Great interview in the new TapeOp with legendary producer and world-class pottymouth Tommy “Snuff” Garrett, famous for his work in the ’60s and ’70s with Bobby Vee, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Sonny & Cher and many others. It’s chock full of old-school record business nuggets, from back when there was a record business. Here’s a choice quote:
I’d bought a big home in Bel Air. While I was working on the house, this couple whom I hadn’t seen in years comes from next door and said, “We’re having trouble. We’ve already spent all the money from our success.” I said “Well, I could cut a hit with you.” I hadn’t worked in a year. So, I went and cut Cher’s “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves”. There was this thing we wrote called “Living in a House Divided”. The next song I did was “Half-Breed”. They all went number one and they all sold over three and a half million. I went and published all those songs.
Sonny and I couldn’t get along. He ain’t here, so I can’t say anything bad about him, but I don’t have anything good to say about him either. One time I went next door to Sonny and Cher’s house and I took this song over. I told Sonny, “This is a hit.” He played the demo and threw the demo back at me, “That’s a piece of shit!” I said “No it’s not. That’s a hit. I was gonna do it with Cher.” He said, “But it’s not a hit!” I said, “Hey! I don’t need your fucking approval.” We went in and cut it a few days later on my own label. Went number one, sold three and a half million – “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia” with Vicki Lawrence. Fuck you! It’s the only way I know how to play. It’s a game! I loved it and I miss it.
Want more?
I heard a record of yours recently – Snuff Garrett’s Texas Opera Company’s Classical Country.
It’s one of the best concepts I’ve ever had. It starts out big classical, then turns to a fiddle that’ll rip your nuts off. It was really good.
Were the players feeling like it was a cool, different kind of challenge for them?
Fuck ‘em. It only matters if it sounds right.
