The Hitmakers’ hit that never was

(Another key San Diego music artifact courtesy of Ray Brandes.)

hitmakerscoverI recently acquired a copy of the Hitmakers’ “It’s Only Sad” (1978), the A-side of their second record, which followed their 1977 EP “America’s Newest Hitmaker.” That’s Jeff Scott on vocals, Ron Silva and Josef Marc on guitars, Steve Potterf on bass and Joel Kmak on drums. Ron and Steve had left the band to start the Crawdaddys when the single was released, so they are not properly credited in the sleeve notes.

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What a monster this single is! Ron’s guitar playing is particularly impressive. In a year that the radio forced us to listen to Exile’s “Kiss You All Over” and Player’s “Baby Come Back,” this should have been a smash.

The Hitmakers play “It’s Only Sad”: Listen now!

— Ray Brandes

Also by Ray Brandes:

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