Michael's first ever single, 'Bah Bah BAh'

I've just managed to get hold of a copy of Michaels first 45 rpm single 'Bah, Bah Bah' that he recorded with his first band Garage band 'Joy'.

I've been looking out for a copy for years now and finally managed to track a copy down.

The label on the single has a printed mis-spelling and lists the writing credits as 'Michael Bolotkin'.

Does anyone have any information on this single that they would be willing to share with me because I'd quite like to mount the single in a frame along with some information about it.

I know that 'Bah, Bah, Bah,' was the B' side with 'Joy' singing the unknown Beatles composition 'It's for you' on the 'A' side, but thats all I know really.

I cant wait for it to arrive and when it does, I'll see if I can somehow, record it and post a clip of it on here.

Thank you in advance for your help.
Love Jennifer XXXXXXX

Still Michaels future wife though!!

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Permalink Reply by andrew carolla on March 4, 2012 at 3:23am

first single wa s going back to new haven writen by tom pollard it was demo only and i have yet to see it but do have it as mp3

bah bah bah was second I have a couple of the demos of this

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Permalink Reply by Florin Tănase on March 4, 2012 at 12:54pm

Do you have Going Back To New Haven? How does it sound Cookie man?

Thanks,

Florin

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Steadman on March 4, 2012 at 3:57pm

I'm sure I have 'Going back to New Haven' somewhere? I'm going to have to go and have a look in my collection.

I'll come back to you Florin if i have it.

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by Astrid Kretschmann on March 4, 2012 at 2:27pm

Hi there,

just in case you haven't seen this:

When MB promoted the "Soul Provider"-album he was on Jay Leno and they talked about "Bah Bah Bah" - enjoy the funny conversation LOL

Greetings from Germany

Astrid

Michael Bolton on Jay Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIOp9TJopwE&feature=results_vide...

Michael Bolton on Jay Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTEsoJIqMCM

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Steadman on March 4, 2012 at 4:00pm

How funny that Michael sings 'Bah Bah Bah' but sings it all wrong!! Hilarious.

Great to see that clip again Astrid Thank you.

Jennifer

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Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on March 4, 2012 at 5:07pm

Hi Andrew and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry but I'll have to disagree with you about the order of recording. Michael's brother Orrin told me himself that "The Bop Bah song" aka "Bah Bah Bah" was recorded first and Orrin was later asked to join on the recording of "Going back to New Haven" when he returned from Europe. If you only have the Tom Pollard version, you can find the Joy version here:

http://www.michaelboltonphotos.com/soundfiles.shtml

Also, when Michael talks about his first singles record deal with Epic, he only mentions “Bah bah bah”. May I ask where you got your info Andrew? Now, when you mention that you have a couple of demos, do you mean on 45's or mp3's and are they different? Just curious. Andrew, you sound like a fan of Michael’s early years. I strongly suggest you check out this thread:

http://michaelbolton.com/forum/topics/follow-up-info-for-the-history

It was started by my friend Jeremy, who posted the beginnings of a comprehensive history of Michael’s very early days, but fans have participated in adding to the early history and you’ll also find fascinating posts by Marc Friedland. If you know about Joy, I’m sure you know who he is. Well thanks for sharing Andrew and hope you stick around and share some more! Take care. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie from Canada

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Permalink Reply by andrew carolla on March 4, 2012 at 9:27pm

my family knows them - the info on back to new ahve was from book new haven sound I can ask orrin details

demos are 45s and few of the early pictures and two platium -if possible check out my photos on face book

and tom pollard is looking also to make sure he got credit for writing

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Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on March 4, 2012 at 10:55pm

Hi again Andrew, I only know what Orrin told me. As far as GBTNH,, according to what Marc Friedland said on the thread I've given you the link to, I don't think it was released because Marc said none of the boys ever heard the B side "Cookie man" song in it's finished form. Do check with OB. Take care. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie from Canada

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Permalink Reply by JGreenw on March 6, 2012 at 2:02pm

Hi everyone,

Just weighing in on the latest contribution. Yes, I still browse the forum occasionally, but I must thank Sylvie for bringing this to my attention. As for the work on the history project, it's definitely still on the table; I simply haven't had the time to devote enough of my energy to it as of late. I've got lots to report on, but after I compile it all I want to run it by Marc for accuracy.

As for the timing of "Bop Bah Song" and "Going Back to New Haven," "Bop Bah" and "It's For You" were definitely recorded first (yes the book _The New Haven Sound_ lists them both as 1969, but the order should be reversed). "Bop Bah" and "It's For You" were both produced by Ken Cooper. By the time the 45 was released, Cooper was no longer affiliated with CBS/Epic. A few months later, CBS fulfilled their obligation of a second 45 ("GBTNH" and "Cookie Man") by having Joy record with producer Sandy Linzer, since Cooper was gone.

Personnel on "Bop Bah":

Michael Bolotin - lead & backing vocals, rhythm guitar
Fred Bova - lead guitar, backing vocals
Marc Friedland - bass guitar
Bob Brockway - drums

On "It's For You":

Michael Bolotin - lead and backing vocals
Fred Bova - lead & rhythm guitars
Marc Friedland - bass guitar
Bob Brockway - drums
Jeremy Steig - flute

On "GBTNH":

Michael Bolotin - lead and backing vocals, lead guitar
Fred Bova - rhythm guitar (Marc: am I right here?)
Marc Friedland - bass guitar
Bob Brockway - drums (Marc: correct? Hilly didn't start with them until the 1970 apartment sessions, right?)
Orrin Bolotin - backing vocals
Tom Pollard - organ, backing vocals

Andrew - are you related to Tony, who worked at Sally's Pizza and drove the Oogy Ahhgy to California when Joy got the Pentagram deal?

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Permalink Reply by sylvie boisvert on March 6, 2012 at 3:37pm

Salut Jeremy, you beat me to the response sweetie. Marc confirmed that I was right. BTW, small correction: Michael played lead guitar on GBTNH. Thanks for coming in Jeremy, glad you’re still keeping an eye on things. :D Take care mon ami. Hugs, sincerely, Sylvie from Canada

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Permalink Reply by sylvia doughty on March 6, 2012 at 5:15pm

Is that how Michael makes reference to the wrong title apart from the wrong spelling of his name on "Bah Bah Bah" for should the title have been "Bop Bah" on the 45 ???