In 1966, Tommy James and the Shondells reached number # 1 in the American Billboard Charts for their single “Hanky Panky.” Sure, the song was a success in the United States and the youth loved it, but it caused a frenzy in Mexico. Rock and Roll was already alive and well in Mexico and had been for a while with bands like Los Teen Tops, Los Rebeldes Del Rock, Los Apson, Los Black Jeans, and many more, but with “Hanky Panky” hitting the Mexican airwaves, a new wave of teen garage rock started. Every band, old and new, rushed to record their versions of “Hanky Panky,” while labels like Discos Orfeon, Discos Cisne, Peerless, and Maya rushed to release it.
Originally released in 1966 at the height of the “Hanky Panky” craze, “Hanky Panky 66’” compiled some of the newest and popular bands of the time on the Cisne Label. Los Panky’s, Los Picapiedra, & Enrique Acosta were all young and upcoming stars in the Mexican Garage scene and enjoyed national success in the form of tours, releases, radio performances, spreads in “Mexico Canta,” and live performances on Orfeon A Go Go, but as the 60’s came to an end, so did these groups, and many of their contemporaries. Though this release and these bands seem to have faded into obscurity, they continue to be favorites amongst garage rock fans and collectors. For those of you looking for something similar to Los Saicos, check this tape out.
So here it is…Released for the First time ever on cassette and outside of Mexico… Hanky Panky 66.’
Verdugo Discos #015, 2017
Purchase tape here:
verdugodiscos.storenvy.com/collections/250574-all-products/products/19708636-hanky-panky-66-compilation-tape
released April 11, 2017