PBS Special 2004, Magic Moments 50s Hit Pops Bruce Belland, Glen Larson(Original The Four Preps), Jim Yester(The Assoiciations), and Dave Somerville(The Diamonds). This is the onetime Four Preps for PBS TV program. Bruce Belland reformed the Four Preps in 2007. See their Web Site; www.thefourpreps.com. + Informações

The clean-cut West Coast-based Four Preps are best remembered for a string of Top 100 hits during the late '50s and early '60s, including "Twenty Six Miles (Santa Catalina)," "Big Man," "Down by the Station," "Lazy Summer Night," "Got a Girl," "It Ain't Never," "Moon River," "Lollipops and Roses," "My Special Angel," and others. Ultimately, the Four Preps' biggest influence can be heard via their impact on Brian Wilson, whose harmony-driven production for the Beach Boys was a direct antecedent of the Four Preps' sound. The original group -- Bruce Belland, Ed Cobb, Marv Ingraham, and Glen Larson -- were discovered by Capitol Records A&R exec Nik Venet while performing at a Hollywood High School talent show in 1956 and were signed shortly afterwards to a long-term contract. By the end of the year, the wholesome milk-fed group charted their first single, "Dreamy Eyes." Before long, there were changes to the lineup, with former Diamonds' original lead vocalist David Somerville joining the group as a replacement for the departing Larson. For eight years, between 1956-1964, the Four Preps charted on the Top 100 13 times, but by the mid-'60s, they were beginning to sound a bit outdated. Their last chart hit "A Letter to the Beatles" was a desperate attempt to stay hip, but the days of button-up sweaters, crew cuts, and four-part vocal harmonies were waning, and they knew it. The Four Preps continued to record until 1967. Bruce Belland has had an amazing career since the group .... + Informações

Capitol Records EAP 1-1064 EP. + Informações

Charted at #17 on Billboard Hot 100 in August 1961, #39 on UK Singles chart and #4 on Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. This recording provided a return to the Top 20 for the Four Preps, and would be their last Top 40 hit. Around this time, the Four Preps became very popular touring on college campuses and released a series of campus albums. The songs and groups parodied here are The Fleetwoods (Mr. Blue), the Hollywood Argyles (Alley Oop), the Platters (Smoke gets in Your Eyes), the Four Freshmen (In This Whole Wide World), the Kingston Trio (A Worried Man, Tom Dooley) and Dion and the Belmonts (A Teenager in Love). The Barron Knights, a British group, used this idea of satirizing popular groups for their own records in the UK.. + Informações

The Four Preps were always looking for ways to eliminate their competition. 1) More Money For You and Me - 1961 #17 2) The Big Draft - 1962 #61 On my LP these are from live stage performances, with some talk before the songs. I've dropped that.. + Informações

The Four Preps live at Thousand Oaks Performing Arts Center (2009) doing their special version of "You Belong To Me". The Four Preps are original lead singer Bruce Belland, Bob Duncan, formerly of The Diamonds and Joe Dickey & Skip Taylor from The Crew Cuts. Musical Director is W. Michael Lewis. www.fourpreps.com You Belong To Me (Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, Redd Stewart) Ridgeway Music Co Inc (BMI). + Informações

Video highlights of original Four Preps appearances. www.thefourpreps.com. + Informações

Charted at #96 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1961. After the Lawrence Welk instrumental version of this song became a big hit, this vocal version was rushed out by the Four Preps. It's quite good!. + Informações

Recorded in Nov. of 1966 and released in Jan of 67, this was the first Four Preps single featuring the lead vocals of David Somerville, former lead singer of the Diamonds. This song has been covered by numerous artists, but I like this original version the best.. + Informações

the four preps were a group that did a few comedy skits( musically speaking) a thing called more money for you and me and this gem called the big Draft. I guess you need be old enough to know what the draft is or was. When a male grew to be 18( back then there were no females eligible for a draft) they registered for a drafting into the army. this could come back if needed.. + Informações

A tribute to the four fabs!. + Informações

1958. + Informações

The FOUR PREPS perform their #1 most requested concert selection "UNCHAINED MELODY", featuring original lead singer Bruce Belland, Bob Duncan, Michael Redman and guest bass Diamond Dave Somerville. ??? Musical Director - W. Michael Lewis. "UNCHAINED MELODY" was written by Alex North & Hy Zaret, published by Frank Music Corp (ASCAP).. + Informações

The clean-cut West Coast-based Four Preps are best remembered for a string of Top 100 hits during the late '50s and early '60s, including "Twenty Six Miles (Santa Catalina)," "Big Man," "Down by the Station," "Lazy Summer Night," "Got a Girl," "It Ain't Never," "Moon River," "Lollipops and Roses," "My Special Angel," and others. Ultimately, the Four Preps' biggest influence can be heard via their impact on Brian Wilson, whose harmony-driven production for the Beach Boys was a direct antecedent of the Four Preps' sound. The original group -- Bruce Belland, Ed Cobb, Marv Ingraham, and Glen Larson -- were discovered by Capitol Records A&R exec Nik Venet while performing at a Hollywood High School talent show in 1956 and were signed shortly afterwards to a long-term contract. By the end of the year, the wholesome milk-fed group charted their first single, "Dreamy Eyes." Before long, there were changes to the lineup, with former Diamonds' original lead vocalist David Somerville joining the group as a replacement for the departing Larson. For eight years, between 1956-1964, the Four Preps charted on the Top 100 13 times, but by the mid-'60s, they were beginning to sound a bit outdated. Their last chart hit "A Letter to the Beatles" was a desperate attempt to stay hip, but the days of button-up sweaters, crew cuts, and four-part vocal harmonies were waning, and they knew it. The Four Preps continued to record until 1967. Bruce Belland has had an amazing career since the group .... + Informações

Charted at #85 on Billboard Hot 100 in March 1964. For their last Hot 100 charter, the Four Preps delivered a novelty offering a comment on Beatlemania and the merchandising of the group. It should be noted that it was reported in Billboard that Capitol had to halt the pressing of this record in April because a music licensing group objected to the fact that it contains some bars from "I Want To Hold Your Hand' stating they didn't have permission to use the song in their parody.. + Informações

Bubbled under the Billboard Hot 100 at #116 in 1963. The Four Preps had displayed their skills at impersonating other vocal groups previously in their novelty records, "More Money For You And Me", and "The Big Draft". Here, they attempted to beat another vocal group at their own game! The Bachelors recording of "Charmaine" was becoming a big hit in the UK, and it was thought that the Preps might be able to repeat their success in the US before the Bachelors became well known in that country. Here, they copy their arrangement and vocal stylings note for note and do a really good job! I'm a fan of both groups. The song itself was a #1 hit for Guy Lombardo in 1927. The 1951 Mantovani version was also very popular. I have posted the Bachelors version as well.. + Informações

Charted at #56 on Billboard chart in February 1957. This was the first single for the Four Preps. Released in December 1956.. + Informações

Writers: Ulz, Larson, Belland ? Releasing date: 1964 ? Format: 7" single ? Label: Capitol (#5143) ? Producer: Stu Phillips ? The Four Preps were Marvin Inabnett, Bruce Bellard, Glen Larson and Ed Cobb; the group had many hits including "26 miles"and "Big man". By 1964 they had started to fade and the Beatles' novelty provided them with their last charted hit: it reached number 85 in three weeks on the chart in March of 1964.. + Informações

By request, here's the Four Preps from 1958, from the MGM movie, "Andy Hardy Comes Home". Happy listening, Kim!. + Informações

"26 miles across the sea" live concert July 15th 2007 performed at Descanso Beach Avalon Catalina. + Informações

Charted at #21 on Billboard Hot 100 in August 1958. This is one of my favorite records by the Four Preps. You can just imagine listening to this song with your girlfriend on a beautiful romantic summer night. It was the follow-up single to the #3 US hit, "Big Man", which itself was the follow-up to the #2 hit, "26 Miles".. + Informações

Four Preps-Big Man Capitol Records-78-3960-1958. + Informações

Between Jim Pike's Lettermen career and starting another success story with his new trio Reunion, he had a short spell recording with 3 friends in a foursome known as the New Four Preps. The other personnel were: Bruce Belland and Ed Cobb of the Four Preps and David Sommerville of the Diamonds. They were billed as "3 Top groups wrapped in One!" Needless to say, they produced stunning harmonies from start to finish of their first CD. The first song of this video is no exception, and starts with a song which was a hit for Kenny Rogers. I loved it the minute I heard it! Hope you all will too. The second song flows seamlessly from the first, and needs no introduction: the famous "MacArthur Park" ENJOY!!!. + Informações

Excerpts of recent live performances by The Four Preps. The Four Preps are Bruce Belland, Bob Duncan, Joe Dickey and Skip Taylor. Musical director is W. Michael Lewis.. + Informações

1959. + Informações