The Archies were a bubblegum pop group that had a #1 hit, appeared frequently on Saturday morning television, and put out several albums. However, despite this success they never did any live performances or touring.

Why? Because they were cartoon characters.

The Archies began their animated lives when The Archie Show debuted on Saturday morning in September of 1968. Each episode featured a song and dance segment performed by the characters. The show�s music was supervised by Don Kirshner, the man who put together the music for The Monkees. Kirshner tapped veteran pop producer Jeff Barry to put together the snappy, kid-friendly songs The Archie Show needed.

The Archies� songs were also issued as singles. The first one, �Bang-Shang-A-Lang,� was a #22 hit on the pop charts and got the band off to a good start. But it was a song released the next year that won the animated band its biggest success. �Sugar Sugar� was an infectious tune built on rich boy-girl harmonies and a catchy instrumental hook played on the xylophone. It went to #1 in the summer of 1969, selling six million copies and knocking The Rolling Stones off the top of the charts in the process.

The Archies went on to another sugary-sweet hit with �Jingle Jangle� in early 1970. The fictional group charted once more with �Who�s Your Baby� and would release three albums and a best-of collection before ceasing recording in 1971. However, The Archies� original recordings are big favorites with collectors and �Sugar Sugar� has become a cornerstone of 70�s pop culture. The song was revived as a gritty r&b tune by Wilson Pickett in 1970, and one of the song�s lyrics, �pour some sugar on me,� was borrowed for the title of a hit song by Def Leppard in 1987.

The group is also notable for the singers who provided the voices of The Archies, all of whom went on to successful careers. Ron Dante, who sang all the lead vocals, went on to sing other bubblegum hits like �Tracy� and produced most of Barry Manilow�s chart successes in the seventies. Ellie Greenwich and Toni Wine, the female vocalists, enjoyed lengthy careers as a songwriter and session vocalist, respectively. Another backup singer, Andy Kim, had a #1 hit in 1974 with a solo song, �Rock Me Gently.�

These many successes clearly show the talent involved in creating the Archies was top-notch. However, the best proof lies in the music these gifted musicians created: it�s sunny, infectious, and as �Sugar Sugar� has proven, stands the test of time. No pop fan could ask for more.

Ron Dante is one star in the entertainment business who doesn't need a press agent to hype his many accomplishments. He has a room full of platinum albums and Grammy, Clio and Tony Awards to do his talking for him.

Ron Dante is probably best known for his work as a producer for Barry Manilow, Cher, Dionne Warwick, Pat Benatar, Irene Cara, Ray Charles, John Denver and other major recording artists.

He was the driving force behind Barry Manilow's greatest successes. Their collaboration spawned one hit after another. Dante produced songs that have become landmarks on the pop music scene including "Mandy", "I Write The Songs", "the Grammy winning "Copacabana" and "Could It Be Magic".

During a tumultuous decade in the record industry in which many stars faded and new ones flickered, Dante's firm guidance helped Manilow achieve unparalleled success. The Dante produced LP's sold more than 60 million copies, accounting for more than $350 million in retail sales at record stores nationwide.

Pop music fans know Ron Dante as the man who performed "Sugar, Sugar". This leading hit single topped the Top40 charts for weeks and was voted 'Song Of The Year' in 1969... an era dominated by the Beattles, the Rolling Stones and hard rock.

Lots of music lovers hum Ron Dante's tunes without even knowing it. Dante was the distinctive singing voice in dozens of radio and TV commervials. He has also worked alongside other rising stars including Melissa Manchester, Ashford Simpson and Luther Vandross.

It's Dante's voice you hear singing "You Deserve A Break Today" for McDonalds. His voice was heard in spots for Coca Cola, American Airlines, Budweiser and dozens of other well known products. The production firm Dante established to produce commercials won a Clio for its work for Volkswagen.

Theater-goers know Dante for his work on Broadway. He produced "Ain's Misbehavin'" which earned him a Tony for best musical and "Children Of A Lesser God" which took the Tony for best drama. Dante's stage credits also include "Whose Life Is It Anyway?", "Crimes Of The Heart", and "Duet For One". Dante also turned his attention to the printed word. He served as publisher of the prestigious Paris Review for more than two years.

Now at the beginning of the 21st Century, Ron Dante has released his newest solo recording "Favorites" on CD and more releases are on the way. Be sure to catch Ron Dante this year as he tours the country promoting his new album!

"I never stop keeping busy," Ron says. "My day starts very early and that's okay with me. I enjoy what I do and that makes the long hours and every day worth it."

The new CD FAVORITES is a compilation of Ron's best-loved songs of the 1960's... these songs are newly recorded by Ron and have been given a great modern-pop sound, bringing new life to some of the most enjoyable songs ever written in that era.

Thanks for reading, and remember... you can visit Ron's website anytime at www.rondante.com.

Ron personally responds to his email. Drop him a line today!!

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