According to "Music As Torture / Music As Weapon" by Suzanne G. Cusick, a study published in 2006 by Transcultural Music Review :
The Free Republic in June 2005 posted a news story about the US Army's quest for a new speaker system to deliver music as a weapon or "torture" device. The story sparked repertoire suggestions that were occasionnaly laced with multivalent venom. Suggestions included the music of Sousa, Welk, Donny and Marie, Barry Manilow, sound effects ranging from Tibetan chants to rabbit being slaughtered, the fantasy of Bill and Hillary singing "I got you, Babe", and anything by Yoko Ono.Perhaps, if someone from the Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Task Force is reading this blog, he will found some inspiration in the songs ((actually, some are quite good...) that my patriotic fervor has tell me to assemble in my first kiddie compilation. God Bless America!
Blake Age 6 - Davy Crockett (Acetate, 1955)
Obviously a custom recording, not intended for a commercial release I assume (and hope).Deb Ferrara --Christmas Time (Deblyn, 1965)
First release on Deblyn Records by five-year old Debra. Her father, songwriter Jerry Ferrara, and Joe Fresco launched the label in November 1965 in New Jersey. Debra Ferrara had another release on the Lynde label featuring a cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking". Debra (Deb) is still performing today, had written material for others, and also released her own pop-rock CD.Ivy Schulman - Rock, Pretty Baby (Royal Roost, 1957)
From the film "Rock, Rock, Rock". Ivy was then six-year old. Rumored to be the daughter of a Hollywood movie producer.Jenny Lynn - Gee! It's Christmas Day (Beta 1000, 1958)
"She's only six" said the Beta ad which includes her picture published by Cash Box (Nov. 29, 1958).Jeri and Her Boys- All Shook Up (1958)
This is Jeri Lynne Fraser performing in 1958 on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour, a TV talent show. A child star, Fraser began her singing career when she was eight years old at a talent show in her Connecticut hometown with a song called Oh, Johnny. Three years later the slight, blonde Fraser auditioned for The Ted Mack Amateur Hour, a talent show on major network television, and won the opportunity to go to New York City to sing. “Jeri and Her Boys” wowed the television audience in 1958 singing All Shook Up. She then proceeded to win two more times affording her a select spot in the final show in Madison Square Garden. At 12, Jeri signed her first recording contract with Big Top Records and at 13 signed with Columbia Records.Little Carolyn Sue - I Hate Men (LAR, 1968)
With Highway Rythum Boys. From Indiana, her only recording. "I Hate Men" was comped on Twisted Tales from the Vinyl Wastelands Vol.1. It's a cool hillbilly bopper with crazed lyrics.Little Cori - Picture Of Mommy Twisting With Santa (Air Wave, 1962)
I quote: Cori, 7-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs Vincent Petolino, of Bloomfield, has a vibrant personality which practically ear-marked her for early stage stardom, but a prior mysterious throat ailment appeared to handicap her early career, as a vocalist. She suffered repeatedly from a series of colds and sore throats.Natalie Casey - Chick-Chick-Chicken (Polydor UK, 1983)
The family doctor prescribed the removal of her tonsils and after the simple operation, Cori began to sing like a lark. At first she harmonized to entertain her family and friends, but her talents were not to be confined when an executive of Air-Wave Records decided to give her a crack at waxing a record.
For more info, see this post
Natalie Casey (born 15 April 1980 in Rawtenstall, Lancashire). At the age of three her single "Chick Chick Chicken" reached number 72 in the UK Singles Chart in 1984. This made her the youngest person ever to have a recording in the United Kingdom chart. In the 2008 live special of Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Casey performed the single for the first time in over 20 years. [Wikipedia]Suzi Devereaux - If It Wasn't For The Kids (Free Lance, 70's)
This is Little Suzi Brawner of Edinburg, Central Illinois. Born in 1965, she began her country singing career at 5. The record was produced by Hugh X. Lewis, a minor-league recording star and performer who had an album issued on the same label. Date unknown, but probably around the mid-seventies.Troy Hess - Please Don't Go Topless Mother (Show Land, 1969)
The son of Bennie Hess, a colourful character in the record business, hillbilly singer and guitarist from Texas. He spent most of the rest of his life promoting his son Troy as the world's youngest country and western singer. Troy was already a veteran at the age of seven when he recorded 'Please Don't Go Topless, Mother'. Reputedly, Troy had made his first stage appearance at the age of two and had recorded his first record at the age of four.
