The Frito Twist

NOTE: the text below calls it a 78, but it looks pretty much like a 45 to me.

This 78 rpm record was made by the PAMS (Production, Advertising, Merchandising Service) production company in February 1962 for the Frito-Lay company to promote its Fritos snack food with a dedicated jingle, the “Frito-Twist.” The disc’s white paper label bears the Fritos and PAMS logos on both sides. Side A plays “The Frito Twist,” and Side B contains the instructional “How to Twist.” (In earlier versions of this promotional record, side A featured “Dallas: My Home Town” with “The Frito Twist” on side B.) The music for the “Frito Twist” was written by Euel Box, a Dallas-based composer and arranger best known for his work on the “Benji” movies of the 1970s and 80s, and a music director for the PAMS company. The sound engineer on the recording was Dick McGrew (as noted in the fine print along the edge of the record).The Dallas-based PAMS production company was founded in 1951 by William B. Meeks, Jr., often credited as the creator of the musical station break. In the 1950s-1970s, advertisers looked to music and dedicated jingles to help promote their products. They aimed branded dance fads in particular at teenagers and young adults.

More info here.

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Comments

While there were mini 33 rpm records (notably ones sold with storybooks like the old disney ones), I'm not aware of any 78s in that size, though, with the time frame indicated, potentially possible. I actually do have one of the old disney storybooks with a record in it, buried around here somewhere.

Posted by Tiona Daughtry on 01/20/21 at 09:15 PM

Here's one for potato chips(song starts after Beatle-like wacky banter):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4LkEHNsTmg

And if you get thirsty, here's the Slurppie song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wiue9xvwfs

Posted by S. Norman on 01/21/21 at 08:57 AM

As you say, it looks like a 45. Furthermore, by 1962, it's unlikely that 78s were still being made in the USA.
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/when-did-78-rpm-records-stop-being-produced.647753/

Posted by ges on 01/22/21 at 12:34 PM

Hey, ges. I have a few 78 albums that have been handed down through the family. My problem has been that my multi-buck stereo turntable made in the late 1980's wouldn't handle 78's. Recently I found a modern little portable turntable / amplifier that will play them and I have been enjoying those old albums. I'm surprised at how little time is on a record the size of a 33 r.p.m. at that speed. You get about eight minutes play time per side, tops.

Posted by KDP on 01/22/21 at 07:57 PM

If it's got the big hole, it's a 45. Don't believe there are any exceptions.

By the way, do you know what you hear if you play the intro from “Revolution 9” (on the Beatles' White Album) backwards?

Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 01/23/21 at 07:17 AM

@Virtual: yes, you hear noise. Same as when you play it forward.

(I do love that song, in its way, but melodic it isn't. Weird and interesting.)

Posted by Richard Bos on 01/23/21 at 12:02 PM

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