Listeners tuning to Pittsburgh radio station WZUM 1590AM on Thursday evening, August 2, 1965 for the Johnny Walker Show (A quick fill-in oldies program replacing "Mac's Wax Museum" which ended suddenly just five months earlier) were introduced to music so wild and obscure that few had ever heard of the records being played by DJ "Mad Mike" Metro.  That's saying something in a city full of record collectors!  Already a legend to those attending the area's numerous teen dances, his immense on-air popularity added thousands of faithful listeners and record-buyers.  The amount of "new" and desireable music that Mad Mike would add to his radio show each week was nothing short of phenomenal.  The demand skyrocketed for these impossible-to-find records resulting in the successful marketing of four "Mad Mike Moldies" LPs.  Scant public recognition has been given to Mad Mike for his huge contribution to the creation of an oldies style unique to Western Pennsylvania.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SERIES-  One Collector's Perspective:  Mad Mike Moldies Volume 1 was successfully released just a few short months after DJ Mad Mike Metro began his legendary radio broadcasts at WZUM and appears to have come off without a hitch while scoring a big hit with fans.  This lead to a quick release of the much-anticipated Volume II but interestingly enough the first shipment arrived at the National Record Mart stores without jackets! (bought one anyway)  When the familiar red cover with Mad Mike's picture finally made its appearance it was noted that on the front slick the ballad titles were incorrectly listed as the "Rock Side", and vice-versa.  Next there's a delay in issuing Volume 3 (although an apparently unauthorized Volume 3 record is, for whatever reason, being clandestinely pressed); In fact, when the next addition to the series finally makes it into NRM stores it's Volume 4!  Record distribution has changed from NRM to a separate corporation (although still at the same address) and it's obvious from the record's physical attributes that production methods or locations have also changed.  A color-vinyl Volume 5 is released next but the term "Mad Mike Moldies" is no longer being placed on the record label!  All labels now read "Oldies" although it is apparently still permissable for NRM/STE to title the LP series Mad Mike Moldies.  Also at this time the personal photographs of Mad Mike and the Wildwood Lodge have been replaced with stock images for the cover of the newly-reissued Volume 1 LP; the record label also reads "Oldies" and the various color-vinyl records sport a remastered a-side.  Some years later I acquire a copy of the unreleased Volume Six from Mad Mike but little information as to it's history, or that of the missing Volume 3.  Apparently, for record-issuing purposes National Record Mart/Supreme Teen Enterprises owns the exclusive right to market a vinyl LP titled "Mad Mike Moldies Volume (x)" and sales of Volume 6- like Volume 3- are once again prevented.  Finally, without access to the incredibly obscure records in Mad Mike's vast personal collection, the NRM-sponsored series ends.

volume 1 original	volume 1 reissue	volume II	volume 4	volume 5	volume 6
volume 1 reissue	volume 1 reissue	Mad Mike with Ronnie Haig	volume 3 record	volume 5 swirl	volume 6 record
volume 1 reissue	volume 1 reissue	Mad Mike Commemorative CD-R	volume 5 red wax	volume 5 maroon	volume 5 purple

GENERAL INFORMATION:  Each regular-issue volume in the series was produced with two different stampers that were plated, or "pulled" from the same mother, and until now it has been assumed that production was an ongoing process with simultaneous pressing at more than one location.  It is the author's premise that record production took place during three distinct time periods; This supposition is based upon stamper variations, weight of the individual records, and the change in management of the series.  Volumes 1 and II, originally produced under National Record Mart distribution, utilize a stamper variety not seen in later volumes.  When Supreme Teen Enterprises moved Volume 4 production to a new facility, record presses incompatible with the original Volume 1 and II stampers apparently require that new ones be produced (although old label stock continues to be used); records now average 20-30 grams heavier than their earlier counterparts.  A final period of production begins with the introduction of the color vinyl Volume 5 and Volume 1 reissue (actually, a third pressing)   A new a-side stamper is made for black vinyl Volume 5 records.  All references to "Mad Mike Moldies" are removed from both volumes' labels; Volume one undergoes a cover redesign. Lastly, all of the records identified here as "early" pressings were purchased from National Record Mart on their first day of availability.

If you have pertinent information about the series you'd like to share, please email the author at: stvnj@janceemusic.com
We would especially like to hear from past owners/employees of the G&C pressing plant or National Record Mart.
All information is held confidential unless you advise otherwise.

Norton Records "Mad Mike Monsters" The first three volumes of the rarest and wildest sounds on the planet are now available from your favorite rekkid dealer or get 'em direct from Norton Records ! (A comprehensive Mad Mike biography spans the album gatefold of all three volumes)