Music Hall Of Famer Phil Levitt Lit Up Lhss Graduating Class Of 1953

The final performance of the Diamonds.For Levitt, it was one thrilling ride that he would never trade. From the school choir and boys’ ensemble, to a standing ovation in the Leaside High auditorium. From four girls’ adulation at Crystal Beach, to radio, TV, night clubs, and multiple appearances on billboard charts. Live on the radio.The group’s biggest hit came in 1957, with a cover of the Gladiolas’ Little Darlin’.

A later launch to Cleveland disk jockey ‘Bill Randle’, who received them a long-term connection with Mercury Records. In 1956 that they had four charted hits before their 1957 reach, “Little Darlin'”. In addition, it landed them in the teen musical Das ist Musik , plus they also sang the motif song for the movies Kathy Ein and O’ Leutnant und ein Bett . Their deal with Mercury generated over 60 singles, two first albums and many compilation albums. Getting into the University of Toronto in nov 1953, Levitt achieved Ted Kowalski, who unveiled him to his friend subsequently, Bill Reed. With Fisher because the head singer, Levitt, a baritone, Kowalski, a tenor, and Reed, a simple bass, the people began harmonizing and acquiring their distinctive sound. In nov 1953 Somerville achieved this unnamed party in the hall of the CBC.

Tunes Hall Of Famer Phil Levitt Lit Up Lhss Graduating Category Of 1953

The combined party was in its first form, with Stan Fisher as head singer, plus they were likely to audition for a CBC exhibit called “Select the Stars”. Being truly a trained singer, Somerville assumed they weren’t all set for the exhibit and wanted to tutor the people and help them alongside. He got them training amount of time in “unoccupied” studios and in addition had connections for pro arrangements. Matter were moving along before combined group was planned to sing at a Christmas bash at an area church. As it proved, day head singer Fisher opted out to review for an exam another.

After college in the spring of 1954 Ted and Phil decided not to go back in the fall. The guys wanted to get serious about their singing, and this gave them more time to practice. Dave’s connections launched them to Nat Goodman, a specialist classical musician who got the combined party under his management. It was at this stage that Dave and Costs quit their job opportunities and the group begun to polish its repertoire.

Fisher sang lead and Levitt baritone, joining with tenor Ted Kowalski and bassist Bill Read. One of their biggest hits, “The Stroll”, was written by R&B singer Brook Benton. know that he would be a member of one of the most popular singing groups of the 1950s. While she holds a master’s degree in history, her main passion is sports. Susan can often be found at the A.C.C. or in a Leaside arena or playing field, scoping out stories for Leaside Life.

Tag: Phil Levitt

Since Somerville knew all of the songs, the lead–literally–and was consumed by him the party was an overwhelming achievements. With their new head Somerville, The Diamonds have been going to hit the scene. With five songs prepared to publicly be performed, the combined party entered the CBC’s Select the Stars talent show. When Fisher made a decision to continue with university inevitably, Stepped in because the lead singer Somerville. In 1957, Small Darlin’ reached number 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and in 1958, The Stroll, which created “a dance craze of exactly the same name,” in accordance with Worrell.

They worked hard, developing their craft, learning “barbershop quartet” singing from Bill’s dad, also a bass singer. Whenever possible they would get together with a black gospel group called The Revelaires, from Detroit. As The Diamonds have said, “This was the group that had the most effect on our singing; they taught us not to be so square”. While he did love math and science, he also developed a love of music at Leaside High. In the late ‘50s, Levitt, Reed, and Kowalski were replaced by Mike Douglas, Evan Fisher and John Felten. Somerville departed in 1961 and there were no more hit records after that. The “Original Diamonds” quartet was launched in 1953 at the University of Toronto.

The weekly music reports magazine Cashbox posted those two tunes because the sixth and 30th hottest singles in 1957 and 1958 respectively. Over the full years, numerous TV appearances including on American Bandstand, nightclub gigs, and film work kept the quartet busy. At a CBC audition for Pick The Stars, they met Dave Somerville, who tutored the amateur foursome until Fisher left to pursue his university studies. Contrary to popular belief , Tom Hanks’ father never sang with The Diamonds. They, like most artists of that day, were not an overnight success.

• The guys wanted to get serious about their singing, and this gave them more time to practice.
• While he adored the band’s achievement, he was falling out of love with the musician way of life.
• Knowing that he would want to ultimately finish school, Levitt remaining The Diamonds and returned to university to complete his electrical engineering level.
• By the spring of that year, Levitt’s enthusiasm for display business was waning.
• Dave’s connections launched them to Nat Goodman, a specialist classical musician who got the combined party under his management.

By the spring of that year, Levitt’s enthusiasm for display business was waning. While he adored the band’s achievement, he was falling out of love with the musician way of life. Knowing that he would want to ultimately finish school, Levitt remaining The Diamonds and returned to university to complete his electrical engineering level.

The Diamonds’ version skyrocketed to No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. With Somerville now singing in the band, The Diamonds hired Nat Goodman as their new manager. Between Goodman’s connections and the talent of the band, The Diamonds landed contracts with Coral Data and Mercury Data subsequently. Began the job of The Diamonds Consequently, the Canadian band that efficiently produced rhythm and blues vocal group tunes to audiences round the global world. In the summertime after Quality 13, Levitt and his companion Stan Fisher visited preferred Crystal Beach.