1952
NITE OWL* TONY ALLEN & THE CHAMPS * SPECIALTY * JA
Tony Allen, born Anthony Penia, on his second outing on wax (his first was for the obscure Aries label) is backed by The Chimes, although they are credited as The Champs.. Written by Tony Allen Nite Owl was something of an autobiographical song, 'Night owl' being the name his guardian called him, it was also meant to be the flip side to I (more autobiography!) but due to a pressing mix up the labels on the record were reversed and the Deejays inadvertently played Nite Owl instead, as they liked the cut it was the one they stuck with and proved to be a hit for Tony Allen.
This addition from a visitor to the site:
"May I just point out one small thing. It is stated on the
"Nite Owl" (Tony Allen) record displayed that "it was his second
outing on wax after his Aries record".
My very good friend Tony Allen in fact did 2 recordings (and released) for Art
Rupe's Specialty imprint:
Specialty # 549 "The Chimes" b/w
"I'm Leaving You Baby"
Specialty # 555 "Tears On My
Pillow" b/w "Zindy Lou"
Although both of these releases are credited to "The Chimes", Tony was
indeed on these sessions, and later used the group to back him (also billed as
"The Champs" by mistake of the label printer / presser Monarch).
Regards;
The Hollywood Phantom