AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Cyrkle

Artist:The Cyrkle

Song:Turn-Down Day

Album:Red Rubber Ball: A Collection

Back in 1967, Columbia Records had big plans for The Cyrkle to become the second coming of The Beatles or something. But after two big hits, they quickly faded and became disenchanted with the constant touring and split up. The Cyrkle were from Easton, PA. Guitarist Don Dannemann, bassist Tom Dawes and drummer Jim Maiella were students at Lafayette College. Dannemann and Dawes both sang. They formed a cover band called The Rhondells and were spotted playing Atlantic City clubs by entertainment attorney Nathan Weiss and he told his business partner Beatles manager Brian Epstein to check them out. The band name was changed to The Cyrkle. Apparently John Lennon came up with the name. Of course The Byrds were hot at the time. After opening for The Beatles on their 1966 US tour, Dannemann spent a short stint in the US Coast Guard. Meanwhile, Dawes played bass for Simon & Garfunkel. Paul Simon heard The Cyrkle and liked their harmonies. He got got them a deal with Columbia and even gave them the song Red Rubber Ball which Simon had written with Bruce Woodley of The Seekers when Simon lived in England. The album Red Rubber Ball was produced by John Simon (no relation to Paul). At the time Simon was just beginning a long career. This was his first big hit. Red Rubber Ball reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Turn-Down Day was the second single. It reached #16. That song was written by Jerry Keller and David Blume. Keller was best known for the 1959 single Here Comes Summer. They toured but subsequent singles and their 1968 album Neon didn't do nearly as well. The 1967 death of Brian Epstein didn't help. After selling a jingle for a five figure fee, Dawes decided that was more lucrative than constant touring. That led to The Cyrkle split and both Dawes and Dannemann got into jingles. This budget comp has both of their hits. Dawes produced a couple of Foghat albums in the 70s. Dannemann produced music for children's TV and owned his own jingle company. In 2014, former Cyrkle keyboardist Mike Losekamp wanted to reform the band using his current band The Gas Pump Jockeys. Sadly, Dawes died in 2007. Dannemann was retired but he agreed to participate and The Cyrkle have toured ever since. Here's The Cyrkle performing Turn-Down Day on The Hollywood Palace Apr. 22,1967.