Four Preps - 26 Miles (Santa Catalina)

[centralparocker]

Such a carefree tune....!!!!

[DannyMacGanesha]

Just learn it on my ukelele..perfect song for the Uke. 

[katlilsis]

wonderful...

[classic287]

very nice...

[cynmarie33]

In the 60's , my wonderful Dad, Clarke Lathrop, the best Dad ever, took my Mom,. sister, brother and I to Catalina Island just about every Summer! This song brings back his warmth as a Dad, and just how fun Catalina was to visit! We used to stay at the St Catherine Hotel which is no longer there...Love is hard to capture, yet this song does it pretty darn well.......

[yvpizza]

love it i am playing it on guitar and piano

[ElvisLA]

Happier days for sure.

[retiredgi100]

@ElvisLA You said it and i'm afrad it true

[OneHokie4Life]

Great Song! Better time to be alive. We had the good sense to keep and preserve the innocense of our children understanding that God ,Family and Country were and still are better than Sex , Drugs ,and Rock & Roll. Sadly the 60's changed all that and we are still paying for it today.

[landrykkb]

@OneHokie4Life I suppose there's good and bad both ways,but I love the innocent undertones of this song and ones like it from this era.

[ronnyl2]

1958, My parents owned a very popular resturant in a small town. Adults in the daytime, teenagers at night. I was 11 years old and I kid you not I had it made. Free cheesburgers and fries, free juke box, came and went as I pleased.

[TheClassicalAngel]

This song is so amazing! I'm still so young and I love this song!

[TheClassicalAngel]

dizzy or weak, as if about to become unconscious

[jorgecubria]

Does anyone know where this island the song talks about is?

[pretttyodd]

@jorgecubria off the coast of LA. gorgeous little island!

[scronx]

It *was* a better time for *all* concerned! Sure, reach for the clichés about drinking fountains ad inf., but don't take stock of the racial hellhole & dumping ground ameriKa has become since then thanks to liberals' "tolerance" & "diversity". And don't check the statistics about black illegitimacy, crime, addiction & fatherlessness since "liberation". No use blaming whitey, either, now that even blacks are wanting monoracial schools. PC is a crock! Too bad about all the countries it's ruined.

[northgagal100]

This is my imiginary get away video & song....its beautiful, the scenery view as well as the Four Preps voices...Love it. Thanks for posting it.

[kimmer6]

Remember the Steamship that ran from San Pedro to Avalon? The kids from Catalina would dive for pennies as soon as the ship tied up. Glass bottom boat, seaplanes. The huge dance hall with the foot thick cork floor and the most massive pipe organ I ever saw. Ahhh, the memories.

[UndauntedJohn]

Man I love imaging myself in Disneylands Paradise listening to this over the loudspeakers. Man I love it.

[pillroller88]

Hey tink and victor-take it somewhere else-we are enjoying the music here.

[tink00000000]

Huh? My comment/question was related to your comment: 1958 was ‘an innocent era’. I asked if it was an ‘innocent era’? .... No, you don't need to 'emphasize' late 60s thru today--you say the 1950s/early 60s are a "much better era." Maybe you can return to the "innocent era" of ‘58.. No Medicare or fair housing act/civil rights bill to worry about. Turn on TV – blacks/browns will be maids or “Pepino”. View Cold War, awful political corruption in TX, Louisiana, Chicago, elsewhere. Innocent era?

[cqsallie]

@tink00000000 That's probably the most stupid post I've ever read. The OP wasn't talking about returning to anything but how innocent we seemed to be. I dare say this was more about sexual innocence than anything else.

God! No! I wouldn't want to return to a world of Whites and Coloreds drinking fountains and whatever the hell was going on down there in the south. Most of us only heard of such things second-hand....

[tink00000000]

@cqsallie Perhaps you missed his 2nd and 3rd posts. He was referring to an 'innocent era' well beyond sexual innocence, ex. This was a "much better" era than anything from late '60s to present. (Even to call that era 'sexual innocence' is a big stretch. In '58, adults / seniors told young people, like he and I were then, that "back in their day, things were much more moral"... In any time period, it's tiring to hear of the ol' days and how much better they were - the standards, politics, etc.

[rvictor64]

Released in January of 1958 and one of the first records that I associated with young love because I was 13 and just noticed girls. That's right-- it was an innocent era and people had standards back then. This record was another example of the many popular groups sounds and the Four Preps had a big hit with this. Bruce Belland, the lead singer was also a regular on "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" which feature their son Rick Nelson, a true teenage idol!

Ron--Highway Stars Magazine

[tink00000000]

@rvictor64

Re: your comment "it was an innocent era, people had standards back then." I'm about your age and I also thought/ think this is a great song. But 1958 was not "innocent." Segregation (ex. no blacks on TV shows except as maids or servants), the McCarthy Communist "witch hunt" had just ended, even the record industry was full of "payola" while ripping off the artists. And guys and girls (yes unmarried!) had sex, it just wasn't talked about. So let's enjoy the song but let's be real.

[rvictor64]

@tink00000000 : Try this for facts: Of course it was not perfection but the degree of these incidents as Compared to the years of Depression, World War 1,2, and Korea, Civil Disorders in the mid to late 60's including Nationa Riots in many major cities, Vietnam violent protest like Kent State, Major Drug additictions rampant throughout society and Political Corruption presently at a all time high, and moral standards at and all time low makes the 50's& early 60's a much better era. U get real!

[tink00000000]

@rvictor64 You stop in the late 60s for comparison now. Your 1st remark talked about how "innocent" the era was - people had standards " back then". The 50s may seem like a" much better " era for you because things seemed a little "quieter" (and you and I had white privileges) But for minorities - blacks, browns, gays, nonconformists, etc. it was a repressive, violent period compared to today. These groups, plus college kids, finally had enough and did something about it. Thank God for today.

[rvictor64]

@tink00000000 : In case you missed it--I stated that Political Corruption is at and all time High and Moral Standards are at an all time low plus you really don't want me to emphasis the late 60's into the present day with such things like Acid Rock,Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Gangster Rap and all of the Drug cultures and Cults that surfaced during that time. You sound like a Liberal and after tonights election message, it is obvious people want to CONFORM TO THE CONSERVATIVE VALUES THAT ONCE WAS!

[BlackCowboyBrett1953]

As with "Big Man Yesterday," one of my favourite songs of all time.The Four Preps,The Four Lads and other "barbershop quartet" sort of dude groups had GREAT harmony and timing-not to mention the FABULOUS lyrics!!!!(And to think I'm a garage rock-heavy metal dude!!!)

[elkinmaui]

maybe maeabel is talking about the island in the video. Not sure where on Catalina she is located, but I know a native islander that can set her straight and take her on a tour of the island she supposedly lives on.

How embarrassing for you maeabel...the songwriter wins the prize....do your history darlin...

[guy32807]

Very nice sound. I love it.

[maeabel]

*ahem* i live on catalina, that is NOT catalina, and the little island isnt 26 miles away

[sjtom57]

@maeabel and King Kong isn't real either. Get over it.

[the4preps]

@maeabel It sure is 26 miles... from Newport beach landing!!! I know 'cause I wrote the song. Sorry but you are way wrong bruce belland the Four Preps.

[Kreedon]

What A Great Song, So UP!!!

[rwb010109]

Thanks for posting,,wonderful song and group..RWB

[dyad2r1]

I remember listening to this song when I was 16 and painting my bedroom in our church parsonage. Three walls were lavender and one was plum. The plum wall was my dad's idea. Wanna hear more?

[nauort23]

@dyad2r1 yes. 

[dyad2r1]

@nauort23 - You must be really bored! OK. After the paint job, I took an orange crate to serve as a night table, bought some material -- white back ground with lavender rosebuds - fashioned a skirt for it with some lavender, satin ribbons whilst listening to Santa Catalina for the 10th time. Then I bought some sheer, white priscilla window curtains. Another song I enjoyed that summer was "Hearts of Stone." Hearts made of stone, can never break... The End.

[nauort23]

@dyad2r1 That was 50+ years ago! You're amazing! I can't remember what I was listening to 10 years ago! I'll have to look up "priscilla window curtains" and "Hearts of Stone". Pretty cool color scheme for 1950's, though. So, YOUR father invented the one-wall-a-different-color idea that took over the interior decorating industry many years later!

This song DOES bear repeating. I've listened to it 4 times today already. Great Summer song; tomorrow's the last day of Summer. Booooo.

[dyad2r1]

@dyad2r1

Funny! I don't think it's unusual to associate songs with certain events in one's life. My dad took a strong interest in interior decorating.  He also taught me how to paint, hang wallpaper, rewire a lamp & change a tire. "Hearts Made of Stone" by the Fontane Sisters can be found on YouTube. Google Images has pics of priscilla curtains. We Floridians are happy when summer ends. I longed to go to Santa Catalina as a teen, but have yet to visit California. Boo hoo.

[youngmindedman]

@dyad2r1 my cousin and i went to calif. back in '59 in a renault.

[DefLeppardBrad]

I was just there

[nickysixscbdvr]

I´m 35. I heard the song the first time while I was teenager trying to understand my father and have a connection with him. An very adorable song, thks!

[Davai007]

ah memories reminds me of summer thank you

[sjawbone1]

That's not a pic of Catalina.

[ZapMeBaby]

This is a very good song.Thank you Bruce Belland

[Utubestir]

I spent my honeymoon at Little Harbor!

[belladeballe]

Nifty song! I haven't been to Catalina since the 80s. Brings back good memories :)

[iloveclassics50]

beautiful !! ^^

[Bonairelover]

Brings back warm & fuzzy childhood memories when I heear this song...a much simpler time.  I like it!

[kworld01]

please I want meet beautiful girl who live here in warm climates, where is girl?

[sjtom57]

They don't write songs like this anymore. Absolutely beautiful song and video. A keep for sure.

[iloveclassics50]

beautiful scenery!

[KatellaGate]

I wish the real Catalina Island was a beautiful as the video...

[freddycupples]

Whenever I walk the public trails at the Trump golf course in palos verdes there it is-Catalina island, and of course this song is playing in my mind. Doesn't seem like 26 miles!!

[ausgd5]

I think the real distance is actually 24 miles.....but i guess it depends where you come from and which part of the island you go to.

[titusjean]

This is great---loved it back then, love it today. They have wonderful harmony. Thanks for posting.

[Joerexia]

A great video to a great song.

[saxondog2001]

Very evocative! A 7 yr old boy on Summer vacation --- an older sister who had all the latest 45rpm's, --- and life would be wonderful and fun forever.

[Bo618]

this is a great song

[RememberMe1003]

What great memories - so good to hear this tune again! It's hot today here in southern Californina...99! Wish I was in Catalina! ~Christine

[Cherokee6194159]

Humm,do i rember this,yes i do they were doing A show in 1958 at a place called Spring Lake Park in Okla. City, the opening act was a all Chick group called the Pollyannas ,they had a hit record called Satisfied,the lead singer was a girl named Diana Allen, I married her in 1961,we still are.

[oceanstreat]

Hey, Cherokee!

That's a great story! Just thought I would drop in, and hear "26 mile". I'm always up for that song. And then I read your story. Nice!

[krossthredd]

Memory land..........the first song that came on the radio in our family's new '58 DeSoto. I can still smell the interior and feel being pushed back in the seat from the power. I was 11 yrs young.

[centralparocker]

reminds me of Martinique!

[wowjef]

anyone know the chord progression to this?

[sptrain98]

Lordy! All it is I-vi-ii-V-I in the chorus, The bridge has an additional V/V. What is so hard?

[wowjef]

Don't be so snooty sptrain98 - we are not all good musicians.

[zmov1]

Great song and beautiful video!

[SailorBarsoom]

Funny thing: the first time I heard this, I actually said, "I wonder what that is in Km?" I actually considered punching it out on the calculator, but less than half a minute later I got the answer: 40 Km.

Cool song, in metric or Imperial.

[8948204]

These guys were introduced on the Ozzie & Harriet show by Rick Nelson back in the late 1950's great memories

[oakmont9]

Twas thus in 1935 too. Scenes of MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY shot here.

[niteworx]

Great song, great memories...thank you for the music

[rwb010109]

This should be 5 stars,,RWB

[quarqill]

Since Glen Larson was a member of the group,I want to hear George Lucas sing.

[entfred]

Is there an organ or theremin played on

this song?

[TheFourPreps]

Entfred,

It's neither. It's the voice of a young woman named Gwen Johnson who was still in her teens when she cut that obligato part.

Bruce Belland The Four Preps - Co-writer of 26 Miles

[purduebandfan]

I went to Catalina Island (Avalon) from about 1956 through 1966 several times. Can't remember how many times I fell in love there, but it is a place that is very near and dear to my heart. Oh, to be young again!

[fbenenati]

I loved in Southern Calif when this came out in the late 50's. I was about ten years old, and went to Catalina with the Boy Scouts the following year. What a great, great song. Neat to hear it and see this video. The Four Preps were wonderful to do this song.

[tropicalpancake56]

Thanks so much...a wonderful song and beautiful video!

[100hm43700]

26 miles ( Santa Catalina ) and Big Man By the Four Preps were songs I would hear as ten year old kid on the speakers at Drive In Movies with my family during the intermission ( Late50's early 60's).The memories of hearing these songs are golden.

Hector

[TLJ1945]

Hector,

"Big Man" was the first 45 record that I bought. I was about 13 then. Still like to listen to the Preps.

Tom

[100hm43700]

Tom,

What a conincidence! I also remember buying the 45 record of the Preps around 1965 or so. It may have been one of my first as well.I was barely in the 8th grade and I also remember telling my very first girlfriend about the 45. Those memories are among my happiest.

Thanks for your comment.

Hector

[fbenenati]

Tom and Hector, it sounds like you guys had the same experiences I did. I remember "Big Man" as well. Those sure were the days. What great songs. I sure enjoyed Camp Emerald Bay, Catalina, Boy Scouts in 1958. Thanks, guys.

[nameisalreadytaken]

Wow... from the video, it looks like that must have been a pretty big earthquake to move Catalina all the way to Tahiti.

[lucrecina12]

This song was a super hit in Chile (1958). Search Youtube DISCO 45 (Manuel Vargas) and you will see an honoring to many singers of yhese years.

[alababy1939]

Great scene greatet artist outstanding.

[coyotesong]

Great fun,,,hadn't thought of Down by the Station in years---any chance of posting it????

[icedreamer1994]

Click onto my name and the 100th person gets to win a free video on my u tube account!!!!!

[debiani3866]

wow this song goes great with the video.

[Jericho35678889]

"One band can make a difference"[/Richard Basehart]

[Rakus10]

What a great music

[sharontrout]

beautiful video, and becoming sadly popular again, hence the fire in close proximity........ah, the songs of the 50's!!!! sharon T. from oHIo

[foondoon]

Santa Catalina has shrunk since I was there last.

[tropicalpancake56]

What a great song, and beautiful video. The song reminds me of my Dad. Thank you.