Roger Christian, "Last Drag"

[Jesse Reiswig]

New discovery for me. You guys ever hear this before? Originally released on NBI records number 100 in 1962. Looks like this was probably one of the poems from Christian's famous notebook and was later adapted by Brian into "Shut Down."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkkstTEvpv8

[Andrew G. Doe]

Nice find.

[adamghost]

I'm gobsmacked.  This is awesome.

[Mark A. Moore]

New discovery for me. You guys ever hear this before? Originally released on NBI records number 100 in 1962. Looks like this was probably one of the poems from Christian's famous notebook and was later adapted by Brian into "Shut Down."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkkstTEvpv8

Note the early reference to "Dead Man's Curve" . . . 

[Jesse Reiswig]

Here's the single's page on 45cat:

http://www.45cat.com/record/nc993554us

I can't seem to dig up any more info about this release anywhere.

Edit: A-ha! I just found more info on it in Jim Murphy's new book, on pp. 261-262. Jim's research supports this being representative of the original version of the poem, which Brian and Christian then rejiggered to create "Shut Down." However, this single of "Last Drag" seems to have been released in Apr. 1963, according to the book, more-or-less concurrently with "Shut Down." Jim goes on to explain that Tony Butala of the Lettermen, who is credited with the cowrite on the record with Christian (and apparently owned the NBI label, which seems to have a catalog of exactly one release) threatened the Beach Boys with a lawsuit for ripping off what he felt to be his song. Christian felt this threatened Murry and thus shortened the duration of his writing partnership with Brian.

Just another reason to get Jim's very fascinating book.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The original poem can be found in the end notes of one of Stephen McParland's books. I've posted it here more than once.

"Shut Down" was recorded January 5th 1963 and released as a B side March 3rd. I'd say the BB established priority.