THE HEP STARS

Happy weekend, Spy Vibers! It was another super-busy week here in the Spy Vibe lair, but I did find time to cover Mattel's design for Astronaut Barbie in 1965 (and explore Barbie's controversial role) and to continue some promotion for my new book, Talking Mort Walker: A Life in Comics. With the first semester in full swing, days have been devoted to teaching my film, photo, drawing, and cartooning classes. One of the great highlights so far this year is working with my group of 9th-grade drawing students, who found a fun way to channel their positive energy by singing ABBA songs to recharge. I'd never really explored ABBA until this summer, but I can tell you it's a pretty sweet scene when young kids break out into song- it's like a musical in the studio! A couple of choruses of Mamma Mia or Honey Honey and they're psyched and ready to re-focus on their work. Long before ABBA formed, all the band members had careers as popular entertainers. In fact, songwriters Björn and Benny were both busy recording and touring in two of Sweden's most successful bands in the 1960s, The Hootennany Singers and The Hep Stars (ABBA history). Below: 1965 clip of The Hep Stars doing a classic Jerry Lee Lewis number (written by Dave Curlee Williams). That's young Benny Andersson at the keyboards! The Hep Stars had a dynamic stage act that included swinging the bass perilously over the singer's head -reminds me of pounding mochi in Japan! Benny and The Hep Stars found success within Sweden, pounding out rockers and, as many groups did at the time, adapting folksongs for the mainstream -this was back in the days of easy publishing credits for arranging traditional tunes. On a side note: Björn began his music career caught up in the skiffle and Trad Jazz wave, much like The Beatles, Jimmy Page, Van Morrison, and many others (Skiffle on Spy Vibe). The Hep Stars and Hootennany Singers met up at a party in June 1966 and Björn and Benny started to build their friendship and future writing partnership. They had a hit together by 1969, and by 1972 they were launching ABBA with their talented partners Agnetha and Anni-Frid. Benny's most recent release is the 2017 album Piano. Check out records by The Hep Stars from the 1960s at Discogs. Enjoy!

Selected Spy Vibe Posts: Eurospy Music Collection, Beetle Bailey in West Berlin, Why Mort Walker?, Spy Vibe radio: The Beatles Help!, Avengers Critical Guide, The Spotnicks, Benny Spies, James Pond 0017', Satire Stones, Annette Andre Book, Cat Day, Spy Vibe Radio: Get Smart, Caine: My Generation, Interview: Ian Ogilvy, ITC Elstree Event, Horror of Party Beach, Sylvie Vartan Renown, Ringo At 78, Dark Shadows Strips, Spy Vibe Radio: Flint, Archie Batman 66, Paul at 76, Beatles Pac-Man, Spy Vibe Radio: Jerry Cotton, The Invaders, 007 Horowitz Book Tour, McGoohan/Prisoner Event at Elstree, The Prisoner Interviews Vol 1, British Underground Press, Interview: Fab4 Mania, Bond Cocktail Book, Bond at Bletchley, Spy Smasher, Spy Vibe Radio: Peter Gunn, Agent Zero M, New Prisoner Comic, Dr. No Villains Edition,  Spy Vibe Radio: Danger Diabolik, Dr. No 60th, Oy-Oy-Seven, Spy Vibe Radio (UFO), Cold War Comic Strips, Thunderball Event, Mission to India, Mort Walker Celebration,  Peter Wyngarde Celebration, Batman 66 Exhibit, Prisoner Fifty Event, Ian Fleming Publications 2017-2018, Interview: Ed Hulse Pulp, Avengers Audio Drama, Interview: Callan At 50, Interview: Playboys, Spies, Private Eyes, TWA Returns, Spy Vibe Radio 8, Interview: Ryan Heshka, Mid-Century Modern Schulz, Agent Werewolf, Mata Hair Exhibit, Johnny Sokko 50th, Interview: Trina Robbins, Eddie Izzard, The Prisoner Capt Scarlet 50th, Hugh Hefner R.I.P., Jack Good R.I.P., Interview: Shaken Not Stirred, Callan 50th, Spy Vibe Radio 7, The Prisoner 50th Event, Spy-Fi Event, Kaho Aso 007, Two Million, Bo Diddley, Carnaby Pop, Le Carre Events, Billy Bragg Skiffle, Elvis 68, Jack Kirby The Prisoner, Casino Royale Concert, Review: The Prisoner Vol 2, Interview: The Prisoner Essential Guide, Maud Russell Mottisfont, Spy Vibe Radio 4, Batman Gallants, Adam West R.I.P., Village Triangle, Roger Moore R.I.P., Spy Vibe Radio 3, Sgt Pepper 50th, Satanik Kriminal OST, 60s Overdrive, Make Love in London, Spy Vibe Radio 2, Spy Vibe Radio 1, James Bond Strips, Propaganda Mabuse, Interview: Police Surgeon, XTC Avengers, 1966 Pep Spies, Batman Book Interview, Exclusive Fleming Interview, Avengers Comic Strips, Robert Vaughn RIP, UNCLE Fashions, Thunderbirds Are Pop!, Interview: Spy Film Guide, Lost Avengers Found, The Callan File, Mission Impossible 50th, Green Hornet 50th, Star Trek 50th, Portmeirion Photography 1, Filming the Prisoner, Gaiman McGinnins Project, Ian Fleming Grave, Revolver at 50, Karen Romanko Interview, Mod Tales 2, Umbrella Man: Patrick Macnee, New Beatles Film, The Curious Camera, Esterel Fashion 1966, Exclusive Ian Ogilvy Interview, 007 Tribute Covers, The Phantom Avon novels return, Ian Fleming Festival, Argoman Design, Sylvia Anderson R.I.P., Ken Adam R.I.P., George Martin R.I.P., The New Avengers Comics, The Phantom at 80, 007 Manga, Avengerworld Book, Diana Rigg Auto Show, The Prisoner Audio Drama Review.

SHAKE IT UP

Let's shake it up, Spy Vibers! Here are a few classic tracks to get your week started courtesy of Donna Loren on Shindig (1965), Johnny Kid & the Pirates (1960), The Twiliters in a slightly awkward scene from Milano Calibro 9 (1972), The Beatles at the Star Club (1962), Jerry Lee Lewis at the Star Club (1964), and The Lords reunited at the Star Club (2012). Shakin' All Over (4 versions), The Hippy Hippy Shake, and Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On. Enjoy! You got a fave 'shake' tune?

Get ready to meet MIKI ZERO, Japanese fashion model and spy! The creator of Spy Vibe has written a novel called Elevator Girl, inspired by his love of Ian Fleming and based on newly declassified intel from the Cold War. More info at Whiton's website here. Recent Spy Vibe posts: Peter Asher, new Hercule Poirot novel, Beatles fall 2013 releases, A Hard Days Night cinematographer dies, Magic Christian on Blu-ray, Early Beatles image archive, Julie Newmar, Erno Goldfinger, Hitchcock tribute, Ian Fleming memorial, Emma Peel Megaset returns, Bo Diddley here. 

Recent Ian Fleming posts on Spy Vibe: Erno Goldfinger, Ian Fleming Music Series links: Noel Coward, Whispering Jack Smith, Hawaiian Guitar, Joe Fingers Carr, new Ian Fleming Catalog, Jon Gilbert interview, Double 007 Designs, Bond audio book reissues, discovery of one of Ian Fleming's WWII Commandos, James Bond book covers, Ian Fleming's Playboy interview for Kindle, Spy Vibe's discovery of a rare Ian Fleming serialization, rare View to a Kill, Fleming's Royal gold typewriter, Ian Fleming's memorial address