The Hassles occupy a footnote in music history primarily because their recordings captured Billy Joel for the first time, yet the band’s own merits extend well beyond that association. Across just two albums the Long Island quintet delivered polished, engaging blue-eyed soul strongly influenced by the Rascals without breaking new stylistic ground, earning steady regional recognition throughout the mid-1960s. Jon Small on drums, John Dizek on vocals, Harry Webber on organ, and Richie McKenna on guitar assembled the group in 1964. Webber’s unpredictable conduct led to his dismissal two years later, at which point the band recruited Billy Joel—already known locally for his keyboard work with the Echoes, the Lost Souls, and the Commandos under the name Billy Joe Joel—on the explicit condition that bassist Howie Blauvelt also be added.
Still in his teens, Joel supplied the ensemble with richly soulful lead and harmony vocals. Persistent performances across Long Island quickly built a loyal audience, prompting United Artists to sign the Hassles in 1967. Their self-titled debut appeared that November; the lone single, a version of Sam & Dave’s “You’ve Got Me Hummin’,” reached number 112 on the Billboard chart, though the LP itself made little impression beyond the group’s immediate circle. The more psychedelic Hour of the Wolf followed in 1968.
The following year Small and Joel departed to form the organ-and-drums duo Attila, whose lone Epic album surfaced in early 1970 to little notice and remains a lasting source of discomfort for Joel. He subsequently launched a highly successful solo career while Small later worked as a video producer. In 1999 the compilation The Best of the Hassles: You’ve Got Me Hummin’ gathered the strongest tracks from the band’s catalog and added four previously unreleased recordings.
