything"
"The Little Black Egg"
(re-release)		 – "Stay by My Side"

Albums
  • Little Bit O'Soul (#178) – Laurie SLLP-2040—8/67
Side one:
"Little Bit O' Soul" / "I See the Light" / "Everybody" / "Love, Love, Love, Love, Love" / "Good Time Feeling" / "96 Tears"
Side two:
"Can't Stop Now" / "Let Yourself Go" / "Patches Dawn" / "One Potato Two" / "What Did I Do to Deserve Such a Fate" / "(Hey) La, La, La"
"Love, Love, Love, Love, Love" is identical to a recording of the same name by Terry Knight and the Pack (released on the Lucky Eleven label), but has a re-recorded vocal track.

Compilations
  • Little Bit O' Soul—The Best of the Music Explosion—Sundazed—2002
"Little Bit O'Soul" / "I See the Light" / "Everybody" / "Love, Love, Love, Love, Love" / "Good Time Feeling" / "96 Tears" / "Can't Stop Now" / "Let Yourself Go" / "Patches Dawn" / "One Potato Two" / "What Did I Do to Deserve Such a Fate" / "(Hey) La, La, La" / "Little Black Egg" / "Stay by My Side" / "Sunshine Games" / "We Gotta Go Home" / "Hearts and Flowers" / "What You Want (Baby I Want You)" / "Road Runner" / "Where Are We Going" / "Yes Sir" / "Dazzling" / "Jack in the Box" / "What's Your Name"
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See also
  • List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States

References
  1. Murrells, Josephhi (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 227. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. "The Music Explosion Interview". Classicbands.com. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  3. "The Music Explosion". www.markprindle.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  4. "Music Explosion | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  5. "The Music Explosion". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  6. "The Music Explosion Little Bit O' Soul Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  7. "The Music Explosion Sunshine Games Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
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