RANDY AND THE RAINBOWS ![]()
Ritchie Valens’ follow-up single, “Donna” was completely different and became a bonafide hit, peaking at #2 on the charts at the end of 1958. “Donna” inspired a host of other songs addressed to female loves, most directly Dion’s “Donna the Prima Donna” (Dion and the Belmonts were also along on the Winter Dance Party), but also Neil Sedaka’s “Oh, Carol!” and “Denise” by Randy and the Rainbows (later covered by Blondie as “Denis”). (June 2013/1) * * * The flip side of the hit single “At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors was the David White song “Sometimes (When I’m All Alone)”; according to Wikipedia (as taken from the article on David White): “‘Sometimes (When I’m All Alone)’ became a favorite of a lot of street corner groups just starting out who later became successful, including the Capris, the Chimes, the Cleftones, the Young Rascals, the Del Satins, the Dovells, the Elegants, the Impalas, the Earls, Randy and the Rainbows, the Tokens. the Vogues, and Vito and the Salutations among others.” (August 2015) |