The Diamonds - Little Darlin'

Bonnie Mack Wopperer has passed along an email containing YouTubes of The Diamonds - first from 1957 and later in 2004.  The original quartet, the same song, the same sound, the absolute same style.  Since many of you just got back from the Surf and its memories, playing it seems timely.

Bonnie had heard lead singer Dave Somerville may be the father of Tom Hanks, and based on the looks of the guy it would be hard to argue.  Doing further research, Bonnie found that to be untrue, and suggests it's the kind of rumor that gets started because it "looks" true, whether it is or not...

Believe it or not, their launching pad was the old Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts show, forerunner to today's American Idol and its knock-offs.  Somerville often used a falsetto in their songs including "Little Darlin'" and "Why Do Fools Fall in Love"

Frank Valli and the Four Seasons also featured a falsetto, with songs like "Sherry Baby, Won't You Come Out Tonight."    The memory is live because in those days I could sing in a falsetto and I clearly recall singing along.  Wish I could do that today, but now it's like contact sports - I watch or listen.  These two performances are 47 years apart - and both worth watching.  Listen to the voices maturing.

And the 2004 version -

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