The 4th Street Exit

I don’t own this 45 by the 4th Street Exit, but I like their song “Strange One” so much I have to cover it.

After the crashing opening chords, the organ carries the melody while the guitar switches to a dry sound repeating licks and bending notes like crazy. No faulting the rhythm section either, with the fluid bass runs and great drum breaks.

The song was written by M. Fichera and published by Janell Music, a subsidiary of Tiki Recording Service in San Jose, California, released in May of ’67. I believe the studio is still in existence, run by one of the original owners, Gradie O’Neal. I don’t know anything about the group and I haven’t even heard the flip yet, “A Love Like This”.

Rowena also released the Rock Shop’s great “State of Your Mind” / “Is That Your Halo”, produced by Norm Flint.

Scan from Brent’s old auction of the 45.

3 thoughts on “The 4th Street Exit”

    1. I played in the 60ties too, my band was called the giant sunflower we played at loosers south I dont know if you remember that I remember the Tiki lounge that was on first street

  1. The 4th Street Exit was my first professional band. What a great group of guys for a young musician to hang out with. The original guitarist/vocalist is releasing a new album very soon. Look for music by Eddie Callahan. Bassist Mark Fichera passed away the end of last year. Drummer Bob Jansen and lead guitarist Skip Mazey are still doing well. Lead guitarist Jerry Katz can be found playing with a blues band in San Jose clubs. I got us all back together for a reunion a few years ago and we recorded some great music at my Soundtek Studios in Campbell, Ca. It was the owner of Tiki sound, Gradie Oneal that came up with the idea for me to play those organ riffs in Strange One. He mentored me for many years after that first recording session. It’s great to see that The 4th Street Exit left its mark.

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