"Ch Ch Cherie" by The Johnny Average Band

Song#:  0503
Date:  02/21/1981
Debut:  86
Peak:  53
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Rock, New Wave



Pop Bits:  Woodstock, NY, was not only famous for the festival, but for also being the home of Bearsville Records and studio, which became the home for artists like Todd Rundgren/Utopia and Foghat. There was also a group of musicians that hung around Woodstock and the studio led by Englishman Mick Hodgkinson. Collectively they were knows as The Falcons and each member went by a pseudonym. Hodgkinson became Johnny Average. The Falcons never officially recorded, but at some point they became The Johnny Average Band and issued the LP "Some People." This first single, sung by Average's wife Nikki Wills, got a little chart action. It was the band's only chart song and LP.

ReduxReview:  This is kind of a cute little bop-along tune that runs along the lines of an imitation Blondie. Actually, I feel like I've heard this before but not on the radio. It's like a song done by a fake TV show band; like one of the songs from "Joanie Loves Chachi" or by Leather Tuscadero on "Happy Days" or something like that. It's a fun little ditty, but not much more.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) In addition to releasing a 1983 solo album, Nikki (Nicole) went on to be the voice of Berry Godmother in the Strawberry Shortcake cartoons.  2) Another band member, Shane Fontayne (real name Mick Barakan), ended up in Bruce Springsteen's band during the period that the E Street Band was disbanded. Fontayne was also married to actress MacKenzie Phillips from 1996-2000. Although only married those four years, their relation ship began in the late 80s and they have a son that was born in 1987.

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