Vox Continental
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Vox Continental is a transistor-based combo organ that was introduced in 1962. Known for its bright but thin, breathy sound, the "Connie", as it was affectionately known, was designed to be used by touring musicians. It was also designed to replace heavy tonewheel organs, such as the revered Hammond B3.
While this was not entirely accomplished, the Continental was used in many 1960s hit singles, and was probably the most popular and best-known combo organ among major acts. Although phased out of production in the early 1970s, the organ still has a strong following to this day, and remains among the most sought-after of combo organs by enthusiasts.
Usage
The instrument is commonly associated with psychedelic rock of the 1960s, being used by such artists as Ray Manzarek of The Doors. Famous songs, that use the Continental, include:
- "She's About a Mover" (1965) by the Sir Douglas Quintet
- "House of the Rising Sun" (1964) by The Animals
- "I'm Down" (1966) by The Beatles
- "96 Tears" (1966) by Question Mark and the Mysterians
- "I'm a Believer" (1966) by The Monkees
- "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" and "Absolutely Sweet Marie" (1966) by Bob Dylan, who also played the Connie on the 1979 tour for his album Slow Train Coming
- "Light My Fire" (1967) by The Doors
- "Sister Ray" (1968) by The Velvet Underground
- "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (1968) by Iron Butterfly
- "Working My Way Back to You (1966) by The Four Seasons
- "Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas) (1993) by They Might Be Giants
In addition to these 1960s groups the Vox Continental played a large role in generating many of the keyboard sounds heard in 1970s and early 1980s New Wave and Punk Rock. The Continental was used extensively by prodigy Steve 'Nieve' (aka Steve Nason), keyboard player for Elvis Costello & The Attractions, and by Mike Barson of 2-Tone group Madness. It was also used by 2-Tone founder Jerry Dammers of The Specials.
More recently in popular music culture, the organist Rhys Webb, of the UK garage band The Horrors can be seen using the Continental, as can Sam Steinig of Mondo Topless and Walt Martin of The Walkmen, while Kenny Howes of Atlanta psyche-pop group Orange Hat used a Super Continental. Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers has also frequently used a '65 Continental since the early days of Mudcrutch. Singer-songwriter Grayson Hugh featured a Continental on his song "Angel of Mercy" from his 2010 Swamp Yankee Records release "An American Record".
Two Vox Continental organs are seen in the promo video for "Summer in the City" by The Lovin' Spoonful, played by John Sebastian and bassist Steve Boone, although the signature keyboard line is played on a Hohner Pianet. A Vox Continental is seen in use by Eric Harvey of Spoon in the music video for their song Sister Jack. The Vox can also be seen in several televised appearances by The Four Seasons, played by Bob Gaudio on such performances of I've Got You Under My Skin and Working My Way Back to You.
Alex Turner also used the Vox Continental for Arctic Monkeys song 505, the closer of second album Favourite Worst Nightmare.
The Moons organist Tom Warmsley uses a single manual Vox Continental, also The Moons James Edward Bagshaw uses a Vox Continental 300 at his home studio.
