The Teddy Bears
The Teddy Bears | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | Pop |
Years active | 1957–1960 |
Labels | Doré, Imperial |
Past members |
|
The Teddy Bears were an American pop music group. They were record producer Phil Spector's first vocal group.[1]
History
Following graduation from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles, California, Phil Spector became obsessed with "To Know Him Is to Love Him", a song he had written for his group, the Teddy Bears. After a hasty audition at Era Records, which offered to finance a studio session, the Teddy Bears – Phil Spector, Marshall Leib, Harvey Goldstein (who left the group early on), lead singer Annette Kleinbard,[2] and last minute recruit, drummer Sandy Nelson – recorded the song at Gold Star Studios at a cost of $75. Released on Era's Doré label in August 1958, it took two months before "To Know Him Is to Love Him" began to get airplay. The title was inscribed on Spector's father's tombstone, as "To Know Him Was To Love Him".
It went on to become a global hit. The
Spector was not the only Teddy Bear who went on to a career after the group broke up. Harvey Goldstein became a certified public accountant. Annette Kleinbard continued to write and record songs, and changed her name to
Discography
- Studio album
- The Teddy Bears Sing! (1959)
- Singles
Year | Title | Label | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US | US | US | US | UK | ||||
1958 | "To Know Him Is to Love Him" | Doré | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | Non-album single |
1959 | "Oh, Why?"
b/w "I Don't Need You Anymore" |
Imperial | 91
98 |
53
— |
50
— |
— | — | The Teddy Bears Sing! |
"If You Only Knew (The Love I Have For You)"
b/w "You Said Goodbye" (from The Teddy Bears Sing!) |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
"Wonderful, Lovable You"
b/w "Till You'll Be Mine" |
Doré | — | — | 108 | — | — | ||
"Don't Go Away"
b/w "Seven Lonely Days" |
Imperial | — | — | — | — | — | The Teddy Bears Sing! | |
"—" denotes release did not chart. |
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 61. CN 5585.
- ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
External links
- Teddy Bears biography & discography
- Teddy Bears at AllMusic.