Black Olives

{{For|the fruit|Black olives}} {{Infobox song | name = | version =  | cover =  | cover_size = | alt = | border = | caption = | type = | artist = the Bad Boys | album = | EP = | language =  | English_title = | A-side = Love | B-side = Black Olives | written = | published = 1966 | released =  | recorded = | studio = | genre =  | length =  | label = Paula Records 254 | writer = G. St. Clair, Danny Conway, Demetri Callas | composer = | lyricist = | producer = Ray Allen and Charlie Daniels | chronology = | prev_title =  | prev_year = | prev_version =  | next_title = | next_year = | next_version =  | tracks =  | misc =  }}

"'''Black Olives'''" was a 1966 song for the Bad Boys. It was the B side of the group's single "Love". It became a hit for the group that year.

==Background== The Bad Boys were a musical ensemble that was made up of Gary St. Clair, Al Ruzicka, Danny Conway and Demetri Callas.<ref>Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=The%20Bad%20Boys%20%284%29 ArtistInfo, The Bad Boys, Members]</ref>

"Black Olives" was composed by Gary St. Clair, Danny Conway and Demetri Callas. It was registered in 1966.<ref> - [https://www.google.com/books/edition/Catalog_of_Copyright_Entries/szghAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Black+Olives%22Gary+St.+Clair%22&pg=PA1529&printsec=frontcover Page 1529 1966, BLACK OLIVES; m Gary St. Clair, Daniel Conway & D. Callas. 2 p. © Gary St. Clair, Daniel Conway & D. Callas; 21Nov66; EU967694 .]</ref> "Black Olives" was the B side of "Love" which was released on Paula 254 in 1966.<ref>''Isthmus'', November 27, 2011 - [https://isthmus.com/arts/vinyl-cave/vinyl-cave-dollar-bin-diving-with-gary-st-clair-arif-mardin-uncle-jims-music/ Vinyl Cave: Dollar bin diving with Gary St. Clair, Arif Mardin, Uncle Jim's Music, Gary St. Clair:''Gary St. Clair'' - By Bob Koch]</ref><ref>Global Dog Productions - [https://www.globaldogproductions.net/p/paula.html 45 Discography for Paula Records 254 The Bad Boys]</ref>

The musicians who took part in the recording sessions were, Gary St. Clair on organ, Charlie Daniels on bass, Danny Conway on drums, and Demetri Callas on guitar. It appears that Al Ruzicka had no involvement in the session.<ref>Chairshot to the Skull, Monday March 2, 2009 - [https://chairshotrecords.blogspot.com/2009/03/bad-boys-love-black-olives-45rpm.html The Bad Boys - Love / Black Olives 45rpm, Demetri Callas said...]</ref><ref>No Such Thing As Was, Dec 21, 2024 - [https://joebonomo.substack.com/p/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-b These are a few of my favorite B-sides - Joe Bonomo, “Black Olives,” The Bad Boys (1966)]</ref><ref>''Zero to 180'', October 31, 2024 - [https://www.zeroto180.org/shad-osheas-counterpart-music-publishing-empire-a-chronology-1965-1971/ Shad O’Shea’s Counterpart Music Publishing Empire = A Chronology (1965-1971), Other Counterpart-Related Releases 1966]</ref> The production was handled by Charlie Daniels and Ray Allen. Daniels also handled the arrangements.<ref>Music Metason - [https://music.metason.net/artistinfo?name=The%20Bad%20Boys&title=Love%20%2F%20Black%20Olives ArtistInfo, The Bad Boys, Love / Black Olives]</ref>

An ad appeared in the 3 December 1966 issue of ''Cash Box'' for Jewel / Paula Records. The three singles listed as the Other Hot Singles were, "Things You Do" by Frank Frost, "The Push" by Billy Joe Young, and "Black Olive" by the Bad Boys.<ref>''Cash Box'', December 3, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-03.pdf Page 56 Jewel . . . Paula, other Hot Singles]</ref>

==Reception== For the week of 10 December 1966, ''Record World'' listed the record as one of the "Sleepers of the Week". The magazine referred to it as an organ-paced instrumental that gets down to the nitty gritty and that it should make an impact in the charts.<ref>''Record World'', December 10, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/66/RW-1966-12-10.pdf Page 1 (front cover), ★ ''SLEEPERS OF THE WEEK'']</ref>

A ''Cash Box'' Best Bet, the record was reviewed in the magazine's 17 December issue, with "Black Olives" as the A side. The reviewer referred to it as a "funky frenetic rock outing" and it was likely to do well for the group. The reviewer gave the flip side "Love" a B+ rating and said that it was a strong rock effort.<ref>''Cash Box'', December 17, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-17.pdf Page 22 RECORD REVIEWS, BEST BETS, BAD BOYS (Paula 254)]</ref>

According to R&B Beat in the 21 January 1967 issue of ''Record World'', and incorrectly referring to the group as Bad Guys, Stan Lewis had the "hottest breaking instrumental in the business with "Black Olives".<ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1024 January 21, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-01-21.pdf Page 37 R & B Beat (''Continued from page'' 36)]</ref>

==Airplay== According to the 17 December issue of ''Record World'', Donny Brooks the night deejay at WDAS Philadelphia was high on the instrumental "Black Olives".<ref>''Record World'', December 17, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/66/RW-1966-12-17.pdf Page 24 R&B BEAT ''WHERE IT'S AT'', Teen Battle Winner]</ref> It was reported in the R & B Beat section of ''Record World'' for the week of 7 January 1967 that Donny Brooks said that Black Olives by Bad Guys on Jewel was "Bad". Brooks broke through the song in Miami and Pittsburgh.<ref>''Record World'', January 7, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-01-07.pdf Page 13 R & B Beat (''Continued from page'' 20)] (note: Donny Brooks mistakenly referred to the group as Bad Guys)</ref>

For the week of 21 January, 1967, the Record World Primary Exposure chart showed that the single was an extra without a numerical rank at WEAM in Washington D.C..<ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1024 January 21, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-01-21.pdf Page 26 ''PRIMARY'' RADIO EXPOSURE CHART, TITLES BLACK OLIVES Bad Boys (Paula), WEAM Wash., D. C.]</ref> The following week, the ''Record World'' Primary Exposure chart had the single as an extra without a numerical rank at WWRL in New York.<ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1025 January 28, 1961 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/Record-World-1967-01-28.pdf Page 22 ''PRIMARY'' RADIO EXPOSURE CHART, TITLES BLACK OLIVES Bad Boys (Paula), EAST, WWRL New York]</ref> Also that week, it was reported in the R & B Beat section of ''Record World'' that "Black Olives" was big for an instrumental around the nation, but biggest at WAMO where it was at #4.<ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1025 January 28, 1961 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/Record-World-1967-01-28.pdf Page 30 ''R & B Beat'' (''Continued from page'' 30)]</ref> ==Charts== The single debuted at no. 48 in the ''Cash Box'' Top 50 In R&B Locations chart for the week of 17 December.<ref>''Cash Box'', December 17, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-17.pdf Page 12 Cash Box NEW CHART ADDITIONS, NEW TO TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS, 48—BLACK OLIVES, ''Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', December 17, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-17.pdf Page 36 Cash Box TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS]</ref> It peaked at no 35. in the Top 50 In R&B Locations chart for the week of 24 December 1966.<ref>''Cash Box'', December 24, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-24.pdf Page 102 Cash Box TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS, 35 BLACK OLIVES, ''Bad Boys (Paula 254)'', 48]</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', December 31, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1966/CB-1966-12-31.pdf Page 26 Cash Box TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS, 37 BLACK OLIVES, ''Bad Boys (Paula 254)'', 35]</ref>

In 1967, it peaked again in the Top 50 In R&B Locations chart at no. 35 in the for the week of 7 January.<ref>''Cash Box'', January 7, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-01-07.pdf Page 22 Cash Box TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS, 35 BLACK OLIVES, ''Bad Boys (Paula 254)'', 37]</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', January 14, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-01-14.pdf Page 28 Cash Box TOP 50 IN R&B LOCATIONS]</ref>

The single made its debut at no. 35 in the ''Cash Box'' Looking Ahead chart for the week of 28 January.<ref>''Cash Box'', January 21, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-01-21.pdf Page 10 CASH BOX LOOKING AHEAD]</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', January 28, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-01-28.pdf Page 3 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD, 35 BLACK OLIVES, ''(SuMa, Falls City, Counterpart—BMI), Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref> The single peaked at no. 11 for the week of 25 February.<ref>''Cash Box'', February 18, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-02-18.pdf Page 6 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD, 12 BLACK OLIVES, ''(SuMa, Falls City, Counterpart—BMI), Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', February 25, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-02-25.pdf Page 8 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD, 11 BLACK OLIVES, ''(SuMa, Falls City, Counterpart—BMI), Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref><ref>''Cash Box'', March 4, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-03-04.pdf Page 8 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD, 13 BLACK OLIVES, ''(SuMa, Falls City, Counterpart—BMI), Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref> It was still in the Looking Ahead chart for the week of 18 March.<ref>''Cash Box'', March 18, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1967/CB-1967-03-18.pdf Page 8 Cash Box LOOKING AHEAD, 31 BLACK OLIVES, ''(SuMa, Falls City, Counterpart—BMI), Bad Boys (Paula 254)'']</ref>

The single debuted at no. 46 in the ''Record World'' Top 50 R&B chart for the week of 24 December 1966.<ref>''Record World'', December 17, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/66/RW-1966-12-17.pdf Page 28 Top 50 R & B]</ref><ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1020 December 24, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/66/RW-1966-12-24.pdf '''(Note: No chart page)''']</ref><ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1021 December 31, 1966 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/66/RW-1966-12-31.pdf Page 17 TOP 50 R & B, 42. BLACK OLIVES Bad Boys -Paula 254, 46]</ref> The single was at no. 32 for the week of 21 January.<ref>''Record World'', Vol. 21, No. 1024 January 21, 1967 - [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/67/RW-1967-01-21.pdf Page 37 TOP 50 R & B, 32. BLACK OLIVES Bad Boys -Paula 254, 34]</ref>

==After the hit== The group were eventually noticed by Columbia Records and at some stage, they changed their name to Flavor.<ref>Papa's Basement - [https://www.inpapasbasement.com/DemetriCallas.pdf Pantelis John “Demetri” Callas, June 7, 1942 – January 13, 2020, 3 MAKING THE BIG TIME]</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * Discogs – [https://www.discogs.com/master/481177-The-Bad-Boys-Love-Black-Olives The Bad Boys (4) – Love / Black Olives]

Category:1966 songs Category:1966 debut singles Category:1960s instrumentals Category:Songs written by Gary St. Clair (record producer) Category:Song recordings produced by Charlie Daniels