19 May 2010

Jan Sanders - who was this singer?

I think it is rather unlikely that I will ever learn more about the artist Jan Sanders who recorded just one 45-record in 1962. But who knows if this blog entry may help....





The poor facts:
Jan Sanders recorded for the New York label Todd one record: the songs "Teenager Three" backed with "You Reap Just What You Sow", on Todd-1075.
The release was reviewed by Billboard on July 7th, 1962. The record got a 4-star rating ("strong sales potential"): The teen-age triangle is told, both sung and spoken, by the lad here. He sings against a simple backing employing trombone, organ rhythm and fem chorus.
The record was also released in Canada on REO-8648.

In June 1962, "Teenagers Three" was labeled one of the Mighty Mitchell Battle Winners in the San Francisco KYA Swingin' Sixty Charts.
But the song apparently did not chart.

The A-side was written by Jan Hutchens according to the label, but BMI claims the song to be written by a V. Pinelli. May be the same guy, for Pinelli's composition "Save a minute, lose a wife" is elsewhere labeled a Jan Hutchens composition.
Is Jan Hutchens the same as Jan Sanders?

Googling on Jan Sanders gives no specific information. The name is a very common (Dutch) name. Singer Jan Sanders is male, while in English the name Jan often is female.

UPDATE Jan. 2010:
I've got a great reaction from rockabilly singer Keith O'Conner Murphy who knew Jan back in the sixties. Jan Sanders in fact is Jan Hutchens, born in Wabash, IN. Read his reaction in the comments section below!

UPDATE Apr. 2011:
I've got a reaction from Greg Peterson. He was close friend with Jan Tillman Hutchens who was from Wabash, IN. See reaction below. Greg is planning to make a website/blog in Jan's honor. He checks with Keith to see if they are talking about the same Jan Hutchens, who apparently lived a colourful life under many names.

11 comments :

1954mgtf said...

I knew Jan Sanders, real name Hutchens and he wrote the Teenagers Three. Don't know anything about the Italian name?? There were two versions. One had the line "but he disgraced her for all the world to see, and now she's left town - well, so has he." This caused some stations not to play it and they released it without the lines, but too late. He was from Wabash IN and had a studio in Indy. His Tigre label recorded In the still of the night by the Reflections and Quit While Youre Ahead by the Chordells. I can tell you about him - but wish I knew where he was now. I am Keith O'Conner Murphy my bio is in rockabillyhall.com. My email is murphy@eclipse.net if you want to write.

Kees said...

Thank you Keith so much for your reaction!

Greg Peterson said...

I was close friends with Jan Tillman Hutchens who was from Wabash, IN, plus Marion Indiana and Lakeland, Florida.
Jan eventually moved to Augusta, GA were he became a well-known investigative news reporter under than name of Jay Mann.
Jay (Jan) has several weekly newspapers and became a noted political strategist.
Jay (Jan) was the "best political strategist" in Augusta as stated by several politicians in his obit.
(I have his obituary).
I was a news reporter in Augusta and Jay (Jan) was my mentor.
He told me the following and it's also in his obit.
He was cousin to the one and only James Dean.
I saw several record labels that credited Jay (Jan) with producing the record Stay with Maurice Williams.
Having stated all this - is this the same Jan Hutchens?
Would love to hear from 1954mgtf, Kees and anyone else.
My number is 906-401-0109.
I am planning to make a website/blog in Jan's honor.
He had many marriages and has a daughter Audrey Lynn (Hutchens) Brock of Marion, Indian (now Ohio)and a son Keith Hutchens

Hutch said...

greg forgot about his son Chad Hutchens. Thanks Greg for leaving me out.

Greg Peterson said...

Hey Chad - L am very sorry about that - I did not mean to do it - how r.u.?
Apologize for leaving you out Chad - and I have often wondered what happened to you and your mom. Will never forget when your dad was filming an accident of a demolished vehicle - and did not realize that it was young mom's.
Cops dad me pull you dad away from the scene to tell him.
Anyway Chad - would have answered earlier but just redIscovered this quote.

Am guessing strangley there were two Jan Hutchens into music who came from Marion. Tho I was always told that the one I knew (later became Jay Mann in Augusta) was working news in Marion - and his roots are Lakeland, Florida.

Keith Murphy said...

I would very much like to hear from Chad too. I've Also got to call Greg. I know much about Jan as I was a singer from Marion who recorded. Jan Hutchens/aka Jan Sanders is the same Marion/Indy/Wabash guy. I have some pictures of him - maybe one or two. And some newspaper clippings. I only knew his first wife, a beautiful blond named Vicki whom he divorced a year or thow after we met. They had Keith who I remember and wonder what happened to him. Jan did not raise him. He was about 4 or 5 when I saw him in maybe about 1964 or 65. See my first post. If you could leave me a phone number chad - my email is murphy@eclipse.net Or anyone can call me at my NJ home 908-850-4575.
Keith O'Conner Murphy, Stacy, King and Polydor UK artist. Jan helped me develop, and like most geniuses I have had the privilege to meet, he was genius in some ways, and faults just as big the other way - as we all have.

Greg Peterson said...

Thank you for calling me Keith Murphy.
Wondering did Jay named his first son after you?

Just found Jay's daughter Audrey - and she will likely call you.

Will email you her contact info.

Plus am in process of collecting some Jay stuff to scan.

Greg Peterson said...

Thank you for calling me Keith Murphy.
Wondering did Jay named his first son after you?

Just found Jay's daughter Audrey - and she will likely call you.

Will email you her contact info.

Plus am in process of collecting some Jay stuff to scan.

1954mgtf said...

So good to talk with you. Yes, please send me the info on Audrey and obituary please and a later picture. Wonder what he looked like in later years. I have early newspaer aticles and pics of him. I didn't know if I would hear from you. I sent you an email. I will need your address and for you to check your email if I am to send you a record or mp3 of it and a couple of others he produced from Indy.
Keith

Laura Sutherland McQueen said...

I knew Jan Sanders (Jan Tillman Hutchens) back when the song was recorded/released. I became very well acquainted with him were, for a time, very close. Thus, I can possibly provide a bit more information about Jan, if you so desire. Unfortunately, he and I lost touch and since there wasn't the wonder of the internet so many years ago. we never reconnected. I was saddened to learn that he passed away at a relatively young age. I realize this response is a good deal later than the last one you received. However, I was recently speaking of Jan with my grandchildren and decided to do an internet search and found your blog. Let me know if you wish to communicate further. Laura Sutherland McQueen - email address ifwishescould@live.com

Hutch said...

Does anyone have a scan of my dad's Obit? I can't find my original. I can be reached at jaymann23513@yahoo.com.