Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Gigi On The Beach - Gigi On The Beach (1989)

Sorry I've been so lax in posting lately, but I've been quite busy, especially now with Christmas on the horizon. But as an early Christmas gift to you all I just had to pop in and offer you this gem. I have never heard of Gigi On The Beach before, but I noticed a brief entry on them on the Rare And Obscure Music blog and fell in love with the cover alone! I HAD to have the CD, and magically the album was available on Amazon for 17 cents!! It just arrived yesterday and I had to take a moment out of my busy schedule to share it with y'all because I know you'll adore it. The only details that the CD itself offers is that it consists of three members: Terri Smith Young, Paula Gallo and Beth Barrett (the cover is misleading as it features two pics of each lady. ;) It was produced by brothers Ed and John Palermo, whose biggest claim to fame was co-producing and co-writing the minor 1984 dance hit "Summer In The Street" for Carrie Lucas (which Gigi On The Beach remake here, and was also one of Isle postee Kim Esty's bigger 'hits'.) Two singles were released from the album to little fanfare: the upbeat "Friday Night In The U.S.A." and the freestylish "Bitch Me Out". The rest of the album is pure dance pop and even includes a remake of the Beatles' "Please Please Me". Anyone who likes any of the other dance pop albums circa 1989 featured on this blog should love this! A search for this group on the internet yields next to nothing (like where that odd group name comes from!) and though there are various women with the same name as this group's members, it's hard to determine if they are indeed the same ladies. As D-Listed would say, this is a case for Detective La Toya! LOL!

UPDATE: Member Paula Gallo found this post and wrote! Here's what she had to say. Thanks for visiting and writing Paula! We're honoured and glad you approve!!!

"I happen to google my group "Gigi on the Beach" to see what would come up and I find this blog. I recently had the record framed for memories to hang on my wall. Yes, we do indeed exist. I am Paula Gallo, the one featured on top of the cover with the pink hat on. The name was thought of by John and Ed Palermo. No reason, but the funny thing is, Gigi was my Mother's nick name (Gloria Gallo). I dedicate that album to her memory. Thanks for bringing our Gigi on the Beach back for people to enjoy. Paula Gallo"

UPDATE #2:  As we await memories from member Terri, who also wrote earlier this year, producer John Palermo just wrote to fill us in on the origins of Gigi On The Beach!  Thanks so much, John!  Glad you visitied us and helped solve the mystery! :)

"Hi everyone. John Palermo here and I'll fill you in on the origin of Gigi on the Beach. My brother Ed and I had written songs for numerous artists, from Graham Nash to Menudo. I came up with the idea to create a fictitious girl group and try to get a record deal. So the name was just pulled out of the air and I sent tapes and bios to a lot of record labels. One of the tapes somehow fell into the hands of Casey Kasim, who called me to say he loved the 'group' and was going to give it to the president of CBS/Scotti Bros. Records. The president (Johnny Musso - super nice guy) called and I fessed up that there wasn't a group, but that I could put one together. Fortunately, he laughed. And he gave me a budget. We auditioned about 75 girls and decided on three. The record was recorded in my NYC apartment. As I understand it, this was CBS' final record with Scotti Bros. and we got caught in that gap where CBS was on their way out and didn't want to put any cash into promotion for Scotti. The girls were great to work with and it was a lot of fun. Terri and Paula are incredibly talented and just a pleasure to know. Ed Palermo has a 20-piece band known for playing the music of Frank Zappa, and I own a CD/DVD duplication business in NYC called DupeCoop - located in the apartment where we recorded Gigi on the Beach. Ed & I have also written for movies (Amelia and The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor Dragon) and TV since Gigi."

UPDATE #3:   Terri has finally wrote back with her recollections.  Thanks a ton, Terri!!!

"Hi! it is Terri! I just spoke to John actually. We actually live close to each other! My introduction to the group was funny because I was doing a wedding band at the time. The bass player and I were talking and he thought I would be good for Gigi. He recorded my vocal on a cassette player at the wedding. I spoke to John and they actually had a blonde singer they chose. I called back and said that I would love to do some back ups if they needed it because I had never recorded before. I got a call later that week and they said the other girl refused the contract and they wanted me to do it. I was very excited and was ready to go. My biggest challenge was that I had an 8 month old baby and needed to get back in shape. (he is now 25) so I worked my ass off for that cover shoot! My hair was longer when I went in to shoot the cover and they actually cut it right there on the spot! They wanted it to be more Gidget like. Our make up artist was Debbie Mazar, the now actress! We had a ball! More stories to come...getting frisked at the clubs with our outfits sewn together!! Hailing a cab with those outfits!!! lol"

Download Gigi On The Beach

1
Friday Night In The U.S.A.
2
Bitch Me Out
3
Will You Marry Me?
4
Summer In The Street
5
Johnny
6
Please Please Me
7
You're My Kind
8
Modern Jitterbug
9
Treasured Love
10
Crying In The Rain

26 comments:

  1. Thanks for that info. When I did the "Gigi on the Beach" post, I couldn't find any information on the members. PS, thanks for mentioning my blog. Appreciate it!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I know nothing about this act, but i think their name is odd as it sounds a lot like Jane Siberry's Canadian semi-hit from 1984 - Mimi on the Beach. Hommage? Dunno, just saying.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I happen to google my group "Gigi on the Beach"
    to see what would come up and I find this blog.
    I recently had the record framed for memories to hang on my wall
    Yes, we do indeed exist. I am Paula Gallo the one featured on top of the cover with the pink hat on. The name was thought of by John and Ed Palermo. No reason, but the funny thing is, Gigi
    was my Mother's nick name (Gloria Gallo) I dedicate that album to her memory.
    Thanks for bringing our Gigi on the Beach back for people to enjoy.
    Paula Gallo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paula it is Terri ! I hope you see this.. I have been looking for you!! I also am so happy to see it !! Please find me on facebook as Terri Hammer. Love you!!

      Delete
    2. I was the Personal/Road Manager for Gigi On The Beach. Seems like eons ago. Working with the girls was a joy. I have several videos of Gigi on the beach performing in NY at the Emerald City.

      I also knew John and Ed Palermo. 2 of the nicest guys in the world. And very talented.

      Delete
  4. Way back in the summer of 1990, the American TV show "Dance Party USA" used to regularly feature "Friday Night in America." I remember it well. Thanks for the post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was their manager and was with them when they performed on Dance Party USA. Fun gig

      Delete
  5. Hi I am one of the artists on this record. The blonde Terri Smith Young I am still performing and would love to talk about this special record!! xo Terri

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And we would LOVE to hear it, Terri! If you'd like, you can fill us in here in the comments and I will repost it in the main body of the post! (Don't worry if you don't see it posted immediately - I have to approve all comments first. ;) Or you can e-mail me at grantedweird@yahoo.ca. Can't wait! :)

      Delete
    2. Hi Terri, Freddie Penny here. Hope all is well with you. I always think about your son when we visited your house.

      Delete
  6. Hi everyone. John Palermo here and I'll fill you in on the origin of Gigi on the Beach. My brother Ed and I had written songs for numerous artists, from Graham Nash to Menudo. I came up with the idea to create a fictitious girl group and try to get a record deal. So the name was just pulled out of the air and I sent tapes and bios to a lot of record labels. One of the tapes somehow fell into the hands of Casey Kasim, who called me to say he loved the 'group' and was going to give it to the president of CBS/Scotti Bros. Records. The president (Johnny Musso - super nice guy) called and I fessed up that there wasn't a group, but that I could put one together. Fortunately, he laughed. And he gave me a budget. We auditioned about 75 girls and decided on three. The record was recorded in my NYC apartment. As I understand it, this was CBS' final record with Scotti Bros. and we got caught in that gap where CBS was on their way out and didn't want to put any cash into promotion for Scotti. The girls were great to work with and it was a lot of fun. Terri and Paula are incredibly talented and just a pleasure to know. Ed Palermo has a 20-piece band known for playing the music of Frank Zappa, and I own a CD/DVD duplication business in NYC called DupeCoop - located in the apartment where we recorded Gigi on the Beach. Ed & I have also written for movies (Amelia and The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor Dragon) and TV since Gigi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for writing and filling us in, John! It's an honour! :)

      Delete
  7. Hi! it is Terri! I just spoke to John actually. We actually live close to each other! My introduction to the group was funny because I was doing a wedding band at the time. The bass player and I were talking and he thought I would be good for Gigi. He recorded my vocal on a cassette player at the wedding. I spoke to John and they actually had a blonde singer they chose. I called back and said that I would love to do some back ups if they needed it because I had never recorded before. I got a call later that week and they said the other girl refused the contract and they wanted me to do it. I was very excited and was ready to go. My biggest challenge was that I had an 8 month old baby and needed to get back in shape. (he is now 25) so I worked my ass off for that cover shoot! My hair was longer when I went in to shoot the cover and they actually cut it right there on the spot! They wanted it to be more Gidget like. Our make up artist was Debbie Mazar, the now actress! We had a ball! More stories to come...getting frisked at the clubs with our outfits sewn together!! Hailing a cab with those outfits!!! lol

    ReplyDelete
  8. In my high school circle of friends (class of 1989) we still reference Gigi on the Beach. I was in a used CD store called Disc Diggers in the Boston area. I was always the one that would judge a CD by it's cover. Sometimes it worked (Vixen!) and sometimes it didn't (Gigi on the Beach). Sorry. But at least the name lives on with are small group .... as in ... "Lita Ford's looking good for her age." Response, " Yeah, but she was never a Gigi on the Beach." and an in general, "They're no Gigi on the Beach." too describe a not too good band or never heard of band. So I post this not to be mean, but to let you know at least 5 early 40 some things still remember them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi,
    My name is Ben Patten and I am currently the Co-Host of the Jay & Ben Magic in the Morning Show on 590am in Albany NY. Back in 1989, I was hosting a Saturday Morning Show in Bennington Vermont on WHGC 94.3 fm, where I had a show element called "Hit or Miss" and I featured "Friday Night in the USA" on the show one Saturday. The idea was to play the song and then take calls and find out whether or not the listeners liked it. I have to say that it was an overwhelming yes that Saturday and we continued to play it for quite a while after that Saturday. I must admit I still have the 45 record that I originally played it from. Thanks to this blog to keep the memory of these artists and groups alive.

    Ben Patten
    magic1009ben@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. "Friday Night in the USA" is a gem of a song that never got off the ground! I really enjoyed the song and thought it should have done much better on the pop charts! Casey Kasim knew what he was talking about when he said he really liked the group and helped get the band started. So sad it never made it big! I think this song is one of the best songs never to hit the TOP 40 and as good as many of the bands and singers of the day! Thankfully I can hear it every chance I get on Youtube!!! Thanks for the blog and posting it for all to hear and download!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it Andrew. The intro was intended to simulate the carnival sound of the Jersey Shore boardwalk, where Ed & I grew up.

      Delete
  11. I was checking to see if you had a blog entry on this group, and sure enough you do. This CD was one of my better finds. Perfect combination of a lot of dance/Top 40 music from the late '80s, like Bananarama, Swingout Sister, and Cover Girls.

    For a while, they used to play "Friday Night in America" every Friday afternoon on the old USA Networks show "Dance Party USA" as a way to launch the weekend. I was surprised it didn't chart Top 100 pop, although maybe it hit the dance charts.

    A lot of the group's songs have made it onto YouTube via homemade videos. But if any of the group's members or producers are still reading: was a video ever made for any of the songs? I had assumed I'd seen a video, but maybe I'm just remembering episodes of "Dance Party."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tony. No videos were ever made with Gigi on the Beach. The record company was very excited about the release of the record, and had discussed a second record, but they didn't put any marketing money behind them. I didn't know Dance Party USA used "Friday Night..". Thanks for letting us know.

      Delete
  12. Wow, back in the day Terri was my teacher in New Jersey. She gave us copy's of the "Friday" single for christmas. Glad to know your still doing what you love, my best to you and your family. ~matt.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for featuring this - I hunted down the music and LOVE this album. No idea why Friday Night wasn't HUGE on the pop charts.

    ReplyDelete
  14. love this cd . shame there's no videos . gr8 voices and wonderful songs and it doesn't hurt they are hot.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Found this in 2019 because I just acquired a signed Gigi on the Beach poster (framed, no less) — with sigs of Paula and Terri (was Beth the odd girl out? no mention of her above, and she didn't sign hit) to John Goodwin, who apparently helped with their vocal training.

    ReplyDelete