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| Side 2 of 4 (Record 2) continued |
| Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: The Platters (2:37) Blessed with a sweet tenor named Tony Williams, the Platters helped immensely in putting black groups on the pop charts. The legendary ballad, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" was recorded in Paris, France when the group was touring there. The tune was originally a number one hit for Paul Whiteman in 1933-34. The song proved to be a blessing for The Platters as well when the tune reached number one on June 19, 1959 and held the position for 3 weeks. Little Darlin': The Diamonds (2:04) After Diamond's manger Nat Goodman heard the latest 45 record by Maurice Williams and the Gladiolas, he knew it was going to be a hit-for the Diamonds, that is. The song, was "Little Darlin'." He rehearsed the group to learn the tune and in the process the boys decided to exaggerate the bass and falsetto parts on the record. The music with its castanets, cowbells, electrifying Spanish rhythm guitar and thrilling piano gliss sounded like nothing else before it. Sounding like a turbo charged cha cha, Little Darlin' was an immediate hit when it was released in February of 1957 and the bass talking bridge has become one of the most memorable parts of 50s rock and roll history |
| Peppermint Twist: Joey Dee and the Starliters (1:58) In 1960 agent Don Davis discovered The Starliters playing at a Lodi, New Jersey nightclub called Oliveri's. The Starliters were booked to play a one-time weekend gig at a venue on 45th Street in New York City called the Peppermint Lounge. The band was such a success that they ended up becoming the house band for more than a year. As a tribute to the lounge "Peppermint Twist" was written by alto sax player/back up vocalist, Joey Dee and band producer, Henry Glover. While in the studio recording the tune lead singer, David Brigati couldn�t quite get the feel the producer was looking for so Joey Dee was asked to give it a try. Joey taking the lead turned out to be just what the song needed. The song was releaesd and hit the top of the charts in November 1961 and in the process helped make the Peppermint Lounge famous: attracting celebrities such as Jackie Kennedy, Truman Capote, and Judy Garland |
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| Barbara-Ann: The Regents (2:14) "Barbara-Ann" has an interesting history behind it. The song was used as a warm up tune for the Regents. In 1958 after recording some songs in the studio, the band had about ten minutes worth of time left so they recorded Barbara-Ann. The band's songs were unable to generate any interest from New York-area companies and soon after the band broke up. Flash-forward to early 1961 when the owner of Cousin's Records, Lou Cicchetti heard the single, liked it, and agreed to issue the Regent's record. This left him with a problem however, there was no group and no B-side. The Regents quickly reunited (minus a couple of members), and "I'm so Lonely" was cut as the flip-side. In March 1961 "Barbara-Ann" was released on Cousins. The song was an immediate radio hit and became number one in New York. In April Cousins had to lease it to the larger Roulette/Gee to keep up with orders. The song was translated into French and German for successful versions overseas. |
| Book of Love: The Monotones (2:17) The Monotones consisted of six members two of which sang bass. Bea Caslon of Hull Records heard the Newark, New Jersey residents demo and agreed to record their song, "Book of Love." The famous intro is now part of do-wop folklore, as author of "American Singing Groups," Jay Warner puts it. Apparently, The group was rehearsing their now famous intro, "Oh I wonder wonder ohm ba doo doo who," when a baseball belonging to one of the neighborhood kids accidentally crashed through the window. When the tape was played back they heard it: "I wonder wonder ohm ba doo doo who, BOOM!" The timing was perfect, it fit right in so they left it in and the song was released in December of 1957 with the happy mistake intact. Maybe Baby: Buddy Holly & The Crickets (2:01) "Maybe Baby" was originally released under the Crickets name not Buddy Holly's. In 1957 Holly had signed as a solo act by Coral Records in New York. The Crickets, on the other hand, were signed as a group on another subsidiary label, Brunswick (both labels were subsidiaries of Decca). A vocal group called The Picks overdubbed back up vocals on the song. Released on February 12 1958 "Maybe Baby" was the groups' third single. By April the single topped out at number seventeen. 5 |
| Notes: 5 Rockabilly Hall of Fame Page < http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BuddyHolly.html> |
| Ya Ya: Lee Dorsey (2:22) Born in New Orleans in 1924. He served in the U.S. Navy and began a career in boxing as a light heavyweight. Having retired from boxing, Dorsey moved to his birthplace and while running his own auto body shop he pursued a singing career by night. In 1961, he signed with Bobby Robinson's Fury label, where he entered the studio with producer Allen Toussaint. Dorsey's gibberish tune "Ya Ya" - supposedly inspired by a children's rhyme - became his first national hit that year, reaching the pop Top Ten and peaking at number one on the R&B charts. |
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| Lee Dorsey |
| The Great Pretender: The Platters (2:35) Issued in November 1955, :The Great Pretender" became the groups' second number one R & B single and first number one Pop hit. Written by the group's manager, Buck Ram, the song introduced the group's new role as American ambassadors of music when "The Great Pretender" reached number 5 in England and soon became popular in other countries. |
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