Band members were Andy Hrabovsky vocals, Sonny Salisbury lead guitar, Alan Sidenburg guitar, Greg Ellison bass, Stanley Bernstein organ, and David Moore on drums.
Andy Hrabovsky added some specifics about the band members in a comment below:
David Moore and Stanley Bernstein went to Thomas Jefferson High, Greg Ellison and Alan Sidenburg went to Douglas Freeman, and Sonny Salsbury and myself went to John Randolph Tucker High.
Stanley left the band not long after the release of “Hey Joe”, and was replaced by Steve Bassett from Freeman, who has gone on to some degree of notoriety. He and Robbin Thompson [of the Tasmanians] did “Sweet Virginia Breeze”.
Sonny Salisbury really distinguishes their take on “Hey Joe” by alternating staccato picking high up on the frets with fuzz riffs on the bass strings. Hrabovsky delivers some of the best shouting on vinyl and the rest of the band is solid as well.
The flip is the milder “Will You Be My Girl” by Stan Bernstein and Andy Hrabovsky. The record was produced by Martin Gary.
My copy seems to be from a radio station, dated June of ’67, and though both sides have “keep in regular play” written on them, “Hey Joe” is also marked to be played only after 6 PM!
The Groove label was owned by Marty Gary. Radio play on local WLEE led to a second pressing on a blue label. I’ve seen the band referred to as the Hazzards, with two ‘z’s, but on the label it’s just Hazards.
Thank you to Stan for the photo at top.
I really, really like this version. Thank you for sharing.
David Moore and Stanley Bernstein went to Thomas Jefferson High, Greg Ellerson and Alan Sidenburg went to Douglas Freeman, and Sonny Salsbury and myself went to John Randolph Tucker High. Stanley left the band not long after the release of “Hey Joe”, and was replaced by Steve Bassett from Freeman, who has gone on to some degree of notority. He and Robin Thompson did “Sweet Virginia Breeze”.
Thanks for your kind words.
Sincerely
Andy Hrabovsky
Fantastic version. Almost as good as the Golden Cups.
Once again, the song is mistakenly credited to Dino Valenti.
I’m fully in the camp that Billy Roberts wrote the song, based on evidence. Some others are still arguing about this though.
Check out hey-joe.tk
I
Rarely look at web , but THANK YOU for your comment. Very much appreciatied. Sincerely Dave Moore
Hey Andy,
Is this the same Andy Hrabovsky that my daughter Emmalie loves so much???!!! I came upon this by accident and if it’s you, I have to say…I never knew you made a record. This is totally outrageous.
Hope you’re doing well!!!
xo
~michelle
Hey Andy,
Where are you?
Stanley
Check out the band called “The Leaves”.
Their first single, “Too Many People”, was a local hit in Los Angeles. The Leaves released “Hey Joe” in November of ’65, and dissatisfied with the sound, pulled it. They released a second version in early ’66, which flopped. Original guitarist Bill Rinehart left, and the Leaves redid the song again with a fuzztone by new guitarist Bob Arlin. This version of the song, the best of the uptempo versions, became a hit, hitting #1 in L.A. It debuted on both Billboard and Cash Box on May 21, 1966. It peaked at #31 on Billboard, while showing a humbler peak position of #43 on Cash Box. The song ran nine weeks on both national charts etc.
Thx,Stan Bernstein
Are you still in Richmond? Martin Gary
Hi Martin!
I’m in Port Saint Lucie Florida! Where are you?
Hey Stan; I am a friend of Eddy’s and will always appreciate you guys letting us play during the break where Eddy sang “Ain’t no Sunshine” and I played bass; I hope you guys are well since the days of the Glass Zodiak and infamous ‘Mammy’s Pancakes”; PsyJaye@ gmail.com
Living right here in Richmond, heard you’re in Florida. Time for a reunion tour. The Hazard days sure were a lot of fun.
Andy
I’m ready!
Brent… Hi, it’s been a long time. Hey is Martin Gary part of the same family who owned the music store?
Stanley
I haven’t seen you in twenty years. Heard you are living in Florida. Send me an email.
Andy
apnrich@aol.com
Thought I’d let you know that I own the Acetate of this record! Would like to have a stock copy…still looking.
Thanks,
Mike Stern
I saw the acetate on e bey for 75 bucks..was that you or did you buy it?
Stan
Hi Andy ! I’m a great Garage music fan (especially US bands). I live in France near Lyon to be exact and I must concede your version of Hey Joe is a so tremendous one ! I’ve listened it so much and I used to thrill each time. Thanx. I’ve heard many versions of Hey Joe but none like yours !
Sincerely.
Élie
Hi Andy, I was a friend of the band. I grew up with Stanley, David and Sonny. I have been in touch with Stanley as I have a winter home in West Palm Beach, but I still have a home in Richmond. Stanley and I going to get together when I go back to Florida. If you’d like drop me an email and we’ll get together.
Hey Yea,Make sure you give me a call when you get in.The drums and keyboards are all set up.Stanley
Would you believe I have a recent picture of the Gilman sisters?
Indeed – Greg Ellison (Ellerson?) and Steve Bassett both went to Freeman, as did I; I remember them both well and recall (??) that they played for maybe our Junior (?) prom?. Steve was in the school band, a year ahead of me; played bass sax, if I recall.
Just unearthed my copy of Hey Joe/Will You Be My Girl that’s been in my stack of VA garage singles ever since then. Awesome, guys! Steve Rice (in NJ)
Does anyone have photos of the Hazards? I’d like to add one to the site- email me at chas_kit@hotmail.com
Hey Ken I remember you well. You were a lot of fun to be around. Hope you are well.
Sorry guys…I spelled Greg Ellison’s (Ellerson) name wrong. Anyone know how we can find him? The rest of the members are talking up a reunion.
Andy;
Not sure, but our DSF class reunion is coming up on November 20th; haven’t seen him on/about yet but can ask and will pass along info. At least he’s not on the ‘Rememberances’ list!
Steve Rice (in NJ)
Well, we had our DSF HS reunion this past weekend and it was a blast. Finally got to meet Steve Bassett (briefly).
He’s helping to determine if the band name was spelled with one Z or two (see intro note at top). At the time, I recall the two Zs, as noted in the Aliens, Psychos & Aliens compilation CD, despite the record and other sources with one Z.
Also, no one seemed to know anything, or whereabouts, of Greg Ellison (graduated in our class of 1970).
Steve
Martin Gary alerted me to the two Z’s in the group name. It was always the HAZARDS til I spelled it incorrectly on the Aliens Psychos & Wild Things Vol. 2 release. Good work Mr. Kit – when I was putting together that release I petitioned the majority of the band members, wives, mothers, managers and Marty Gary for a photo. Nobody could find one. Marty supplied me with the master tape for Hey Joe and it really blazes. Stan is The Man.
Brent – Thanks! That wraps that mystery up nice and tight. Case closed! Steve (NJ)
The Hazards (Hazzards?) did the best version of Hey Joe I ever heard too–I’m right there with you on that one, Brent. It sounds freakin’ fantastic still. I thought Hendrix screwed it up when he slowed it down. Was the song originally written as fast or slow? Andy, you should go down as one of the best screamers in R’n’R. To tell you the truth I always thought Sonny was the singer.
I went to Tucker with these guys but unfortunately I never saw them play. I was (am) too dorky to be part of a scene that must have been way cool, and I’m not being sarcastic.
Hi Steve,
The name definately had only one ‘z’ in it…The Hazards. Very cool to see all of this. Hope the band does get together in Richmond for a reunion gig. Any ideas?????
Tucker High?
I went there and remember your name
Hi Stan
Are you still in FLA?
One person on the “You know you’re from Richmond if..” Facebook page just indicated it is the same person/store. In Willow Lawn Shopping Center?
Just (finally!) found a copy with the BLUE label; second pressing according to the intro paragraph above. Photo posted on the “You know you’re from Richmond if” Facebook group page.
Here is a link to the group who orig. did hey joe which was our a side of the record:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWv03Wgz0PQ
here is a like to the orig.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWv03Wgz0PQ
Speaking of the blue label version (8 months later), one in VG+ condition sold on eBay earlier this week for $57+!! I dropped out at $38 or so, already having one but not in as good condition (my blue label copy of the record, though probably could apply to me, too…)
Here is the actual recording of the song Hey Joe by the Hazards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1eiOWeoYMg&feature=related