Gary Lewis & the Playboys - My 60s Music Memories
[PICTURED ABOVE: 1960s 45 rpm & LP Jacket Covers from Liberty Records]
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Original 60s Group Members:
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Gary Lewis - vocals, drums
Al Ramsey - guitar
John West - keyboards
David Costell - lead guitar
David Walker - guitar
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Gary Lewis' Billboard Top 40 Record Hits
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1 (Billboard Hit No.1). . . "This Diamond Ring" - 1/16/65
2 (Billboard Hit No.2). . . "Count Me In" - 4/3/65
3 (Billboard Hit No.1). . . "Save Your Heart for Me" - 7/3/65
4 (Billboard Hit No.4). . . "Everybody Loves a Clown" - 9/25/65
5 (Billboard Hit No.3). . . "She's Just My Style" - 12/11/65
6 (Billboard Hit No.9). . . "Sure Gonna Miss Her" - 3/5/66
7 (Billboard Hit No.8). . . "Green Grass" - 5/14/66
8 (Billboard Hit No.13). . . "My Heart's a Symphony" - 7/30/66
9 (Billboard Hit No.15). . "You Don't Have to Paint Me a Picture" - 10/8/66
10 (Billboard Hit No.21). . . "Where Will the Words Come From" - 12/17/67
11 (Billboard Hit No.39). . . "Girl's in Love" - 3/11/67
12 (Billboard Hit No.19). . . "Sealed with a Kiss" - 6/22/68
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LOVE THIS GARY LEWIS SONG! - - ->
"THIS DIAMOND RING"
Who wants to buy this diamond ring
She took it off her finger now
it doesn't mean a thing
This diamond ring doesn't shine for me anymore
And this diamond ring doesn't mean what it did before
So if you've got someone who's love is true
Let it shine for you
This stone is genuine
like love should be
And if your baby's truer than my baby was to me
This diamond ring can be something beautiful
And this diamond ring can be dreams that are coming true
And then your heart won't have to break like mine did
If there's love behind it
This diamond ring can be something beautiful
And this diamond ring can be dreams that are coming true
And then your heart won't have to break like mine did
If there's love behind it
This diamond ring doesn't shine for me anymore
And this diamond ring doesn't mean what it did before
And if you've got someone who's love is true
Let it shine for you
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60s LP Release History
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1965 - This Diamond Ring
1965 - A Session with Gary Lewis & the Playboys
1965 - Everybody Loves a Clown
1966 - She's Just My Style
1967 - Playboys
1967 - Listen
1967 - (You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture
1967 - New Directions
1968 - Close Cover Before Playing
1968 - Gary Lewis Now!
1969 - Rhythm
1969 - Rhythm of the Rain
1969 - I'm on the Right Road Now
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Birth Name: Gary Harold Lee Levitch (Gary Lewis)
Date of Birth: July 31, 1946
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
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Gary Lewis was born in 1946 to Jerry & Patti Levitch (aka Jerry & Patti Lewis). His mother Patti thought that Cary Grant was a terrific actor, and wanted to name her oldest son Cary. The hospital where Gary Lewis was born made a mistake when they recorded his name as "Gary" instead of "Cary". And thus, to this day his name has always been Gary Harold Lee Lewis. Gary's family members, however, still poke fun at what was supposed to be his original name.
As the eldest son of actor/comedian Jerry Lewis, Gary was no stranger to the entertainment business and at a young age proceded to make a name for himself. He appeared movies, singing and acting before the age of 13. As he entered his teens however, his ambition turned more towards Rock & Roll. For his fourteenth birthday in the summer of 1960 Gary was given a set of drums. In early 1964, Gary formed a band in the Los Angeles area with guitarists David Walker and Al Ramsay, lead guitarist David Costell, keyboard player John West, and Gary himself on drums and vocals. They called themselves, Gary Lewis and the Playboys and proceded to play gigs around Los Angeles.
Gary and the Playboys had their first big break came when they landed a steady job playing at Disneyland. It was the summer of 1964 when they were discovered by West Coast record producer Snuff Garrett who signed them to a contract with Liberty Records. Garrett wasted no time in choosing songs and selecting a group of talented session musicians to flesh out the group in the studio. Garrett suggested to Gary Lewis that he have his famous father, comedian Jerry Lewis, use his connections to get the group a guest appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. The arrangements were made and after their performance on nationwide television in January, 1965, the group became literally an overnight sensation.
Now with the producer/arranger team of Garrett and Leon Russell behind them, they took their first 45 RPM, "This Diamond Ring" to No.1 on the pop charts with a combination of heavily-reverbed guitar licks and sharp organ fills propelled at a driving pace by big, booming drums. Gary Lewis & the Playboys song "This Diamond Ring" had the pressing plants running 24 hours a day, however, could not keep up with the demand for this record! In 1965 Gary was Cash Box magazine's "Male Vocalist of the Year", winning over nominees Elvis and Frank Sinatra.
The Playboys proved this success was no fluke by following it up with a No.2 hit, “Count Me In,” on their second try. Gary Lewis and the Playboys continued to hit big through the end of 1966 with hits like “Save Your Heart For Me,” “She's Just My Style,” “Everybody Loves A Clown,” “Sure Gonna Miss Her” and “Green Grass.” All of these songs scored no lower than the Top-10, making Gary Lewis and the Playboys one of the most popular bands of the mid-60’s. This achievement becomes even more impressive when it is noted that this happened during a time when the charts were dominated by the likes of the British Invasion and Motown Records.
Gary Lewis' musicial talents definitely outshined the "copycat" sons of various other Famous Stars. Gary Lewis achieved 10 Songs from 1965-68 on Billboard's Top 20 Hit Lists! While Dean Martin, Lucy Ball & Desi Aranz sons formed the Dino, Desi & Billy trio and TV Star Soupy Sales sons formed the Tony & the Tigers group. These famous sons "copycat rock n roll groups" only produced songs which barely achieved climbing above the Billboard's Top 50 Hits!
But, ever the Hollywood professional, Garrett never held on to any illusions that it was the frontman's rare musical talent or unique vocal abilities that were at the core of the group's success. Garrett knew full well that it was Gary Lewis' last name and family connections that drove the success of Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Therefore, he had no qualms over doing whatever was necessary, including bringing in professional singers to record the lead vocals, in order to create that string of hits. As a result, most of the group's original members had been replaced by the end of 1965. Even so, as Lewis evolved into a competent, even lively, singer and bandleader, Gary Lewis & The Playboys managed to hold on to its solid popularity as the British invasion deepened.
On New Years Day, 1967, one month after his fifth appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Gary was drafted into the Army. Reviving the group after his discharge in 1968.
60s Media Note:
As you will read below, I still think Gary Lewis as a teenager was so very handsome during the 60s! What a living doll he was! *sigh* In addition to Gary being an incredibly sharp dressing young guy, very dapper! Even though myself being only 12 & 13 years old in those years of 1965-66, having older teenage sisters & brothers meant that Pop Music and Music Entertainment Shows were pretty important stuff around our house back then.
I do remember when Gary Lewis went into the U.S. Miliatry Service, the Army. Recalling that it was big news covered by the media when Jerry Lewis was expressing anger over his son's returning from Vietnam. It seems Jerry was mad because Gary came back from Nam addicted to drugs. Jerry Lewis blamed the U.S. Military openly for allowing and having caused Gary's addiction. Jerry then made the statement, "The U.S. Military Service will never get their hands on another one of my sons again!" Jerry put Gary in rehabilitation to recover from his drug habit. I also remember that Gary & Jerry Lewis did not get along very well after this drug thing in news media.
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LOVE THIS GARY LEWIS SONG TOO! - - ->
"SURE GONNA MISS HER"
I never did too much to make her stay here
Words of love to her I'd never say
I guess I learned a lesson when she
Walked out to stay, but I'm Sure gonna miss her
Sure gonna miss her
I'm sure gonna miss her every day
I don't suppose I ever said, "I love you"
But I found out to late that wasn't right
I'm just now realizin' what I've lost
That's why I'm cryin'
and I'm Sure gonna miss her
Sure gonna miss her
I'm sure gonna miss her every night
I know I took her love for granted
Guess you could say my love was blind
Or if she left, then I could stand it
Or else it didn't matter at the time
I heard she's found a guy who treats her better
I hope he knows that he's a lucky guy
I know the rumor's true because I
Saw her today, and I'm Sure gonna miss her
He was walking with her
I'm sure gonna miss her, yes I am
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GARY LEWIS (I) ACTOR ---> FILMOGRAPHY:
1. My Boyfriend's Back (1989) (TV)... Himself
2. Day the Music Died, The (1977)... Himself
3. Out of Sight (1966)... Himself with The Playboys
4. Swingin' Summer, A (1965)... Himself
5. Family Jewels, The (1965)... Himself, In-Flight Film Clip
(uncredited film role)
6. Nutty Professor, The (1963)...Boy (aka Dr. Jerkyll & Mr. Hyde
(1963) (uncredited film role)
7. It's Only Money (1962)... Lester as a Boy (uncredited role)
8. Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958)... Young Clayton
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Gary Lewis' 1960's Notable TV guest appearances:
The Jerry Lewis Show - SPECIAL (NBC-TV) ---> 6/8/1957 - LIVE!
Gary Lewis, Danny Lewis (Jerry's father), Eydie Gorme, Nelson Riddle and Orchestra, Rowan and Martin
1/16/1960 -
Gary & Ronnie Lewis, Lionel Newman, Helen Traubel
The Jerry Lewis Show ---> (Saturdays, WABC-TV -New York City)
12/14/1963 -
Gary Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr.
The Ed Sullivan Show
12/6/1964 -
(Jerry Lewis, Gary Lewis, Cid Caesar, Bob Lewis)
1/1965 -
(Gary Lewis & the Playboys)
12/1965* - (*?*)
(Gary Lewis & the Playboys)
2/1966 * - (*?*)
(Gary Lewis & the Playboys)
12/1966 -
(Gary Lewis & the Playboys)
10/1965 - ** "COKE-COLA COMMERICAL" **
[ Commercial Music mimicked Gary's Hit "Everybody Loves A Clown" ]
{Announcer}: “Now here’s great noise from Gary Lewis & the Playboys”
{Gary Lewis singing}:
“Things go better with Coke-Cola, Things go better with Coke
Life is much more fun when you’re refreshed
And Coke refreshes you best"
{Gary Lewis talking}:
"We never make it through a recording session without Coke
The studio is full of empty bottles when we’re finished
And you know, we never get tired of drinking Coke-Cola
We're drinking Coke after Coke after Coke"
{Gary Lewis singing}:
"Food goes better with, Fun goes better with, You go better with Coke
The real live one puts extra fun in you and everything you do
So Things go better with Coke-Cola, Things go better with Coke
Coke after Coke after Coke, Things go better with Coke-Cola
Things go better with Coke”
The Jerry Lewis Show (NBC)
9/1968 -
Gary and Ronnie Lewis, Helen Traubel, Lionel Hampton, Joey Faye
NBC TV - HULLABALOO Music Show - Program Guide DVD - Side A
[* THESE 2 SHOWS ON DVD OR VIDEO AT MPIHOMEMEDIA *]
*** September 20, 1965 (Color) ***
Jerry Lewis & Gary Lewis (Hosts) - "Help!" --->
[** Gary, your singing & harmony on this song is definitely a 1000 times better than your Dad's! **]
Gary Lewis and The Playboys - "Everybody Loves a Clown" --->
[Gary, hot damn you were SO HANDSOME AT 19!!! LOVE YOUR SUIT GARY BABY!!!]
Joannie Sommers - Before and After
Barry McGuire - Eve of Destruction
Top Pop Medley - Gary Lewis & the Playboys - "It Ain't Me Babe" --->
[Gary, looks so sweet, like a stick of candy I want to lick! *sigh*]
Jerry Lewis - I'll See Your Light ---> [Ooh, please stop singing!!]
Paul Revere & The Raiders - Hullabaloo A Go Go- Ooh Poo Pah Doo --->[* Good Dance Song! *]
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NBC TV - HULLABALOO Music Show - DVD - Side B
*** March 14, 1966 (B&W) ***
Gary Lewis (Host) - "The Wild Blue Yonder" --->
[You were SO COOL & CUTE!. . .Sing it Baby!]
The Mamas and The Papas - California Dreamin' --->
[Beautiful Group Harmony! Four great singers!]
Dionne Warwick - Message To Michael (debut) [A Beautiful Song!]
Bobby Rydell - The Joker ---> [...even back then, song was not cool!]
Noel Harrison - Baby Blue
Top Pop Medley - Gary Lewis – “Sure Gonna Miss Her” --->
[** I LOVE THIS SONG! Gosh Gary, you look so very tall here at 19. Or else those Hullabaloo Dancers were some short people! **]
Gary Lewis and The Playboys at Hullabaloo A Go Go --->
“Run For Your Life” --->
[* GARY, LOVE YOUR VERSION OF THIS SONG MUCH MORE THAN THE BEATLES'! *
* Hey, look it's DIONNE WARWICK DANCIN' in the LEFT CAGE above GARY!! You Go Girl! *
* "Run for your Life" was recorded on Gary's "Everybody Loves a Clown" LP. Also available on CD released in 1998. *]
10/66 -
** Scopitone Music Video ** --->
"Little Miss Go-Go" --->[see: www.scopitone.tripod.com/ads5.html ]
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LOVE THIS GARY LEWIS SONG ALSO! - - ->
"GREEN GRASS"
Green grass 'round my window
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes, it's springtime, golden sunshine
And we're glad, my little love and I
Now that summertime is nigh
Carefree kissin' couples
Dream away all their troubles,
'cause it's springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
We will love the summer long
All the winter we've been waitin'
Girl and I anticipatin'
What we're gonna do with summer overdue
Now it's here, we're out together
So the weatherman had better
Do his best to make a show
And bring the sunshine out to grow the
Green grass 'round my window
Young leaves that the wind blows
Yes, it's springtime, golden sunshine
While the bluebirds sing their magic song
We will love the summer long
We will love the summer long
We will love the summer long
** GARY LEWIS, THANK YOU FOR MY FAV 60s MUSIC MEMORIES **
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