 The Diamonds. Clockwise from top: Bill Reed, Phil Levitt, Dave Somerville, and Ted Kowalski The Diamonds were a Canadian quartet of the 1950s and early 1960s who rose to prominence performing cover versions of songs by black musicians. The original members were: Dave Somerville - Lead, Ted Kowalski - Tenor, Phil Levitt - Baritone, and Bill Reed - Bass. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...
This does not cite any references or sources. ...
The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ...
In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ...
Diamond Dave Somerville. ...
History
In 1953, Dave Somerville was working as a sound engineer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto, Canada. One of the shows produced at the CBC was "Pick The Stars", a local talent show. He noticed four gentlemen practicing in the hallway for that show, and stopped to listen. After exchanging amenities, Somerville convinced the four that, in his opinion, they were not ready for the competition and offered to be their manager.[citation needed] This group was composed of Stan Fisher, Ted Kowalski, Phil Levitt, and Bill Reed. They agreed and for the next several months, Somerville provided tutoring, and got practice time in un-occupied studios at the CBC. Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
Diamond Dave Somerville. ...
Audio engineering is the branch of engineering dealing with the production of sound through mechanical means. ...
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), a Canadian crown corporation, is the country’s national public radio and television broadcaster. ...
Management (from Old French ménagement the art of conducting, directing, from Latin manu agere to lead by the hand) characterises the process of leading and directing all or part of an organization, often a business, through the deployment and manipulation of resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible). ...
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording. ...
That Christmas, the group was to sing for a Christmas party at a local church. That date conflicted with studies for a law exam of Stan Fisher, the lead singer and Fisher decided he needed the study time. Since Somerville knew all the songs, he took Fisher’s place.[citation needed] The audience reaction to the Dave Somerville led group was so tremendous, that the group that night decided to turn professional.[citation needed] In one fateful decision Fisher decided to stay in law school and not continue with the group.[citation needed] Somerville became the permanent lead, and that was the night The Diamonds were born. Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. ...
A musical ensemble is, by definition, a group of three or more musicians who gather to perform music. ...
By 1955, all members of the group had left college, and/or jobs, to sing full time. Professional musician Nat Goodman became their manager, and Goodman got the Diamonds onto Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts on American television. The result of the contest was a stalemate between the Diamonds and another contestant. With the prize of being guest artist for a week on Godfrey’s show, this led to a recording contract with Coral Records.[citation needed] Coral released four songs, the most notable being "Black Denim Trousers & Motorcycle Boots", a cover of a recording originally by The Cheers. The Diamonds' version sold a few thousand copies, which was only enough to get them a little local recognition. Year 1955 (MCMLV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar). ...
College (Latin collegium) is a term most often used today to denote an educational institution. ...
Arthur Godfreys Talent Scouts (also known as Talent Scouts) was a television variety show which ran on CBS from 1948 until 1958. ...
A recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records) for the label to sell and promote. ...
Coral Records was a Decca Records subsidiary based in the United States of America. ...
In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ...
The Cheers were a rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the mid 1950s starting with Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots which hit #6 on the charts in 1955. ...
The next big step was an audition with Cleveland, Ohio, radio disc jockey Bill Randle, who aided in the success of some popular groups, such as The Crew Cuts. Randle was impressed with the Diamonds and introduced them to Mercury Records, who signed the group to a recording contract. At this time, black artists were not played on white radio stations.[citation needed] Mercury Records, as well as other major record companies, were designating white artists to cover the recordings of black artists for the purpose of expanding their listening audience. Nickname: Motto: Progress & Prosperity Location in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA Coordinates: , Country State County Cuyahoga Founded 1796 Incorporated 1814 (village) 1836 (city) Government - Mayor Frank G. Jackson (D) Area [1] - City 82. ...
Official language(s) None Capital Columbus Largest city Columbus Largest metro area Cleveland Area Ranked 34th - Total 44,825 sq mi (116,096 km²) - Width 220 miles (355 km) - Length 220 miles (355 km) - % water 8. ...
(L-R) Bill Randle, Tommy Edwards, Elvis Presley and Bill Black October 20, 1955 Bill Randle (March 14, 1923 - July 9, 2004) was an American disc jockey, lawyer and university professor. ...
The Crew-Cuts were a Canadian vocal quartet that made a number of popular records that charted in the United States of America. ...
Mercury Records was a record label founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge. ...
The record industry (or recording industry) is the industry that manufactures and distributes mechanical recordings of music. ...
The Diamonds’ first recording for Mercury was "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," a cover of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers’s version.[citation needed] They also covered songs by such black groups as The Clovers, The Willows and The Heartbeats. Why Do Fools Fall in Love was originally a 1956 hit song by doo-wop group Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers and later revived 25 years later by soul singer Diana Ross in 1981. ...
Frankie Lymon (September 30, 1942 - February 27, 1968) was the leader of a doo wop group called The Teenagers. ...
The Clovers are an American doo wop group. ...
The Willows is a town in Queensland, Australia. ...
The Heartbeats were a 1950s American doo-wop group best known for their song A Thousand Miles Away, which charted at #53 in 1957. ...
The Diamonds biggest hits were 1957's "Little Darlin'" (originally recorded by the The Gladiolas) and 1958's "The Stroll", which was not a cover, but actually an original song written for the group by Clyde Otis, from an idea by Dick Clark.[citation needed] Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ...
Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs was a singing group, active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. ...
Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Stroll was a popular line dance in the 50s. ...
Clyde Otis is an American songwriter and producer best known for his collaboration with singer Brook Benton, and for being the first African American A&R executive for a major label. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Although they were signed to do rock & roll, Mercury also paired them with Pete Rugolo in one of his "Meet" series.[citation needed] The album entitled "The Diamonds Meet Pete Rugolo" allowed The Diamonds to return to their roots and do some established standards.[citation needed] Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ...
Pete Rugolo (born December 25, 1915) is an Italian-born composer and arranger. ...
The group sang "Little Darlin'" and "Where Mary Go" in the movie, "The Big Beat", [citation needed] and sang the theme song for another film, "Kathy-O". [citation needed] For other uses see film (disambiguation) Film refers to the celluliod media on which movies are printed Film — also called movies, the cinema, the silver screen, moving pictures, photoplays, picture shows, flicks, or motion pictures, — is a field that encompasses motion pictures as an art form or as...
The theme music of a radio or television program is a melody closely associated with the show, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits. ...
For other uses see film (disambiguation) Film refers to the celluliod media on which movies are printed Film — also called movies, the cinema, the silver screen, moving pictures, photoplays, picture shows, flicks, or motion pictures, — is a field that encompasses motion pictures as an art form or as...
They had many television appearances, including the TV shows of Steve Allen, Perry Como, Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, and Paul Winchell. They also appeared on American Bandstand. Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was an American musician, comedian and writer instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. ...
Pierino Ronaldo Perry Como (May 18, 1912 – May 12, 2001) was an Italian American crooner during the latter half of the 20th century. ...
Vic Damone (born June 12, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York) is an ItalianAmerican singer. ...
For other persons named Tony Bennett, see Tony Bennett (disambiguation). ...
Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Paul Winchell (December 21, 1922 – June 24, 2005), born Pinkus Wilchinski (the family later shortened the name to Wilchin) in New York City, was an American ventriloquist and voice actor whose fame flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. ...
Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand American Bandstand was a long-running dance music television show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989. ...
By 1961, all original members had left the group and were replaced. With the ever-changing style of rock & roll and their Mercury contract expired, the Diamonds continued touring the country. At one time, there were at least two groups performing under the Diamonds' name.[citation needed] This created an issue that was ultimately settled in court. The ruling determined who legally owned the Diamonds' name, and allowed the original four to use the name a few times each year.[citation needed] Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...
The Diamonds received national attention once again in 2000, when the original members were invited to sing in TJ Lubinsky’s PBS production of “Do-Wop 51”, and again in the PBS production entitled "Magic Moments-The Best Of '50s Pop" in 2004.[citation needed] Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ...
TJ Lubinsky Terry James TJ Lubinsky (born March 24, 1972) is a radio host and executive producer/director of many PBS oldies music telethon programs. ...
Not to be confused with Public Broadcasting Services in Malta. ...
Original members - Dave Somerville - Lead / Replaced by Jim Malone 1961
- Ted Kowalski - Tenor / Replaced by Evan Fisher 1958
- Phil Levitt - Baritone / Replaced by Mike Douglas 1957
- Bill Reed - Bass (died 2004) / Replaced by John Felten 1958
Discography
Original albums - America's Number One Singing Stylists
- Meet Pete Rugolo
- Songs From The Old West
- Laughs, Singing, Laughs
Compilation albums - America's Famous Song Stylists
- Pop Hits
- The Best of the Diamonds: The Mercury Years
- Little Darlin'
- Scrapbook of Golden Hits
- Hall of Fame
- Best of the Diamonds
- The Diamonds Songbook (2007)
- "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" – Debut on 02/18/56, Peaked at #12.[1][2]
- "The Church Bells May Ring" – Debut on 04/21/56, Peaked at #14
- "Love, Love, Love" – Debut 06/23/56, Peaked at #30
- "Ka-Ding-Dong" – Debut on 09/08/56, Peaked at #35
- "Soft Summer Breeze" – Debut on 09/22/56, Peaked at #34
- "Little Darlin’" – Debut on 03/16/57, Peaked at #2 for 8 weeks (Gold discs|Gold)[3]
- "Words Of Love" – Debut on 06/24/57, Peaked at #13
- "Zip Zip" – Debut on 08/26/57, Peaked at #16
- "Silhouettes" – Debut on 11/04/57, Peaked at #10
- "The Stroll" – Debut on 12/30/57, Peaked at #4 (Gold)
- "High Sign" – Debut on 04/14/58, Peaked at #37
- "Kathy-O" – Debut on 07/28/58, Peaked at #16
- "Happy Years" – Debut on 08/04/58, Peaked at #73
- "Walking Along" – Debut on 10/27/58, Peaked at #29
- "She Say (Oom Dooby Doom)" – Debut on 01/26/59, Peaked at #18
- "One Summer Night" - Debut 07/03/61, Peaked at #22
On January 4, 1936, Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade and on July 20, 1940 the first Music Popularity Chart was calculated. ...
Film appearances The Big Beat is a song from the popular musical, Over Here! which opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre (Broadway) on March 6, 1974. ...
TV appearances Steve Allen on the cover of Steve Allen on the Bible, Religion, and Morality Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 – October 30, 2000) was a musician, comedian and writer, who was instrumental in innovating the concept of the television talk show. ...
Awards and honours - In 1984, the Canadian Juno "Hall of Fame" award by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.[4]
- In October, 2004, inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pennsylvania.[5]
- In 2006 inducted into The Doo-Wop Hall of Fame.[citation needed]
This article is about the year. ...
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World. The Hall of Fame is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. ...
Trivia - Dave Somerville is a descendant of Charlemagne. In the year 1100, another relative, Gualter Somerville, is credited as killing the last dragon in Scotland.[citation needed]
- Phil Levitt’s last name is commonly misspelled as "Leavitt".
- Bill Reed was chased by a bear on the Paul Winchell Show.[citation needed]
- The Diamonds thought that the song "Faithful & True", the flip side of "Little Darlin’", would be the hit.
- The Diamonds credit a black gospel group from Detroit, The Revelaires, as the major influence on their singing.
- The band Diamond Nights were originally called Diamonds but were forced to change their name due to this group [citation needed]
Charlemagne and Pippin the Hunchback. ...
August 5 - Henry I becomes King of England. ...
It has been suggested that European dragon be merged into this article or section. ...
This article is about the country. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney Paul Winchell (December 21, 1922 – June 24, 2005), born Pinkus Wilchinski (the family later shortened the name to Wilchin) in New York City, was an American ventriloquist and voice actor whose fame flourished in the 1950s and 1960s. ...
Gospel, from the Old English good tidings is a calque of Greek () used in the New Testament (see Etymology below). ...
Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: , Country State County Wayne County Founded 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government - Type Strong Mayor-Council - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D) Area - City 143. ...
Diamond Nights are an indie rock band whose influences include Thin Lizzy, Urge Overkill, and The Sisters of Mercy. ...
See also Canada has been a source of rock and roll music for decades, beginning with Paul Anka who in 1957 went to New York City where he recorded his own composition, Diana. The song brought him instant stardom and went to No. ...
Canadian music includes pop and folk genres; the latter includes forms derived from England, France (particularly in Quebec), Ireland, Scotland, and various Inuit and Indian ethnic groups. ...
References is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
is the 330th day of the year (331st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...
Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...
External links |
Feeds |
Contact