Appendix I – Neil Bogart’s Recording History...

 

A1.01. Go Bohemian

A1.02. Oh Genie

Credited to “Neal Scott & The Fortunes” on Side A and simply “Neal Scott” on the flip. Both of these songs were recorded while Neil was living in the Brooklyn projects around 1959. Clown Records appear to have been more of a vanity label. While the track details are only specific for the A-side, the song-writing of both appear to credited to Neal and his father, Al Bogatz. Apart from the rarity factor for this “jungle” single it is amusing, from the KISS perspective, that Neal Scott's first release was on "Clown" records.

 

Neal was born on Feb 3, 1941 in Kings, Brooklyn, the son of Al and Ruth Bogarz. Al had later involvement in Neil's Casablanca Records inspiring the writing of "Cindy" a "love story / concept and story for a musical by Donna Summer, Joyce Bogart (Neil's wife), and Susan Munao" (LOC) in 1978...

 

A1.03. Bobby

A1.04. I Haven't Found It With Another

Neil’s first proper single release, on the national Portrait label (Portrait P-102) in 1961. This single saw distribution in Europe (Pye Records 7N-25096), Canada (Regency Records R-868), and probably elsewhere. Produced by A. Balto, the orchestra on both songs was conducted by Clint Ballard Jr. “Bobby” provided a minor hit and managed to reach #58 on the US singles charts, a respectable debut (the single did slightly better on Cashbox reaching #52 on 8/12/61). Neither song were original compositions. Track details: A1. (2:45) - Davis/Porter; B1. (2:23) - Tobias/Ballard.

 

A1.05. It Happened All Over Again

A1.06. My Confession

Neil's follow-up to the nearly successful "Bobby" single which was probably released in the late-summer/fall of 1961. This was Neil’s second, and final, single on Portrait (Portrait P-106), though it didn’t chart. Produced by Ballard-Tobias. Track details: A1. (2:39) - Gladys Reiss; B1. (3:05) - Sylvia Dee/Guy Wood. Click on song titles for a 30 second MP3 sample of each song.

 

During the early 1960s there was another artist using the name Neil Scott. One such artist released a single “Nashville Lady” b/w “Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings” (Bold 442), though it should be made clear that this single was not recorded by the "Neil Scott" who would become Neil Bogart. It's included here because it’s one of the few singles released by an artist sharing the late-Casablanca Records boss' name, and so that collectors don't confuse it with those singles really recorded by him...

 

A1.07. Tomboy

A1.08. Run To Me

Released in 1962 on Comet Records (C-2151). Produced by J. Brandon and S. Wiener. Arranged and conducted by Clark McClellan. Track details: A1. (1:50) - Brandon/Wiener; B1. (2:30) - Brandon/Lockyer /Gregory/Jordon. This single, like the Portrait releases, continued the teen-pop style similar to Frankie Avalon.

 

A1.09. One-Piece Bathing Suit

A1.10. Little Girl

Possibly the most interesting release of Neil’s discography, simply due to the release appearing under to names: Neal Scott (Herald H-581) or Wayne Roberts (20th Century Fox 45-644). While the Herald single was released in 1963 the 20th Century details are not clear, but it is known that Neil used the “Wayne Roberts” alias for other projects such as the “Sin in the Suburbs” movie in 1963. “Wayne” was certainly producing material for other acts on 20th Century during 1963 (Eileen Barton).

 

Produced by J. Brandon and S. Wiener. Conducted and arranged by Mike Lewis. The full title of the A-side is "Chantilly, Silly Sort Of Daffy, As A Dilly, Little Fussy, Little Frilly, Little) One-Piece Bathing Suit" and is as bad as the song suggests, though it was a “novelty” style recording. Track details: A1. (2:25) - Brandon/Wiener; B1. (2:34) - Brandon/Wiener. The single was released in late May 1963 and did chart in some regional markets (Toronto).

 

A1.11. The Theory Of Love

A1.12. March The Sixth

Nothing is currently known about these songs, though it is likely that if they are actually Neal Scott recordings that they were released prior to 1965. Both of these titles appear on the cover of the so-called “Neil ‘Bobby’ Scott’s Greatest Hits” album cover. Whether that release actually existed is also another matter, though the release detailed every previous Bogart recording. As a result, these remain the “mystery” recordings, which may suggest one further Neil Scott single yet to be discovered.

 

A1.13. (I Don’t Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance With You

A1.14. Let Me Think It Over

Neil's final single which was released in April 1967 (Cameo/Parkway C-476). Produced by Bob Reno. Musicians: The Cecil Holmes Orchestra with the Marty Thau Singers arranged and conducted by Artie Butler. Track details: A1. (2:09) - Crosby/Washington/Young. By this time Neil was a vice-President at the record label.