Rel Asks:

I believe that Japan or David Sylvian did a cover of John Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You through the Night.” I am not having any luck finding anything which gives me the impression that I am wrong. Can you confirm yes or no and where I might find it if it does exist?

Alan Answers:

Ever since Japan dissolved in 1982, singer David Sylvian (real name: David Batt)—who has never really comfortable with the punky pretentions of early Japan—embarked on a rather esoteric musical journey that has also included filmmaking, art, photography and a wide-ranging number of collaborations.
As for covering John Lennon, could you be thinking of the chorus in Japan’s “Adolescent Sex,” the title track of Japan’s 1978 debut? The phrase “Whatever gets you through the night” is repeated throughout the song. The story is that Sylvian wrote that phrase to deliberately make fun of Lennon’s song (which, by the way, was collaboration with Elton John). Word is the two songs originally shared the same title but that “Adolescent Sex” would attract more attention.

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Kelly comments:

A question on behalf of my father: A song called “Pennies from Heaven” was performed by Gwen (last name not certain -Wiles?). To help out, she was an original cast member in Cats as well she performed on an all-English cast TV show. The theme of the show was Andrew Lloyd Weber’s birthday. On dad’s behalf, I thank you for your efforts.

Alan Answers:

A quick consultation of my various database sources indicates that “Pennies from Heaven” has been recorded and released no fewer than 639 times by people such as Bing Crosby, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter and even Tony Danza.
Sadly, I couldn’t find any recording attributed to anyone named Gwen—although I have a feeling that the person in question is Gwen Verdon, one of the original cast members of Cats on Broadway back in 1975.

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Paul Asks:

Do you recall a Canadian band called Brutus who had a song out called, “Ooh Mama Mama?” It was around 1973 or 74. I would like to know who the band members were and where they are now. Any help would be appreciated.

Alan Answers:

“Ooh Mama Mama” was a Top 3 hit on Canadian radio back in 1975. Brutus consisted of singer Walter Zwol (nee Zwolinski), Laurie Del Grande (keyboards), Woody West (guitar), Doni Underhill (bass) and Danny Smith (drums). The band managed to hang on through a debut album (Brutus on GRT) and a couple more singles before falling apart by the end of 1976. Walter continued as a solo artist with his band The Rage on EMI before taking a gig as an A&R guy with the now-defunct Attic Records. Walter can still be found on the classic rock circuit, mainly through Ontario. As for the other members of the band, that’s something of a mystery. Should you want to relive any Brutus memories, they released a CD called For the People: the Best of Brutus on Bullseye back in 2000.