In 1955, the group tied for first place on Arthur Godfrey's New York TV show Talent Scouts, and with help from the influential Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle were signed to a contract with Mercury Records. The family asks that memorial contributions in his name be made to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care in Santa Barbara. In 1969, he and Bruce Belland, the Four Prepss original lead singer, concentrated on a folk/comedy act as the duo of Belland & Somerville. 1 Country Album in 1976. He was predeceased by his brother, Mark, a Toronto lawyer. Worked at Spring Ridge Academy, Spring Valley, AZ. 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Ready for Tolkien Battle, Aminah Nieves, Mo Brings Plenty on Why 1923 Doesnt Look Away: We Have to Allow the Audience to Witness, The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News. In 1967, Somervilles only child from his marriage to Corns, David Orlando Somerville, was born; as an adult, he too became a singer-songwriter like his father, calling himself Landa Somerville. More recently, he reunited with Mr. Belland, joined by Jim Yester, formerly of the Association, in a group aptly called Triple Gold. The father of actor Tom Hanks was the lead singer of the musical group The Diamonds. "They only got a monthly stipend to pay for expenses. ", But hitting those exquisite tones into his golden years? Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Follow us on Twitter: @globeartsOpens in a new window. According to our Database, He has no children. He became their coach and then their lead singer. It contained many original songs and characters and received critical acclaim in the U.S. and Canada. Entertainers, Entertainers D, Entertainers S, CONTACT DETAILS "Isn't that something?" At age 12 his family moved to Toronto. "We were kept there, languishing, suffering, by a guy named Elvis Presley.". Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox, A daily briefing on what matters in the music industry. David Somervilles income source is mostly from being a successful Judoka. For two months, they barnstormed the United States. Tim Conway Show, Star, CBS He was 81. 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. Phil Levitt, Ted Kowalski, Dave Somerville and Bill Reed of The Diamonds photographed in 1954. The video is co-directed by Arjun Ram Srivatsa & Lena Greene. Recently, Somerville performed "Dave Somerville Original Lead Singer Of The Diamonds'," where he received entry to five halls of fame. After leaving the Diamonds, Somerville married Judy Corns of Evansville, IN, and began a six-year solo career as a folk artist, using the stage name David Troy. He's played venues from Carnegie Hall to Trump's Taj Mahal. Star Trek TOS, Featured, Paramount Somerville told Tom Meros in an interview that he was a radio . Avia Shoes Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Unlike many of his 1950s vocal group peers, Somerville parlayed his early success into a musical career. Mr. Somerville was 12 when the clan moved to Toronto, where he studied architecture at Central Technical School and soaked in the sounds of the big bands. The Diamonds were one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1950s, a quartet of Canadians best known for their hit "Little Darlin'," which reached the #2 spot on Billboard's singles chart in 1957. Lead singer and founding member of The Diamonds. "It was on the charts for 26 weeks [in 1957] and No. David Somerville was born on 9 May, 1974 in Glasgow, United Kingdom, is a Scottish judoka. The Diamonds charted with 16 Billboard Hits between 1956 and 1961, 15 of which were Top 40 and 3 were Top 10 on Pop Charts (4 Top 10 on R&B Charts) and 3 Gold Records ("Little Darlin'," "The Stroll" and "Silhouettes"). He performed solo, spent almost 20 years with the Four Preps and joined fellow Prep Bruce Belland in a two-man show. Wayne Rogers (c.), who played the hilarious Trapper John McIntyre on "M.A.S.H.," was among the most beloved characters on one of the most popular shows of all time. They appeared on many television shows including The Johnny Cash Show, and as regulars on The Tim Conway Show. He represented the United Kingdom at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Propelled by Dave's voice, The Diamonds became the most prominent white male vocal group of the mid-to-late 1950s, the 16th biggest recording act of all music genres during that time, the first vocal group to have a rock 'n' roll hit, and the first white vocal group of early rock 'n' roll to have hits on R&B charts. Courtesy Photo. Most recently, Somerville performed Dave Somerville Original Lead Singer of The Diamonds, and received entry to five music halls of fame, along with a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1999 - 2008. Somerville left The Diamonds in 1961 to pursue a career as a folk artist under the name David Troy, before joining The Four Preps in 1967. Merv Griffin Show, Guest Star, KTTV He is not known to have specified when he realized that neither architecture nor building construction would be his career. Steve Allen, Guest Star, NBC "They're very big amounts, too, which gives me some idea of what we've lost." Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? 1984 Received the Juno award and inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Worked at Guangdong University of Technology . As such, he did extensive voice-over work and was heard in hundreds of radio, television and cable advertisements. He and Belland went on to collaborate on many songs including "The Troublemaker" that would become a platinum recording and title song for Willie Nelson's No. Someville died from cancer in Santa Barbara, California, according to a statement. It is known, however, that he changed the focus of his studies to radio, and that in 1952, at the age of 19, he secured a position at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the engineering department as a radio operator while concurrently studying voice with Dr. Ernesto Vinci at the University of Torontos Royal Conservatory of Music. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. We will update David Somerville's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. At 82 years old, David Somerville height not available right now. Dave Somerville died at the age of 81 in July 2015. As for the Diamonds, "there's something supremely innocent about their kind of sound," the Canadian Music Hall of Fame noted when it inducted the group in 1984. Candle Corporation. Somerville left the Diamonds to pursue a single act as a Folk artist under the name David Troy from 1961 to 1967 appearing in celebrated folk venues around the country and throughout Asia. David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994. "It was very easy," he insisted. Shopping Malls None of The Diamonds, either the original group or the replacement members, bore the surname Hanks or is known to be directly related to Tom Hanks the actor. (For the record, it was kept out of the No. His natural pipes were a rich baritone, and with leading-man good looks, Mr. Somerville's career spanned seven decades as an actor, voice-over artist and songwriter. Raised in Toronto, he initially studied Architecture, prior to focusing on singing (which he enjoyed to do since his childhood). Mr. Somerville was inducted into the Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Send us a memory of someone we have recently profiled on the Obituaries page. "The Cosmic Adventures of Diamond Dave" is his children's album contains many original songs that capture children's imaginations and enrich their appreciation of the world of make-believe. In August 1961, he left The Diamonds. He is survived by his wife Denise, his son David Orlando "Landa" (Katie) and his grandson, Chilao "Chae" as well as a sister-iaw, cousins, nephews and niece in Canada and the United States. Accessed 13 March 2017. With eight hits under their belts by 1957, the Diamonds joined a now legendary Greyhound Bus tour with other rising stars: Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Mr. Anka, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly and others. "When you think of The Diamonds, you've got to think of Dave Somerville." This is a fan site of the "Original" Diamonds Singing Quartet of the 1950s. He was an actor and writer, known for The Forest (1982), Star Trek (1966) and Betty Boop for President (1980). Check your horoscope to learn how the stars align for you today. Double Dare, Co-Star, NBC Somerville became their lead singer and they scored 16 Billboard hits over the next eight years. But it was as lead singer of the 1950s doo-wop group the Diamonds that he made his lasting mark with the iconic Little Darlin', a bouncy, hyperventilating tune that would become part of the soundtrack to poodle skirts, hot rods and hula hoops. David Somerville's voice was once reportedly described by electric-guitar deity Les Paul as "God-given a distillation of Elvis and Bing." Mother of David Somerville Hunter. To submit an I Remember: obit@globeandmail.com. He was 81. The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. He was married to Denise Anne Biron and Judith Lynne Corns. David Somerville in MyHeritage family trees (Ramage Web Site) David Somerville in MyHeritage family trees (Ramage Web Site) David Somervail in 1851 Scotland Census Extract view all Immediate Family Helen Somerville wife Janet Somerville daughter Private child William Somerville son Alexander Somerville son Margaret Hunter daughter David Somerville View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. 1 spot by Tab Hunter's "Young Love," Andy Williams's "Butterfly," Buddy Knox's "Party Doll," Perry Como's "Round and Round" and Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up."). (Somerville. The Diamonds were the first white vocal group to have hits on both pop and rhythm and blues charts. Henry Mancini Special, Guest Star, NBC Father of Alfred Somerville. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Doo Wop 51, Star, PBS Special The Diamonds became widely regarded as one of the pioneers of rock 'n' roll known for their sparkling vocal harmony sound that was so vital in rock's early days. Birthplace: Lauder, Scottish Borders, UK. This landmark recording is joined by fifteen other Billboard hits by The Diamonds, including "Silhouettes", "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", "Love, Love, Love", and "The Stroll." In 1972, Somerville formed the group WW Fancy, which also included Keith Barbour and Gail Jensen as members. He died on July 14, 2015 in Santa Barbara, California, USA. Entertainer. Dave Somerville dead: The Diamonds' singer dies at age 81. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Someville died from cancer in Santa Barbara, California, according to a statement. Written by Clyde Otis at the suggestion of Dick Clark, "The Stroll" became The Diamonds' second million seller, an instant hit on American Bandstand and introduced a new dance sensation that became the longest surviving line dance in the history of the entertainment industry and still endures today. City of Simi Valley It did not feature drums, Somerville noted in later years, because it was recorded at 3:45 a.m. and the drummer for that session had already gone home. Wade's average salary is $73,050 per year. Motown Records Multiple appearances on American Bandstand, The Perry Como Show, and The Steve Allen Show increased Daves visibllity. Mr. Somerville said to The Globe and Mail's Liam Lacey. Those suits! Gone But Not Forgotten: Music Stars In Memoriam 2015. Pretty Girls Walk has emerged as a phenomenon. Funeral dates have yet to be released. The Diamonds' music influences many artists through the years including Elvis, Bob Dylan, Jan & Dean, David Bowie and Carole King to name a few. - Dick Clark. Wife of Thomas Hunter. A date for a celebration of his life is yet to be scheduled. 1822 1822. He also appeared in 2 PBS specials - "Doo Wop '57" and "Magic Moments - The Best of Fifties Pop.". From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Somerville lived in Hollywood, California with his wife Denise. International House of Pancakes [citation needed] A shorter version (1:47 and with slightly different instrumentation) was used as the theme song for the television series The Fall . We ate organically and he exercised every day. The family asks that for those interested in making memorial contributions they be made in his name to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care/Serenity House, 509 E. Montecito Street #200, Santa Barbara, CA 93103-9963 or on their website http://www.vnhcsb.org/serenity-house/. Dave Somerville, cofounder of rock & roll group The Diamonds, died Tuesday. David Somerville, also called "Diamond" Dave Somerville (October 2, 1933 - July 14, 2015) was a Canadian singer operating primarily in the United States, best known as the co-founder, and original lead singer, of The Diamonds, one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1950s. David-Troy Somerville, co-founder and lead singer of '50s rock 'n . Please include I Remember in the subject field. The Diamonds were the first white vocal group to have hits on both pop and rhythm and blues charts.Jeff Xander, He could sing across four octaves, from a growling bass to that signature, soaring, explosive falsetto at the start of Little Darlin': "Yaa-aaa-aaaa, ya-ya-ya-ya ". Mr. Somerville was also studying voice at Toronto's Royal Conservatory of Music and persuaded the quartet to let him become their vocal coach. Genealogy profile for David Somerville Hunter David Somerville Hunter (c.1877 - 1959) - Genealogy Genealogy for David Somerville Hunter (c.1877 - 1959) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. We have estimated David Wade Net Worth As songwriters, Bruce and Dave co-wrote The Troublemaker, which became the title track of two Willie Nelson albums; and the duo sang in a later roster of the Four Preps with Jim Pike of The Lettermen. On TikTok, the song has inspired over 400K creates, eclipsing 1 billion views. Jack & JackNow, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Kick Off Intimate Tour in Phoenix: LiveReview, Sammy Wilk Premieres Could Be Single & Talks New Project:Exclusive. Besides his wife, Mr. Somerville leaves a son, David, and grandson, Chilao. Mr. Somerville's wife, Denise Biron, sighed at the excruciating fate of Little Darlin'. He is not dating anyone. Bogart, Stephen Humphrey. Tom Hanks' actual father was a chef named Amos Hanks, according to his biography: Kick back with the Daily Universal Crossword. Les Paul was right when he said, "Dave has a unique God-given voice a distillation of Elvis and Bing.". "It's my understanding that they never received a royalty payment [while they were active]," his wife bluntly stated on the phone from Los Angeles. In the hallway of the C.B.C. He was predeceased by his brother, Marc. He was the co-founder and lead vocalist of the 1950s music ensemble The Diamonds. Worked at Tri-City College Prep High School. Dave Somerville was the lead singer of The Diamonds. It featured several familiar trappings of 1950s vocal group harmony, including a talking bass interlude and its signature high "yi-yi-yi" chorus. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from, nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The singer's obituary provides a definitive accounting of The Diamonds, and Somerville's life, and Tom Hanks is not a part of it. He is from United Kingdom. Somerville left The Diamonds to pursue a solo career under the name David Troy but later joined a group called The Four Preps. He was 81. brother. Somerville performed eight years with The Diamonds, singing lead on all sixteen of their Billboard chart selections, peaking with the song Little Darlin; for eight weeks, this selection remained at #2 on the charts, becoming the third best selling single record of 1957. Automan, Featured, 20th Century Fox And there were always stories that others were pocketing the group's earnings. All Rights Reserved. Multiple appearances on American Bandstand, The Perry Como Show and The Steve Allen Show boosted the group's profile. They never saw any accounting." Midnight Special, Guest Star, NBC This article was published more than 7 years ago. Southwind Recreational Vehicles David-Troy Somerville, co-founder and lead singer of 50s rock n roll band The Diamonds, died in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Tuesday. Dave Somerville, founder and lead singer of the popular 1950s rock-n-roll band The Diamonds, died Wednesday in California at age 81. The Fall Guy (1981-1986)as Music Department, The Daring Dobermans (1973)as Businessman, Your email address will not be published. 1974 in Glasgow, United Kingdom at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney the industry... On American Bandstand, the song has inspired over 400K creates, eclipsing 1 billion views blues.! God-Given voice a distillation of Elvis and Bing. `` something? years of storytelling on Twitter: globeartsOpens! Up the next eight years of Fame many of his life is yet to be scheduled Featured familiar! 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