If you were alive in 1957, and old enough to enjoy Rock and Roll, you will probably remember the group, "The Diamonds" who had just launched their super hit "Little Darlin' ". For you that are too young to remember - it was a time when the performers were happy, enjoying themselves, respecting their fans, dressed appropriately and their lyrics could be understood. They did not feel obligated to scream, eat the microphone, mumble inaudible lyrics or trash the set. In 1957, The Diamonds had a hit with "Little Darlin’". 47 years later, they were requested to perform at Atlantic City ... This link leads to both performances. Oh, and by the way, the lead singer on the left is the father of Tom Hanks. Watch the first one then scroll down for the new one 47 years later. The Diamonds in 1957 and again later in 2004
Anybody remember the Ohio Express from Mansfield Ohio? They played at several of my junior high school dances as Sir Timothy and the Royals before hitting the charts. They are about to cut a new album. Also Music Explosion (Little Bit of Soul) was from Mansfield. Their Lead guitarist is an acquaintance of mine.
8) re: conservative music of the 1950's Here is Little Richard with one of his hits from 1955... Tutti Frutti A-Wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop-bam-boo Tutti Frutti, all over rootie,..... A-wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop bam boo I got a gal, named Sue, She knows just what to do. ..... I've been to the east, I've been to the west, but she's the gal That I love the best. Tutti Frutti, all over rootie,.... A-wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop bam boo I got a gal, named Daisy, She almost drives me crazy .... She knows how to love me , Yes indeed Boy you don't know, What she's doing to me Tutti Frutti, all over rootie,..... A-wop-bop-a-loo-lop a-lop bam boo I got a gal, named Daisy... <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X7pjP_XkK4U?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X7pjP_XkK4U?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
The Diamonds are a fixture of my generation. I first saw them in person in 1958 at a rock & roll show at a theatre in downtown Camden, NJ. Also part of the show were The Monotones (Book of Love), Tommy Rydell, Frankie Avalon, and a brand new - previously unheard of - performer by the name of Fabian. He was a good-looking guy who couldn't sing on key, but the girls didn't seem to mind. Living in South Jersey in the mid-to-late 50s, across the river from Philly, I saw a lot of rock & roll icons in the early years of their careers, like Chubby Checker, Gary U.S. Bonds, Brian Hyland, etc. Some of them I can't recall.....a function of the aging process, I guess. George would know about how Jersey and Philly could be considered the birthplaces of rock & roll, based on how many early groups came from the area.
I agree that the Philadelphia area was ground zero for rock & roll in the late 50's. Even the kids here in SoCal...which is where the best recording studios were...watched Dick Clark's shows from Philadelphia to hear the latest and the greatest, along with the latest dances. Teenagers in my neighborhood told me all about this at the time. Whatever was on American Bandstand or Dick Clark's Saturday show from Philadelphia was the gold standard for them. Here is Dion and the Belmonts on American Bandstand in 1958. <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pAPEfdjvTqE?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pAPEfdjvTqE?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object> Dion and the Belmonts with Dick Clark in Philadelphia <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SNYdcwunG7g?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SNYdcwunG7g?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
My wife and I go to a couple of oldies shows every summer. The thing about these performers that always strikes me is that they look older but sing young. And the house is always packed. We get a lot of celebs and musicians at the Jersey shore, especially in the summer. Bon Jovi and Springsteen live here and will occasionally show up at local bars and rock the house. Last fall at our local bar Woody's in Farmingdale, the Rolling Thunder MC was holding a fundraiser for scholarships for children of veterans who were killed in action. A regular band was providing the music. A motorcycle pulls up front and a guy in a heavy jacket and ball cap comes in and orders a beer. It was Springsteen. With ten minutes they were lined up down the street trying to get in. He gets up from his bar stool and walks up to the stage and picks up a spare guitar and starts playing background to the band. Then he steps up and plays about a 10-15 min. version of Mustang Sally. He finishes his beer, buys the bar a round and takes off. I think a few kids got their college educations paid that night. I