Big Hits of Mid-America

The first two “Big Hits” compilations, released on the Soma label in the mid-1960’s, contained real, honest-to-goodnest hits.  Some like the Jesters’ “Run,Run,Run” and the Underbeats’ “Foot Stompin’” became regional favorites in a day when radio made local hits possible.  One, the Castaways’ “Liar, Liar” reached number 12 national and today is considered a classic.

In 1979, Twin/Tone reactivated the series when a third volume documented Minneapolis’ underground music scene of the late 1970s.  None were hits.  Still, a number of the acts on volume three went on to record their own albums, something few of their ‘60s “Big Hits” counterparts managed.  And a few are still active. Curtiss A is recording his third Twin/Tone LP.  The Suburbs released their fifth album, and first on A&M Records in May.  NNB’s Dick Champ now plays lead guitar in the Scene Is Now. Fingerprints’ guitarist Jeff Waryan leads Figures while bassist Steve Fjelstad engineers many Twin Cities releases. Suicide Commando Chris Osgood is Twin/Tone’s in -house producer and distribution czar.

Big Hits of Mid-America Volume IV” differs from its predecessors in more than its departure to Roman numerals.  It contains nothing you will likely hear on commercial radio and it does not claim to be the comprehensive look at Minneapolis music, 1986.  Rather it attempts only to present a bunch of worthwhile newcomers and a few who’ve been around and deserve to continue.

- from the 1986 press release for Big Hits IV