The Wah-Watusi - The Orlons

 

I Met Hime On A Sunday (Ronde Ronde)

The Wah-Watusi

The Orlons

Cover Design: Al Cahn and Miller, Bodden & Rich

Cameo C1020

1960

From the back cover: The Orlons are new, so new that this is their first long-playing album. The four members are Shirley Brickley, Rosetta Hightower, Marlena Davis and Steve Caldwell. All the girls are 17 and Steve is 19. The Orlons come from Philadelphia – the musical record center of the world." Philadelphia is also the home-town of a number of other Cameo-Parkway Records, Inc. stars including Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp, the Carroll Brothers and the Dovells.

Like many popular groups, the Orlons started in an informal way. The girls were friends in junior high and sang together in school. For five years they performed at benefit shows, neighborhood parties, and teen dances. After attending Overbrook High, they drifted apart for awhile. "We sang for the fun of it," says Shirley, "and we never dreamed of a career in show business."

And that's where "the boy next door" fits in. The boy in this case is Steve Caldwell. He lives next door to Shirley. One night he heard singing coming from Shirley's house and called to find out what "record" she was playing. "It turned out the girls were having a reunion," says Steve. "Shirley knew I did a little singing too and asked me to join them. We tried a few numbers together and clicked. That's how the Orlons were born."

Soon the Orlons were back doing banquets and variety shows. At one engagement, Lennie Barry, the lead singer for the Dovells heard them. He spoke to the group after the show and suggested an audition at Cameo. "Wow, we were nervous," says Steve, "but we weren't going to pass up an opportunity like that."

The audition was a smash success, and in a week the Orlons had cut their first hit single, I'll Be True. Since then, they have recorded other favorites like Mr. Twenty One and of course, The Wah-Watusi.

There are several reasons why the Orlons are gaining so much popularity with teenagers across the country.

For one thing, music is second nature to them. "All of us learned to read and enjoy music at an early age," says Rosetta. "You might say we grew up singing." Another reason is dedication. "Most people don't realize how much plain hard work is involved in singing," explains Marlena. "You practice a song over and over, and when it's finally right, it sounds easy. That's why you, work so hard – to make it sound easy."

Like all teenagers, the Orlons have their favorite singers. Steve is a long-time fan of Johnny Mathis. Rosetta has a large collection of Ray Charles records. Shirley get enthusiastic about Etta James, and Marlena's favorite is Connie Stevens. For fun and relaxation, Rosetta goes swimming and Marlena likes tennis. Shirley is a accomplished dancer, and Steve devotes his spare time to basketball and baseball.

The best reason for the Orlon's success is also the simplest one. As Shirley said, the enjoy singing. Whether the group is doing a show, or making a record, or practicing, they go all out because singing is fun. "You have to breathe in to live," says Steve, "and when you're breathing out, it doesn't hurt any to add a little song." – J. P. Byrne

Dedicated To The One I Love

Tonight

Mashed Poatato

The Pea

Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)

I'll Be True

The Wah-Watusi

He's Gone

Let Me In

Over The Mountain, Across The Sea

I Met Hime On A Sunday (Ronde Ronde)

(Happy Birthday) Mr. Twenty-One