Keith (born James Barry Keefer, 17 May 1949, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), was a U.S. vocalist, and "one-hit wonder" in both the UK and the U.S.
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Early days
According to legend, Keefer earned his first recording contract with Columbia Records after camping out on the doorstep of A&R executive Jerry Ross. The resulting single, 1966's "Caravan of Lonely Men," was credited to Keith and the Admirations. When Ross moved across to Mercury Records he took Keefer with him, and the singer soon cracked into the American Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 200 album chart, with his solo album, Ain't Gonna Lie.
Big time
Best remembered for his hit "98.6", the recording was issued on the Mercury Records, and reached number 24 in the UK Singles Chart in 1967. It was considerably better received in his homeland. The single reached #7, and remained for 14 weeks in the bestsellers in the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It sold over one million copies worldwide, earning a gold disc. The track was written by Tony Powers (lyrics) and George Fischoff (music), arranged by Joe Renzetti, and was produced by Ross. At the height of his career, Keefer was making $15,000 a week, and getting his back slapped by a Beatle, who told him what a great record his "98.6" was. "John Lennon was standing next to me in a urinal in London," he said.
Later days
His 1968 second LP, Out of Crank, failed to create public interest. The nadir came when U.S. Army officials nabbed him for draft evasion in the middle of a concert tour. He was inducted and stationed for a year in New Jersey. "I was making coffee for generals," said Keefer. When he got out, Keith did some independent recording and joined Frank Zappa's 1973 touring band, trying to inject some Philadelphia soul into "toilet-joke" tunes like "Don't Eat the Yellow Snow". "I think they brought me in to commercialize Frank," Keefer said. Keefer recorded one last album, for RCA Records, with no luck, and then left the music industry until 1986, when an attempted comeback under his real name proved unsuccessful. He set up A.I.R. Records in 1986 in Redondo Beach, California, and produced albums for several local musicians. These included the singer-songwriter Chuck Hill, and Keith's drummer Shawn Smith, who were both from Denver, Colorado. In the 1990s, the singer moved into the television industry, although he continues to play live dates.
Factoids
- The title "98.6" relates to the normal body temperature of a human being, in degrees Fahrenheit. [1]
- He legally changed his name to Bazza Keefer in 1988, in memory of his mother. [2] [3]
Singles discography
- "Ain’t Gonna Lie" - (1966)
- "98.6" - (1967) - UK Singles Chart high - Number 24
- "Tell Me To My Face" - (1967) - Number 50
- "Daylight Savin’ Time" - (1967)
See also
References
- Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 16th Edition - ISBN 0-85112-190-X
