TV Radio Mirror (Jan - Jun 1962)

OF THE MONTH ^Hottest Single! The Lion Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens (RCA Victor) — Based on the old folk tune "Wimoweh," this version has a captivating sound. -The magic touch applied to an -This top-selling Western hit THE HOT SINGLES Run To Him, Bobby Vee (Liberty) up-tempo ballad. Walk On By, Leroy Van Dyke ( Mercury )has wide appeal. Tonight, Ferrante & Teicher (United Artists) — From the hit BroadwayHollywood musical. Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen, Neil Sedaka (RCA Victor) — A happy sound for the teens. When I Fall In Love, The Lettermen (Capitol) — A smooth follow-up to their first hit, "The Way You Look Tonight." 'Til, The Angels (Caprice) — An unusual blend of voices on a recurring hit. Funny How Time Slips Away, Jimmy Elledge (RCA Victor) — A beautiful ballad sung with warmth and understanding. Well I Told You, The Chantells (Carlton) — Excellent answer to Ray Charles' recent hit. The Twist, Chubby Checker (Parkway) — The original and big-selling version. Moon River, Jerry Butler (Vee Jay), Henry Mancini (RCA Victor) — Two records. From the movie "Breakfast At Tiffany's." Let There Be Drums, Sandy Nelson (Imperial) — A driving beat and infectious arrangement. The Peppermint Twist, Joey Dee & The Starliters (Roulette) — National publicity helped this group from the Peppermint Lounge. There's No Other (Like My Baby), The Crystals (Philles)— This group sounds like the Shirelles. Rock-Hula Baby, Elvis Presley (RCA Victor)— A twist sound from his movie "Blue Hawaii." HOT SINGLES CONTENDERS Just Out Of Reach, Solomon Burke (Atlantic). Gypsy Woman, The Impressions (ABC). Up A Lazy River, Si Zentner (Liberty). When The Boy In Your Arms, Connie Francis (MGM). If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody, James Ray (Caprice). Turn Around, Look At Me, Glen Campbell (Crest). Johnny Will, Pat Boone (Dot). Unchain My Heart, Ray Charles (ABC). Dear Lady Twist, U.S. Bonds (Legrand). Hey! Little Girl, Del Shannon (Big Top). Maria, Roger Williams (Kapp). Let's Twist Again, Chubby Checker (Parkway). Revenge, Brook Benton (Mercury). The Majestic, Dion (Laurie). Little Altar Boy, Vic Dana (Dolton). UP 'N' COMERS: The Lettermen • Of the three boys that make up the new vocal group, The Lettermen, only Jim Pike is a genuine . letterman — he excelled in football at Idaho Falls High School. The others are Robert Engemann, who was a missionary for two years and now is an elder in the Mormon Church, though he's only 26, and Tony Butola, a veteran night club and studio singer, who is proud of being one of the few full-blooded Croatians in the world (Croatia is now a part of Yugoslavia). The boys' first big record was "The Way You Look Tonight," which introduced their distinctive blending of mellow voice tones. Their new Capitol record, "When I Fall In Love," is also well on its way toward Hitsville. Before organizing the trio last year, Tony had been a member of other groups dating back to the famed Mitchell Boys Choir. Robert had appeared with Lawrence Welk. And Jim had appeared in the Louis Prima-Keely Smith show at Hollywood's Moulin Rouge. Bob and Jim met at Brigham Young University in Utah, where they sang with groups appearing locally. A year ago in Los Angeles they met Tony and decided to try their luck together. Tony had already had some success with a group he organized in 1957, the Fourmost, with which Connie Stevens got her start. Tony, whose hobby is song writing, was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania. He is 21. Jim is originally from St. Louis. Missouri, and he, like Bob, is 26. Bob, the only married member of the trio, is a native of Highland Park, Michigan. The smooth blend of sounds the boys have achieved certainly contradicts their diverse backgrounds. With hit potential assured, they may be making close harmony for quite a while ahead. 99