THE ORLONS

Day 168 of the Lower Puna Eruption, and nothing.

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I usually report on the latest world developments, sustainable resources, the environment, peace, war, natural disasters and other topics of relevance to the future of Planet Earth and Humanity.  Today, I thought I'd focus on the most insignificant matter that popped up in my mind.  The inspiration came from my turning on Music Choice and watching The Orlons perform.  They had three gold records:  The Wah-Watusi (1962), which became a popular dance, Don't Hang Up (1962) and South Street (1963).

I always thought they were a black girls group.  Wrong.  African Americans, yes, but three females and a male.  They are all younger than me, but the three ladies, Rosetta Hightower, Shirley Brickley and Marlena Davis, all have passed away.  Stephen Caldwell remains alive.

They formed in 1960 and named themselves The Orlons to counter a rival school group, the Cashmeres.  Orlon, as you know, is the synthetic fiber acrylic.  

A high school friend, Len Barry, lead singer of The Dovells, encouraged them to go professional.  One might immediately jump into thinking that they were Black, especially with a lead named Len Barry.  That's him to the right.  He grew up in the only white family on his Philadelphia block.  

Their first hit in 1961 also became a national teen dance, Bristol Stomp.  Len Barry went on to become a solo act and had a big hit with 1-2-3 in 1965.

Back to The Orlons, before their hits in 1962 they backed up Dee Dee Sharp's Mashed Potato Time and Gravy.  Sharp earlier that year was uncredited for her duo with Chubby Checker for Slow Twisting.  She was on the verge of marrying Cassius Clay when he became a Muslim.

Chubby Checker's The Twist (a cover of Hank Ballard's hit) came earlier, in 1960.  Something unusual, but The Twist returned as #1 in 1962. In August 2018 it was named their all-time #1 of all Hot Billboard Singles.

The Beatles were named as the #1 act, with 71 in the Hot 100 (20 #1s).  Madonna is #2 with 38 (12 #1s) and #3 Elton John with 27 (9 #1s), although Mariah Carey has had 18 #1s.  First #1?  Ricky Nelson's Poor Little Fool in 1958.

Interesting that Bing Crosby's 1942 White Christmas remains as #1 in singles sold at 50 million, with Elton John #2 with his 1997 Candle in the Wind at 33 million.  #3?  Bing Crosby's 1935 Silent Night at 30 million.  Way back at #19 is I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Beatles in 1963, their top hit, with 12 million.  Even Kyu Sakamoto's 1963 Sukiyaki sold more, at 13 million.

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