The spring and summer of 1961 brought historic launches: the first manned space flights (Vostok 1 and Freedom 7), the first nuclear-powered satellite (Transit IV A), and the beginning of Nancy’s recording career (Reprise 20,017). Although “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” propelled Nancy’s career into the stratosphere in early 1966, “Cuff Links And A Tie Clip” b/w “Not Just Your Friend” had served as the launch pad in August 1961.
In her 1985 book, Frank Sinatra, My Father, Nancy recalls the inception of her first record:
“When Dad started Reprise I asked him to let me try my hand at a single. He talked to his chief executive, Mo Ostin, and Mo said he didn’t want any rock and roll records. I said that rock was here to stay but I agreed to do a novelty record like Annette Funicello. Mo said okay and put me together with Annette’s producer, Tutti Camaratta.
My record was called ‘Cufflinks and a Tie Clip’ (talk about novelty!). It was backed with an R & B (rhythm and blues) song called ‘Not Just Your Friend.’”
A “Spotlight” column in the June 30, 1961 issue of Life Magazine provided advance promotion for Nancy’s single, as it declared, “…Reprise expects Cuff Links to draw the kids. In it Nancy sounds like a pair of sisters, for she recorded her voice twice.” Interestingly, the column referred to “I See The Moon” (later released on Nancy’s fifth U.S. single) as “Cuff Links’” flip side.
The Life piece introduced Nancy as, “The new singing Sinatra,” with the following image by renowned photographer Leigh Wiener.
The August 14, 1961 issue of Billboard devoted page 27 to this ad, which heralded the release of Nancy’s first record: “reprise presents the singles debut of a fresh voice and personality!…are you ready? the biggest DJ tumult in years is about to begin!”
In the same issue of Billboard, “Reviews of New Singles” awarded four stars to both sides of Nancy’s single:
One of the “jocks” who liked Nancy’s record was at KCMJ. In her 1985 book, Nancy remembers the excitement of hearing “Not Just Your Friend” on the radio:
“The first time I heard the record on the radio I was in the car listening to my favorite station, KCMJ, which featured mostly black artists. The deejay said, ‘Here’s Frank Sinatra’s daughter’s first effort.’ I was so startled to hear my R & B song played on this station and so thrilled to hear myself on the radio, I drove straight to KCMJ and got the disc jockey’s autograph (talk about young).”
Adjacent to Nancy’s image, a trade ad featuring the early Reprise roster of artists indicates, “album soon to be announced.” Although four-and-a-half years would elapse between the releases of “Cuff Links” and Nancy’s first LP, Boots, Reprise issued ten additional pre-”Boots” era singles, all of which form a significant stage in Nancy’s 50-year trajectory.
“Cuff Links And A Tie Clip” and “Not Just Your Friend” are currently available for download as part of Nancy’s Bubblegum Girl, Volume 1 collection. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, this line from “Cuff Links” seems especially appropriate:
“I put on the hi-fi, with the lights low, and we had a little party of our own!”
