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Cherry Slush

Cherry Slush

From Saginaw
Recorded one single at Great Lakes

Used with permissions by: www.GrandRapidsRocks.com

From Tim Simons (March 2002)

In 1968 the Cherry Slush from Saginaw, Michigan, recorded two songs at Great Lakes (Sparta) Studios: The Beatles’ “Birthday” and The Byrds’ “Feel a Whole Lot Better” and released it on a local tiny insignificant Saginaw label, which recieved much airplay in the Saginaw area. I thought that would interest you. Have you ever heard of the Cherry Slush? Their drummer Dick Coughlin and I have been in email touch on their story, for two months now. We have become good friends. I have been in much contact with Joel Whitburn from Record Research Inc. (the group that does the Billboard rock charts book). I had to advise him that some of the bio-info on the Slush was in error in their Bubbling Under book, that the Cherry Slush were not from Chicago. They only recorded two of their records there on the USA label. Joel has given me written permission to glean bits of info from his books.

From: Art Hauffe
Subject: Re: Cherry Slush
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002 14:52:49 -0400

I played bass in “The Cherry Slush” and was on the Birthday song. If you Email me I’ll send back some pictures of our June 2002 reunion. All the orginal members were there and we played for over 2200 people. I have done two interviews with internet people: www.60garagebands.com and another site from Chicago.

The Cherry Slush was based in Saginaw, Michigan. We recorded at Chess Records (Chicago), Audio Sound (Cleveland), Gread Lakes (Sparta), United Sound (Detroit), a 2 track studio in Bay City the same studio that “96 Tears” was recorded and two of us recorded something in Alabama. Let me know if you need any more history.

I don’t remember too much about Great Lakes studio. I think our engineer was Danny Dallas (or maybe at somewhere else). I remember drinking a lot of beer that day.

We recorded “Day Don’t Come” & “Gotta Take it Easy” at Chess Records in Chicago (the same studio and Engineer that the Rolling Stones did “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” in). “I Cannot Stop You” and “Don’t Walk Away” in Cleveland. “Birthday” and “Feel A Whole Lot Better” in Sparta “She’ll Be Back,” “Wicked Witch,” “Willard,” “Julie Judy Angle Rain,” “Who Are You” in Detroit. “She’ll Be Back (First Version)”, “Rich Man’s Woman,” “Now I’m Free” in Bay City (“96 Tears” was recorded there a week before). “Old 55 (Eagles Version)” and “I Miss Mississippi” in Alabama and released by Ultra Promo in Grand Rapids (We were going by the name of Natchez Trace; two of the Slush were in this band).

So I guess I’ve recorded 14 tunes. I did something at RCA Records in Nashville years ago. I don’t have a copy of it or remember the name of the tune. (I didn’t remember some of the above – I’ve got the originals and had to dig them out.)

Art

Wagner Music has released the early work of the Cherry Slush on cd. Check it out!

In 2001 we put together a CD with a few of the songs we recorded. We called it “Looking Back.” The picture is when we were all 16-17 years old. WMG Records picked it up and is selling it nationally. We recently did a reunion show in Saginaw. You’d be surprised how popular we were (at least I am). I get email at least once a week asking about the Slush or if I’ll do an interview.

Last updated on May 17, 2004.

Comments
I am trying to find CHERRY SLUSH records–have I CANNOT STOP YOU–but that one is all. Is anything–compilation–going on in the future. I would gladly pre-order.I lived in Charlotte NC in the 1960’s and the above record got about c+ average airplay on the hard rock station. Thanks!Posted by: DAN T HACKNEY at January 4, 2005 10:58 PM
I forget the year, but I recall hearing “I Cannot Stop You” sometime in the 60’s… it was touted as “the next big thing” on WTRY – AM980 in Troy, N.Y.
I could never find the record or anyone who knew what I was talking about. Still, all these years later, it goes through my head. I’d love to hear it again to see if it holds up and if my memory of it as a great song holds water.
Thanks.Posted by: Andy Russ at September 27, 2005 05:55 PM
Hey Andy, check out vsplanet.com (I still record as a hobby) and go to the Artist page. I needed a name for a group so I called it Cheap Whiskey. (#297)(It’s just me) I got some of the Slushs cuts posted there. That was cool what you said about the band. I get a kick out of reading things about the old group. It’s pretty cool some of the stuff I can find on the net about it. Like this site…Posted by: Art Hauffe at November 5, 2005 11:25 PM
” I Cannot Stop You” has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it back in the 60’s. Nice to see you guys are still at it.Posted by: Craig Hallman at March 29, 2006 06:55 PM
You might think about contacting Mark Burdick to get another interpretation of what happened to the band. Take a look at originals of the 45s that sold, and charted so well and you will see him (Mark) named at the top. Its true that Mark is my brother, but I’m trying to stay objective. Mark was a major contributor and wouldn’t say a negative word about his experience playing music. But I believe he should be recognized beyond what Wagner said on his webpage: In short “he left the band because of”… a girl. If you look at the timeline of their success, they charted when he was with them and they fell into obscurity when he left. There has to be a connection.Posted by: Chris Burdick at March 30, 2006 02:08 PM
I bought I Can Not Stop You!! and still have it.
KRKO AM in Everett, Washington played it along with Zappa, Hendrix lp cuts, Capt. Beef Heart, and the usual top forty.
Mark StevensPosted by: Mark Stevens at November 24, 2006 01:39 AM
I bought I Can Not Stop You!! and still have it.
KRKO AM in Everett, Washington played it along with Zappa, Hendrix lp cuts, Capt. Beef Heart, and the usual top forty.
Mark StevensPosted by: Mark Stevens at November 24, 2006 01:39 AM
Does anyone remember a Cherry Slush recording called “Radio Song”? It played on a Grand Rapids AM radio station in the late 60’s, maybe on WERX.Posted by: Dennis Dunlap at December 30, 2006 10:03 AM
have your brother contact me.Posted by: Art Hauffe at February 20, 2007 06:23 PM
This is to Chris. I’d love to hear from your brother. I’ve tried to find him quite a few times. He surely could have Played (if he still does) with us at the 02 reunion. We were asked to do another one April 28th with Question Mark. 96 Tears is 40 years old. Have him contact me if you get this.About what Mark did in the band, no one said he didn’t have a lot to do with the band. He did when he was around. We were sad to see him leave. But, he NEVER went anywhere outside of the state with us or did very much with us outside of Saginaw. Charlie Took his place for a year or so and then Brian for two years. I remember your father being against the band and Mark not always showing up for rehearsals (etc) Mark was always with a girl (I think her name was Mary?)It was said that he had more intrest in the girl than the band as an easy way to say your dad didn’t want him to play.

I would like to talk to Mark, say Hi and find out what happened to him all these years. I haven’t spoken to him since the day he left the band. I guess that just goes to show where his intrest was because he never made an effort to contact any of us. At least I don’t think he did.

Tell him to contact me thru myspace.

Take Care and sorry about the confussion.

Art

Posted by: Art Hauffe at February 20, 2007 06:24 PM

The Cherry Slush was a lot of fun for a farm boy like me.Still playing rock after all this time.Nice to see that some of you enjoyed what we had so much fun doing at 16 years of age.Also glad to have todays keyboards,don’t miss riding that Farfisa around the country.
BrianPosted by: Brian Bennett at February 22, 2007 04:23 PM

Im 47 & was 7 in 1968 when “I Cannot Stop You” made it’s initial run (Feb /March,1968) & did not discover it till I was 14 while digging up old 45’s at a Salvation Army here in SLC, Utah (This trip was in 1975) and this was a great “Find” for me!
It had been played a lot previously but not abused.
Thanks for a prized rekkid in my big ol’ stack’s o’ wax!It’s got the coolest Gearage/ Psyche sounds , love that Phasing sound!Guhhhh-Roooovey- Bay Bay!

Steve A

Posted by: Steven Anderson at February 5, 2008 01:03 AM

Just a question. Did a couple of guys named Charlie Woodward and John Paul Holmgren ever play in The Cherry Slush. Just wondered.Posted by: Sherry at September 10, 2008 11:11 AM
I can not stop you was a great record . I have it still . Dick Wagner was very big here in West Michigan . Got a lot of play on Grand Rapids Radio here . Frost “Mystery Man ” was big here too . Who could forget the Farfisa mini combo .Posted by: Tom at February 22, 2009 02:30 AM
Hello Guys,Greetings. Introducing me.By the way, I am looking for book I ching translated by Kerson Huang. I cannot find those book anywhere. Do you know where I can find those? Thanks

Posted by: SeekersISeek at March 2, 2009 11:23 AM

Hello Guys,Greetings. Introducing me.By the way, I am looking for book I ching translated by Kerson Huang. I cannot find those book anywhere. Do you know where I can find those? Thanks

Posted by: BookSeekers at March 3, 2009 09:53 AM

Wow…I can’t believe I found this site. I was just sitting here daydreaming, recalling a conversation I had with Brian when he worked at Bay Music in Saginaw a long long time ago. I know he wasn’t the first to say it, but when I asked him about Cherry Slush and their radio success, he replied, “Yes. That and a quarter will get me a cup of coffee.”, or something to that effect. He was being modest, but I know from my own experience with The Burdons and from my solo project that he pretty much nailed it that day.Ditto on the keyboards comment, too, Brian.Posted by: David Davenport at March 9, 2009 05:19 PM

I just heard “I Cannot Stop You” on the radio this morning on “Hits of Yesteryear” on WSWO her e in Dayton…a super oldies station with tunes that cannot be beat! I am now an instant fan and I cannot believe I missed these guys on their first go-round..they rock!!!Posted by: Polly Williams at May 30, 2009 01:24 PM
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