The Crystals “He’s A Rebel” In House 45 rpm Gold Record Disk Award Originally Owned by Phil Spector. This is the original Disc Award from 1962 for the 45 rpm record “He’s A Rebel” performed by “The Crystals” that was the personal property of then Philles Records President Phil Spector. The back of this rare 1965 gold disk award has never been opened. Phil Spector had this particular award made for himself and there is no presentation plate in this award. It is a rare early “Disk Award” Gold Record complete with the etched name in the disk dead wax and the dragon logo. A Letter of Authenticity written by myself will accompany this award. I have written numerous articles published by the Goldmine Record Price Guides on the subject of Gold Record Awards. The historical importance of this song in rock and roll history is immense. “He’s a Rebel” is a song written by Gene Pitney. That was originally recorded by the girl group. Produced by Phil Spector. Their version was issued as a single credited to the Crystals. Which topped the Billboard Hot 100. Chart in November 1962. It was Spector’s first number one hit since To Know Him Is to Love Him. In 2004, “He’s a Rebel” was ranked No. 263 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Billboard named the song #31 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. The song is about a girl in love with a young man who spurns society’s conventions. Despite his being misunderstood by others, the singer claims he is sweet and faithful and vows to be the same towards him. Performs a saxophone solo during the song’s bridge. The piano riff at the beginning was contributed by Al DeLory. Unusually for Spector productions, no strings. Played on the track. Pitney wrote “He’s a Rebel” for The Shirelles. Spector learned Vikki Carr. Was to record it for Liberty Records. As her debut, and wanted his own version on sale first. The Crystals were touring on the east coast of the USA at the time, so Spector had The Blossoms. A Los Angeles group, record the track. He credited The Crystals on the record; Mary Thomas recalled that “our mouths fell open” when she and her groupmates heard a disc jockey announce the new Crystals song. ” The quintet was then obliged to add “He’s a Rebel to their live repertoire, even though lead singer Barbara Alston could not mimic Blossoms lead singer Darlene Love. For this reason, 15-year-old Dolores “LaLa” Brooks. Became the lead singer the following year with the follow-up Then He Kissed Me. “He’s a Rebel” was released in late August 1962, with the b-side I Love You Eddie. ” By November 3, “He’s a Rebel had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The number two song was Pitney’s Only Love Can Break a Heart. Pitney never hit the U. 1 spot as a performer. In the United Kingdom. “He’s a Rebel” peaked at 19. Lead Vocals Darlene Love. Backing Vocals Edna Wright. Instrumentation The Wrecking Crew. Drums – Hal Blaine. The July 1962 session was arranged by Jack Nitzsche. And engineered by Larry Levine. From the personal collection of a former record company executive who worked for both the Apple Records and Phil Spector Productions. The item “Phil Spector’s The Crystals He’s A Rebel 1962 Philles Gold Record Disk Award” is in sale since Thursday, April 30, 2020. This item is in the category “Entertainment Memorabilia\Music Memorabilia\R&B & Soul\Other R&B & Soul Memorabilia”. The seller is “carnivalcollectibles” and is located in Running Springs, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Artist: The Crystals
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Original/Reproduction: Original