Artist:The Ramrods
Song:(Ghost) Riders in the Sky
Album:Raunchy! Volume 2
The single (Ghost) Riders in the Sky was a top 30 hit in 1960. It was the only chart single for the instrumental band The Ramrods. Considering when it was released, my guess is that many listeners thought this was a Duane Eddy record. The Ramrods only recorded four singles. They were from Stamford, CT. led by Claire Litke and her brother Rich Litke in 1956. Claire played drums and Rich played sax. The other members were Vinny Lee and Gene Morro on guitars. The 1960 single (Ghost) Riders in the Sky reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. Claire produced the record. So the sound effects were her idea. And so was having the guitar sound like Duane Eddy. It was released on the Bell Records subsidiary Amy Records. Paul Simon once recorded for Amy. Of course Ghost Riders in the Sky is a famous song and the best known song written by Stan Jones. He wrote and recorded cowboy songs. And he recorded Ghost Riders in the Sky in 1949. Among those who recorded it at the time were Burl Ives, Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee. But the biggest hit of the song was by singer and bandleader Vaughn Monroe. His recording topped the charts. He called the song Riders in the Sky which is why the word "ghost" is in brackets. You can get The Ramrods' recording on this 2CD various artists comp from the British reissue label Jasmine. The Ramrods' second single Loch Lomond Rock was supposed to be a rock version of a traditional Scottish song complete with a bagpipe solo. The Ramrods didn't last long on Amy after that. Claire continued to lead a version of The Ramrods in local clubs until the late 60s. So that makes them an official one hit wonder. But as I always say, one hit is better than none. Here's a video for (Ghost) Riders in the Sky by The Ramrods.
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