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1960s Gold Blue Cheer Summertime Blues

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Hard-rocking number by Blue Cheer, "Summertime Blues," from a November 1968 appearance on the Beat Club television program. Blue Cheer consisted originally of Leigh Stephens (later replaced by Randy Holden), Richard Peterson and Paul Whaley, all from Boston, Massachusetts. Blue Cheer was considered a pioneer of heavy metal rock. Formed in Boston in 1967, they built up a loyal following in the local clubs before being signed in 1968 by the Philips label (a subsidiary of Mercury. "Summertime Blues" became a big hit for them; it was actually a remake of an old Eddie Cochran song. They recorded several successful albums during through 1969, but disappeared from the charts in 1970, although they continued to perform.