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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFOUR LADS, TheVocal quartet formed in Toronto at the Cathedral Choir School. Lineup: James Arnold, first tenor; Bernard Toorish, second tenor; Frank Busseri, baritone; Connie Codarini, bass. They were auditioned by the gospel group Golden Gate Quartet during a gig in Toronto and recommended to an agent, played clubs and TV in NYC, signed to Columbia and had 15 top 40 USA hits '52-8 with an unpretentious, friendly sound. They first backed Johnnie Ray on two-sided mega-hit 'Cry'/'The Little White Cloud That Cried' '51. Their own first hit was 'The Mocking Bird' on Ray's label OKeh '52, then on the parent Columbia: 'Istanbul' and 'Skokian' were novelties with a beat '53-4, then huge hits with ballads 'Moments To Remember' '55, 'No, Not Much!' '56, both no. 2, both written by Bob Allen (b 5 Feb. '27, Troy, NY; pianist, arranger, conductor, producer) and Al Stillman (b 26 June '06, NYC; d 17 Feb. '79 NYC), who also wrote 'Who Needs You' '57, 'There's Only One Of You' and 'Enchanted Island' '58 for the Lads, 'Chances Are' and 'It's Not For Me To Say' for Johnny Mathis. 'Moments To Remember' was popular for decades as a sentimental end-of-term high school/college song. Their only other top five hit was 'Standing On The Corner' '56 from The Most Happy Fella, and they made an LP of Frank Loesser songs '57; other albums were On The Sunny Side with Claude Thornhill (no. 14 LP '56), Breezin' Along with Ray Ellis. Their last his was a remake of their first hit '58 (the original had re-entered on Epic at no. 67 '56). James Arnold retired after 30 years and became a voice teacher in Sacramento CA; he died of lung cancer 15 June 2004 aged 72. Busseri said that Arnold's voice had been the key to the group's success. |