Ed Chalpin (January 16, 1935 in NYC – October 1, 2019 in Boca Raton, FL) was a record executive and producer. He is probably remembered for his association with Curtis Knight and the Squires which caused problems for Jimi Hendrix throughout his career. Chalpin is responsible for the recordings from that period, some of which appear on You Can't Use My Name: The RSVP/PPX Sessions.

Background

Chalpin was a producer of cover-versions of Top-40 hits, released under the "Twin Hits" label. Today these would be regarded as Exploito releases.^[1][2] During the 1960s and leading up to 1966, a good deal of the records that his PPX Enterprises produced were cover versions. Around 25% of his cover recordings were overseas hits. "Memphis" by Bernd Spier was released on CBS and made it to no.1 in Germany.^[3]

As of 1980, Chalpin was the owner of Dimensional Sound and Echo Studios, a 24 track facility in New York.^[4]

Career

1960s

Chalpin formed PPX Enterprises in 1961.^[5] In 1962, he had signed contracts with RCA Mexicana and Gamma Records to promote his pre-recorded tapes catalogue.^[6]

In 1964, "Summer In Sweden (Sabeline)" bw "Endless Sleep" by The Spotnicks was released. Chalpin was the producer for both tracks.^[7] In 1965, he was the producer on "She Can Make Me Cry" bw "I'll Be There" by Mark Richards. The PPX Studio single was released on ABC-Paramount 45-10654.^[8]

In October 1965, Jimi Hendrix was introduced to Ed Chalpin by Curtis Knight. They recorded for Chalpin nine days later, despite Hendrix having already signed a two-year deal with Sue Records in July 1965.^{[citation needed][9][10]} Chalpin signed Hendrix to a 3-year recording contract and was given one dollar to make the contract legal.^[11][1] During the 1960s and leading up to 1966, a good amount of material was recorded and gave Hendrix his first credit on a recorded release. The act of signing the contract with Chalpin would be a cause of concern for Hendrix when he found fame as he was still actually contracted to Chalpin.^[10][12] In 1966, Billboard announced that Chalpin in partnership with Douglas "Jocko" Henderson from Philly radio station WHAT, was launching a new label called Chalco Records. The first release was to be "Suey" which featured Jayne Mansfield.^[13] The recording was made at Studio 76 aka Dimensional Sound, and it featured Jimi Hendrix on the instrumental backing.^[14]

1970s

Chalpin produced the Curtis Knight solo album Down in the Village which was released in 1971 on Paramount Records PAS 5023.^[15][16] Some 47 years later Dave Segal of the Portland Mercury said that the album deserved "its own damn reissue".^[17] In 1971, Chalpin worked with Chubby Checker who recorded a psychedelic styled album for his production company PPX. The album was released under a variety of titles including Slow Twistin' .^[18][19] In addition to the budget labels it was released on, the 10 track LP also was released on London Records in 1971.^[20] In 2007 a CD of the album was released on the Underground Masters label. It was given the title, Chubby Checker Goes Psychedelic!!. In addition to crediting Chalpin as the producer, it included an extra track called "The Ballad of Jimi".^[21] "The Ballad of Jimi" was also a track on an earlier Chalpin production, the Jimi Hendrix & Curtis Knight album, Get That Feeling.^[22]

It was announced in the May 12, 1973 edition of Billboard that Chalpin was now the manager of singer Jimmy Cliff and had signed deals with Warner Brothers, and EMI.^[23]

PPX artists

The Hubs were an unnamed group of studio musicians who recorded instrumental cover versions for PPX. They also used the names, The Downbeats and The Contrasts.^[24] One recording they did for PPX was "Memphis" which was on the B side of "Ring of Fire" by Dan Gaynes.^[25]

Anthony Swete had chart success during the 1960s with his versions of "Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)"^[26] and "Hold Me Tight".^[27] Swete recorded "La La La (If I Had You)" bw "Up on Cripple Creek" which was released on RCA Twin Hits PPX 1005.^[28] He also recorded his version of "Backfield in Motion" which was released in Australia on RCA 101882.^[29] A PPX production, it was released in the UK on RCA Victor RCA 1905 before the original hit was picked up for release.^[30][31]

It was noted by Billboard in the May 9, 1970 issue that three artists, Curtis Knight, Ella Moore and Anthony Swete had signed with Paramount label.^[32] A more in-depth explanation of the deal was noted by Cash Box in their publication on the same date. Paramount had been going through a process of revampning. PPX artists, Knight, Moore and Swete were added to the Paramount roster as a result of a deal between Bill Gallagher of Famous Music (Paramount's parent co.) and PPX's Ed Chalpin. Curtis Knight's debut album for Paramount was to be Down in the Village. Product releases by Moore and Swete would released in the near future. Promo campaigns for the three artists were planned with Gallagher overseeing the process.^[33]

Anthony Swete recorded on an album for the PPX label. He contributed songs to the 1979 Roller Disco Dip album. They were " Disco Datin" and "Skating on My Birthday". When the album was announced, Swete was to be backed by an unknown band at the time. The record was aimed at roller skating venues across the United States.^[34][35]

Death

Ed Chalpin died in Boca Raton, Florida on October 1, 2019. He was surrounded by his two daughters, a sister and several nieces and nephews. His funeral was held at October 6, 2019 at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York.^[36]