Music Memories: Have Voices Will Travel

I'm sure many of you have listened to a song and thought the voice sounded awfully familiar. It probably doesn't happen often these days, except perhaps in animated movies and commercials, but it wasn't that uncommon 50-plus years ago, especially during the "Bubblegum" era of music.

Tony Burrows

The biggest voice was that of Englishman Tony Burrows, who had hits with Edison Lighthouse ("Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)"),  White Plains ("My Baby Loves Lovin'"), The Pipkins ("Gimme Dat Ding"), The First Class ("Beach Baby"), and Brotherhood of Man ("United We Stand").

Ron Dante

Another familiar voice was that of New Yorker Ron Dante (Carmine John Granito), the singer behind the Archies ("Sugar, Sugar") and the Cuff Links ("Tracy"). He also was a member of The Detergents ("Leader of the Laundromat"). "Sugar, Sugar," written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim, topped the U.S. charts for four weeks in 1969, becoming the top single of the year.

Joey Levine

Last, but not least, was Joey Levine, a New Yorker behind groups such as The Third Rail ("Run Run Run"), The Ohio Express ("Yummy Yummy Yummy" and "Chewy Chewy"), the Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestra Circus ("Quick Joey Small"), and Reunion ("Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)").

Now there were singers who were part of separate groups, such as Johnny Maestro (John Mastrangelo) who fronted The Crests ("Sixteen Candles") and the Del-Satins in the 1950s, and The Brooklyn Bridge ("The Worst That Could Happen") in the late 1960s.

And most know about the renowned "Wrecking Crew," the studio musicians behind numerous hits. Among the alums were bassist Carol Kaye, drummer Hal Blaine, guitarist Glen Campbell, and keyboardist Leon Russell, performing on songs by The Righteous Brothers, Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, The Association, The Grass Roots, The Monkees, Johnny Rivers, Simon & Garfunkel, and many others.

Here are a few tunes to bring back some memories:

Any notable singers I may have missed?

Until the next time . . .