Hello Oldies Lovers,
Today's singles feature 4 songs (A&B -Sides) that were all hit-worthy, at least in my opinion. One of the songs actually did make the charts and did especially well in Australia.
The doowop single is by the Tokens and was the follow-up to their 1961 hit "Tonight I Fell In Love", which was the debut single for the most successful lineup of the group.
The group's history began in 1955 at Brooklyn's Abraham Lincoln High School when classmates Neil Sedaka, Hank Medress, Eddie Rabkin, and Cynthia Zolotin formed a group called the Linc-Tones. In 1956 Jay Seigel replaced Eddie Rabkin and the group recorded their first single, I Love My Baby b/w While I Dream, which featured Neil Sedaka as lead vocalist and was released on the Melba record label in June of 1956 as by the Tokens.
Cynthia Zolotin left the group in 1957 and Neil Sedaka left in 1958 to pursue his solo career. In 1959 Hank Medress and Jay Siegel teamed up with a couple of musicians named Warren Schwartz & Fred Kalkstein and they cut a couple singles on the Roulette label under the name of Darrell & the Oxfords. Although the group had modest success with "Picture In My Wallet", after their follow-up release failed to garner much interest, the group split.
Hank Medress and Jay Siegel then teamed up with brothers Phil and Mitch Margo and the Token's were re-born. Their debut single on Warwick, "Tonight I Fell In Love", peaked at #15 on Billboard's charts on May 8th, 1961 and was a million seller for the group, earning them their first Gold Record. In October of 1961 their 2nd Gold Record and only #1 hit, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" was released.
As mentioned above, today's featured doowop single is the Tokens' follow-up to Tonight I Fell In Love" and their first release on RCA-Victor. It was released in June of 1961 and surprisingly didn't chart.
Today's Doowop Single: RCA-VICTOR 47-7896 - When I Go To Sleep At Night b/w Dry Your Eyes Released in June 1961.
Today's teen pop single actually did crack the charts (#96 Billboard, #76 Cash Box & #39 on Australian charts) although is seldom heard on oldies radios stations anymore. I can honestly say I have never heard it played on the radio. It's a great 2-sided single by Vic Dana from 1963 released on the Dolton record label.
Vic Dana's real name is Samuel Mendola and he was born in Buffalo, NY on August 26, 1942. He was an excellent tap dancer and was discovered by Sammy Davis Jr., who encouraged Dana to move to Los Angeles to further his dancing career. Interest in tap dancing began to wane so Vic decided to pursue a singing career.
He was signed by the Los Angeles based Dolton label, which was a subsidiary of Liberty Records in 1960 and replaced Gary Toxel as lead vocalist of the Fleetwoods in their live performances when Gary went into the Navy. He had several pop hits throughout the 60's and early 70's and is best remembered for his Top-10 hit "Red Roses For A Blue Lady" in 1964.
Today's teen pop single: Dolton #73 - Danger b/w Heart, Hand and Teardrop Released in 1963.
I hope you enjoyed today's selections.
Rock On!
Dave
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