G.T.O. is the debut studio album by American band Ronny & the Daytonas, and was released in 1964 on Mala Records, MALA 4001.
Background The group was formed in 1964 when Bill Justis (best known for his hit "Raunchy") became their producer and manager. They went into the studio and recorded a dozen songs primarily written by group member John "Bucky" Wilkin, who was the son of noted country music writer, Marijohn Wilkin. These were interspersed with several covers of surfing/car songs by artists such as Chuck Berry and Jan and Dean. The album and three singles all charted on US Billboard magazine charts. In 1989, vocalist/guitarist Alex Chilton of the 1960s era group The Box Tops, released a cover of "G.T.O." on his EP Black List.
Track listing "California Bound" (John "Bucky" Wilkin) – 2:14 "Antique '32 Studebaker Dictator Coupe" (Jerry Dean Smith) – 2:05 "Hot Rod Baby" (Smith) – 2:02 "Little Rail Job" (Wilkin) – 2:19 "Hey Little Girl" (Wilkin) – 2:16 "Bucket "T”" (Don Altfeld, Jan Berry, Roger Christian, Dean Torrence) – 2:37 "G.T.O." (Wilkin) – 2:30 "The Little Sting Ray That Could" (Wayne Moss, Bobby Russell, Bergen White, Neil Wilburn) – 2:07 "Surfin' in the Summertime" (Wilkin) – 1:50 "Back in the U.S.A." (Chuck Berry) – 2:16 "Hot Rod City" (Bill Justis, Wilkin) – 2:05 "Little Scrambler" (Wilkin) – 1:49
Personnel Ronny and the Daytonas John "Bucky" Wilkin (aka Ronny) – vocals, guitar Paul Jensen – guitar, vocals Lee Kraft – guitar Thomas Ramey – bass, guitar Lynn Williams – drums
These were the Daytonas at the time of the recording, although many session musicians were also used. The touring band changed members frequently.
Technical Bill Justis – producer Win Bruder – cover design Buck Wilkin – photography
Charts Album YearChartPosition1964Billboard 200122
Singles YearSingleBillboard Hot 1001964"GTO"41964"Bucket "T""541964"California Bound"74
References