Song:I'm So Young
Album:WCBS FM101: History of Rock: The Doo-Wop Era Part 1
Though it was not a hit when first released in 1958, I'm So Young is considered today to be a doo wop classic. The Students were from Cincinnati. They all went to high school together. Leroy King was lead singer along with Dorsey Porter (first tenor), Roy Ford (second tenor), John Bolden (baritone), Richard Johnson (bass) and Ralph Byrd (guitar). They called themselves The D'Italians. Otis Williams of The Charms helped them get gigs. I'm So Young was written by another high school student William "Prez" Tyus. He gave the song to The D'Italians. And through local distributor Mel Herman they got a record deal with Chess' Checker label. He also suggested a name change to The Students. They went to record at Chess in Chicago with sax player Jimmy Coe. Among those who played on the session was legendary jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery. I'm So Young was a midwest regional hit. The Students toured. They even played The Apollo in New York for a week. The Students recorded another single. Then Byrd left and was replaced by jazz guitarist Wilbert Longmire. It all ended for The Students when Chess wanted them to record Cathy's Clown (later a hit for The Everly Brothers). The Students turned it down and Chess dropped them. The group split up. But when the 1961 reissue of I'm So Young was a national R&B hit, they reformed for a year. They reformed in the 70s to tour the nostalgia circuit. You can get I'm So Young on this various artists budget comp. I'm So Young was covered by several groups. But the most notable cover was on the 1965 album The Beach Boys Today!. Apparently Brian Wilson loves this song as it appears on a CD of songs that Wilson cites as influences. Here's a video for I'm So Young by The Students.
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