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ROCKIN IN THE DESERT
Robert D. Morritt
Availability
In the early days of recording in
Arizona. Phoenix was isolated from National record distribution. Local
musicians that wanted to record, had to drive out to the West Coast. In the
mid-1950's this all changed when Floyd Ramsey set up Audio-Recorders of
Arizona in Phoenix.,  followed
by Lee Hazlewood's early VIV studio which he sold to Loy Clingman and Buddy
Wheeler, from which emanated many strong Chart contenders, some made by
Donnie Owens that made the National charts. Later Loy Clingman (Who was also
a Schoolteacher), recorded many groups on his 'Indie' labels from his 'Garage
'studio, operated out of his house. Due to the low pressing numbers and
popularity of these records, they are highly sort after by record collectors
and one day, many will reach the same 'price range' of ancient curios. The
'Teen Years' heralded in the 'Pop Music' era and this was augmented by local
Country music which mutated into a new form of music known as 'Rockabilly'.
Within this environment many local musicians rose to National and
International fame, such as Duane Eddy, Sanford Clark and Lee Hazlewood. This
book is an attempt to explain the process and evolution of recording and the
work of those who were directly involved in putting Arizona 'on the map', the
Recording Engineers, Singers, Musicians, Record Producers and Composers.
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