Musician. He was a guitarist and band leader who was considered a pioneer in the pop-music business. During World War II, he served in the US Navy and after the war, he formed the instrumental group, “The Applejacks”. The group appeared in the Alan Freed film "Don't Knock the Rock" (1956), later recorded for Decca Records, which had the Top 40 hits "Mexican Hat Rock" (1958), "Rocka-Conga" (1959) and was the backup band for Ernie Kovacs’ TV and radio shows in Philadelphia. He also was the leader of the house band for the Cameo and Parkway record labels which backed up many artists such as Dee Dee Sharp, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Charlie Gracie, John Zacherle and The Dovells. With lyricist Kal Mann, he co-wrote the hit songs "Let's Twist Again", "Mashed Potato Time", "South Street", "Bristol Stomp" and many more. During the 1970s, he produced the Tony Orlando and Dawn hits, "Knock Three Times" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon". In his later years, he wrote music for jazz man Georgie Young, Grover Washington Jr. and composed the background music for he TV sitcom, "3rd Rock From the Sun".
Musician. He was a guitarist and band leader who was considered a pioneer in the pop-music business. During World War II, he served in the US Navy and after the war, he formed the instrumental group, “The Applejacks”. The group appeared in the Alan Freed film "Don't Knock the Rock" (1956), later recorded for Decca Records, which had the Top 40 hits "Mexican Hat Rock" (1958), "Rocka-Conga" (1959) and was the backup band for Ernie Kovacs’ TV and radio shows in Philadelphia. He also was the leader of the house band for the Cameo and Parkway record labels which backed up many artists such as Dee Dee Sharp, Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Charlie Gracie, John Zacherle and The Dovells. With lyricist Kal Mann, he co-wrote the hit songs "Let's Twist Again", "Mashed Potato Time", "South Street", "Bristol Stomp" and many more. During the 1970s, he produced the Tony Orlando and Dawn hits, "Knock Three Times" and "Tie A Yellow Ribbon". In his later years, he wrote music for jazz man Georgie Young, Grover Washington Jr. and composed the background music for he TV sitcom, "3rd Rock From the Sun".
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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