Pamela Blue

Pamela Blue is one of the more mysterious female pop-rock vocalists of the early 1960's, and one of the more startling discoveries of producer Joe Meek, at least based on her one and only single. At 15, she was already out of school and trying to find work as a singer, and even fronted a band for a time. She chanced to meet Screaming Lord Sutch, who put her in touch with Joe Meek, who had a song and an arrangement just waiting for a singer. "My Friend Bobby" was written by Geoff Goddard, and it was of a piece with such works as "Tribute To Buddy Holly" and "Just Like Eddie," other Meek production subjects, only more personal. With a sound similar to "Everyday" (by way of the Tornadoes' "Telstar," the obvious conclusion was to substitute "Buddy" for "Bobby" and one came up not only with another Buddy Holly tribute song, but a love song, as well--really from Meek to his idol. It was all very poignant, and Blue was apparently sufficiently encouraged by the results to give up her factory job. Alas, she never got another record released.