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The Duals

 

“Stick shift” by The Duals (US No. Sue 745) was an instrumental “hot rod” track recorded in 1961 and was first released on the Star Revue label before being picked up by American Sue. It was the first instrumental hot rod track to become a hit. Songwriter and singer Sonny Bono, who was also a record promoter, was influential in getting local airplay for the recording. There followed a number of hot rod songs and hits for other groups.

The Duals were Henry Bellinger, lead guitar and Johnny Lageman, rhythm guitar, two friends and neighbours in Los Angeles, California. The label Star Revue had been set up by Ron Barrett, a veteran of 1950s doo-wop and rock and roll groups, who was their first manager.

The track features on a London American label LP HAC 8239 “The Sue Story Vol. 1” which is different to the Sue Story LPs issued by UK Sue (1965), and found its way on to Sue UK EP ENS 6 “Sue Instrumentals” issued by Ensign in 1983.

Not to be confused with another duo also called The Duals, Richard Oxman and L. Russell Brown, who had a hit in 1958.

Johnny Lageman, born c. 1942, New Orleans, Louisiana. No further information available.

Henry Bellinger, born in Colorado on 23 July 1942, died 1963, aged 21.

Image: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images | 1962

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