Archive: Normie Rowe “Ain’t Nobody Home/ Ooh La La” Single

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After a couple of weeks in London seeing the sights and attending numerous meetings with labels, press and managers, Normie Rowe was ready for the studio. On September 16, a morning rehearsal was held at the producer’s office, a big T-Bone steak was consumed for a morale boost and then Normie was headed for Decca Studios in Hampstead.

Upon reaching the studio, the first sight surprised everyone, more than two dozen people crammed into the studio to work on a hit record for Normie. Five tracks were cut on the day, the first being “Mary, Mary”, a track composed by Mickey Keen and Robin Shaw. Both Normie and Ritchie were unsatisfied with parts of the lyrics, and so Ritchie did some re-arranging. Throughout the London recording stints a number of session musicians were used as the backing band, including John Paul Jones.

The other four songs recorded were “Turn On Your Lovelight,” “Ooh La La,” “Ain’t Nobody Home,” and “I Can Do Without Your Love.” Eventually it was decided “Ain’t Nobody Home” and “Ooh La La” would be the first internationally produced single for Normie. Released in November of 1966, the single sold well in Australia, making it to top 5 charts around the country. Australia had been using various top charts that varied from city to city until Go-Set Magazine produced a nationwide top 40 chart at which Normie’s single debuted at #6 before reaching #1 within a few weeks, giving Normie his first official national #1 hit.

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Oliver Cook
ocook1995@gmail.com