Love this. Just something I didn't realize and certainly never commented upon in my little part of the Universe. I didn't know they were black. Loved the music.
I bet you guys didn't know that the original lineup for the del Vikings were all Air Force men and that's how they met. So the military is good for something other than blowing things up, these guys are a national treasure
The original five singers who made this record are no longer with us. Of these gentleman, only Terry Young is still alive. We just lost Ritzy Lee and Billy Woodruff about three years ago. Billy and Ritzy were on a wonderful Del Vikings record in 1960 called "The Sun," with a different bass, Doug White. Not a hit, but a group harmony classic.
@@martinvanburen6528 Billy died about two years ago. He had been in poor health for several years and had been in and out of a skilled nursing facility. I last spoke to him in 2018 when he was 80 years old.
I am so glad you asked because I was sitting here like, “I KNOW THAT FACE!” My mom saw him in concert. He played the piano with his butt. It was amazing.
There was kind of 2 groups, Kripp Johnson's group had Billy Woodruff and Ritzy In it. Norman was working during this time, and I guess they just threw in Clarence for this performance. Idk about the other originals(besides gus backus, who lived in Germany)
There were two white guys. Gus Backus left very early, in 1958, after the air force transferred him to Germany, where he had very successful solo career. Dave Lerchey came and went, but was not in the group at this time. There are two originals, Kripp Johnson (who sang lead on Whispering Bells) and Clarence Quick, the bass. The original lead couldn't make the gig out in California because of his job in New York. The lead here, Billy Woodruff, and Ritzy Lee, were part of a group that Kripp led in the early 1960s -- they made some great records too, although none were hits. As Todd (the poster) pointed out above, there was a revolving door of membership in the group.
This is every disappointing because Norman Wright, who sang the original version of Come Go With Me in '57, returned in '70 & sang lead on it again for a Scepter single in '72. Apparently, he left by the time this was performed & a newer member sang the lead. Not the same.
The group’s revolving door of personnel never stopped turning! Norman had a full-time job with the NY Transit Authority and a family to support and so East Coast performances and sessions were not as difficult to make. A West Coast TV shot like this would have taken more time from his job and he couldn’t afford that. Billy Woodruff, who does the lead here, was part of Kripp’s ABC recording group going back to 1960. Basically we are seeing Kripp’s group (three) with bass-writer Clarence Quick added.
@@martinvanburen6528 Saly Billy died about two years ago. He had been in poor health for several years and had been in and out of a skilled nursing facility. I last spoke to him in 2018 when he was 80 years old.
@@DOOWOPTRB And Gus Backus later got posted to Germany (When they first came out,they were all serving in the U.S. Air Force) and then stayed there after he got out, and had a long career over there as both a singer & actor.
@@DOOWOPTRB hello from England. I have just come across this live performance, listened to it after 8pm 10th December 2022, a great doo wop group whom if I remember reading correct some years ago, that they were one of the early groups to break the mould, by having a mix of black and white personel if I'm correct, and I like all doo wop groups, even those who deserted doo wop just so they can stay in the charts like the Drifters and the Isley Brothers, and the doo wop song with a calypso beat Louie, Louie, by Richard Berry, as far as I'm concerned his original version is best, and the Kingsmens version is rubbish or as Americans say suck,
As TRB noted above, Norman Wright had a full time job in New York and couldn't make it out to California for this special performance (a real shame). It isn't so much Del and Dell (although that did happen in 1957-58); this was more or less the group as it had evolved by 1960.
Look my Grandfather "Ritzy Lee" before I was even born , Lord knows how much I miss him. Rest in peace 🕊️
does original footage from the 50's exist? These guys are national treasures.
Yes,in the Alan Freed movies.
i’m a gen x er who played guitar to 80s metal but i secretly listened to 50s dooWop music loved the sounds
I wish I was alive then so I could experience such amazing music
Oh, 1973, best year ever. Yes, the 1970s had the best music..... play on... great song.
Thank you so much DooWop TRB.
I love this version so much.
I watched more than 50 times already in the last 2 days.
Thank you!
I love this song. Clarence Quick got those moves!
Love this. Just something I didn't realize and certainly never commented upon in my little part of the Universe. I didn't know they were black. Loved the music.
They weren’t
I bet you guys didn't know that the original lineup for the del Vikings were all Air Force men and that's how they met. So the military is good for something other than blowing things up, these guys are a national treasure
Happy fun music from my teenage years, life was so easy....Good memories.
I saw this on TV on a rerun in 1976 and have been looking for it ever since UA-cam was invented. Thanks!
Doowopdan Awesome
Ah, those Sha Na Na days.
I love this group! Love and its my favorite song.
Ya gotta love it. Nothing like the Del Vikings. I love this rendition. Thanks!
I can’t stop watching this video! I really love it. Clarence Quick 😘
They are all dead! 😪😪😪
The original five singers who made this record are no longer with us. Of these gentleman, only Terry Young is still alive. We just lost Ritzy Lee and Billy Woodruff about three years ago. Billy and Ritzy were on a wonderful Del Vikings record in 1960 called "The Sun," with a different bass, Doug White. Not a hit, but a group harmony classic.
What an awesome rendition too!!!!
Rip Billy! I miss you!
@@martinvanburen6528 Billy died about two years ago. He had been in poor health for several years and had been in and out of a skilled nursing facility. I last spoke to him in 2018 when he was 80 years old.
How can you not love this?!!
A+
Unreal. They're just up there toying with it, born with it baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even the host of the show @ 1:31 got a whiff of it!
That host is Jerry Lee Lewis, by the way!
Hahahahaha
Talent
Also check out MC 6 A Cappella for another fine cover of this classic hit
Nice !
Favorite Doo wop song
Cetrulo Trifecta mine too
Great!!!!!!
2019 baby and it still rocking
YEAH...¡¡¡
Was that jerry lee Lewis who introduced them?
Yes!!!
I am so glad you asked because I was sitting here like, “I KNOW THAT FACE!”
My mom saw him in concert. He played the piano with his butt. It was amazing.
Is that jerry lee lewis hosting?
Yep.
are These The Original Members? Wheres Dave?
There was kind of 2 groups, Kripp Johnson's group had Billy Woodruff and Ritzy In it. Norman was working during this time, and I guess they just threw in Clarence for this performance. Idk about the other originals(besides gus backus, who lived in Germany)
This isn’t the original line up, there should be 5 guys where is the white guy ?
There were two white guys. Gus Backus left very early, in 1958, after the air force transferred him to Germany, where he had very successful solo career. Dave Lerchey came and went, but was not in the group at this time. There are two originals, Kripp Johnson (who sang lead on Whispering Bells) and Clarence Quick, the bass. The original lead couldn't make the gig out in California because of his job in New York. The lead here, Billy Woodruff, and Ritzy Lee, were part of a group that Kripp led in the early 1960s -- they made some great records too, although none were hits. As Todd (the poster) pointed out above, there was a revolving door of membership in the group.
American Graffitti, 1962
This is every disappointing because Norman Wright, who sang the original version of Come Go With Me in '57, returned in '70 & sang lead on it again for a Scepter single in '72. Apparently, he left by the time this was performed & a newer member sang the lead. Not the same.
The group’s revolving door of personnel never stopped turning! Norman had a full-time job with the NY Transit Authority and a family to support and so East Coast performances and sessions were not as difficult to make. A West Coast TV shot like this would have taken more time from his job and he couldn’t afford that.
Billy Woodruff, who does the lead here, was part of Kripp’s ABC recording group going back to 1960. Basically we are seeing Kripp’s group (three) with bass-writer Clarence Quick added.
@@DOOWOPTRB do you know if Billy is alive?
@@martinvanburen6528 Saly Billy died about two years ago. He had been in poor health for several years and had been in and out of a skilled nursing facility. I last spoke to him in 2018 when he was 80 years old.
@@DOOWOPTRB And Gus Backus later got posted to Germany (When they first came out,they were all serving in the U.S. Air Force) and then stayed there after he got out, and had a long career over there as both a singer & actor.
@@DOOWOPTRB hello from England. I have just come across this live performance, listened to it after 8pm 10th December 2022, a great doo wop group whom if I remember reading correct some years ago, that they were one of the early groups to break the mould, by having a mix of black and white personel if I'm correct, and I like all doo wop groups, even those who deserted doo wop just so they can stay in the charts like the Drifters and the Isley Brothers, and the doo wop song with a calypso beat Louie, Louie, by Richard Berry, as far as I'm concerned his original version is best, and the Kingsmens version is rubbish or as Americans say suck,
Ain't the original lead, sounds off. But still a great song.
They are all original from The Dell Vikings. And The Del Vikings. Two different group. But, same music.
As TRB noted above, Norman Wright had a full time job in New York and couldn't make it out to California for this special performance (a real shame). It isn't so much Del and Dell (although that did happen in 1957-58); this was more or less the group as it had evolved by 1960.
Dag...Clarence Quick was fine ....
...This is true!
Agree!!! I can’t stop watching this video, and its just cause him. 😅
Different world than the trogdolite rappers