Introduction to Lavern Baker LaVern Baker, born Delores Lavern Baker (November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American rock, rhythm and blues singer who had several hit songs in the 1950’s and ’60’s. During the early part of her career LaVern recorded under the names of Little Miss Sharecropper for … Read more
Introduction to Larry Finnegan Larry Finnegan (born John Lawrence Finneran) was an American pop singer who will always be remembered as a one-hit wonder via the early 60s music era Top 20 pop single “Dear One.” After that he never achieved another hit and then moved to Sweden. There Finnegan started his … Read more
Introduction to Johnny and the Hurricanes Johnny and the Hurricanes were an instrumental rock and roll band hailing from Ohio. They were particularly active during the 50s and 60s music scene. When they started out in 1958, they were billed as The Orbits. They scored a hit with “Red River Rock” and … Read more
Introduction to Jose Jimenez Jose Alfredo Jimenez was a Mexican singer-songwriter who became one of the legendary singers in the ranchera-mariachi style. He was particularly active from the 50s music scene until his death in the early 1970s. Although he didn’t have any formal musical training, Jimenez nevertheless had a prolific career. … Read more
Introduction to Kenny Ball Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen were most popular trad jazz band in the early 60s music scene. Led by trumpet playing Kenny Ball (born Kenneth Daniel Ball on March 22, 1930) the band had several hits in the UK and one huge international hit “Midnight in Moscow” which … Read more
Introduction to Joe Bennett and The Sparkletones The Sparkletones were an American rock and roll and rockabilly combo, sometimes dubbed as Joe Bennett and the Sparkletones. They formed in Spartanburg, South Carolina in the mid-50s music scene by Bennett, Howard Childress, Irving Denton and Wayne Arthur – they were only under 18 … Read more
Introduction to Keith Barbour Keith Barbour (born January 21, 1941 in New York City) recorded a beautiful song in the late 60s music era written by Buzz Clifford titled “Echo Park.” The song seemed destined to be a hit but peaked at #40 on The Billboard Hot 100 and soon fell off … Read more
Who is Kenny Dino? Kenny Dino was an American singer who achieved short-term fame during the 60s music era. Born Kenneth Diono, singing had often been a part of his life, even as he was on a duty in Iceland as a US Navy officer. During those days Diono sang regularly, and … Read more
Introduction to Ketty Lester Ketty Lester is an American traditional pop/R&B singer and actress of the early 60s music era. The Arkansas-born Lester (real name Revoyda Frierson) had been singing since she was young. She was signed to Everest label where she recorded her first single “Queen for a Day.” In 1961 … Read more
Introduction to Kris Jensen Kris Jensen will go down in history as one of the one-hit wonder acts in modern music. Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Jensen’s recording career started with Colpix Records during his high school days. He jumped from one record company to another before he found some success with … Read more
Introduction to Joy Layne 50s music-era singer Sandy Duncan look-(and sound-) alike pop singer Joy Layne achieved her first and only hit “Your Wild Heart,” all this while she was not yet 16 at that time and still attending high school in suburban Chicago. It all started when Layne’s mother (who was … Read more
Introduction to Jimmy Bowen Jimmy Bowen (born in New Mexico in 1937) is a former singer and later songwriter and record producer. He first achieved his own hit with “I’m Stickin’ with You” during the mid-50s music period. This was actually a B-side of “Party Doll,” which was a hit for Buddy … Read more
