Professor Wurzel’s Jotting - ‘I Hate J.R. - Rare Single’

"I Hate JR " - The Wurzels (Released: April 1980)

A Side
I Hate JR (E Welch)

B Side
I Love JR (Banner, Baylis, Budd)

Producer: Ed Welch

John Ross Ewing, Jr., more commonly known as J.R. Ewing and played by Larry Hagman, was a nefarious figure on the hit CBS television series Dallas (1978-1991). The series was a cross between Romeo and Juliet (Bobby Ewing and Pamela Barnes were lovers whose families were sworn enemies) and the western Bonanza (with an affluent patriarch and three sons). America's favourite antihero, J.R. was a covetous, egocentric, and amoral oil baron, who was constantly plotting subterfuges to plunder his foes and their Texas-sized wallets.

The thrust of the series was initially the feuding families, with J.R. just a supporting character. However, his popularity grew and two highly rated 1980 episodes became firmly entrenched in pop culture. In "A House Divided" and "Who Done It?", the audience witnessed J.R. being shot by an unknown assailant. After the cliffhanger was broadcast in March, the audience had to wait until the October conclusion. The summer of 1980 was all abuzz with a new national obsession “Who Shot JR” with references and theories abounding everywhere.

Even our beloved Wurzels became embroiled in the frenzy and released two singles – the double ‘A’ sided “I Love JR”/ “I Hate JR” and followed up with “I Shot JR”. Both singles were produced on the Wurzels’ manager’s record label “JM Records’ and distributed by Pye Records. However, pictured above right is a very rare example of one of these singles produced on Pye Record’s own label.

Have you got any unusual or rare Wurzel record labels? – if so drop me a line and we could even feature your discs in the next edition of Professor Wurzel’s Jottings
Get in touch with me! professorwurzel@hotmail.co.uk

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