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Still seeking 7-Eleven radio commercials from 1967

R

RadioDufferDude

Guest
Southland Corporation based in Texas issued Y.Y. Wickie Slurp reports,
those zany 7-Eleven AM radio commercials, in 1965 and 1966.
In the Summer of 1967 they issued radio spots using the word "slurpee" for the first time.
These commercials utilized a kazoo for sound effects.
Somebody, somewhere must have these darn things in audio format.
DJ Steve Eberhart was gracious enough to send me the ones from
1965 and 1966 last year. I have no clue how the 1967 ads were issued to radio stations
for them to play as I have never seen any 45 rpm or LP's.
(These are NOT "the strange things that happen to people who slurp at 7-Eleven"
on the 45 promo issued in 7-11 stores with "Dance the Slurp")Billy Lee Riley did some impersonations for some slurpee spots imitating
Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard among others. I'm not sure
whether these were from 1967 or 1968. My search for these is also a total zero.
Does anybody out there have any of these audio files? Will trade or pay your price.
I've been searching many years with zero results.
Thank you.
 
Have you considered, nicely, contacting the PR Dept. of Southland Corp.? You may have gotten lucky once, but the second time might mean a little effort on your part. They are, after all, 42 years old. Not something just "layin' around." And yes, they are available.
 
I did contact the PR Dept years ago and they said they were glad to inform me the commercials were not 'lost'
and they have them in their archives. Unfortunately they are unable to release them to any person
or entity due to expired 'royalty rights' which is a crock. They sent me two slurpee coupons. :mad:

You say "yes, they are available" - how so? ???
 
Years ago doesn't get it.  Things change from years ago.

The 40th anniversary of the Slurpee begins in August.  Now would be a good time to do some looking.  I have two discs from radio stations that I worked back in the day that I was able to save.  I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see them re-released by Southland as a promotion for 7-11. 

Also, there are a couple of them online, but you really have to dig for them, but they're out there.

You might also try some of your older, well established 7-11s.  I know of two franchise owners who are pretty much pack rats with what they've saved over the years as 7-11 memorabilia and franchisees might lend a hand.  You've got to work at it.  Just because it's the internet doesn't mean it will be esy to get ... and   you have to work to get it.  Make some visits and start digging. Don't forget radio stations, if they'll let you rummage through their commerial archives (if they've saved them.)

These are so rare that you can't just expect that they'll "show up," (unless Southland releases them with a new campaign,)
but keep putting the word out there (not here, necessarily,) but you might get lucky. Try Ad Age, or even ask for a copy of the Southland in-house magazine for its managers and stores ... as well as vendors. Just don't epect much without some digging.

I've worked two decades or more looking for certain records before I got lucky ... some online, some not. One was the 'I Love New York" campaign which I finally got ... 25 years later. Don't forget e-bay.

PS - The royalty rights are not a crock. With the rules of AFTRA and SAG, the rights expired after the flights ended, they were "
"non-perpetual" to avoid having to pay performing rights fees in the future to the artist(s) involved.  Southland retains all the rights, as does its (then) advertising agency that originally devised the incredible campaign.  Great voice, talent and writing on those spots.

Oh thank heaven for 7-11 ...




Good luck.
 
I have talked to the last living member of the Stanford Agency who produced the slurpee spots
in 1967 and he informed me that the spots I am seeking are unfortunately the ones with Billy Lee Riley
impersonating the voices of Fats Domino, etc. The Stanford Agency did NOT produce these spots,
they were done by some other unknown agency and distributed to a much smaller radio audience. :(
 
I'M LOOKING FOR SOME 7-11 RADIO COMMERCIALS WITH "FRANK". THE GRAVEL VOICED GUY THAT USED PHRASES LIKE "GRAVEY", INSTEAD OF "GROOVY, AND "FARM OUT", INSTED OF "FAR OUT". ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?
 
That would be Frank Harting, the YY Wicky character.
I have the spots from 1965 and 1966 that I can email to you.
Send me a personal note with your email address.
 
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