FBI is a showcase for Mick Ronson and opened the Hunter Ronson concerts from 1979-1980. It was a 1961 hit for the Shadows actually written by the band but due to complicated publishing contracts it was credited to their manager Peter Gormley. Ian didn't particularly care for the Shadows (he "always took the piss out of him [Ronson] for at every opportunity") but Ronno really liked them, made the tune his own, and he added blistering solos to the original and mixed it up a bit.
Officially the Welcome to the Club version is the actual release but several live versions later became available including two earlier releases before the November 1979 Welcome version. The song opened Hunter Ronson shows through the 1980 appearances.
Also recorded at My Father's Place, Roslyn NY 12th June 1979 on Collateral Damage.
Ian Hunter On Track for Sonicbond Publishing, TheDoctorOfDigital@pm.me
Ian's 1979 Schizophrenic album sold much better than anyone had expected, and Chrysalis were keen to keep the momentum going with another album. Because he doesn't write on the road, Ian didn't have the material together, so a 2-LP live set (recorded towards the end of the 1979 USA tour) was put out instead. It basically comprised three sides live and one side of new material live in the studio.
The 2-CD set offers excellent packaging and excellent sound quality, albeit with different artwork (the original having been lost). The CD includes the rare UK single b-sides One Of The Boys (live) and Once Bitten Twice Shy/Bastard/Cleveland Rocks (live medley), and the previously-unreleased The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll (live) and When the Daylight Comes (live).
"F.B.I." is an instrumental rock tune recorded by the British group the Shadows and released as a single in February 1961. It spent 19 weeks in the UK Singles Chart reaching number 6 in mid-February and mid-March 1961.[2]
Release and reception[edit]
"F.B.I." was written by the Shadows' Hank Marvin, Bruce Welch and Jet Harris, but due to complicated publishing contracts it was credited to their manager Peter Gormley.[3] The actual composers' names never appeared on the credits. It was released as a single by EMI on the Columbia label, with the B-side "Midnight", written by Marvin and Welch.[4] It was released in the United States and Canada in July 1961 on Atlantic Records with "The Frightened City", written by Norrie Paramor, as the B-side.[5]
FBI (live 12th June 1979) | 4:58 | This live version (recorded at My Father's Place, Roslyn NY) can be found on Collateral Damage. Not on the box set. |
FBI (live 18th June 1979) | 4:55 | This live version (recorded at the Agora, Cleveland OH) is on the 30th Anniversary issue of You're Never Alone With a Schizophrenic. Not on the box set. |
FBI (live 5-11th November 1979) | 3:52 | This live version (recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles CA) was originally issued on Welcome to the Club, and on the compilation From The Knees Of My Heart. |
FBI (live 22nd November 1979) | 5:12 | This live version (recorded Hammermith Odeon, London England) was originally issued on If You Wait Long Enough For Anything, You Can Get It On Sale (box set only). |
FBI (live 19th April 1980) | 3:41 | This live version (recorded Rockpalast TV Show, Grugahalle, Essen Germany) was originally issued on Live At Rockpalast (not on the box set) |