Songs I Love, Part IV: “It Will Stand” Showmen
The numbing news and reality that Tim Krekel has passed away brings back memories.
For a year or so in the early 70s, I made a foray, such as it was, into the world of band management. (During a period that was my first but not last retirement from practicing law.) For a short time, I booked gigs for Tim and his band at the time, Dusty. I also managed the Blues Kings featuring Barry Stevens on guitar, lovely and lanky Murphy O’Dell on vocals and the inimitable Legend of Time & Place, Texas Red Hart.
In ‘72, the bands played a double bill at the Double Calfe on Main Street. Each played a set, then they joined forces as the Ronnie & the Rockets Review, playing a dozen or so old faves. During rehearsals prior to the show, band members tossed about songs they might do.
I specifically recall “It Will Stand,” a true anthem, being mentioned. Tim immediately said, “Yeah, I’ve always wanted to do that song.” Krekel was nothing if not a spirit force of rock & roll. Wilson Pickett, after all, is really buried in his backyard. I’ve seen the crypt. (Ronnie & the Rockets did perform the tune, which unfortunately does not survive on the scratchy, murky but now valuable tape of the show.)
Here’s why Tim, and the others for that matter, wanted to do this amazing, unique song so badly:
Norman General Johnson’s voice is deliciously raspy and evocative. The timing and syntax of the ‘61 song are out of the ordinary. Unlike many songs of the time, the ones praising rock & roll, this statement went further. It underscored not only the longevity of the genre (“forever and ever”) but also that it was more than a passing fancy, that there was meaning and substance. Plus it met the baseline standard: It had a beat and you could dance to it.
The Showmen were from the Beach area, you know, the “Home of the Shag,” the coastal area of the Carolinas. But they signed with a New Orleans label, Minit, and went to the Crescent City to record.
As usual, my fellow acolytes, it always comes back to New Orleans.
The song was produced by the brilliant Allen Toussaint. Could it be any other way?
Author and former music critic for the C-J Ronnie Lundy recalls she has named the tune as her favorite single of all-time. Inspired choice, that one. Soul music aficionado and scholar Scotty Martin can regale you with tales of hearing the band many times on its home turf. (He’ll also dazzle you with this minutia: The title of the Showmen’s other hit “39-21-46″ was actually misprinted on the 45 label. The real title is “39-26-40 Shape.”)
Anyhow, Tim Krekel’s not the only one who loved/ loves this tune. But today, we enjoy it for him.
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