Matrix A: VK10418 100237 (etched)
Matrix B: VK10418 100526 (etched)
Pressing Plant: MGM Record Manufacturing Division, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Material: Vinyl
The Mothers Of Invention
How Could I Be Such A Fool?/Help I’m A Rock, 3rd Movement: It Can’t Happen Here
1966Content
• Verve Records USA (MGM Record Manufacturing Division)
• Verve Records USA (Monarch Records Mfg. Co.)
• Verve Records USA (Midwest Record Pressings Inc.)
• Verve Records USA (Southern Plastics)
• Verve Records USA Promo
• Verve Records USA Test Pressing
• Verve Records UK
• Verve Records UK Promo
• Verve Records Australia
Verve Records VK-10418 USA (MGM Record Manufacturing Division)
Verve Records VK-10418 USA (Monarch Records Mfg. Co.)
Verve Records VK-10418 USA (Midwest Record Pressings Inc.)
Matrix A: VK 10418 100 237 (etched)
Matrix B: VK 10418 100 526 (etched)
Pressing Plant: Midwest Record Pressings Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Material: Vinyl
Label images from Eelco Janzen.
Verve Records VK-10418 USA (Southern Plastics)
Matrix A: VK10418 100237 5 Nashville Matrix (etched, Nashville Matrix is stamped)
Matrix B: VK10418 100526 5 Nashville Matrix (etched, Nashville Matrix is stamped)
Pressing Plant: Southern Plastics, Nashville, Tennessee
Mastered At: Nashville Matrix
Material: Vinyl
I am 100% sure that this single came with the sleeve that is called MGM Records (version 1) in the sleeve guide. The guy that sold me a copy of this pressing found a box full of them from a ex-records shop stock and they all had that sleeve. Go to US MGM/Verve factory sleeves (1966-68) to see pictures of it.
Alan Mansfield has a copy of this single with the b-side label on both sides. Here is what he wrote me:
“You may be interested to hear and report to zappafrenzy people, that I have just acquired a copy of Verve Records VK-10418 USA (version 4) which has the same ‘Help I’m A Rock’ label pasted on both sides – the matrix numbers suggest that the recordings on each side are different i.e. How Could I Be Such A Fool + Help I’m A Rock: It Can’t Happen Here – it’s just that they both bear the same label. It came in an ‘MGM Records Version 1’ factory sleeve.”
Label images from RJ.
Verve Records VK-10418 USA Promo
Matrix A: VK10418 100237-1 (etched)
Matrix B: VK10418 100526-1 (etched)
Pressing Plant: MGM Record Manufacturing Division, Bloomfield, New Jersey
Material: Vinyl
Alan Mansfield sent me this promo sheet and here is what he wrote:
“I understand that these promo sheets went out with the first copies to radio stations etc. in an attempt to build up word of mouth about the Suzy Creamcheese character.”
Verve Records VK-10418 USA Test Pressing (b-side only)
Matrix A: VK-I0418 100526-1 (etched)
Matrix B: EXP-1-110-L.P.D. (etched)
Pressing Plant: Unknown
Material: Vinyl
Some info from Hugues Gros.
“I also own a quiet rare Verve white label test pressing of “It Can’t Happen Here” dated June 23rd, 1966 (see scans): This promo pre-dates the stock and promo copies of the first officially released 2-sided Mothers Of Invention single which shares the same catalog number VK-I0418. VK-I0418 and 100526-1 are etched into the runoff wax on the A-side, and the B-side (which is blank) has the initials “CG” in pen on a completely white label and EXP-1-110-L.P.D. etched into the runoff wax.”
Label images from Hugues Gros.
Verve Records VS 545 UK
Matrix A: 45 VK 10418A – 1 G KT 1 (stamped)
Matrix B: 45 VK 10418B – 1 G KT 1 (stamped)
Pressing Plant: The Gramophone Co. Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex
Material: Vinyl
Verve Records VS 545 UK Promo
Matrix A: 45 VK 10418A – 1 G KT 1 (stamped)
Matrix B: 45 VK 10418B – 1 G KT 1 (stamped)
Pressing Plant: The Gramophone Co. Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex
Material: Vinyl
Verve Records V-5122 Australia
Matrix A: V-5122-A (etched)
Matrix B: V-5122-B (etched)
Pressing Plant: Astor Custom Pressing, Clayton, Victoria
Material: Vinyl
The b-side label has a misprint. “Help” is written “Help!”.
Label and factory sleeve images from Hugues Gros.
