Angelo “Duke” Rumore, “Duke the Spook, The Tune Tycoon” was such a big
part of
our high school days -before and after- for many of us! He was
there when we woke up
and on the way to school and as soon as we got out at three o’clock.
Duke had the great Friday night after-the-ballgame dances and
made himself a true
ambassador for good times for the Birmingham area teens by plugging
the goings-on at
various schools and local talent like the Ramblers and the Premiers
as well as helping
bring in acts like Irma Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis to Birmingham, to name
a few. Duke
had great connections with the Memphis scene and we got so much music
and we
heard it so much earlier than most of the country. Just think of the
beach, soul, rhythm
and blues with which we paced the rest of the country!
One thing that I appreciated about Duke was his loyalty to his
“Ramsay buddies” over
the air and his use of “Hey Y’all” and saying “can’t hardly” on the
air---can you find a
more real person on the air today??- Remember his playing volleyball
at Ramsay in
~‘63?
Duke was a real (radio) personality and not just another
slick, canned disc jockey. I
met Duke for the first time when I rode my bicycle down to the W.S.G.N.
studios on
Southside to pick up an album that I had won over the telephone.
Duke happened to be
in the lobby and I heard his voice and put a face with that voice and
he came over to me
and acted like it was his pleasure to meet me!! I went home to
tell Nancy-my sweet
sister- who listened to radio 25 hours a day ---to Duke , Tommy Charles,
and Dave
Roddy all the time . Little did I know then how much that music
burned into my mind
with memories that serve me so well today.
I ran into Duke from time to time and called him once in a while
in the mornings to
request a song. He usually found a way to play whatever someone
asked for and he
answered the phone personally and was never rushed or different over
the phone or in
person than he was on the air. When Duke was at W.Y.D.E., we
could drive by and
request a song for the “Rams” as we went to Burger-in-a-Hurry----like
Louie-Louie--54
consecutive times!!
Since Duke lived on Green Springs Ave.-(with a concrete yard)-,
and I lived on 18th
Ave., he passed my house on his route to and from work during
his W.Y.D.E. days.
One day he “rolled” my dog who always attacked his fast Corvair that
he drove by like a
bat-out-of -hell! The dog survived it and Duke stopped and was
so distraught and
concerned . We really became friends and he always slowed
down and honked when
he saw me.
I listened to Duke as I could when I was at Montevallo--A.M.
didn’t carry so well back
then so I listened to his brother Joe Rumore on W.V.O.K, “mighty
690” -50,000watts.
Some of my last recollections of Duke involved his record
business, a car wash
business and his association with W.Z.Z.K. in it’s first days-if you
can believe!
Duke was too generous and his record business eventually closed
and the reminders
of his car washes can be seen in Forestdale and Pelham.
Duke died doing what he enjoyed--playing softball at Green Springs
Park on his
beloved Southside. Hey, Y’all--you can’t hardly beat that.
It might be said that being a D.J. is fluff, but Duke
Rumore was a “natural” and
enjoyed life and people and good times through music. He shared
that joy and zest for
life with all he could and was inclusive, popular and most successful
at what he did.
Thanks, Duke ---from your “Ramsay Buddies” .......
Now for the music.
What a joy and a challenge to select 74:25 minutes of music that
is synonymous with
the early 60’s and listening to Duke. The first are 45’s dubbed to
digital and the last half
are digital copies of C.D.’s from my collection. Each was chosen for
a particular reason
and many for the fact that the oldies format stations don’t include
many of these today.
They are some of my favorites --hope you find a few old “friends” and
memories.
-Randy
1. One Mint Julep -- Ray Charles- one of his earliest--an
instrumental to lead into
news
2. I Did My Part -- Irma Thomas --- She has a club
in New Orleans --saw her at
Hollywood Country Club-Live at a Sigma Delta “ Leadout”
~64.
3. Lipstick Traces (on a cigarette) -- Benny Spellman
--and Fortune Teller
4. Shake a Tail Feather!! -- Contours -- how my
mother yelled at Nancy over this
cultural selection !!
5. Little Mixed Up -- Betty James
(who?) Duke wore this one out!
5b. Twenty Miles -- Chubby Checker--P.C. March,’62- Johnny
Osborn, Randy
McDonald, Sara West, Sue Fossett--the Hangout--couldn’t dance,
drive, or score.
6. Oogsey Moo -- Bo Reynolds (deceased) and the
Premiers---from Ensley ----
Farmer John --I’m in love with your daughter
are you all right ! ----- Hell Yeah!
7. Gonna Send You Back to Georgia -- Timmy Shaw!
?(“TIMMAH”) -a one hit
wonder
8. Tore-Up -- Harmonica Fats-- a standard:
the real deal --- “I just can’t find my
way”
9. Flamingo Express -- Royal Now -Tones!?!? Duke
used to sing along --”Are you
alright--well
yeah”
10. Its All Over Now -- Valentinos --Stones did this one
later--Duke knew a
winner!
11. I’m Moving On -- Matt Lucas -yes, a Hank Snow tune(country
is white man’s R &
B)
12&13 - Skip to 14--”syntax error “--notice the quality
shift from 45’s to digital
14. Searching for My Love -- Bobby Moore and the
Rhythm Aces-- no, no, no
15. Treat Her Right -- Roy Head “you got to start
real slow”--squeeze her real “genul”
16. You Better Move On -- Mr. Arthur Alexander-”the
great”--has “country “
sentiment
17. A Shot of R & B -- A.A. again ------Is what
you need when you get the “can’t
help its”
18. It’s Alright -- The Impressions
- Boppers’ delight
19. She’s So Tough -- Casuals
Nancy’s favorite
20. Anna (Go with Him) -- Arthur Alexander Where
you been, where you been all
my life?
21. Hold On, I’m Coming -- Sam & Dave ------ It takes
much longer now
22. Mr. Big Stuff --- notice how many of these songs turn
up in movies and
commercials?
23. I’ll Take You There Missed
on this one--(not cd-rw) once burned- always
burned
24. Let Me In-
(wee-oou) Everyday on W.S.G.N.!
25. The One Who Really Loves You -- Mary Wells
”Silly Lilly, you know she
doesn’t really”
26. Money--the original---so many made a version--
even the Beatles!!!
27. Just one Look -- DorisTroy-’63- It still
does things for me --the harmonies ...
28. Untie Me -(so I can love again ) -- Tams
Why don’t they play this one on
106.9?
29. One Fine Day -- The Chiffons One fine
day we’ll be all together again-God
Bless!
So
much music, so little space. Well, lets do another--its
only 74 min. and
we can listen while sitting on 280 each day!!----On to Duke II
and the not so often
played beach and dance music B.B. (before Beatles) and
formula music groups that
copied them and protest songs of a maturing boomer group that
was assuming the role
of responsible adulthood--even unto death in a war not really understood
or wanted by
anyone. The 70’s were busy with jobs and ‘birthing our babies” and
promotions and the
stress of hurried life and then the divorces in the 80’s and readjustment
and rebound
and the 90’s with a full turn back to swing, big band, and the good
stuff like the
following 30 songs before real reality and responsibility and just
having fun and trying
to grow up right and making our parents proud---- We did,They
are, and we are too.
1. It Will Stand --”Roc-a-ca-Rolloo” “ Rock and roll will stand”--The
Showmen
2. Te- Ta Te-Ta-Ta -- Ernie K. Doe ---Mother-in-Law
fame
3. Get on Up 1967 -- The Esquires
“Trying my best, girl, to dance with you”
4. Hello Stranger -- Barbara Lewis -- “Seems
like a mighty long time”
5. What Kind of Fool the real Bill Deal and the Rhondels
‘69 versions of the Tams’
6. Fannie Mae -- Buster Brown ( no relation
to Tag or Midnight the cat) 1959
7. Mixed- up, Shook- Up Girl -1964 --
Patty and the Emblems !! ??
8. Just a Little Bit (little
biddy bit) -- Roscoe Gordon
Live band staple
9. Big Boss Man -- Jerry Reed
(You Got me Doing What You Want Me)
10. 39-21-46 -- Showmen The
original “Baby’s got Back” ---butts--song
11. Kidnapper -- Jewell and the Rubies !! ? 1961
Great version by Ramblers too!
12. When You Dance -- The Turbans - Done by
Ronnie Anderson, Tommy Numnum
and others (e-mail me and tell me the other two) at an assembly
talent show .
13. Personality -- Lloyd Price ?
“Plus you got a great big” ??-- car?? smile!
14. A Little Bit of Soap -- Ramblers Reunion Band
They topped the Jarmels with
this version!! Did you get a copy of their Cotillion compact
disc?--e-mail Tom Terrell
15. Tell Him -- Exciters- Tell them all that you
love them -- while they are still here.
16. Hey Baby -- Bruce Channell
Duke played this a few times
17. He’s So Fine -- Chiffons (
Do Lang -do lang -do-lang)---We counted them on a
trip to P.C.
18. I Like It Like That -- Chris Kenner?
“ you take Sally and I’ll take Sue and
we’re gonna rock away all our blues”
19. Ya Ya -- Lee Dorsey- -better a one hit wonder than a no hit blunder
20. I Will Follow Him Still gets air time -- morning staple of “The Duke”
21. Loco Motion -- Little Eva Was “discovered “ doing this song as a demo singer
22. Under The Boardwalk -- Drifters Everyone can relate to this one
23. Searching--Coasters Emile and I used to sing this one in school--Glen Iris--
24. Deep Purple-April Stevens&Nino Tempo-- “ in
the midst of the memory, you
wander back to me-- and as long
as my heart will beat,sweet loving will always
meet --here in a deep purple dream”
25. What Am I Living For ----(If not for you) --- nobody else, nobody else will do.
26. Save the Last Dance For Me -- Drifters---- Still good advice
27. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow -- Shirelles
Tell me now and I won’t ask
again
28. Dedicated To The One I Love “Life can never
be-- exactly like we want it to be.”
Each night before
you go to bed ----whisper a little prayer---tell all the stars above-
29. My, Our thanks to all that made the Ramsay Reunion 2000 a great success!!
30. See You in September -- The Tempos ----’59 version and
the one the Duke
played “ While you’re away don’t
forget to write”--or better yet, E-mail !!
“Here we are- saying good-bye at the station - Summer vacation
,(and work and
life) is taking you ,(us) away.
Take care,God bless and see you soon-Randy
ramsayreunion.com macstracks.com
Keep in touch !
May God Bless
If you would like copies of the two Ramsay Reunion 2000 commemerative
Duke Rumore Tribute compact Discs for $10 each or-$20 total
-no tax,
no postage,(my pleasure),E-mail or call and give the address---if
you are
musically connected, these are for you.---(operators are standing
by )-R
August 24, 2000: The response to the above has been unbelievable!
I am
burning CDs now as fast as I can and below is a dance set I played
for you
Friday night that is also available on CD for $10 each. Let me
know if you are
interested. R
RAMSAY ‘65 2000 Reunion Commemorative Dance CD
1 Sweet Soul Music
15 Hang on Sloopy
Arthur Conley
McCoys
2 High Heel Sneakers
16 Sea of Love
Lil’ Tommy Tucker
Phil Phillips
3 Laugh It Off
17 Louie Louie
Tams
Kingsmen
4 Quarter to Three
18 Knock on Wood
Gary U.S. Bonds
Eddie Floyd
5 These Arms of Mine
19 Soul-Man
Otis Redding
Sam & Dave
6 Mr. Pitiful
20 Land of 1000 Dances
Otis Redding
Wilson Pickett
7 Up on the Roof
21 Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
Drifters
Temptations
8 Twist Again
22 Sugar Pie Honey Bunch
Chubby Checker
4 Tops
9 Hand Jive
23 Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Johnny Otis
Casinos
10 Anyone
24 Soldier Boy
Irma Thomas
Shirells
11 Double Shot
25 Midnight Hour
Swingin’ Medalions
Wilson Pickett
12 Wooly-Bully
26 My Girl
Sam the Sham & Pharohs
Temptations
13 Farmer John
27 I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
Bo Reynolds & the Premiers
Otis Redding
14 Twist & Shout
Isley Brothers