Ram Jam

The members of Ram Jam were Bill Bartlett (former lead guitarist of the Lemon Pipers), Peter Charles (drummer), Myke Scavone (lead singer), and Howie Arthur Blauvett, who sang with Billy Joel in two earlier groups (the Hassles and El Primo). Ram Jam's only hit, "Black Betty," created quite a stir when Epic released it. The recording session was the brainstorm of Bartlett and bubblegum producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeff Katz. Two Civil Rights groups, the N.A.A.C.P. and C.O.R.E., called for a boycott of the song, claiming it insulted Black women. Despite the controversy, it still...