In 1966, a toy company in Newark, New Jersey released a children’s record called Batman and Robin to cash in on the popular TV series . The music on the LP was credited to “The Sensational Guitars of Dan and Dale,” but in fact the band was one of the greatest uncredited session combos of all time, including the core of Sun Ra’s Arkestra and Al Kooper’s Blues Project. ‘Dan and Dale’ were actually blues guitarist Danny Kalb and Steve Katz (later of Blood, Sweat & Tears) on dueling guitars, while Sun Ra and Al Kooper take over organ duties (a Hammond B-3) and members of Ra’s Arkestra play sax. To keep the music licensing fees to a minimum, all the tracks were based on public domain items like Chopin’s Polonaise Op. 53, the horn theme from Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and the love theme from Romeo and Juliet, and generic rock riffs. It’s all instrumental, with the exception of the very funky Robin’s Theme, featuring an uncredited vocalist.  Other titles include:  ‘The Batman Theme Song’, ‘The Penguin Chase’, and ‘The Batcave’.  (via WMFU.com)

Members:  Bass – Andy Kulberg, Pat Patrick; Drums – Bob Blumenfeld: Guitar – Danny Kalb, Steve Katz; Hammond Organ – Sun Ra; Organ – Al Kooper; Saxophone – John Gilmore, Marshall Allen; Trumpet – Jimmy Owens, Tom McIntosh; Producer – Tom Wilson

(40 votes, average: 3.75 out of 5)

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