This upload was created to complement a dual film review of "Three on a Meathook" and "Asylum of Satan," in which the late musician Eddie Dempley appears and performs music for the soundtrack. If there is a copyright issue with this upload, please leave a comment below and it can be removed, if needed. There are, however, other American Xpress/Blues Express/Eddie Dempley songs on You Tube, without incident.
SONGS
"You Gotta Be Free"
"We're All Insane"
"Love Theme from Three on a Meathook"
BIOGRAPHY
Eddie D and the American Xpress appeared in the horror film "Three on a Meathook" and provided three songs to the film that served as William Girdler's follow up to his debut film, "Asylum of Satan," 1972. The band also provided music to that film, but under the name of the Blues Express.
As with the songs in "Asylum of Satan," the songs in "Three on a Meathook" were written and arranged by William Girdler (and that's Eddie, third from the left, holding the microphone). Even though the band name changed from the Blues Express to American Xpress between the two films, it's the same line up of Bill Longale, Mikk Mastin, Dave Goode, Waldo Weathers, Don Powell, Maury Bechtel, and Edward "Eddie D" Dempley.
Born on August 23, 1943, Edward “Eddie D” Dempley passed away on July 28, 2011, after a three-year cancer battle. Born in Oldham County, Kentucky, he excelled on the saxophone as a member of the Van Dells and Eddie D (Eddy Dee and/or Eddy D, depending on web credits) and the Blues Express. Eddie was legendary and respected around Louisville, Kentucky, where writer and director William Girdler also made most of his films.
Eddie started out with bassist Richard Basin in the Successions, as a singer, in 1964 in Middletown, Kentucky. The band played the Bells Country Club off of Poplar Level Road from 1965 to 1967, sometimes up to seven nights a week. Another popular club Eddie D played as a house band gig was the Doo Drop Inn on Story Avenue in Louisville in the mid-1980s. During this period he recorded and released on the regional Dunbar label, "Fanny Mae b/w The Same Old Guy (Who Still Loves You)." The band was known as Eddie D and the Country Connection for a time. All of his bands also appeared numerous times at be beloved Colonial Gardens.
Around 1979, Eddie played with Jim Wilson, along with Jim Baugher, David Marasco, George Ashmore, Rod Wurtle, and Rob Brown when the band was called Eddie D and Energy. That version of the band played at the Fern Valley Holiday Inn, Big Moe's, and the Old Churchill Inn, and Harold's Club, the last, which way out down yonder on the ol' Dixie Hwy. Every one of those gigs, according to Jim Wilson, "were six month house gigs of the type young players today will rarely get and there is no better way to learn your craft. Only having to load in or out once every six months. Now guys have to move their gear several times a week. It was the best of times."
Another memory via Paul Povesis's You Tube tribute videos for Eddie D: Jerry Lee Lewis was booked at the old Colonial Gardens in Louisville. Jerry Lee insisted on playing a certain piano for the show, so the club rented one for the show. At the end, Jerry Lee destroyed the piano. The Colonial Gardens ended up losing a lot of money, as result.
SONGS IN THIS UPLOAD:
The first two songs are vocals: "You Gotta Be Free" and "We're All Insane." The third is an instrumental. Since the music is not fully credited in the film, we're calling it "Love Theme from Three on a Meathook."
You can listen to Eddie's music from "Asylum of Satan," at • Eddie Dee and the Blue... .
You can listen to a recording of Eddie Dee and the Blues Express with the single "Fanny Mae" (by another uploader) at • Eddie "D" Dempley sing... . The B-Side to this single is "The Same Old Guy (Who Still Loves You)."
Another single is "You Can Have Her," by Eddy Dee, on the Dee Records label, 1967 at • Eddy Dee - You Can Hav... .
Another of Eddie's recordings was the Dunbar Records' 45-rpm Eddie Dee and the Blues Express, "Let´s Go Steady b/w Make It Happen." Hopefully, someone will upload that song, as well.
CREDITS AND DISCLAIMERS:
Image capped from the film "Three on a Meathook" by R.D Francis
Music captured from the from the film "Three on a Meathook" by R.D Francis
Bio material courtesy of Paul Povesis, Caroline R, Richard Bolin, and Jim Wilson.
This upload -- a unique, long-wanted opportunity to hear these rare songs by Eddie without picking through the film -- is meant to honor the work of "Eddie D," as well as the honoring the memories of watching William Girdler's movies during the UHF-TV '70s and VHS '80s.