Three Lost Singles From The 1960’s

Hugh Barrett & The Victors

There Was A Fungus Among Us

1961

In 1961 Chicago DJ Dick Biondi started using the phrase “there was a fungus among us” on his WLS radio show. It quickly became a favourite local schoolyard saying. Biondi had borrowed it from Terry Noland's 1958 song of the same name.  Chicago label Madison records saw an opportunity. They hired Hugh Barrett, Debbie and Sandy, and the some other local musicians to re-record it. It became a hit in the Chicago area. Thanks in part to Biondi's heavy promotion. First time I heard this, I thought The Cramps must have covered it, but I can’t find a version by them.

Hugh Barrett & The Victors - There Was A Fungus Among Us

The Poets

Now We're Thru

1964

The Poets were a Scottish band managed by Andrew Loog Oldham. Between 1964-67 they released six singles, but no albums. This is their 1964 debut single Now We’re Thru.

The Poets - Now We're Thru

The Soup Greens

Like A Rolling Stone

1965

This is the only record Brooklyn, New York’s The Soup Greens ever released. 1965’s Like A Rolling Stone. The song is a cover of half of a Bob Dylan song.  They don’t play the verses (too hard), for two and half minutes they just repeat the chorus over and over again with guitar brakes in between.

The Soup Greens - Like A Rolling Stone