More U.K. Tracks On U.S. Labels: Kenny Lynch

KENNY LYNCH-On My Own Two Feet/So Much To Love You For US Imperial 66088 1965

The name Kenny Lynch will not be familiar to most Americans. I became aware of him due to the fact that he co-wrote a few tracks with Mort Shuman that the Small Faces covered ("Sha La La La Lee", "You'd Better Believe It" and "Sorry She's Mine").  Prior to his involvement with them he wrote some tracks for an even younger mod band called The Game who he also produced some of their stuff. But he was also a performer in his own right. His recording career started way back in 1960, and it couldn't have been easy being a black Cockney performer in the U.K. in the early 60's! He also holds the distinction of being the first artist to cut a Lennon/McCartney composition ("Misery" released in March of 1963).

"My Own Two Feet" was his 18th UK single and his 4th US release. It was issued in the UK on HMV as POP 1367 in November 1964 (where it was plugged on "Ready Steady Go", which footage still exists of, see below) and in the States much later in February '65. It's an upbeat mid tempo number highlighted by some very British girl singer backing vocals (no doubt The Breakaways perhaps?).

Kenny on the set of "Ready Steady Go" with hostess Kathy McGowan

The flip side "So Much To Love You For" is a fairly mediocre ballad.  It's layered in strings, the above mentioned female backing vocals and well produced (care of Ivor Raymonde), just not something I would go out of my way to listen to.

At the moment it would appear that Mr. Lynch's back catalog is out of print!  As an aside Kenny was named an O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire) in 1971. He passed away last year at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.


Watch Kenny promote "On My Own To Feet" on "Ready Steady Go!":

 

 Hear "So Much To Love You For":

https://youtu.be/ZeKV6ZpTE0I