STARDAY RECORDS 577

Luke Gordon and his Lonesome Drifters

Jul 56 (BMI clearance on 28th Sept 56)

45-HO-577-A - Is It Wrong

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

45-HO-577-B - What Can You Do?

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 577

Washington DC Area

Luke's story can be found under his previous Starday Custom Releases. Still waiting for the Luke story from Dick Grant to materialise. Will I live long enough?

Email me!

Source: Doug Brown

STARDAY RECORDS 565

LUKE GORDON and his Lonesome Drifters

May 56 (BMI clearance on 15th Jun 56)(Recorded Apr 56)

ST-565-A Big New Dance

(L Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

ST-565-B Just Doin' What's Right

(L Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 565

Another fine offering by the excellent Luke Gordon. The A side (to me) fully embraces the new music style that was frequently pushing aside country music at the time, whilst staying true to his musical roots. The band once again are excellent. Once again, Luke ventured to Ben Adelman's cool little studio on Cedar Street in Washington DC to record these tracks. (MC)

Source: Doug Brown

Email me!

STARDAY RECORDS 555

LUKE GORDON Acc by C Smith and the Tennessee Haymakers.

Apr 56 (BMI clearance on 18th May 56)

45-555-A - Let This Kiss Bid You Goodbye

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

45-555-B - Baby's Gone

(Gordon) (Starrite BMI)

STARDAY RECORDS 555

(Artist based possibly in Quincy, KY at time of release.)

Gordon “Luke” Brown was born in Quincy, KY on 15th Apr 1932 and was one of 8 children. Luke started broadcasting over WPAY in Portsmouth, OH with a band called the Rhythm Rascals, thanks to his friendship with Zeke Mullins who was a DJ on the station. After a stint in the army during the Korean war, he returned to the US and continued his music career. he ended up at the Old Dominion Barn Dance from Richmond, VA before heading off to Tennessee for a stint with Ray price and the Western Cherokees.

There he moved on to Washington DC where, working with fiddler Curley Smith, he recorded for Ben Adelman, which resulted in L&C 550 / STARDAY 550 (The “C” stands for Cuca, his first wife, whilst L is for Luke). About this time, he started up his own Quincy Record label whilst settling in Quincy, KY.

The A side is more in the sad Hank Williams vein. Flipside is a superior country rocker with some fantastic lead guitar bubbling behind his vocals. (I wish I knew who the lead guitar player was). Luke’s got one of those voices I could listen to for hours; a cross between Hank Williams and Luke McDaniels. Luke died on the 14th of September 2010 (MC)

Whether this also appeared on the L&C label is undetermined at present.

Slightly Blurred Label Shots: Phillip Tricker

STARDAY RECORDS 550

LUKE GORDON acc by C Smith and the Tenn Haymakers

Summer 56 (Billboard Review 7th Apr 56)

45-550-A - Goin' Crazy

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)

45-550-B - Married Life

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)
STARDAY RECORDS 550
Possible Location:- Quincy, KY

Here's the Starday version of the L and C disc Luke had issued previously. They are the same recordings, just reissued on the Starday label. (MC)

Email me!


Label Shots: Phil Tricker

L&C RECORDS 550

LUKE GORDON acc by C Smith and the Tenn Haymakers

Mar 56

45-550-A - Goin' Crazy

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)

45-550-B - Married Life

(L Gordon)    (Starrite BMI)
L and C RECORDS 550
Washington, DC

Luke Gordon was born Gordon Brown in Quincy, Kentucky on Friday 15th April, 1932; and was next to the youngest of 6 boys and 2 girls. Luke started his music career on radio station WPAY in Portsmouth, Ohio with the Rhythm Rascals and became good friends with Zeke Mullins who was a DJ at WPAY. Luke served in the US. Army during the Korean Conflict and upon his discharge in 1953 he headed for Norfolk, Virginia where he met up with Jimmy Dean and did a show with him. He then went from there to Warrenton, Virginia with Jimmy and they won the 'Best Vocalist' at a JC contest. He also appeared on the 'Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond, Virginia. Luke then went to Tennessee and entertained the folks with Ray Price and The Western Cherokees.

After his stint in Tennessee he returned to Virginia and the Washington D.C. area to work with fiddler Curley Smith at radio station WGAY, Silver Springs, Maryland and do personal appearances. Curley set up a number of recording sessions for Luke with Ben Adelman and the result was released on L and C and STARDAY during 1956. Luke started his own QUINCY record label which was based in Quincy, Kentucky. He also appeared on ISLAND, BLUE RIDGE, EMPIRE and NASHVILLE amongst others. (The Quincy label better known for the barn storming “Rock Pretty Mama” by Billy Adams).

“Married Life” is a Luke The Drifter type monologue which bemoans how bad married life can be. I class this type of song as “Bar Room Advice”, the wisdom of an unhappily married man. (Then again, if they were so smart ....... ) “Goin’ Crazy” is a nice shuffling country ditty, supported by a fine lead guitarist. Dick Grant has just done an extensive interview with Luke so hopefully more info will follow., although, at the time of writing, it's been at least 8 years since Dick mentioned sending me the interview.

LABEL SHOTS: Kent Heineman and Lars Lundgren

Email me!