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.
SONG
Eddie Dee and the Blues Express with "The Satan Spectrum Theme" from the end credits of the William Girdler horror film, "Asylum of Satan," 1972. The song was written and arranged by William Girdler (and that's Eddie, second from the left, in the image).
BIOGRAPHY
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, Eddy D) and the Blues Express. Eddie was legendary and respected around Louisville, Kentucky, where writer and director William Girdler also made most of his films.
The band, credited as the American Xpress, also recorded "You Gotta Be Free" and "We're All Insane" for William Girdler's next horror opus, "Three on a Meathook." You can hear both songs as an upload on my page at • Eddie D and the Americ... .
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 a single on the regional Dunbar label, "Fanny Mae b/w The Same Old Guy (Who Still Loves You)." The band was also known as Eddie D and the Country Connection for a time. All of his bands also appeared numerous times at the 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, the Old Churchill Inn, and Harold's Club, the last which was 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.
You can listen to a recording of Eddie Dee and the Blues Express with the single "Fanny Mae" at • Eddie "D" Dempley sing... (uploaded by others). 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 with "Let´s Go Steady b/w Make It Happen." Hopefully, someone will upload that song, as well.
CREDITS AND DISCLAIMERS
Image courtesy of the Dempley Family Archives @ www.dignitymemorial.com/obitu..., who also provided some bio materials. Other bio materials provided by Paul Povesis, Caroline R, Richard Bolin, and Jim Wilson.
Music captured from the film "Asylum of Satan" by R.D Francis.
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.