Happy Together Sol Hoopii style

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 19 Dec 2024 11:19 am

This song has been all over the TV ads lately, like every 5 minutes. Every time it comes on I think of my friend Ralph Casale, the original guitarist on the session and the guy who set the groove and tone of the track. It’s a long story, but before he died he sent me a letter telling me the whole story behind the session and how over time, the story of the song’s origin has evolved into something other than the truth. So, it pains me a little when I hear it. But, the song is so Pavlovian and ubiquitous, I thought I would pay tribute to him and again to Sol Hoopii. I haven’t played in this style in a long time, so I am a little rusty. But that is Sol’s guitar, and I am playing it through a Tonex capture I did, through a QSC speaker. My Clinesmith is played in the right hand panel, very sweet sound for the harmonies. Everything was mic’d with 414.

https://youtu.be/5xSCjHjKPx4?si=kh05_6aI6gMPtORH

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 19 Dec 2024 5:59 pm

Nathan Laudenbach · Post by **Nathan Laudenbach** » 19 Dec 2024 8:17 pm

Very cool!

Bill Leff · Post by **Bill Leff** » 19 Dec 2024 9:55 pm

Nice one Mike! My first band used to play this. I was 13. But we were more into the Yardbirds and the Animals.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 20 Dec 2024 1:14 am

Wow Mike! This reminds me of my south. I loved tue Turtles.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 20 Dec 2024 6:57 am

I knew about the story you told that the Turtles ( Marc Volman and the other leadsinger) overdubbed their voices. Why should your friend ly about this? Of course I believe bis story!
But I hear not much difference to the Sound of She'd Rather Be With Me. Rip to your friend.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 20 Dec 2024 7:14 am

Thanks for listening, everyone. I appreciate it.

Joachim Kettner wrote:I knew about the story you told that the Turtles ( Marc Volman and the other leadsinger) overdubbed their voices. Why should your friend ly about this? Of course I believe bis story!
But I hear not much difference to the Sound of She'd Rather Be With Me. Rip to your friend.

This is a portion of the letter from Ralph. It is true that Volman claimed he had the band re-record everything, and I think that is what really bothered Ralph enough to want to set the record straight. He was a Brill Building session guitarist, and had no reason to make false claims. He died a week after I received this.

In the end, it is what it is, and the record is much bigger than any of the people involved could have ever imagined it to be. It’s one of those flukes. I’m not sure any of this was ever done out of malice, and I know that the memories of rock and roll stars tend to be affected by past indulgences.

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 20 Dec 2024 7:30 am

Thanks for your reply

Jim Mckay · Post by **Jim Mckay** » 20 Dec 2024 11:05 am

Great sound Mike.
Nice clean accurate picking well played.

Website · Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 20 Dec 2024 9:09 pm

That makes me happy. I always think of Frank Zappa's version on "Live at the Fillmore East June 1971" when I hear this song.

Thanks for sharing, Mike!

Bob Shilling · Post by **Bob Shilling** » 21 Dec 2024 12:12 pm

Are you a turtle?

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 21 Dec 2024 12:47 pm

Beautiful, Mike! Ricky growling!

Marshall Woodall · Post by **Marshall Woodall** » 21 Dec 2024 2:17 pm

Cool Mike! Those parts are indeed burned into our collective consciousness. It sucks that Mr. Casale was denied any residual income he might have received from the final release. Not really surprising sadly.