The Kirby Stone Four (1958) - It's A Really Big Show (Featuring Ed Sullivan)

In 1958, The Kirby Stone Four released their first single on the Columbia label - "Whispering". The flip-side was in fact the first song they recorded for the label, "It's A Really Big Show", which was penned by Kirby and fellow KS4 member, Michael Gardner. This track features, in the rare role of 'Boy Singer', the man Kirby referred to as "our boss on T.V.", Ed Sullivan. When this song was later incorporated into the group's nightclub act, Larry Foster (also one of the KS4), demonstrated what a great impressionist he was by flawlessly covering Ed's part.

It is interesting to note that The Kirby Stone Four actually came to the attention of Columbia Records through their association with Ed Sullivan, which ultimately led to their Grammy nominated track, "Baubles, Bangles And Beads" - their follow-up single to "Whispering".

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Kirby Stone Four
• Ed Sullivan
• It's A Really Big Show

[ozrock17]

This was actually a hit in Australia! I remember it was massive and they came out and performed it in the Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay where they also performed "Baubels, Bangles & Beads" and "Coconut Grove". They went quiet in Oz after 1959 and then came back and had a huge Top 10 hit in Sydney with "Kids" in 1961! Gotta love KS4.. what else did they record?? I always thought they shouldve teamed up with Max Miller & recorded some huge thing but thats in the past now .

[NBCRecords]

Hi ozrock17,

Glad to see there's somone else in Oz who appreciates the KS4. As far as "what else did they record?", some of the best known of their 200+ tracks were "In The Good Old Summertime", "Everything's Coming Up Roses" (which I believe was not released in Australia due to copyright issues), "Whispering", "The 'I Had A Dream, Dear' Rock" - mainly on the Columbia (Coronet) and Warner Bros labels.

Do you have any other info on "Coconut Grove" - I've never heard of it.

Thanks,

NBC

[daphne52067]

hi,

Do you have a recording of the Kirby Stone Four singing "Confidence' - a song from Walter Mitty?

It went on to be a theme song for the NFL.

Thanks,

Murray.

[NBCRecords]

Hi Murray,

I sure do. It was only released as a single (on the Columbia label) and I'll do my best to post it soon.

Take care,

NBC

[tulliomike]

@NBCRecords Kirby was my uncle and he took me in and raised me from the time I was 5 years old . its really geat to see this. But you know Gradie Stone, his daughter is still here and she has the same talent that Kirby passed on to her.

[NBCRecords]

@tulliomike Hi! Great hearing from one of Kirby's relatives - I hope that these clips bring back some great memories for you.

Yes, Gradie is fantastic! I have been listening to her music for the last 12 years, or so. We'll be in NYC in the next few weeks and will hopefully catch up with her.

[duhwolf]

ray1872#p/search/0/2z1tJaBAopo­

[Hadeydeppio]

there's a really big sheww tonight....a really big show tonight

[conformistkiller666]

really big shoe!.........really big!

[fromthesidelines]

For those of you who don't understand the significance of this recording, keep in mind that 8-9m(et) on Sunday nights between 1949 and 1971 was "Ed Sullivan time"- and EVERYBODY who ever worked in show business, or was deemed "newsworthy", appeared on his variety show {often on the same night!}. And, except for a few filmed or (later) videotaped shows, Ed was on LIVE. It was indeed, in Sullivan's own words, "a really big shew".