The Diamonds

The Diamonds were a Canadian vocal group of the 1950s. Her singing style was the Doo Wop, although it was white singer. They published mainly cover versions of original titles colored groups, a quite usual standard of that time.

To lead singer Dave Somerville ( born October 2, 1933, Guelph, Ontario) Ted Kowalski (tenor ), Phil Leavitt gathered (baritone ), Stan Fisher and Bill Reed ( bass). They had met while studying at the University of Toronto.

The beginnings

In the summer of 1955 they moved to the U.S., where they were allowed to sing at Coral Records in New York. In September 1955 was released on this label Black denim trousers and motorcycle boots, a cover of the same month brought out of the white Cheers original. The original, by the way one of the first big hits of the authoring team Leiber / Stoller, reached # 6 on the pop charts; the Diamonds cover on the other hand went under. Encouraged by their example, the Crew Cuts, they got a record contract with Mercury, until then there had been the first line-up changes.

In January 1956 their first Mercury single was released: The "white " version of Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers ' Why Do Fools Fall In Love. Both versions came into the pop charts in February 1956. A race of versions began, which was obtained from the original with a highest placement on rank 6 ( the Diamonds version only climbed to 12th place). The timing was certainly in need of improvement, as well as Gale Storm came out with their version in the charts ( highest ranking: No. 9 ). In the meantime tried Coral Records with Smooch me / Be my lovin ' baby, two shots from the studio session from August 1955 to participate in the success of the middle Diamonds: without success.

The rise

Another five Mercury singles reached below mediocre placements until their early 1957 Little Darlin ' noticed, the cover version of a Gladiolas title. With exaggerated falsetto and bass songs recorded, backed with cow bells and castanets sound, which was published on February 8, 1957 piece for the million-seller was (over 4 million copies sold) and was 26 weeks placed in the charts, of which six at No. 2. Gladiolas the original was only able to place 41 and could hold 12 weeks in the charts. By September 1957, the Diamonds became called the ultimate Cover Group. First original was then The Stroll, a dance song that came out in December 1957 and rose in 1958 to No. 4 on the pop charts, favored by the intense airplay in the U.S. TV music show American Bandstand.

Until March 1962 Mercury brought in almost regular spacing out singles, but were not able to build on the past successes. Over the years, he had managed the Diamonds in bringing closer black rhythm-and - blues music by cover versions of the white audience.

Selection Singles

  • Black denim trousers and motorcycle boots 9/55
  • Why Do Fools Fall In Love 1/56
  • Smooch me 2/56
  • The church bells ring May 3/56
  • Love, Love, Love 5/56
  • Ka - Ding- Dong 7/56
  • Little Darlin ' 2/57
  • Words of love 5/57
  • The Stroll 12/57
  • She say ( Oom Dooby Doom ) 12/58
  • Young in years 8/59
  • One summer night 5/61
  • The horizontal Lieutenant 3/62
Mercury Records
769135
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