Nanker Phelge
Encyclopedia
Nanker Phelge was a collective pseudonym
used between 1963 and 1965 for several Rolling Stones group compositions. Stones bassist Bill Wyman
explained the origins of the name in his 2002 book, Rolling with the Stones:
Thus anything credited to Nanker Phelge refers to a Mick Jagger
/Brian Jones
/Keith Richards
/Charlie Watts
/Bill Wyman
collaborative composition. The ASCAP files for the very earliest Nanker Phelge compositions also list early Rolling Stones member Ian Stewart
(also known as "the sixth Stone") as a co-author covered by the pseudonym.
The name resurfaced in the late 1960s on the labels of the original vinyl pressings of Beggars Banquet
and Let It Bleed
. Manufacture of both albums was credited to Nanker Phelge, which was then acknowledged as an ABKCO
company. (Apparently ABKCO was now manufacturing the records which were still bearing the London
and Decca
labels.)
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
used between 1963 and 1965 for several Rolling Stones group compositions. Stones bassist Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
explained the origins of the name in his 2002 book, Rolling with the Stones:
When the Stones cut "Stoned"—or "Stones," according to early misprinted pressings—as the B-side to "I Wanna Be Your ManI Wanna Be Your Man"I Wanna Be Your Man" is a Lennon–McCartney-penned song that was recorded separately by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The Rolling Stones' version was released a few weeks earlier...
," Brian [Jones] suggested crediting it to Nanker/Phelge. The entire band would share writing royalties. Phelge came from Edith Grove flatmate Jimmy Phelge, while a Nanker was a revolting face that band members, Brian in particular, would pull.
Thus anything credited to Nanker Phelge refers to a Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
/Brian Jones
Brian Jones
Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones , known as Brian Jones, was an English musician and a founding member of the Rolling Stones....
/Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
/Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:...
/Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
collaborative composition. The ASCAP files for the very earliest Nanker Phelge compositions also list early Rolling Stones member Ian Stewart
Ian Stewart (musician)
Ian Andrew Robert Stewart was a Scottish keyboardist, co-founder of The Rolling Stones and inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
(also known as "the sixth Stone") as a co-author covered by the pseudonym.
The name resurfaced in the late 1960s on the labels of the original vinyl pressings of Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet
- Personnel :The Rolling Stones* Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica on "Parachute Woman"* Keith Richards – acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar on "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Street Fighting Man", backing vocals, lead vocals on opening of "Salt of the Earth"* Brian...
and Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed
Let It Bleed is the eighth British and tenth American album by English rock band The Rolling Stones, released in December 1969 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States...
. Manufacture of both albums was credited to Nanker Phelge, which was then acknowledged as an ABKCO
ABKCO Records
ABKCO Music & Records, Inc. is a major independent record label, music publisher, and film and video production company. It owns and or administers the rights to music by Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, The Kinks as well as the Cameo Parkway label,...
company. (Apparently ABKCO was now manufacturing the records which were still bearing the London
London Records
London Records, referred to as London Recordings in logo, is a record label headquartered in the United Kingdom, originally marketing records in the United States, Canada and Latin America from 1947 to 1979, then becoming a semi-independent label....
and Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
labels.)
Songs credited to Nanker Phelge
- "Stoned" (Oct. 1963) (ASCAP also credits Ian StewartIan Stewart (musician)Ian Andrew Robert Stewart was a Scottish keyboardist, co-founder of The Rolling Stones and inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...
as co-writer) - "Little by LittleLittle by Little (The Rolling Stones song)"Little by Little" was released by The Rolling Stones on the Decca label on February 21, 1964, as the B-side to their version of "Not Fade Away". Also included on their debut album The Rolling Stones in April 1964....
" (Feb. 1964) (credited as 'Phelge') (co-written with Phil Spector; ASCAP also credits Ian Stewart as co-writer) - "Andrew's Blues" (Feb. 1964) (unreleased)
- "And Mr. Spector And Mr. Pitney Came Too" (Feb. 1964) (an instrumental blues-rock jam with prominent harmonica, unreleased, co-written with Phil SpectorPhil SpectorPhillip Harvey "Phil" Spector is an American record producer and songwriter, later known for his conviction in the murder of actress Lana Clarkson....
) Appears on the Black Box bootleg compilation. - "Now I've Got a Witness" (credited as 'Phelge') (Apr. 1964)
- "Stewed and Keefed (Brian's Blues)" (Jun. 1964)
- "2120 South Michigan Avenue2120 South Michigan Avenue"2120 South Michigan Avenue" is an original instrumental by the Rolling Stones recorded for their second EP Five by Five. It was also released on their second US album 12 X 5 in 1964. Composer credit goes to Nanker Phelge, a title giving credit equally to all members of the band...
" (Aug. 1964) - "Empty Heart" (Aug. 1964)
- "Off The HookThe Rolling Stones, Now!-Personnel:The Rolling Stones*Mick Jagger – lead vocals, harmonica, tambourine, and percussion*Keith Richards – guitar and backing vocals*Brian Jones – guitar and slide guitar, harmonica and backing vocals...
" (Nov. 1964) (originally credited to "Nanker, Phelge", but now credited to Jagger/Richards by BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
) - "Play with FirePlay with Fire (The Rolling Stones song)"Play with Fire" is a song by English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones, originally released as B-side to the song "The Last Time". It was later included on the American release of their 1965 album Out of Our Heads....
" (Feb. 1965) - "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" (May 1965)
- "The Spider And The FlyThe Spider and the Fly (song)"The Spider and the Fly" is a song by British rock and roll band The Rolling Stones first released on the US version of their 1965 album Out of Our Heads. In the UK it was released as the B side to " Satisfaction"....
" (July 1965) (originally credited to "Nanker, Phelge" but now credited to Jagger/Richards by BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
) - "I'm All Right" (July 1965) (sometimes credited to Phelge/McDaniel, although it is a Bo DiddleyBo DiddleyEllas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
cover song) - "Aftermath" (Dec. 1965) (unreleased and unavailable on bootlegBootleg recordingA bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
; not to be confused with the album) - "Godzi" (unreleased and unavailable on bootleg, although the song has been registered with BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
) - "We Want The Stones" (actually this is audience cheering on the 1965 got LIVE if you want it!Got LIVE if you want it!Got Live If You Want It! is the final official EP by The Rolling Stones and was released in 1965...
E.P.) - Bill WymanBill WymanBill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
claims in his books that the song "Paint It, BlackPaint It, Black"Paint It, Black" is a song released by The Rolling Stones on 13 May 1966 as the first single from their fourth album Aftermath. It was originally titled "Paint It Black" without a comma. Keith Richards has stated that the comma was added by the record label, Decca.The song was written by Mick...
", the first single released in 1966 from Aftermath, was a collective effort of the group, and should have been credited Nanker Phelge, but mistakenly was credited to Jagger/RichardsJagger/RichardsThe songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, known as Jagger/Richards , is a musical collaboration whose output has produced the majority of the catalogue of The Rolling Stones....
at the end.
See also
- The Glimmer Twins
- Jagger/RichardsJagger/RichardsThe songwriting partnership of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, known as Jagger/Richards , is a musical collaboration whose output has produced the majority of the catalogue of The Rolling Stones....
- More About Nanker Phelge