Friday, September 7, 2012

The Rhodes Kids - "Runaway"



Runaway b/w Runaway (Instrumental) (GRC 1975 - US issue)

Houston's Rhodes Kids were another one of those schmaltzy, 1970s family show bands.  They made the Osmonds seem like tough guys.  With several TV appearances and Las Vegas bookings, one can consider them fairly successful.  The fascinating thing about them is their record label.  GRC was run by Michael Thevis, the mobbed-up "Scarface of Porn," who likely used the label to launder money from his porn/peepshow empire.  Thevis' criminal career is an interesting read, and I encourage you to google him.

The A-side of this Del Shannon classic can be heard here.  I don't know about you, but I don't care to hear 8 people singing the same melody at once.  Luckily, the flip side is a cool, glittery instrumental version.



Further reading

2010 Houston Press article on the Rhodes Kids

Good overview on Michael Thevis