Buzzzzzz/ Somethin' Else

This rare single is one of the earliest 45s to feature use of a "fuzzbox", used to distort the sound of an electric guitar. The first 45 known to feature fuzz guitar was in 1962 by the Ventures. Here, Jimmy Gordon (of whom I know very little) ably demonstrates its use, and the track also serves as fodder for many other noises of the garage-band era, with its various keyboard/organ parts. In addition, the break finds Jimmy showing off on lead guitar in a style that simply didn't exist at the time but became ubiquitous by the early 1970's. The flip, though not featuring a fuzz guitar in the lead role, also includes some killer guitar bits by Mr. Gordon. Both tracks were cowritten by Dave Burgess, who was rhythm guitarist for the Champs for many years. Note: The label has a few color flecks, particularly on the A side. The mp3 snippet in the Classic 45s jukebox is an edited version that splices the beginning with the segment that includes that forward-looking guitar solo.