Episode #134: Del Casher & Italian Stallion

Del Casher // photo credit Bob Barry

Del Casher may not be a household name, but you've undoubtedly heard his music. He was a member of the famous Wrecking Crew, played on Lawrence Welk, recorded Frank Zappa’s first demo, backed Elvis Presley, and built guitars with Les Paul. His many inventions include the Wah-Wah pedal and the Ecco-Fonic, influencing the development of electric guitar playing.

In 1976, Casher was commissioned to write and record a soundtrack for Italian Stallion, a re-branding of the 1970 film The Party at Kitty and Stud's, which saw Sylvester Stallone's first on-screen appearance. While even Stallone called the film "horrendous," the soundtrack for Italian Stallion stands on its own as a musical masterpiece. Over 40 years later, with the help of ORG Music, Del Casher dug up his original master tapes and assembled a record's worth of material for the soundtrack's first ever release. Italian Stallion will make its long overdue debut with a vinyl pressing, exclusively for the second RSD drop on July 17.

I spoke by phone with Del Casher about the release of Italian Stallion's score and his legendary career.

Tracklist

Del Casher, "Italian Stallion Theme" (Italian Stallion OST)

Vic Mizzy, "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken Main Title" (The Ghost & Mr. Chicken OST)

Del Casher, "Dance Alone" (Italian Stallion OST)

Del Casher, "A Demonstration Of Ecco-Fonic" (promo record)