The Crew Cuts

The Crew Cuts are also part of our "Lost in the 50's" tour.

Tracing the roots of "Rock and Roll" in the 50's starts with the merger of 2 styles: 1) The black "rhythm & blues" and 2) the white swing style of the 40's. The merger of these two started the trend of the 50's and in 1954 a newer element came in called "Rock a Billy". Now three elemenets combined to become "50's Rock and Roll". Dick Clark told me, "The 50's era will never pass away. It will be like the Dixieland era; never to pass away and always the favourite of the young and the old."

The Crew Cuts came from the swing style of the 40's. They were originally a Canadian group like The Diamonds, The Four Lads and the Ames Brothers. The sound of the Crew Cuts reflects all of the above with great vocal harmonies. They are more fun than formal, but always "classy".

The big hit of the Crew Cuts was "Sh-Boom". This song went to number one nationwide and number one in all international markets. Many have recorded this song, but the Crew Cuts' version is the most remembered and the most identified as the first true swing to a rock and roll song!

The song was a mix of swing style with doo-wop.. what's doo-wop? This is a language of nonsense syllables or phonetic syllables that was used to accent the chord changes and add a vocal rhythm instrument.

The Crew Cut song, "Sh-Boom" started with the unlikely collection of such syllables as:hey, nonny ding-dong, a-lang, a-lang, a-lang, boom ba-do and ba-do, babob, eh... Boy, who would have thought that would be last 50 years in 82 countries and still be loved today!

The second big hit of the Crew Cuts was "Earth Angel". This was voted the best slow dance song from the 50's. Many a teenage heart raced when this song was played. The big hit version came from The Penguins. The Penguins version was recorded with piano and drums as the only backup. The Crew Cuts featured a 16 piece big band. If you want to hear the blend of two distinct styles, this is it. R&B meets swing and both are great!

The Crew Cuts went on to record many more hits. Most were "covers" of other groups done in "The Crew Cut Style"; such as "P.S., I Love You","Shangri-La", and "til Then". Bob Duncan, the leader, also recorded a hit in high school called "Image of a Girl" that the Crew Cuts resurrect.

How do you describe this show? Fun & high energy! Fun! Great harmonies! Fun! Audience participation! Fun! And, oh yes, fun!

"The teeth that talk in "Hernando's Hideaway" were unbelievable!"
-Wayne Siemens from Santa Barbara

"The best version of Marty Robbins' "White Sport Coat". It was so much like Marty."
- Bob Read, CEO of Chappel Records, formerly of Liberty and Warner Bros.

"The best show and dance we've ever seen!"
- Carter and Victoria Hines from the Coral Casino

"This was the best show in the last three years for our pharmaceutical convention."
- Eileen Higgins, CEO of Elite Productions in Palm Springs

If you want a fun, interactive and classy show, this is it!

Bob Duncan
is an original California guy. Born in 1940, he grew up in Van Nuys, California. Bob's professional career started with the Safaris, whose first big hit was Image of a Girl. Bob's varied career includes playing pro football with the L.A. Chargers and singing with such groups as the Ray Conniff Singers, the gospel quartet The Jubillaires, and the Westmont College quartet who became The Blenders on the Lawrence Welk Show. Bob left the Welk show and pursued the gospel ministry where he met his wife, Judy. In 1978 Bob joined The Diamonds and became the leader for the next 20 years. Bob reformed The Crew Cuts in 1998 and still loves to sing the Oldies!

Mike Redman
Michael Redman's professional music career began during college, while he was performing with the Army Reserve band. He moonlighted on the Dean Martin TV Show, followed by the Smothers Brothers and other TV variety series and specials. His movie and TV credits include Walt Disney's "The Little Mermaid","Little House on the Prairie" and "Highway to Heaven", as well as films like "Big","Blues Brothers" and "Saturday Night Fever". He has worked with superstars Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand and Elvis Presley, and was also a member of the Lawrence Welk TV Show cast. Michael enjoys singing with "The Crew Cuts", and in inspirational concerts with his pianist wife Cinda Goold Redman. Michael's latest, solo Gospel album is entitled, "Michael Redman, Yesterday and Today".

Skip Taylor
Skip Taylor's first professional work was as a teenager singing with Bob Duncan's "The Sundance Kids." He went on to work in broadcasting. Then, after taking time for family and a business careeer, Skip returned to music and theatre. He has enjoyed roles in "Fiddler on the Roof","Camelot","The King and I","Show Boat","1776" and "Annie", as well as playing Freddi Eynesford-Hill in My Fair Lady and Captain von Trapp in the Sound of Music. Skip is also a voice over artist.

Joe Dickey
is exactly like everyone else in the Southern-California-actor, talent coordinator ligthing designer, cue caller, road manager, writer, director, producer, and, oh yeah, a singer! His career includes The Ray Charles Singers, The Doodletown Pipers, and eight years as a lead performer in Las Vegas in Hallelujah Hollywood. He has written for PBS stations, penned speeches and special material for live shows and telethons, composed many songs, and produced acclaimed motivational cassette programs. He has a BBA from Emory University and now resides in Simi Valley with his eight year old daughter and four year old son.

Inquire about The Crew Cuts at our Contact Us page.

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Hold Me
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Medley One
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