Category Archives: Fox Chapel

John Harrison & the Hustlers, Ideal Records discography

John Harrison & the Hustlers Ideal 45 Don't Ask Why“Don’t Ask Why” is a solid garage number from John Harrison & the Hustlers, with a nice scream before the guitar break. “You Don’t Want That” is a lighter number for fans of that sound. Both sides were written by Johnny Harrison and Jim McMillen (or Jim McMillan) and produced by George Goodman.

I didn’t know anything about the group until Lloyd Stamy left his comment below, which I’ll repeat here in the main article for its useful information:

An outstanding and very popular mid-Sixties band from Fox Chapel, a suburb of Pittsburgh, that could “cover” any Beatles tune better than the Fab Four itself, The Hustlers comprised four guys who attended Shady Side Academy: John Harrison (lead singer and bass guitar), Jim “Bugsy” McMillen (lead guitar), Doug Harrison (drums and John’s younger brother), and Bill Bickerstaff (rhythm guitar).

Incomplete Ideal discography:

Vibra-Sonics – “Thunder Storm” / “Drag Race” (1964)
Four Challengers – “Love Me When You Can” / “Rayburn Street” (Ideal 11111, 1965)
7 Dwarfs – “Stop Girl” / “One By One” (the Blues Magoos tune) (Ideal 1168)
John Harrison & the Hustlers – “Don’t Ask Why” / “You Don’t Want That” (Ideal IR 10)
Al’s Dynamics – “Breakdown” / “Disappointed in You” (Ideal IR 20)

Augie Bernardi owned the Ideal label, it was located in Sharpsburg, PA

Bink Curti wrote to me:

The Four Challangers were from Kittanning, PA and included brothers Dale & Gary Bowser on rhythm and lead guitar respectively.

Thanks to Lloyd for the helpful info and to Robin for contributing to the Ideal discography.