Stranger at the Fair b/w Yes, You Can In Spokane (Art Records)
Performed by Bob Bellows and Written by Reg Fulton
Q: How did this record come about?
A: I was in Los Angeles a lot at the time, had done a song about San Diego, and thought, 'Gee whiz, the Expo's coming up and I have a lot of friends up in Spokane. I called my friend, Reg Fulton, in San Francisco and asked if he could write something for me. We recorded the songs in Chicago, with a big orchestra. I walked into the studio, I was stunned—there was row after row of violins.
Q: Was Art Records your label, or were you recording for them at the time?
A: The song was published by Elar Publishing, which was owned by a man named Harold Doane. He had a small record label and I thought, since he was publishing it, we might as well press it under his label.
Q: How long before the fair did you record the songs?
A: Quite while, maybe six months to a year.
Q: And did it do as well as you hoped?
A: I think we sold about 6,000 copies, but no, it never took off the way I thought it would, probably because there was not a lot of airplay. Also, the first side had a kind of Eastern sound, an Arabian sound, and people didn't like it back then. But you know, the City Council had pins made up that said, "Yes, You Can in Spokane" and those were very popular, although I don't know if they liked the song.
Q: The record sleeve describes the record as, 'A new symphonic rock sound.' Is that how you'd describe it today?
A: (laughs) No!
Q: Did you peform at the fair much?
A: I lived in Spokane the whole year and was at the fair every day. I did shows there periodically and was also performing six nights a week at a club just outside town. I don't remember the name of the place.
Q: What are you doing these days?
A: I tour extensively in Japan and China and live there about six months of the year. The Chinese love it when you take their traditional music and do it in a jazz style. I also do a stage show, called Reflections of Maurice, about the life of Maurice Chevalier. It's about half music and half theatre. When I did the show in Paris, I met his family and they were very pleased with the way I portrayed him. [Note from Mike: for more information on what Bob Bellows is doing today, visit his Web site.]
Q: Any final words?
A: I still think the Expo record is really good. Maybe I should re-issue it?
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