Artist:J.Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers
Song:Last Kiss
Album:Rock, Rhythm and Doo Wop: The Greatest Songs from Early Rock 'n' Roll
In the early 60s, there were several teen tragedy hits like Ray Peterson's Tell Laura I Love Her and Mark Dinning's Teen Angel. Last Kiss was a top five hit in 1964. It was the only big hit for J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers. A couple of their other songs charted so technically they are not a one hit wonder. The Cavaliers were formed in San Angelo, TX in 1955 led by guitarist Sid Holmes with Rob Zeller on sax, Lewis Elliott on bass and Ray Smith on drums. They had a singer but after he was drafted into the miltary, The Cavaliers were an instrumental band until 1962. J. Frank Wilson had just been discharged from the US Air Force. He auditioned and became lead singer of The Cavaliers. They were spotted by Sonley Roush who became their manager. Wayne Cochran wrote and recorded Last Kiss in 1961. Cochran based the song on several car crashes he witnessed near his home in Georgia. The record was not a hit. Roush loved the song and he convinced The Cavaliers that if they recorded Last Kiss, it could be a big hit. Holmes wasn't interested but Wilson was. Holmes left The Cavaliers and was replaced by Gene Croyle. Bassist Lewis Elliott was still in the band. Other musicians were Jim Wynne on piano and Roland Atkinson on drums. After Last Kiss was a regional hit, Jubilee picked it up and distributed it nationally for their Josie label. Last Kiss reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Cavaliers recorded an album and toured. While traveling to Ohio, Roush fell asleep at the wheel and was killed in the wreck. Wilson suffered serious injuries but attempted to continue the tour. You can get Last Kiss on this Rhino 3CD box set available at a budget price. Wilson continued to lead a version of The Cavaliers until his 1991 death. Most music fans should remember Pearl Jam's 1997 top five cover of Last Kiss but may not be aware of the 1964 version. Eddie Vedder discovered Last Kiss while cratedigging at a Seattle mall and convinced the other members of Pearl Jam that it would be a fun song to record. It was released as a charity record for Kosovo refugees. Here's a video of Last Kiss by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers.
No comments:
Post a Comment