A garage rock group, which mainly recorded and performed covers from Beaumont, Texas, S.J. and the Crossroads, were exceptional at recording tunes with a lone star signature sound. Of the small amount of information remaining about this group, I was able to find an interview with the original lead singer Sam Messina. In this interview Messina has problems coming to grips with the idea that his band fit the garage/punk sound. After listening to S.J. and the Crossroads snarling vocals and rough instrumentation, a garage image is unveiled.
.jpg)
Today I bring you two out of a slew of monster 45’s by The Crossroads, first which is a Jesse Hill cover of Ooh Poo Pah Doo. This single was recorded in Jones Studio in Houston; the group wanted a live feel for the track so they overdubbed background voices at the beginning of the track. The band supposedly was saying the word “Rhubarb,” over and over again, however the listener is unable to decipher this from the track. The second tune is a calm version of The Strangeloves “Night Time.”
The group consisted of six Italian guys from Beaumont. Mike Daleo on guitar, Phillip Battaglia on bass, Johnny Serio on lead guitar, Sam Giglio on keys, Sam Messina on vocals and S.J. Serio on drums. The group recorded on the Salmar Label out of Beaumont, which was created for the Crossroads. The name was selected because S.J.’s and Jonny’s father Sal Serio, who was the group’s manager and their mother’s name was Mary forming SALMAR Records.
Comments (6) »
I’m really enjoying what you’ve posted here on I’m Shakin’. Recently I posted a video of the High Numbers (early Who) doing Ooh-Poo-Pah-Doo. If you’d like to view it, here’s the link:
http://catchthattrainandtestify.blogspot.com/2010/09/high-numbers-at-railway-hotel-1964.html
My brother Sam was the first singer for the crossroads and recorded these 45s
We lost Johnny Serio yesterday to Cancer. Johnny had a great influence on my own music career as he taught me everything I know about playing guitar and bass. He was a very talented and giving musician and person. I’ll miss him.
I have known Johnny for many years and always valued his friendship and company. Johnny played bass in the band Avalon which I was a part off. He was an awesome player who worked hard at his craft and more than willing to share his knowledge and creativity with anyone he was associated with. Play on brother! Rest in peace.
JOHN BOY one of the nick names JOHNNY SERIO was tagged with in his days with WAYNE CHANEY & MUSCLE SHOALS band , that his talent his being and his guitar playing was a very driving fource for that dynamic band !!! We did much recording in fact we did a 34 piece horn section with that rythmn section we were all in a once in a life time moment JOHNNY was in music heaven for days we all were oh yeah that was the LSU JAZZ ENSEMBLE horn section. Later Johnny called me up said he was hired with the GG SHINN band Johnny,S J his mom&dad I can only say that them passing through my life was a part I will always hold dear in my memories Proud to have known them all and especially of my good friend brother muscian & soul JOHNNY SERIO GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!R.I.P. ERNIE & LANA COSSE
We all lost a great soul in our lives those of who’s path JOHNNY crossed so sorry to learn so late R.I.P. my brother ERNIE & LANA COSSE