The Diamonds - Little Darlin' (live appearance)

PLEASE NOTE: I divided my uploads between multiple channels, Bookmark this link in your browser for instant access to an index with links to all of John1948's oldies classics. LINK: http://tinyurl.com/Channel-Index

One of the leading cover groups of the mid-'50s, the Diamonds adapted current R&B hits into pop gold of their own. Hailing from Toronto, the Canadian quartet (consisting of Ted Kowalski, Phil Leavitt, Bill Reed, and Dave Somerville) signed with Mercury in 1955 and immediately zoomed up pop play lists with covers of the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"; the Willows' "Church Bells May Ring"; and their biggest hit of all, a sanitized version of the Gladiolas hit "Little Darlin'." Fronted by David Somerville, the quartet hit with an original, the smooth dance outing "The Stroll." After weathering major personnel changes, the Diamonds notched their last hit in 1961. Somerville remained active as a solo artist for a time, and the Diamonds often toured the oldies scene.

~ Bill Dahl, All Music Guide

Category:

Education

Tags:

• doo-wop
• r&b
• vocal
• pop
• rock

[gigantibyte]

This was awesome to see! Another favourite! your channels are great. Thanks a million for posting!

Didn't realize the Diamonds were so goofy.

[John1948ThreeC]

I don't think I had ever actually seen them until I came across this video.

[Reedsox13]

Bill Reed the bass singer is my grandfather!! R.I.P. Grandpa Bill

[BASSMANDELUX]

@Reedsox13 Your grandad was one of my idols. RIP and God bless to him and Ted. My group Deke and The Blazers now back up Dave Sommerville on many of his appearences so I really get to emulate your granddad. We'll be backing him in NYC at The Beacon Theatre Sept.25,2010, so your grandads muusic will be ringing loud and strong. Thanks for sharing him with the world and me.

[ashtonunderlyn]

Truly great group brings back many many happy memorys when i was a teenager growing up in my home town of Ashton Under Lyne Manchester in those days of having very little money this great music was a fantastic escape from the dreary life of the 50,s god rest in peace Bill and Ted if you are watching from a above thank you.

[TheBalladOfSgtPepper]

@Reedsox13 Glad to do it for ya. In a case like this with him being your Grandfather, I couldn't resist but to be one of the many to remark him as one of the few brilliant men to forever change music in Doo-Wop. This in my opinion, is one of the GREATEST genres ever to be created. Since your Grandfather has passed, I'm just wanting you to know his inspiration along with many others in the era will continue to live on. I'm VERY happy you recognize the blessing behind being a decendent of him.

[Reedsox13]

@TheBalladOfSgtPepper Thank you for your kind words. Its people like you that really make me proud of my grandpa's achievements. I appreciate you taking the time to acknowledge how great the Diamonds were back then and sound today. :)

BTW.....the Diamonds were not "goofy", but Teddy was "goofy" when he had a chance to be. R.I.P. Ted Kowalski.

[TheBalladOfSgtPepper]

@Reedsox13 Bill Reed is your Grandfather, woah. God Bless him... I pretty much second what Bassmandelux had to say. I'm really big into 50's style music and this being my favorite song of the 50's, I just find it incredible. I always enjoy listening to the Bass line on music like this, so I find people like your grandfather truely inspiring. R.I.P. Bill Reed.

[JBfanforlife]

lol goofy but i love it. thanks for posting

[David50s]

Reedsox13: I didn't realize the bass had died. He sounded the same 45 years later. He was great. They were all great. You must have great memories of your grandfather

[David50s]

Reedsox13: The funny one was great. RIP to your grandfather. Decades later, the schtick was the same and even more funny. And, they continued to sound incredible.

[dedrawilliams]

@Reedsox13 :) Your welcome .

[Reedsox13]

Thank you Dedra! I really appreciate that!! They weren't goofy, just Teddy was the funny one of the group. R.I.P. Teddy

[dedrawilliams]

@Reedsox13 R.I.P to your grandfather.His music still brings joy to my days