Dion DiMucci, perhaps the most soulful of all the white singers of the
early era of Rock and Roll, formed the Belmonts in 1958, and hit with I
WONDER WHY. Other hits include A TEENAGER IN LOVE and WHERE OR WHEN.
After he and the Belmonts went their separate ways, Dion released, among
others, A LONELY TEENAGER, RUNAROUND SUE, THE WANDERER, LOVERS WHO
WANDER, LITTLE DIANE, LOVE CAME TO ME, RUBY BABY and ABRAHAM,
MARTIN AND JOHN.
The Drifters began as The Five Crowns and were renamed by their manager
after the original Drifters disbanded. The Drifters, fronted by Ben E. King,
had several hits, including THERE GOES MY BABY, THIS MAGIC MOMENT and
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME.
Jerry Butler, known as the Ice Man, recorded FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE
with the Impressions, then went solo, recording such hits as HE WILL
BREAK YOUR HEART, MOON RIVER and ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE.
Charlie Rich was another performer to come out of the Country and
Western tradition, recording LONELY WEEKENDS for Phillips in 1960, and
later MOHAIR SAM for Smash. His greatest success, however, came when
he returned to his Country roots, with his first Number One hit, THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL GIRL, in 1975.
Scott was from Canada, but his music had a definite Country and Western
flavor. He made the charts with several million-sellers and many lesser
hits, including LEROY, MY TRUE LOVE, GOODBY BABY, WITH YOUR LOVE, THE
WAY I WALK, WHAT IN THE WORLD'S COME OVER YOU and BURNING
BRIDGES.
Smith was another of Sam Phillips' discoveries. He had a sound somewhere
between Elvis Presley and Dean Martin. His biggest hit, ROCKIN' LITTLE
ANGEL, was on the Judd label.
Duane Eddy was the first Rock and Roll instumentalist to become a star.
He originated the ªtwangyº guitar sound that influenced later performers.
Among his hits were REBEL-'ROUSER, CANNONBALL, FORTY MILES OF BAD
ROAD, SOME KINDA EARTHQUATE and BECAUSE THEY'RE YOUNG.
Clark was one of the soul-sound, Rhythm and Blues singers who made a
dent in the Pop charts. His hits included HEY LITTLE GIRL, RAINDROPS, HOW
ABOUT THAT and YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD.
Johnson started at thirteen singing with a group called The Serenaders. He
sang with them until he was discovered by Motown founder, Barry Gordy,
Jr., in 1957. Gordy wrote COME TO ME and YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES for
Johnson. The latter was both a Pop and Rhythm and Blues hit.
Ronnie Hawkins was part of that late '50s Texas sound that included Dale
Hawkins and Buddy Knox. He and his group, The Hawks, toured throughout
the South and Canada before signing with Roulette in 1959. His first
release, FORTY DAYS, was a hit, and was followed by MARY LOU and WHO
DO YOU LOVE.
Volume IV
Originals
Web page graphic design by Type Arts.
Dion and the Belmonts
The Drifters with Ben E. King
Jerry Butler
Charlie Rich
Jack Scott
Ray Smith
Duane Eddy
Dee Clark
Marv Johnson
Ronnie Hawkins