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On the Eighth Day God Created the Vox Continental
By John | July 10, 2008
When you are in your car and “Light My Fire” from the Doors comes on the radio do you turn up the volume? Do you go into an uncontrollable fit ever you hear “96 Tears”? Is “House of the Rising Sun” the only song you a brave enough to sing via Karaoke? Alright, I’ll admit I am an old goat. Then how about Watching the Detectives by Elvis Costello? Does that do anything for you? If the answer is yes to any of these question then it is probably because of a thing called the Vox Continental. The Vox Continental is an electronic organ that has reverse-coloured keys (black naturals and white sharps). It was used mainly as a touring instrument by 1960′s bands such as the Monkees, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Grateful Dead, Iron Butterfly and the Doors. It’s signature sound can be heard in “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals, “Light My Fire” by The Doors, “96 Tears” by Question Mark and the Mysterians, “In A Gadda Da Vida” by Iron Butterfly, and “I’m Down” by The Beatles.
The following is a YouTube Tribute the the Vox Continental …
Topics: other, sillystory | 20 Comments »
July 18th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Can’t believe you missed it – The Zombies! While it is worth mentioning my fave 2Tone ‘Madness’, too.
Yes, i love the sound of those wailing church organs. Creepy.
Best.
alain
July 18th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Yikes, I blew that one…
and the Zombies’ with hits like “She’s Not There”and”Just Out of Reach.”
I have updated the Youtube tribute…
January 26th, 2009 at 11:52 am
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May 22nd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
The Zombies used A Fender Rhodes and A B3, but never A Continental. This for Promotional purposes.
John Sebastian did it on a video for “Summer In The City” where he is using a Conti, but really playing a Rhodes on the record.
May 27th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hi
Just want to let you know that i own the Vox Continental you have in the pic at top of page! it also features in a wikipedia webpage …and its a fantastic organ , its dated 1964
Pad aka WESSERPARAQUAT
July 13th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Actually I’ve heard that Summer in the City is an RMI electrapiano. I’ve got a Fender Rhodes piano it its definitely not a Rhodes.
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