“HANDSOME” JIM BALCOM, Corrido Rock, 1958
Posted: February 11, 2010 Filed under: 50s, Instrumental Records | Tags: Instrumental Rock`n`Roll 9 Comments »
“Handsome” Jim Balcom´s Corrido Rock, a great super-fast saxophone driven instrumental rocker, hit #59 in Cash Box Magazine in March 1958. That same week Googie Rene´s Wiggle-Tail , another fine instrumental Rock´n´Roll song, was # 60. But more decisive was # 1 : Tequila by the Champs. One of the most famous saxophone driven instrumental Rock´n´Roll songs of all time.
Corrido Rock still is… well, a great super-fast saxophone driven instrumental rocker…
“HANDSOME” JIM BALCOM, Corrido Rock Part 1, 1958
“HANDSOME” JIM BALCOM, Corrido Rock Part 2, 1958
About me:
My name is Andreas Michalke. I´m a cartoonist from Berlin, Germany and I like collecting records. Most of the records I find in thrift stores or at flea markets here in Berlin. I like a lot of music but I thought I`d focus on odd German records. Preferably with cartoon covers.
All my scans are high-resolution. If you double-click on them they will get much bigger.
Good rock instrumental, a little bit like the Champs. Thank you!
Thank You/
A Great Instrumental Song.
Funny I didn’t even think I would find anything on Jim Balcom or the song “Corrido Rock” except for another site directing me to Art Laboe’s “Memories of El Monte”. As a child I actually knew Jim Balcom. He was very good friends with my (my mother’s eldest brother) Bill Burrola. Bill Burrola was in fact the saxophone player. The correct name of the band was “The Handsome Jim Balcom and The Shades of Rythm”.
Thank you very much for sharing your information and memories.
Sadly currently there is not much to be found about Jim Balcom, no biographical information, no photo and no discography.
Corrido Rock is in fact available on the CD “Art Laboe’s Memories Of El Monte: The Roots Of L.A.’s Rock And Roll”
http://youtu.be/PiWQMIctdiw
Jim Balcom was my father, email me with any questions, I will be happy to answer.
I went to school with a Jim Balcom (yes he was handsome). He played sax for school dances at Narbonne High in Lomita, CA. same one? In the 50′s.
Joan Rogers
I purchased this record in 1958, and I still have it and play it from time to time. I have never seen a picture of “Handsome” Jim Balcom, but if he looks as look as his music, he is indeed handsome!
Hi Jennifer, was very surprised to find this site. I noticed you said was when referring to your father. My Sister and I were known as the petites and sang with the local Orange County bands, one day we were playing at a dance in Long Beach for a car club at the Morgan Hall when a guy approched us and asked if we wanted to audition forArt Laboe and gave us a card to call. We ended up singing with all the big name groups of that time including Ray Charles.We often rehearsed at your Dads house in Lomita. Would love to communicate with you.
Lupe Esparza Phillips
After searching around, I find that “Handsome Jim Balcom” was indeed the Jim Balcom, who, with his brother Orville, played great dance music at high school events and local dances. I still have a picture of them playing their saxaphones along with someone else I can’t remember. I graduated from Narbonne Hi in 1959. I read of Orville’s death in ’08 I believe. A shame. Sounded like a really great guy.
What is Jim doing these days? He must have entered his 70′s by now as I have. Thanks for keeping me posted. Joan Rogers