LETTING THE GOOD TIMES ROLL.
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from October 1984.
Brought to you by
The Drifters are remembered for romantic ballads such as 'This Magic Moment' and 'There goes my Baby'. They were also known for songs which described life in the city like 'On Broadway', 'Spanish Harlem' and 'Up on the Roof'. THE BEST of bands from the 50's and 60's are coming to Cayman on November 7. The Platters, the Drifters, Bobby Day, and Shirley and Lee, backed by Florida group Fourplay, will be letting the good times roll at the Lions Centre.
The event the biggest collection of name bands ever assembled on the Island, is being organised by Rotary Fund Raising Chairman Mr. Donnie Smith in aid of the Frances Bodden Girls Home.
The smooth tones of The Platters were first introduced in 1955 when they burst on the scene with "Only You" which was No. 5 on the charts by November. This initial success was followed by the No. 1 hit single "The Great Pretender".
The Platters were now a big hit in America, being the only black vocal group with a female member. Their performance in the movie "Rock Rock Around the Clock" sealed their future and launched them to superstar status internationally.
During the next three years The Platters produced hit after hit, including "The Magic Touch", "Twilight Time", "My Prayer" and "Smoke gets in your Eyes" which was No. 1 in 1958.
The Platters created history in their time, they were the first black gorup to use strings, they were the first group to combine men and women, they have 16 gold records and have sold an estimated 100,000,000 records, their hits have been released by companies using labels in 16 different foreign languages.
Every decade there comes one group that changes the course of rock n'roll. One of these groups recorded under the name of Shirley & Lee. Both Shirley and Lee sprung out of the ghetto of Los Angeles, and decided to make music their career, instead of just a hobby. They first recorded "LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL" in the year 1956.
The song became an overnight sensation, and stayed on the charts for 20 weeks. Their second success was, "I FEEL GOOD", which was released 5 months later on Aladdin Records and sprung up the charts, resting in the top 40 for many weeks. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL became one of the many theme songs used by various artists and promoters when presenting a 50's or Golden Oldies show. Very few recordings have had such a strong effect on music in the fiftys.
Since Lee's death, the group known as "Shirley & Lee" have continued to headline rock shows all over the world. Shirley Goodman, who is now a D.J. in New Orleans, is one of the group's strongest supporters. Bobby Day was one of the most innovative and dynamic, yet unheralded figures of early rock and roll. From the time he released his first recording, right up to today, other artistes have had more success recording his songs than Day himself. Artists from the Dave Clarke Five to Michael Jackson have had major hits with Day's Songs.
In July 1958, Day penned "Rockin Robin", which appealed to the record-buying public and become No. 2 on the U.S. national charts. The release of "Rockin Robin" engendered enormous popularity for the flip side of the record which had the song "Over and Over". In December 1958, "The Bluebird, The Buzzard and the Oriole", was a success followed in March 1959 by "That's all I want", and on the flip side "Say Yes". Another single "Gotta New Girl" and "Mr. & Mrs. Rock & Roll" followed.
One of Bobby Day's first songs, "Little Bitty Pretty One" was issued as an album track by the Dave Clarke Five in 1965 and as a single by the Jackson Five in 1972. The young Michael Jackson also enjoyed success with his rendition of "Rockin Robin".
