AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Kalin Twins

Artist:The Kalin Twins

Song:When

Album:The Rock 'N' Roll Era 1958

The 1958 single When was a top five hit. It was the only big hit for The Kalin Twins. A couple of their other songs charted so they are not technically one hit wonders. But When is their only memorable song. Hal and Herbie Kalin were born Feb. 16, 1934 in Port Jervis, NY. Because they came from a middle class family, they listened to early 50s pop music rather than R&B. After Hal returned from a stint in the US Army, the twins moved to Washington, DC to perform in nightclubs. They recorded a demo but all the record labels turned them down. They were spotted by songwriter Clint Ballard Jr. and he became their manager. Ballard wrote You're No Good which was a hit for Betty Everett, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Linda Ronstadt. Ballard got The Kalin Twins an audition with Decca Records house arranger and conductor Jack Pleis and he signed them. When their first two singles bombed, Ballard went through a stack of demos and found When written by Paul Evans and Jack Reardon. Evans wrote the 1962 Bobby Vinton #1 hit Roses Are Red. Reardon wrote the English lyrics for the 1963 Tony Bennett hit The Good Life. When was supposed to be the B side for the single Three O'Clock Thrill. But The Kalin Twins preferred When so Decca released it as the A side. When reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and it topped the British Singles chart. I am told the sax solo was by Plas Johnson (Pink Panther Theme). The Kalin Twins' next single Forget Me Not reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. And that was it. They recorded two albums for Decca and they were gone. Bear Family and Jasmine have both released Kalin Twins CDs. But I think most will only want When and you can get it bon this Time Life various artists budget comp. The Kalin Twins left the music business and went to college. They only returned to performing a couple of times. Once was in England with Cliff Richard in 1989. Richard opened for The Kalin Twins when they played England in the 50s. Hal Kalin died on Aug. 24, 2005 at age 71 from injuries sustained in a car accident. Herbie Kalin died on July 21, 2006 at age 72 from a heart attack. Here's The Kalin Twins performing When on a French TV show in 1959.