[Kronomyth 6.1]
That’s my doctor playin’.
This is Ringo’s last great single from the 70s and as such marks the end of an era. Written by recently signed Ring O’Records artist Carl Groszmann, it’s a joyous number that marked Ringo’s return to the charts after more than a year’s absence (although Paul and George were filling the gap quite nicely). The short guitar solo features Peter Frampton (for the first part, anyway), himself no stranger to the charts. The flip side is a honky tonk ballad by Ringo and Vini Poncia, “Cryin’.” Both tracks are identical to the elpee versions, so there’s little reason to track this single down these days. As for Groszmann, he recorded a couple of singles and an album for Ring O’Records but never had another hit.
Original 7-inch single
A1. A Dose of Rock ‘N’ Roll (Carl Grossman) (3:24)
B1. Cryin’ (Vini Poncia/Richard Starkey) (3:17)
The Players
Ringo Starr (lead vocal, drums), Joe Bean (backing vocals on track 1), Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone on track 1), Randy Brecker (trumpet on track 1), Jesse Ed Davis (guitar on track 1), Lewis Delgatto (baritone saxophone on track 1), Peter Frampton (guitar on track 1), Duitch Helmer (backing vocals on track 1), John Jarvis (piano on track 2), Jim “Lightnin” Keltner (drums), Sneaky Pete Kleinow (pedal steel on track 2), Danny Kortchmar (guitar on track 1), John Lennon (piano on track 1), Cooker Lo Presti (bass on track 2), Melissa Manchester (backing vocals on track 1), Arif Mardin (electric piano on track 2), Vini Poncia (backing vocals on track 1), Mac Rebennack (keyboards on track 1), Alan Rubin (trumpet on track 1), Lon Van Eaton (guitar on track 2), Klaus Voormann (bass on track 1), George Young (tenor saxophone on track 1).
Did You Know?
- Songwriter Carl Grossman (as he’s credited on the single) was really Carl Groszmann. Or was he? His career actually started as Carl Keats in the Australian band Steve and The Boards.
- According to Wikipedia: “Footwear common to Australian rockers included black ripple-soled suede shoes and black boots.”
The Plastic
Released on 7-inch on September 20, 1976 in the US (Atlantic, 45-3361), on October 15, 1976 in the UK, Australia and Germany (Polydor, 2001 694) and in 1976 in Canada (Atlantic, AT 3361), Japan (Polydor, DPQ 6025) and Spain (Polydor, 20 01 694); reached #26 on the US charts (charted on October 2, 1976 for 9 weeks). Regional versions feature picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1976 in the US (Atlantic, 45-3361) feat. A with and without the 7-second intro.
