The Orlons - The Wah Watusi (Original)

Dance-crazed America had no problem liking "The Wah Watusi" during the summer of '62 including actor Steve McQueen and Lynda Baines Johnson (pictured dancing The Watusi in the video). The Orlons were a vocal quartet from Philadelphia led by Shirley Brickley who first hit it big with this tune peaking at #2 during June of 1962.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The Orlons
• The Wah Watusi

[kirko1954]

This is the original version, but it's not in "stereo". (I don't think Cameo/Parkway recorded anything in stereo.)

[Nocaro]

@kirko1954 Oops. My error and it will be corrected. I think you're right about Cameo/Parkway. Thanks.

[tumsabai1]

A little trivia. What is the difference between the the jerk and the

watusi???

[Nocaro]

@tumsabai1 LOL, probably not much watching them danced.

[elamite66]

This was one of the first 45s I bought at 12 in NY and when I began to have a couple dozen my Dad would say "why is it that most of those records you buy are by colored singers"? This was truly a mystery to him I saw his old 78s from the 40s and all balads by white singers It was a few years before I realized that there was other music then until that time I just thought all music form the 40s stunk Funny the ideas a kid gets

[JigsawCaptain]

Oh My God I'd forgotten how much i love this song ~ I'm smiling and dancing!

[shmuli9]

@WytZox1 The Watushi is something like this. You kind of stand in one spot and make little circles with your palms facing out. When your arms go one way, you move your body the other way.

[WytZox1]

@tumsabai1 -- I know how to do the jerk; I've no idea how the watusi goes. Great song tho! That male bass singer is what made the Orlons unique among other R&B girl groups.

[parkman35]

Love the Gals hairstyles back in those days...very pretty!

[elamite66]

@TheNayners24 yeah you're right in NY there were three black R&B stations which I soon found but something like the Orlons was played on the big Rock and Roll stations but I first heard Otis Redding and many other black stars on the R&B stations It was like there were a lot of black artists on the major stations but for hard core soul not always back in the early 60s

[TheNayners24]

@elamite66 Yeah, I remember music being categorized as white/black music. I loved the Rolling Stones & Beatles and one of my classmates told the other kids I liked white music. But I never heard anything like that from my parents. Looking back, it all sounds ridiculous.

[TheLadandLass]

really talented ladies!

[nmgt1048]

Another song I have in my collection-great!!

[domidom666]

just great!

[55Ariz]

I remember my Aunt who was a teenager at the time had this on a 45 and played it all the time at our house. Still sounds great!!! Thanks for posting!!!!

[Finkanslig]

Thank you. A million-copy seller - like their Don’t Hang up + South Street.

The Orlons: Rosetta Hightower, lead w/ Shirley Brickley, Steve Caldwell, & Marlena Davis

Buddy Savitt takes the smart tenor sax break (1:33). Savitt plays loose and neat on South Street and is the smooth operator on Don’t Hang Up as well. :I: