He's So Dreamy! - Teen Idols,
Circa 1960-1963

Dawn Of A Remarkable Era:
The Music Part Three
by Pat Jacobs

Which came first, American Bandstand or teen idols?

The common consensus seems to be that the presence of the Philadelphia show encouraged the development of the mostly Italian, local teen idol market.

Besides Elvis, still indisputably "The King", the "Big Five" overall, were probably Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Ricky Nelson, and Paul Anka.

Avalon (born Francis Avallone) was managed by Bob Marcucci, co-owner of Philadelphia  based Chancellor Records (of which Dick Clark had a controlling interest in at the time, until the payola investigations). A former trumpet player for local group Rocco and The Saints, Avalon embarked on a successful solo career(1958), under Clark's guidance and promotion. Avalon's biggest hit of the 1960s was "Why" which actually made No. 1 in December 1959. His biggest overall would be the beautiful "Venus" from 1959. (This song was later remade into a 1976 disco version, also by Avalon. My advice is to just listen to the original; it's better.) In the early to mid-60s, he did several hilarious "Beach Party" movies with Annette Funicello.

Fabian Forte was also discovered by Marcucci, who proceeded to give the budding star voice and etiquette lessons for two years, and then tried unsuccessfully to sell him in the music industry trade papers. Under Dick Clark's promotion in 1959, Fabian became an overnight heart throb. His biggest hit was "Tiger" a no. 3 smash in 1959, but he's best remembered for "Turn Me Loose", which made No. 9, also in 1959. There's a lot of debate as to whether Fabian could actually sing. (I've listened to several of his records, and I'd have to say NO. I DO think that he was a leading example of great marketing strategy.)

Bobby Rydell (born Robert Ridarelli) was a friend of Frankie Avalon's and also a member of Rocco and the Saints. Rydell also started a solo career in 1958, but didn't "break out" until 1959 with "Kissin Time" (and Bandstand promotion). His biggest overall hit was "Wild One"(1960, but the swinging, breezy "Volare" (also 1960), and his last hit, "Forget Him" were both no.4 smashes. Check him out in the 1963 movie version of "Bye Bye Birdie". He was quite good!

The late Ricky Nelson became a HUGE singing star by performing on his parents' TV show "The Adventures Of Ozzie And Harriet". Of his many hits, "Poor Little Fool" and "Travelin' Man" went to No. 1. He also had many double-sided hits through 1964, but the British Invasion knocked him off the charts (as well as other idols) for a few years, but he made a brief comeback with "Garden Party"(1972).

Paul Anka was a Canadian who not only could sing, but was a prolific songwriter, not only for himself, but others. His biggest overall hit was the no. 1 "Lonely Boy". "Diana" (1957) was also a no.1 smash and the controversial no. 1, "(You're) Having My Baby"(1974). The dreamy (yes, dreamy!) "Put Your Head On My Shoulder"(1959) was a no. 2 hit, as well as "Puppy Love"(1960).

"My Way", recorded by Frank Sinatra, may have earned him more royalties than all of his own hits combined. Anka had a great comeback in the '70s, with a new string of hits, solo and in duets with Odia Coates.

Of the "Big Five" , after a lot of careful listening (and gazing at photos!), I personally
consider Rydell and Nelson to be the most talented. Nelson was the best-looking, VERY handsome. Anka's probably the most commercially successful.

There seemed to be a rather uniform standard look. Everyone had the big pompadour, or that same somewhat D.A. type hair style (I don't know the exact name; just think of John Travolta's hair style in the movie "Grease" and you'll know what I'm talking about). And they all wore suits and ties. (I think at times there were sweaters worn.) The female idols always had their hair VERY done and wore gowns or "party dresses" and heels, though I do recall seeing some film footage where Annette, I think, was wearing a long skirt, collegiate-type or cardigan sweater, and sneakers(?) on her feet. You dressed up to appear on TV and I believe, when doing rock and roll shows and tours as well.

Dion (DiMuci or DiMucci), former lead singer of Dion and the Belmonts, had a very successful solo career as well. He was rather unique for the time, because he wrote many of his early '60s hits, such as his biggest overall, "Runaround Sue". "The Wanderer" was a no.2 smash, "Lovers Who Wander"-no 3, and the bouncy, joyful "Ruby Baby" (a 1963 remake of a 1953 Drifters R and B hit), a no. 2 hit. Dion came back strong for a while in 1968, when "Abraham, Martin, and John" became a no. 4 hit.

Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon's (born Frederick Picariello) mother co-wrote his first hit, "Tallahassee Lassie," (1959), a no.6 smash. His biggest overall hits were "Way Down Yonder In New Orleans"(1959) and "Palisades Park"(1962). Cannon also had a Top 20 hit with "Action"(1965), the theme from Dick Clark's "Where The Action Is."

Bobby Vee (real name: Robert Thomas Velline) got his start filling in for Buddy Holly at a show after Holly's tragic plane crash. "Take Good Care Of My Baby" went to no. 1, while "Run To Him" (1961) was a no. 2 hit. "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" (December 1962-early 1963), went to no. 3, as well as "Come Back When You Grow Up"(1967).

One of movie heart throb James Darren's (born James Ercolani) hits, "Her Royal Majesty"(1962),which peaked at no.6, was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
His biggest? The no. 3 smash "Goodbye Cruel World" (also 1962). Another King-Goffin song that Darren also recorded was "They Should Have Given You The Oscar"!

Bobby Darin (born Robert Walden Cassotto) followed up his no.1 smash, "Mack The Knife" (In 1959, and later winning one of the first Grammy's for his very cool rendition; (The man could really snap those fingers!) with the equally cool and sophisticated
"Beyond The Sea", a no.6 charter in 1960. "Artificial Flowers" was another sophisticated Top 20 hit in 1960. A couple of years ago, I heard an absolute fantastic version of "A Nightingale Sang in Barkley Square" (or "A Nightingale Sang On Berkeley Square". There are two spellings of this.) by Darin. I couldn't find a chart listing for it. (It may be an album cut.) But if you ever get a chance to hear it, do so. It'll blow you away!

To further exploit their popularity (and make more money), several TV shows such as "77 Sunset Strip", "The Donna Reed Show", "Dr. Kildare" and "The Rifleman" spawned the likes of Edd "Kookie" Byrnes, Paul Petersen, Richard Chamberlain, and Johnny
Crawford, respectively. Byrnes, who played Gerald Kookson on "77", had a No.4 smash "Kookie Kookie (Lend Me Your Comb)" (with Connie Stevens) in 1959.

Paul Petersen of TV's "The Donna Reed Show" had a no. 6 hit with "My Dad" and the Top 20 hit, "She Can't Find Her Keys" (both 1962).

Chamberlain had a Top 10 hit in 1962 with the "Theme From Dr. Kildare (Three Stars Will Shine Tonight)".

Johnny Crawford of "The Rifleman" reached the Top 10 with "Cindy's Birthday"(no.8), also from 1962.

Pat Boone (first name: Charles) had a career break through by doing cover cover versions of R and B hits and was second only to Elvis as far as records sold during the early rock era. His biggest hits were "Ain't That A Shame" (originally done and better, by
Fats Domino), "I Almost Lost My Mind" (originally done and better by Ivory Joe Hunter), "Don't Forbid Me", "Love Letters In The Sand", "April Love", and "Moody River", all no. 1s!

Tommy Roe had a string of hits throughout the 60s. He was extremely popular in England; during one of his tours, The Beatles were his opening act! His biggest overall hit was "Dizzy"(1969). "Sheila" was a no.1 hit in 1962, and "Everybody" was a no. 3 smash in 1963.

The late singer/songwriter Del Shannon (real name: Charles Westover) biggest overall hit was "Runaway"(1961). "Hats Off To Larry" went to no. 5. Shannon was also very popular in England.

Brian Hyland's first hit was his biggest overall, the no.1 "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"(1960). "Sealed With A Kiss"(1962) and "Gypsy Woman" (from 1970, a remake of the 1961 Impressions hit and produced by Del Shannon) were both no. 3 smashes.

Bobby Vinton was a consistent hitmaker from 1962 throughout the decade. His biggest overall were "Roses Are Red, My Love"(1962), "There! I Said It Again" (Dec. 1963), "Mr. Lonely"(1964), and "Blue Velvet"(1963), all no. 1s. "Blue On Blue"(1963), and his "comeback" hit (Vinton never actually stopped recording or performing) "My Melody Of Love", were no. 3 charters.

The Everly Brothers, Don and Phil, are one of rock and roll's biggest influences. Their father was a barber, and one of his regular customers was songwriter Boudreaux Bryant, who later wrote "Bird Dog", "Wake Up Little Susie", no.1 hits, and "Bye Bye Love", which went no.2 for the duo. Their last no. 1, the fantastic "Cathy's Clown" was and is a self-written classic.

And then there's Gene Pitney. He was a teen idol, yes, but he was so much more. He'll be spotlighted later.

There were a few female teen idols, too, which included Annette (Funicello), Connie Stevens, Brenda Lee, Shelley Fabares, and Connie Francis.

Annette, who was the most popular member of Disney's "Mickey Mouse Club" TV show, had a Top 10 hit with "O Dio Mio" (1960). Her first and biggest overall hit was "Tall Paul", no. 7 in 1959.

Connie Stevens (real name: Concetta Rosalie Ann Ingolia) of "Hawaiian Eye" hit no. 3 with "Sixteen Reasons" also from 1960, while Shelley Fabares, who played Paul Petersen's sister on the "Donna Reed Show" had a HUGE no. 1 smash, "Johnny Angel"(1962). The follow-up, "Johnny Loves Me" was a moderate hit, also from '62.

Brenda Lee and Connie Francis were the real deal, two of the all-time great singers of the decade. They were also so much more than just teen idols. They will be spotlighted later, too.

Paul Anka, Brenda Lee, Connie Francis, Tommy Roe, and several other idols also enjoyed "crossover success" on the rhythm and blues charts.

Perhaps the "Big Three" for black teen idols were Chubby Checker, Sam Cooke, and Johnny Mathis. Singers Jackie Wilson, Chuck Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Jerry Butler, Smokey Robinson (of the Miracles), Roy Hamilton, and Gene Chandler were also popular.

I was rather surprised to find out that many classic R and B songs (and a number of rock songs), that are well-loved and requested all the time, remade years later, and used on countless commercials, were not big hits or had only moderate success on the pop charts when they first came out.

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