‘More, More, More’: The Search for Andrea True, and the Creation of a Disco Sensation – Podcast 69

‘More, More, More’: The Search for Andrea True, and the Creation of a Disco Sensation – Podcast 69
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In the 1970s, Andrea True was a rarity. She was a porn star that many people had heard of – even if they knew nothing about porn. She belonged to a select group of adult film actors whose names were widely known for a short time: Linda Lovelace, Marilyn Chambers, John Holmes, and yes, Andrea True.

But Andrea’s fame was different. You see, most people hadn’t heard of Andrea because she’d appeared in sex films. They’d heard of her because for a short time she was a successful singer – with one of the biggest hits of the disco era, ‘More, More, More.’

In the discos and nightclubs of 1976, ‘More, More, More’ was part of the soundtrack of an era. You couldn’t escape it. Billboard magazine called it “one of the truly classic club hits of its time.” It was reported that Andrea received two Grammy nominations. She was on television, on tour, on the radio, and on fire.

But what about Andrea’s scandalous past in sex films? Well, rather than hide the fact that she’d had appeared in over 50 X-rated movies, the song seemed to celebrate it. After all, the lyrics referred to performing in front of the cameras. This was not the usual story of someone trying to hide their porno past.

But soon after her music success, Andrea seemed to disappear. And even though she’d had her fifteen minutes of fame, many details about her life were still unknown. Like how did she end up making adult films in New York when she was from Tennessee? How she did end up recording her big hit in Jamaica? And where did she disappear to after her film and recording career ended?

Andrea True died in 2011 – but fifteen years ago, I went looking for her. I spoke to adult film actors like Harry Reems and Jeffrey Hurst, record producers Tom Moulton and Michael Zager, her agent Mitchell Karduna, and band members such as Joe Barbosa.

I wanted to find out more about who she was, and how, for a short time, she became the Queen of Disco.

This is the story of the search for Andrea True.

For more information about the disco queens, we recommend First Ladies of Disco: 32 Stars Discuss the Era and Their Singing Careers by James Arena – which contains an excellent chapter on Andrea.

This podcast is 78 minutes long.

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More More MoreAndrea True’s first album, ‘More, More, More’ (1976)

 

More More More

 

Andrea True

 

More More MoreAndrea True’s second album, ‘White Witch’ (1978)

 

White Witch

 

Whats Your Name

 

War MachineAndrea True’s third and final album, ‘War Machine’ (1980)

 

War Machine

 

Andrea True

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44 Comments

  1. J.R. · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Just started listening to this – and am loving every moment of it. Much new information – and a few revelations too! Simply fantastic. Thank yoooooooooooo!

  2. Kim · May 21, 2017 Reply

    OMG – TOM MOULTON AND MICHAEL ZAGER APPEARING ON THE SAME SHOW ABOUT ANDREA…….. GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!

  3. anon · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Maybe the best podcast yet from the best team in the biz.

    This is sensational -> and a cliff-hanger end as well?????

    Thank you for such unbelievable work!!!!!!

  4. Scott Coleman · May 21, 2017 Reply

    I know that I am in the minority and will sound weird, but I would rather read these wonderful stories!

    • Jon Bowers · May 21, 2017 Reply

      I kinda know what you mean. I love podcasts and listen to maybe 10 each week, but the content in the Rialto podcasts is sooo rich and kinda historical too, it seems like they should have a written record as well.
      So how about a Rialto book?? It would be the ultimate adult film reference book, and would kick the butt of anything else out there. Please think about it.

  5. Richard · May 21, 2017 Reply

    On a classic broadcast of American Top 40,which its own iHeart Radio channel,Casey Kasem tells the story of how Andrea recorded her album in Jamaica. Nice to hear another side to it.

  6. Richard · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Here is a Wikipedia page on Andrea https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_True

  7. Tom puglia · May 21, 2017 Reply

    A massage therapist in Clearwater Fl for a time

  8. P.I. · May 21, 2017 Reply

    I was fond of Andrea True, and I loved this podcast.

    I can not wait until part two.

    When I was young, my friends and yours truly, knew what type of movies she was in, and we would laugh – and get angry – at all the uptight conservative types that were really into this song and Ms. True’s first album.
    Most of those folks wouldn’t stop criticizing and protesting adult films. Meanwhile, their hypocrite husbands, boyfriends, and sons, watched Ms. True’s films and pretended NOT to know who she was… Some things don’t change, do they?…..

  9. AN Other · May 21, 2017 Reply

    I’m dying here. You have an interview with Andrea and I have to wait some more????

    Seriously though this was an EXCELLENT podcast. I was rivetted from start to finish. Brilliant work. And I have a new found appreication for disco now!!!!!

  10. Wicked Lester · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Wow. Looking forward to hearing this. More cowbell indeed.

  11. AFan · May 21, 2017 Reply

    As a movie nut kid growing up in New York, I wasn’t anywhere old enough to see porn, but I saw all the names and titles advertised all over The Times, Post and Daily News entertainment sections. So Andrea True was a familiar name. Then one Saturday, Dick Clark on “American Bandstand” did his weekly preview of songs for kids to rate and lo and behold one title was “More..more…more” by The Andrea True Connection” and they liked it. I thought, no it can’t be and well, the rest is history but I became a fan thru the song long before I ever got to see her films.

  12. Bonbon · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Crazy good.

  13. Jim Stevens · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Do you have a career in law enforcement or private investigation in your past? You are quite the tireless detective.

    And a two-parter? Yes, please.

    This podcast really hit a sweet spot for me because, like A Fan, even if I wasn’t old enough to see adult films at the time, my movie-obsessed, 15/16-year-old self was fascinated by the adult movie ads in the New York papers. I was equally into 70’s pop and of course, “More, More, More” was among my many 45’s, as was an extended mix. I was actually more a fan of “New York, You Got Me Dancing,” but I digress. And, perhaps due to my age or blissful ignorance, I didn’t put her two careers together until months later.

    Thanks , as always, for your deep dive into the golden age. Keep the cameras rolling, keep the action going indeed.

    • Jim Stevens · May 21, 2017 Reply

      The one thing I question, however, is the Grammy nominations. The only “new” performer category they have or had is Best New Artist. Maybe it was the American Music Awards or some other second-rung music awards show.

  14. Ted T. · May 21, 2017 Reply

    Another absolute peak of your great podcasts! And the first one ending on a great cliff hanger… Keep up the amazing work!

    For anyone who wants to listen to all of Andrea True’s music (I had heard and danced to More, More, More many times, but none of the rest): the first two full albums More More, More and White Witch as well as War Machine (titled as Disco-Pop) are available on Apple Music/iTunes and presumably Spotify.

  15. Fred · May 22, 2017 Reply

    Loved every minute of this one. And Tom Moulton should have his own show: the guy is hysterical. I’d imagine he has similar stories about the other disco people he worked with…
    How about The Moulton Report?!

  16. Paul · May 22, 2017 Reply

    What a fascinating segment! As usual, The Rialto Report does its homework, right down to getting the original demo recording of “More More More!”

    I cannot WAIT until next week’s podcast – I can’t believe you’ve been sitting on this Andrea True interview all these years!

  17. S. · May 23, 2017 Reply

    Great podcast, although the sound mixer was rather annoying, to me that is.

  18. Ray · May 23, 2017 Reply

    I remember seeing her a couple times on VH-1 in the early 2000s, once featured in “I Love the 70s” and once on “One Hit Wonders”. They briefly touched on her life in Florida and she looked genuinely happy with her life at that time and was glad to be remembered that “More More More” had endured as a disco classic.

  19. Wes Brown · May 24, 2017 Reply

    Amazing job, Ashley.

    You are the Donald Davidson of porn, the highest compliment you could earn.

  20. Mark Gunther · May 24, 2017 Reply

    Beautiful work. Those who enjoy the stories from the long lost beginnings of adult films are lucky to have you. This has the professionalism of ‘Fresh Air’ but is more, more, more fun. Thanks a million for your intelligent pieces.

  21. Noname · May 25, 2017 Reply

    Man, you are a genius.
    Regards from Hungary!

  22. derek · May 25, 2017 Reply

    omg this is amazing!!! fantastic!! and here I thought it was going to end dead with her telling you to sod off!!! can’t wait for part 2!!!

  23. Geoff Hensley · May 26, 2017 Reply

    C’mon guys – this needs to be a film surely?!?!?! Who’s gonna step up and make it – it needs to be done. And who would star as Andrea herself? The way this story is told (and all the others on the site) is so cinematic, it needs to be done.

    Peace.

  24. Marv Montag · May 28, 2017 Reply

    Bless you for being so awesome. Damn you for leaving us with a cliffhanger. 🙂

  25. Xavier · May 31, 2017 Reply

    AWESOME podcast. I thought that, after Andrea’s passing, I would never hear/see anything concrete about her life after films and music, but you totally rocked it. Can’t wait for the second part! This gives me hope that someday (soon?) you will do a podcast on Zebedy Colt. Did you ever track down/interview him? The Rialto Report is the bloody best, y’all!

  26. Rick · June 6, 2017 Reply

    (standing up applauding)

    MAGNIFICENT!!!!!

  27. Stevie Geee · June 6, 2017 Reply

    I’m dying waiting here for part 2.
    Cmon put me out of my misery 😉

  28. DD · June 10, 2017 Reply

    Phenomenal podcast! This is the most extensive account of Andrea I had ever heard about. Fantastic collection of stories…I had no idea Marilyn Chambers had a hand (pun intended) in Disco as well…what a hoot! 😛

    I love Bananarama’s cover as well.

    Can’t wait for “More, More, More” Part 2! Thanks for all your meticulous research and for sharing this with us. 😀

  29. Michael Wieben · June 29, 2017 Reply

    In 1973 I got a job as an extra in a Kim Novak made-for-tv film “Third Girl from the Left”. It was a night shoot off Times Square in late September and very cold. I was paired with a lovely girl and we were to walk passed the club from which Ms. Novak was to be running out into the street. We were told to wear regular street clothes and I had thought to bring a wool scarf. The young lady I was partnered with started shivering. It takes time to set up the shots and there were police barriers to keep the “real people” who had gathered to watch out of camera range. As several takes were made there were a few cat-calls from the gathered public, “Is that old thing Kim Novak?!?”. My partner and I were incensed at this rudeness- we both though Ms. Novak looked gorgeous. I offered my scarf to Andrea as I now knew my partners name. The shoot finished after about 4 hours and we all went home. I had a day job at an actors answering service. The next day, Andrea appeared at the office to return my scarf (I had forgotten it). As she walked in all the guys stopped what they were doing and gaped. She warmly thanked me for having been so gallant and left. The guys in the office ran over to me asking “How do you know HER?!” I explained we’d worked as extras together the previous night. They asked what kind of film and I explained. They then asked if I knew who she was. I said she was a nice girl I had met on the location. They then informed me that she was one of the hottest porn actresses, Andrea True. Naively I said I had no idea- but my status in their eyes went up markedly equal to their incredulity that I had no idea who she was. To me she was a very pretty, warm and intelligent girl I’d spent a few hours with.

  30. Justin · August 11, 2017 Reply

    Great podcast! Love Andrea True background info. Is there a reason you used a later, re-recorded (ala cheap K-Tel compilations) version of “More, More, More” as the final version? The difference between Jamaican original and the final released 12″/45 version is not that drastic. The final sounds fuller, more finished. You can hear in the re-record Andrea’s voice is even worse than in the 70’s.

    final:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQV-w0pnZ3U

    re-recorded version:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2PCNOr043U

  31. Jeff · September 9, 2017 Reply

    Fantastic podcast!I am a huge Gregg Diamond fan.Not much is said about him I always like to hear the stories behind my favorite songs.

  32. Hector · September 11, 2017 Reply

    Very great audio ans story,

    When will you post the second part of that report?

    Hector

  33. Tracy · October 2, 2017 Reply

    Can you please post more photos of a young Andrea with dark hair?

  34. Allen · October 5, 2017 Reply

    Just saw a Target commercial using “More, More More”

    • Daniel · February 16, 2022 Reply

      Never really thought about that single More, More, More after hearing it over the course of a lifetime. It would air on the radio or be featured in a commercial and I would recognize it but never knew the title or artist behind it. Never knew the artist had also performed in dirty movies.
      Neat. Very few were able to cross over from any era. What an interesting story.

  35. Jennifer Arnold · October 5, 2017 Reply

    Bravo Ashley & April for this remarkable 2 part podcast. Loved the investigative format or part 1. And the follow up when by chance coincidence you found her was a huge surprise.
    And you guys were so sweet and gentle with her in the interview.
    Kudos

  36. Dick Hangsten · October 30, 2017 Reply

    Great report as always from you good people at The Rialto Report. I highly recommend your site to everyone who enjoys adult entertainment and adult movies. Keep up the great work in all that you do with your fine internet site. There is a nice musical memorial for Andrea True that can be found in the internet group Face Book/Tony Jams Musical Memorials. Free for all to read, view and enjoy the many musical memorials that are posted in the group. Take care and always keep up the great work that you do in all that you do. I greatly enjoy every post in this group.

  37. Bruno azevêdo · November 24, 2017 Reply

    Hello!
    I’ve just started to listen to the report.
    I’m writing about andreas son’g White Witch. The song happens to be a HUGE hit in my town since the 1980s.
    It is very strange to have a reggae tune in a disco record. I’d like to understand the story of this song. How did it get there? Who is Val Burke, the co-author? Is he still alive?
    Thanks!

  38. Lit · December 9, 2017 Reply

    Brilliant, insightful podcast. Rialto Report you have stood and delivered yet again. The hit song is redolent of the long, hot UK summer of ‘76 and carefree school holidays. Simply magnificent.

  39. ADC · May 4, 2023 Reply

    Loved this podcast as I am a big Andrea True fan. I remember seeing the VH1 episode of “Where are they now?” and wanting to hear more about her-Your podcast did just that, it was so well done and respectful and so great to hear the story in full. Amazing job. I can attest to the longevity of “More More More” and the love for Andrea that still exists today- I DJ a monthly party in NYC where we play all vinyl and I play “More More More” every month and hold up the album cover. It brings them to the floor every time and I love to watch people look at the LP cover in wonder! No matter how many times I hear the song- in commercials or sampled, or whatever, I NEVER get tired of it.

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