1 of 1- Taz
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Instrumentals from vocals
What vocals made great instrumentals?
Ace Cannon - Kaw-Liga - vocal - Hank Williams
Bill Black Combo - Ribbon Of Darkness - vocal - Marty Robbins
Life is not a float trip
- Lorne
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Re: Instrumentals from vocals
One I particularly like is Lonnie Mack's "Memphis", which was an instrumental version of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee". It was also unusual in that Mack's version was used as the basis of a new vocal version by Johnny Rivers, which I also really like.
Another one that I like is the instrumental version of "The 'In' Crowd" by The Ramsey Lewis Trio. They did so well with their remake that even though Dobie Gray's original vocal version had been a #13 hit in early 1965, the Trio's version went all the way to #5 later that same year.
- aflem
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Re: Instrumentals from vocals
Grazing In The Grass - Hugh Masekela. Vocal: Friends of Distinction
- memphis boy
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Re: Instrumentals from vocals
Lorne, I particularly like those two examples. Got to see Lonnie Mack play here in Memphis once and of course he played it.
- GrimsbyFan
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Re: Instrumentals from vocals
Am I The Same Girl / Soulful Strut (same song - different titles)
First released as a vocal "Am I The Same Girl" in 1968 by Barbara Acklin,
Near the end of 1968 and into 1969, Young Holt Unlimited had the instrumental hit.
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (March 5, 2026 8:25 am)
- Lorne
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Re: Instrumentals from vocals
Just over a year after Whole Lotta Love had been a hit for Led Zeppelin, it was turned into a flute-led instrumental (with just a couple of sung lines near the end) by C.C.S. Their version got to #58 on Billboard and #11 on CHUM.