Biography
We’ve got a very nice surprise for you all: the reissue of the first and last single released by American singer Mike Sheldon in the early sixties.
The history of Mike Sheldon is so amazing you will think we’ve made it up! We discovered him as his only son happens to be Matthew Jacobson of exqusite US indie label Le Grand Magistery, with artists such as MOMUS in its roster.
Mike Sheldon started singing since he was a little kid. With 18 years old he was a familiar name in Detroit’s nightclub scene. He even worked with arranger Maurice King, one of the founders of legendary Motown label.
In 1962 he moves from Detroit to New York to start studying drama (sharing coach with Marlon Brando!), voice, tv and film production. He manages to meet famous arranger and conducter Ray Ellis, which had worked with the likes of Bobby Darin, Don Costa, Al Caiola or Milt Hilton. They both start working on the songs that featured Mike Sheldon’s first and only single, the ones included in this Elefant worldwide exclusive reissue.
The single comes out through 20th Century Fox Records in 1963 and obtains a great success, reaching Variety magazine’s top ten charts. But shortly after this release Mike Sheldon decides to come back to Detroit and quit music. Instead he devotes himself to his true vocation: magic and illusionism. Something that has been done till the present day: he still plays around 300 magic shows a year.
Before leaving music Mike Sheldon performed with artists such as Sammy Davis Jr., Matt Monroe, Tony Bennett and Vicki Carr among many others. Nancy Sinatra recorded her own version of “Oh you beatiful doll”, including it in her 1966 album “Sugar”.
Now Elefant offers you the debut of what may perfectly have been a new Frank Sinatra. Blue-eyed soul pop, dancey and festive, bringing back the charm and the most ludic, glamorous side of the sixties. If you are fond of easy listening, the cocktail nation, Tom Jones singing “What’s new pussycat” and cool orchestral arrangements, this thing is definitely for you.
