Robin Ward, born Jacqueline Eloise McDonnell in 1941 in Nebraska is best remembered for her single "Wonderful Summer", which peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #14 in December 1963. Ward and her family moved to Los Angeles when she was a child and, although she sang, she did not turn professional until her early twenties when she was already married and a mother. She recorded two singles, which were both unsuccessful, before Dot Records released ‘Wonderful Summer’, a ballad which celebrated the joys of a summer romance. She recorded a follow-up, "Winter's Here", which intended to apply the same magic to winter but it failed to hit the Hot 100 and Robin Ward’s career never regained its momentum.
Terry LaVerne Stafford was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1964 hit "Suspicion" and the 1973 country music hit "Amarillo by Morning".
Born in Hollis, Oklahoma, in 1941, Stafford grew up in Amarillo, Texas, and graduated from Palo Duro High School in Amarillo in 1960. After high school he moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue a career in music. The song "Suspicion", which was released on the Crusader record label and which had previously been recorded by Elvis Presley, made it to #3 April 1964. "Suspicion," with a vocal by Stafford that reminded many listeners of Presley, had the unusual distinction of being at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4, 1964, just below The Beatles when they made history by holding down the entire top five. The following week "Suspicion" topped out at #3 with The Beatles holding three of the other four spots in the top 5. Stafford's recording sold over one million copies. His follow-up, "I’ll Touch a Star", peaked at #25 in June 1964. Stafford continued to record but had no more hits, although his 1973 release/joint composition, "Amarillo by Morning", was later covered by George Strait on Strait's 1982 album "Strait from the Heart". The song was named the #12 country song of all-time by Country Music Television. Terry Stafford lived most of his life between Los Angeles and Amarillo and died in Amarillo of liver failure in 1993 at the age of 54.
Nashville's greatest contribution to the hot rod and surfing craze of the early 60s came in the form of Ronny & the Daytonas. Centered around singer-guitarist-songwriter John "Bucky" Wilkin (son of country tunesmith Marijohn Wilkin, best known for composing "Long Black Veil" and "One Day at a Time"), their big moment in the sun came with their debut disc, the Wilkin-penned "G.T.O." After writing the song in physics class as a senior in high school, Wilkin's mom pulled a few strings, landed him a publishing deal, and had a session set up with Nashville producer (and former Sun session man) Bill Justis. Justis cut the tune with various Nashville session players who had a feel for rock & roll and instructed Bucky to come up with a group name to put on the record. Wilkin became Ronny Dayton with the anonymous backing group becoming the Daytonas. The record sprang to number four on the national charts in the fall of 1964 and an album was cut in two weeks using more or less the same personnel. Wilkin seems to have cared little about playing live and, after a short time fronting a thrown-together combo for selected dates including a USO tour, simply put together a phantom group to go out and honor tour commitments. After the USO tour, Buzz Cason joined the group, becoming Wilkin's main writing partner. A shift away from the Beach Boys-styled hot rod and surf tunes came with the group's second hit, the ballad "Sandy", which peaked at #27 in January 1966. Another album, exploring the ballad side of the band, was recorded in Germany with Cason and various session players, including a full string section, then an innovative idea for a rock & roll record. The hits soon dried up, however, and the band moved on to RCA Victor with some success before Wilkin left to pursue a solo career with albums on United Artists and Liberty. He remains active today on the oldies circuit.
Best known for their 1966 #12 pop hit, "The Cheater", Bob Kuban & The In-Men hailed from St. Louis, Missouri. Band founder Bob Kuban is honored in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's permanent exhibit on one-hit wonders. Kuban was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated from the St. Louis Institute of Music. In 1964, he formed the group Bob Kuban and The In-Men. Kuban was both drummer and bandleader. The group was an eight-piece band with horns, somewhat of a throwback for the time, considering that the British Invasion was taking place during that period.
After "The Cheater," Kuban never scored high on the pop charts again - he had two other top 100 hits: "The Teaser" peaked at #70 and a remake of the Lennon/McCartney song "Drive My Car" went to #93 - but he remained a fixture on the St. Louis music scene for decades. Bob Kuban and The In-Men performed for opening ceremonies of Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis on May 10, 1966, and The Bob Kuban Brass performed before the last regular-season baseball game there on October 2, 2005. Bob Kuban raised his family in St. Louis, Missouri and his living relatives still live in St. Louis. In an ironic and tragic twist, Walter Scott, frontman for The In-Men and singer of "The Cheater" (whose lyrics speak of the downfall of an unfaithful lover), was murdered in 1983 by his wife's lover. Scott disappeared shortly after Christmas 1983. In April 1987, hiss body, having been hog-tied and shot in the back, was found floating face-down in a cistern. Scott's wife pled guilty to hindering prosecution in his murder. She received a five year sentence. Her lover, James H. Williams Sr., whom she married in 1986, was found guilty of two counts of capital murder in the deaths of his previous wife, Sharon Williams, and Walter Scott.
Born Kevin Spacey Fowler in South Orange, New Jersey, on July 26, 1959, actor Kevin Spacey turns 52 today.
Born Marjorie Wollenberg in San Francisco, California, on July 26, 1918, actress Marjorie Lord turns 93 years old today. She is best remembered for her role as Danny Thomas' wife on the TV series Make Room For Daddy.
Born Helen Lydia Mironoff in London, England, on July 26, 1945, actress Helen Mirren turns 66 today.
Born in Newton, Massachusetts, on July 25, 1967, actor Matt LeBlanc turns 44 today.
Born in Evanston, Illinois, on July 25, 1935, actress Barbara Harris turns 76 years old today.
Actor G.D. Spradlin passed away on Sunday, July 24, 2011, at the age of 90. Perhaps best known for his roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, he did not begin acting until into his 40s.
Born in Bethesda, Maryland, on July 24, 1947, actor Robert Hays turns 64 years old today.
Born in Beckley, West Virginia, on July 24, 1942, actor Chris Sarandon turns 69 today.
Born in Culver City, California, on July 24, 1949, actor Michael Richards celebrates his 62nd birthday today.
