Frankfurt, Germany, February 7, 2006 (DPI) - Bruno Huptenstrasse, president of TeleStar Records GmbH, today announced the release the long-lost tape, 'The ClefLips: Live at Checkpoint Charlie's - 1963'. Huptenstrasse said he came in possession of the tape during an estate sale of the late Who drummer, John Entwistle.

Huptenstrasse said TeleStar digitized the original tapes, eliminated background noise, and balanced the sound. "Overall, we were very surprised at the quality. You can't tell this music is over forty years old. But that partly the genius of Dusty Carr. He was always timeless and ahead of the pack."

Though the ClefLips never recorded a studio album, a series of bootlegs and live performances confirm the established belief that the band single-handedly invented folk rock. They came together in late 1962, to back singer Dusty Carr on the fabled Return to the Reich Tour '63.

Each member of the ClefLips went on to worldwide fame: Harry Nilsson's singing/songwriting career skyrocketed during the 1970s; John Bonham became the drummer for Led Zeppelin, and John Entwistle joined The Who as bass player.

The concert was recorded in Frankfurt, February 28, 1963. Carr introduced a series of county-influenced rock songs during the evening, one of which, the self-penned 'Walk With A Ghost', became a staple for The Bryds, and later Gram Parsons. Carr, who became as well known for his violent, drug-addled lifestyle as for his music, is the only member of the ClefLips still alive.

"In my new book, 'Roastin' in The Joshua Tree', I speak about the ClefLips," said Carr. "It was basically a rehearsal band that was very, very good. So, did I invent folk rock? According to Gram Parsons I did. According to Roger McQuinn, I did. So yeah, I did."

Carr says he turned down numerous requests to join prominent folk bands, including The Eagles and The Byrds.

"I think folk rock is a great balance between the obvious white-trash stupidity of country music and the low-level musicianship of rock," said Carr. "It combines the both of best worlds. All this I mention in my new book, 'Roastin' in The Joshua Tree', which recounts my role in the final days of Gram Parsons."

Bruno Huptenstrasse said the 'Live at Checkpoint Charlie's' CD will be available this spring in North America. He added that Carr has refused to promote the CD, saying the band had a 'death curse' placed on it by "an old, syphilitic Romanian gypsy with a running eye."

ClefLips, 1963. L to R: Nilsson, Bonham, Carr, Entwistle.

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