It was by a group that called Pieces of Eight and they subtitled that name with “The Original Swinging Medallions”. I was only 17 at the time their record came out, (I think it was “Lonely Drifter”) and I’m not sure what the problems were between them and the Medallions, but maybe someone here can shed some light on it.
Thanks
Quasi
Off to Cafe Society
bibliophage
moderator GQ
I moved it myself and forget to leave a note in GQ. Please forgive the blunder.
Thanks
Quasi
Here’s a link to a brief history of the Swingin’ Medallions.
It was Steve Caldwell and Brent Fortson, two of the horn players, who formed the Pieces of Eight. And, yes, the song was “Lonely Drifter.” I don’t know what caused Caldwell and Fortson to split.
My rule of thumb is if the band doesn’t have John McElrath in it (the one who plays the organ on “Double Shot,”) it ain’t the Swingin’ Medallions.
The Swingin’ Medallions were “one hit wonders” in the U.S. – their only Top 40 hit was “Doubleshot (of my Baby’s Love)” in 1966. Their limited success has one benefit – they have an entry in Wayne Jancik’s One Hit Wonders. According to this, the original group was formed in South Carolina, and consisted of eight members. Due to the lack of follow-up success, "By 1970, the band started falling apart. [Band leader John] McElarath started up his own studio in Greenwood, South Carolina; Brent Forston and Steven Caldwell had already split from the group to record as the Pieces of Eight for A & M. Some labels bearing the “Pieces of Eight” name also tagged the group as ‘The Original Swingin’ Medallions.’ "
Given the size of the original group, I don’t think there was anything unusual about a couple members setting out on their own, while trying to capitalize on the fame of their former group. “Lonely Drifter” was the only Pieces of Eight single to chart in the U.S. – it got to #59 in 1967, although I think it is still played on occasion on beach music stations.