RONNIE SMITH - LONG TIME NO LOVE (10")

Sleazy Records has dedicated one of the volumes in its new Ten X Ten LP series to Ronnie Smith, one of the great figures of Texas rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s, and also one of Norman Petty's protégés who recorded at his Clovis studio. Sadly, Ronnie is also the protagonist of a tragic story, a paradigm of self-destruction, addicted to drugs from a young age and ultimately hanging himself at just 22. Ronnie possessed a remarkable voice and the necessary attitude to become a true rock 'n' roller as early as 1955 when, at only 14 years old, he became the singer for The Poor Boys in his hometown of Odessa. His first single was released in 1958 on Hamilton Records and was recorded at Norman Petty's studios in Clovis, featuring the tracks "My Babe" and "I've Got a Love." Unfortunately, Petty used musicians from his studio to accompany Ronnie on the single, leaving behind his band The Poor Boys, with whose drummer, Carl Bunch, he had composed the B-side.

Cara A.- My babe / Long time no love / Tiny kiss / I started out walking / I hear you knocking
Cara B.- Lookie lookie lookie / It hurts me so / Long time no love / Fell in love with a face / I've got a love