The Music Explosion

The Music Explosion was an American garage rock band from Galion, Ohio, discovered and signed by record producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz. The quintet is best known for their No. 2 Hot 100 1967 hit "Little Bit O' Soul" that received gold record status by the R.I.A.A..[1] Written by John Carter and Ken Lewis, who had previously written big hits for The Ivy League and Herman's Hermits, the song (Laurie Records No. 3380, subsequently reissued on Buddah Records) was the band's only top 40 hit.[1] The production by Kasenetz, Katz, and Elliot Chiprut paved the way for bubblegum pop bands like Ohio Express and 1910 Fruitgum Company. "Little Bit O' Soul" has been subsequently covered by several bands including The Ramones; Dodging Susan; and 2 Live Crew, who sampled the melody. On its own, the flip "I See The Light" (featuring a surf guitar bridge) was covered by The Fourth Amendment and had a resurgence on some stations in the Midwest four years later. Lead singer Jamie Lyons, appearing somewhat intimidating on some record sleeves and album covers, also recorded several solo singles on Laurie while still recording with the group. His first single, "Soul Struttin'", became a Northern Soul hit in several Northeast regions. Lyons died of heart failure at his home at 57 in Little River, South Carolina on September 25, 2006.