Beatles - Why/Cry For A Shadow -MGM Promo 45- Beauty

$

185

The Beatles – “Why” / “Cry For A Shadow” – Promo 45

MGM Records K13227 – 1964

On The Beatles' first visit to Hamburg, Germany, in 1960, they met Tony Sheridan, another British musician. Sheridan took a young George Harrison under his wing and helped him improve his guitar skills. George was very eager to learn, and by the time of the Beatles' second trip to Hamburg in April, 1961, the Beatles and Tony Sheridan had become accustomed to playing together.

By that time, too, Polydor Records was ready to offer Tony his first recording contract. Since Tony often played with the Beatles, they were familiar with the songs he might record. (Some accounts have Bert Kaempfert himself hearing the Beatles at the Top Ten Club and personally signing the group, as Tony’s back-up band.) Tony Sheridan was billed as the leader of the group because it would be Tony who stayed on to record albums for Polydor if the first single sold well. The Beatles were billed as “The Beat Brothers” because "Beatles" sounded a lot like the German slang word for penis, which was "peedles."

The first Polydor recording session took place in June, 1961. Although accounts vary, it is known for certain that "My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean)," "The Saints (When the Saints Go Marching In)," "Why," "Cry For a Shadow," "Ain't She Sweet," "Take Out Some Insurance On Me Baby," and "Nobody's Child" were recorded. “Cry For A Shadow” was a Harrison/Lennon instrumental, the only one credited in this way.

On January 5, 1962, "My Bonnie" was released in England as their first single at home,  this time using the band's correct name. By April, 1962, the record had attracted the attention of Decca Records in the USA, which normally released Polydor’s records in America. Decca pre-released promotional singles of "My Bonnie" by Tony Sheridan and the Beat Brothers, but radio stations didn't play it. The commercial single was never released, and most copies were probably destroyed.

When the Beatles hit it big with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and Meet the Beatles, demand arose for anything the Beatles had ever done. MGM Records acquired the rights to issue the four Sheridan/Beatles tracks that were deemed most suitable for release. These were the single, "My Bonnie"/"The Saints," and the additional tracks "Why" and "Cry For a Shadow," which together had been released as an EP in Germany in July, 1963.

"My Bonnie" received its second U.S. release on January 27, 1964. This time, it charted in the top forty.

“Why”/ “Cry For A Shadow” was released by MGM Records on March 27, 1964. The single spent one week on the U.S. singles chart, at number 88, on April 11, 1964.

This auction is for the promotional copy of “Why” b/w “Cry For A Shadow” on MGM. The labels are, at a minimum,  in Near Mint condition, showing only the slightest wear on the B-side only. The vinyl is glossy, with some surface scratches.

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The Fine Print: Payment is required within 3 days. Returns are accepted within 7 days, provided the item is not as described, and I am notified first. I reserve the right to cancel the auction at any time. Shipping is by Media Mail within the U.S. only. International bidders: Please contact me for shipping information before bidding.

I have many Beatles group and solo items including LP's, 45's, CD's, promo's, books and memorabilia. Please call Ron at (619) 328-2891 if you have questions about this or any other Beatles item.