Scarce: Santa, Teach Me to Dance, 1962 Debbie & the Darnels Soul/Doo-Wop
Sold Date:
September 18, 2023
Start Date:
September 11, 2023
Final Price:
$19.99
(USD)
Bid Count:
2
Seller Feedback:
512
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Debbie and the Darnels came out of New Haven, Connecticut. Dorothy Yutenkas, her sister Joan and a friend, Maria Brancati, made up the singing trio. In 1962, the group was known as the Teen Dreams. Later that year, the trio's name was changed to Debbie and the Darnels. Their upbeat tune “Mr. Johnny Jones” was a Top 40 hit on local Connecticut radio stations.
The trio's Christmastime record was this lively and catchy tune “Santa Teach Me to Dance.” Dorothy was the lead singer and wrote the group's first recording: “Why Why.” The trio was discovered by New Haven's Jerry Greenberg, who also wrote “The Time” for the group.
Backing up the trio was Greenberg's instrumental band the Passengers. The group was managed by Sam Goldman (manager of the Five Satins). Debbie and the Darnels toured up and down the East Coast and were a very popular girl group in the early '60s. In Connecticut, Debbie and the Darnels shared the stage with other well-known state artists.
