Introduction to Barry and the Tamerlanes

Introduction to Barry and the Tamerlanes

Barry and The Tamerlanes were a 60s music era pop-rock band created by 1950’s and 60’s songwriter and singer Barry DeVorzon.  DeVorzon who had been writing songs and recording since 1957 was looking for a group to sound like The Cascades, whom DeVorzon discovered in 1963.  Barry was joined by Jodie Chandler and Terry Smith who became The Tamerlanes.  Their one and only Billboard Hot 100 hit song was the 1963 Valiant Records single “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight” penned by Chandler and DeVorzon.  They recorded one album on Valiant using the title of their hit song.  Their follow up single “Roberta” did not chart in the Hot 100. and the band ended in 1964.  Barry DeVorzon went on to write movie and television scores.  He (along with Perry Botkin, Jr.) had a Hot 100 hit song (#8) in 1973 with “Nadia’s Theme” from the television soap opera “The Young and the Restless.”   His movie scores include “Dillinger,” “The Warriors,” “Night of the Creeps,” and “Bless the Beasts and Children.”  Other Barry and The Tamelanes Hit Songs:  “Let Me Be,” “Rhythm of the Rain,” “Lucky Guy,” “Katrine,” “Don’t Go,” “A Date With Judy,” “A Funny Thing Happened,” “Butterfly,” “The Beginning of the End,” “Good Night, My Love, Pleasant Dreams,” “I Don’t Want to Be Your Clown,” “Pretty Things,” “Gee” and “Don’t Cry Cindy.”

Meet Barry and the Tamerlanes

The pop-rock group Barry and the Tamerlanes achieved fame with “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight” in 1963.” The band started their music career in the early 1960’s in California. They were an all-white trio consisting of Barry De Vorzon (born on July 31, 1934 in New York City, New York), Terry Smith and Bodie Chandler.

In 1963, the group was signed on Valiant label and released their debut single “I Wonder What She’s Doing” b/w “Don’t Go.” Penned by De Vorzon and Smith, “I Wonder What Shes Doing” became a hit, peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the group’s only big hit that would make them fall into the ranks of one-hit wonders.

Later Years

De Vorzon, later switched his career as a film music composer. In the 1970’s, he became successful with his instrumental material such as “Nadia’s Theme” and “Theme from S.W.A.T.”

Barry and the Tamerlanes’ discography (may be impartial)

 Valiant Records

(Aug 1963)

  • A: I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
  • B: Don’t Go 

(1964)

  • A: A Funny Thing Happened
  • B: The Beginning Of The End

(Jan 1964)

  • A: Roberta
  • B: Butterfly

(May 1964)

  • A: Lucky Guy
  • B: I Don’t Want To Be Your Clown

(Aug 1964)

  • A: Pretty Things
  • B: A Date With Judy

(Nov 1964)

  • A: Gee
  • B: Don’t Cry Cindy

(Feb 1965)

  • A: I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
  • B: Roberta

American Pie Records

(1985)

Electric Prunes

  • A: I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)

Barry And The Tamerlanes

  • B: I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight

Good Old Gold

Paul Humphrey

  • A: Cool Aid

Barry And The Tamerlanes

  • B: I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight
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