The Cheers were one of the earliest white vocal groups to embrace rock and roll during its formative years in the 1950s. Their music was energetic, rebellious, and perfectly suited to the new youth-driven sound sweeping across America. Though their time in the spotlight was brief, they delivered two influential hits—“(Bazoom) I Need Your Lovin’” and “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots”—both written by the legendary songwriting team Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
While their chart career was short, the individual members went on to lead varied and successful lives in entertainment and beyond. Their story is an early chapter in the rock and roll era.
| Group Name | The Cheers |
|---|---|
| Years Active | 1954–1956 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, Pop |
| Notable Members | Bert Convy, Sue Allen, Gil Garfield |
| Breakout Hit | (Bazoom) I Need Your Lovin’ (1954) |
| Biggest Hit | Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots (1955) |
| Record Labels | Capitol Records, Mercury Records |
| Songwriters | Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller |
| Legacy | Early white rock group that helped popularize Leiber-Stoller songs; part of the first wave of 1950s rock and roll |
Formation and Background
The Cheers formed in Los Angeles, California, in the early 1950s. The trio included:
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Bert Convy (born Bernard Whalen Convy in St. Louis, Missouri, July 23, 1933)
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Sue Allen
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Gil Garfield (born in 1933)
Each member had been trying to break through as a solo act before they teamed up. Their combination—two men and one woman—was unusual at the time, which gave them a unique edge. Capitol Records took notice and signed them, hoping their dynamic setup and youthful sound would resonate with a growing teen audience.
Early Success with “(Bazoom) I Need Your Lovin’”
In 1954, The Cheers recorded “(Bazoom) I Need Your Lovin’” for Capitol. The song was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who were just beginning to make a name for themselves. The track was arranged by a then-young Buddy Bregman, who would later work with jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald.
This was the first major Leiber-Stoller song to break through with a white act. Before this, their songs had mainly been performed by Black R&B artists like Charles Brown and Big Mama Thornton. “(Bazoom)” reached No. 15 on the Billboard charts, making it both a breakthrough for the group and for the songwriting team.
At the time, white groups in rock and roll were still rare. The Cheers followed early pioneers like Bill Haley and His Comets and The Crew Cuts, helping to bring the new genre to a broader audience.
Their Biggest Hit: “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots”
Capitol Records tried to follow up on the success of “(Bazoom)” with more Leiber-Stoller tracks, including “Whadaya Want?” However, these releases didn’t perform well. The label decided to bring in Les Baxter, a more seasoned arranger, to guide the group’s next project.
This change led to their biggest hit: “Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots.” Released in 1955, it reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was a teenage tragedy ballad about a rebellious biker who dies in a crash. With its dark narrative and sharp rhythm, it struck a chord with 1950s youth culture.
The song was one of the first to reference motorcycle gangs, setting the stage for later works like “Leader of the Pack” by The Shangri-Las. It became a jukebox favorite and was even translated into French, where it became a hit for Édith Piaf under the title “L’Homme à la Moto.”
Later Years and Label Shift
Despite the success of “Black Denim Trousers,” The Cheers couldn’t maintain momentum. They moved from Capitol to Mercury Records, where they recorded a few more singles, none of which charted. By the mid-1950s, the group had disbanded.
Still, their brief success paved the way for vocal groups that would dominate the late ’50s and early ’60s. The Cheers’ rock and roll spirit helped to break down racial and stylistic boundaries in popular music.
Where They Went After The Cheers
Bert Convy
After the group broke up, Bert Convy enjoyed a successful career in entertainment. He became a regular on TV dramas and sitcoms during the 1960s and 1970s. But he gained fame in the 1980s as a game show host. His hosting credits include:
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Tattletales
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Super Password
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Win, Lose or Draw
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3rd Degree
Convy was known for his charm, wit, and on-screen presence. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away in 1991 at the age of 57.
Sue Allen
Sue Allen continued working in music. She became a session vocalist and collaborated with artists such as Ray Conniff and Mel Tormé. She contributed to studio recordings and background vocals, maintaining a low profile but steady presence in the industry.
Gil Garfield
Gil Garfield turned to songwriting and often partnered with composer Perry Botkin Jr. He eventually left the music business altogether to pursue a career in real estate. Garfield passed away in 2011, twenty years after Convy’s death.
Legacy
The Cheers were not around for long, but their contributions are remembered by fans of early rock and roll. Their work with Leiber and Stoller helped set the stage for a wave of white acts who would follow. More importantly, they helped bring Black-influenced songwriting and rhythms to the mainstream pop world.
Their hits—especially “Black Denim Trousers”—remain part of rock and roll’s foundational catalog, often included in compilations of 1950s classics. The Cheers are a reminder that even a brief moment in the spotlight can leave a lasting impression.