johnny fisher  //  johnny atlan

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.1" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"Johnny Fisher started out at Paul Buff's Pal Studios as a singer/guitarist, and he recorded the Emmy single "Tell Me Yes" that was released in early 1960. "Tell Me Yes" used the same phasing effect that was recently used on Miss Toni Fisher's "The Big Hurt." Because of this intended similarity, John Fisher's disc was considered an "answer song." Fisher was also part of The Masters and appeared as the rhythm guitarist on their "T Bone" single. After recording a handful of tracks for Emmy, Fisher left Pal to create the Park Ave. and Crusader labels."

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.6" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"The single mix of Johnny Fisher's "Dream Tonight" is next. It was the flipside of his "Tell Me Yes" from 1960. Two experimental stereo mixes of "Dream Tonight" will appear later in the series."

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.7" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"There were lots of songs in rock's early years about what "damage" it would cause if you were exposed to it. Johnny Atlan's "Indian Maid" was about the exposure of Native Americans to rock and roll! Atlan was Johnny Fisher in disguise, but no one got to hear "Indian Maid" because he left Pal before the record's flipside ("Far Across The Sea") was cut in 1961. Now you can hear it! Two versions of the song's instrumental track will turn up later."

from the "Paul Buff presents PAL Studios' Early Years - Volume 1" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"Johnny Fisher is well represented on Paul Buff's 20-volume Pal/Original Sound series, but the track featured here, "Please Come Back To Me," is an exclusive track from late 1959. He also brought in another local band, The Pal Studio Combo, to record some cover versions of '30s standards and other songs. George & Ira Gershwin's "Oh, Lady Be Good!" and the Doris Day-popularized "You Should Have Told Me" are on this volume, with additional titles on the next edition."

from the "Paul Buff presents PAL Studios' Early Years - Volume 2" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"Johnny Fisher is well represented on Paul Buff's 20-volume Pal/Original Sound series. He brought in a local band, The Pal Studio Combo, to record some cover versions of '30s standards and other songs. This volume includes the Enric Madriguera/Eddie Woods composition "Adios," with two others on Volume 1. It is a real standout piano performance."

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.16" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"The Native American portion of our program consists of a brief Paul Buff piece called "American Indian Piano" followed by the first backing track of Johnny Atlan's "Indian Maid." It's been a long time since it was mentioned, but Atlan was Johnny Fisher!"

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.17" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"The second of two experimental stereo mixes of Johnny Fisher's "Dream Tonight" reveals more clarity in the backing vocals which include Paul Buff. The other stereo mix will appear on a later volume."
"The second Johnny Atlan backing track of "Indian Maid" carries us into Buff's quickie "Piano/Bass" before we get into Tornadoes territory!"

from the "Paul Buff presents the PAL and Original Sound studio archives, vol.18" liner notes by Greg Russo:
"Two other alternate mixes of songs released on other volumes include a mono vocal mix of The Buff Organization's "The Square" and the first stereo mix of Johnny Fisher's "Dream Tonight." Johnny Barakat chips in with his rough, energetic Pal session "5-4-3-2-1 Surf!"."

	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.1     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.6     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.7     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	the masters: singles & rarities     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents pal studios' early years - volume 1     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications)
	various artists: paul buff presents pal studios' early years - volume 2     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications)
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.16     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.17     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives, vol.18     (2010, download, -, crossfire publications) - feat.contributions by frank zappa
	various artists: paul buff presents the pal and original sound studio archives: the collection     (2011, flash-drive, usa, crossfire publications) = the complete 35 album series, with bonus liner notes on pdf and 56 extra tracks
	various artists: paul buff presents highlights from the pal and original sound studio archives     (2012, 5cd-box, usa, crossfire publications) = a selection of the pal and original sound studio collection // feat.contributions by frank zappa

random notes

from the spectropop newsgroup

Subject: "Magic Lamb"

Peter Lerner wrote: 
ML616: Am I dreaming / Your eyes will tell on you - by Jane Canada, both sides "Arr by R. Summers and prod by J. Fisher". 
I don't imagine there were 102 singles filling the numerical gap between the two - but I would love to know some more about the mesdames Canada and Hughes and the messrs Summers and Fisher.

Sam and Dave Gnerre responded:
Someone else will doubtless contribute info on Bob Summers. But J. Fisher is most certainly Johnny Fisher, who produced "Suspicion" for Terry Stafford. He goes back to at least 1960-61, with a single on Emmy 1003 ("Tell Me Yes" b/w "Dream Tonight"), produced by Paul Buff and recorded at Pal Studios in Cucamonga a few years before Frank Zappa showed up. Later he recorded a surf novelty, "Tan Dan," on Park Ave Records, where he also produced Johnny Fortune's "Soul Surfer," several follow-ups, and the "Soul Surfer" LP. 
Fisher and Summers teamed up for at least one other record, "Forbidden" b/w "If I Were An Artist" by Bob Moline on Imperial 66065. "Forbidden" is a blatant attempt to capture some of that "Suspicion" magic, with a nearly identical melody and arrangement. 
The Magic Lamp sides look to be from around this period and maybe could be posted sometime? 
Fisher also produced a variety of records for Southern California labels like Impression, Crusader, and Current (where he produced some vocals by Johnny Fortune -- excellent sides!). Some of these are first-rate garage band 45s. 
Coincidentally, we are searching for Johnny Fisher, as we'd like to interview him about his involvement in the Inland Empire music scene in Southern California. Last we heard he was in Nashville, where Paul Buff also wound up. If anybody out there has contact info, we would love to get hold of the gentleman.