On this day in music history: November 3, 1973 - Abandoned Luncheonette, the second album by Daryl Hall & John Oates is released. Produced by Arif Mardin, it is recorded at Atlantic Studios in New York City from Spring - Summer 1973. Paired once again with Atlantic Records staff producer Mardin for their second release, the Philadelphia based duo are supported by prominent studio musicians including Bernard Purdie and Rick Marotta (drums), Gordon Edwards (bass), Ralph MacDonald (percussion), Hugh McCracken (guitar), Joe Farrell (saxophone and oboe), and Richard Tee (piano). The albums centerpiece is the single Shes Gone, written by Hall & Oates while Daryl is getting divorced from his wife and John is having problems with his girlfriend. Their version is only a minor hit initially, peaking at #60 in early 1974. A cover version by Tavares will hit #1 on the R&B charts that same year. The original will be re-released by Atlantic in 1976 (following the sucess of their first major hit Sara Smile on RCA), and hits #7 on the Hot 100. The second single Las Vegas Turnaround is inspired by Halls then new girlfriend Sara Allen who he meets when she is working as a flight attendant. The couple will also become songwriting partners and remain together for almost 30 years before splitting up. The albums cover art features a photo of a dining car (originally the Rosedale Diner in Pottstown, PA) dumped in a wooded area in rural Pennsylvania (Kenilworth, PA). The cover photo will make it a point of interest along Route 724 following the release of the album, and over the years will have most of its exterior stripped by souvenir hunters. The diner will remain there until 1983 when it is burned down to clear the land it stood on. Abandoned Luncheonette will peak at number thirty three on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:00:05 +0000
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