Gary Lewis & The Playboys

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Gary Lewis and the Playboys were a 1960s pop group, fronted by Gary Lewis, son of comedian Jerry Lewis.
The group auditioned for a job at Disneyland, supposedly without telling Disneyland employees about Lewis’ celebrity father. They were hired on the spot, audiences at Disneyland quickly accepted them, and the Playboys were soon playing to a full house every night. Band leader Les Brown had known Jerry Lewis for years, and he told record producer Snuff Garrett that the younger Lewis was playing at Disneyland. After listening to the band, Garrett thought using Gary’s famous name might sell records. Garrett took them into a recording studio with the song “This Diamond Ring” in a session financed by Jerry Lewis’ wife Patti. However, according to Lewis, the Playboys weren’t allowed to play their instruments except on the backing tracks. Garrett wanted to maximize the chances for a hit, so he insisted on using experienced studio musicians for the overdubs, which included guitar and keyboard solos, additional bass and drum overdubs, and timpani. These musicians included Tommy Allsup on guitar, Leon Russell on keyboards, Joe Osborn on bass, and Hal Blaine on drums. Session singer Ron Hicklin did the basic vocal track. Garrett then added Gary’s voice twice, added some of the Playboys and more of Hicklin. “When I got through, he sounded like Mario Lanza,” Garrett commented.
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  • Rapture5212011

    Fantastic group ~ loved their sound. And I agree with 'doctorjmo' that I did NOT know the fact that Gary was Jerry's son. Being over 60 years of age, this proves you never get too old 2 learn something.. God bless~!

    August 2010
  • Bubimann

    Everybody Loves A Clown<3

    June 2010
  • doctorjmo

    i didn't know he's jerry's kid!!

    June 2010
  • SteveLevine

    A shame this is not the original version of "Just My Style."

    March 2010
  • richardneal

    Leon Russell !

    December 2009
  • Retro_Saiyan

    I wonder if Gary is considered a musical genius in France? LOL

    November 2009
  • ronkowitz

    I wonder if Gary is considered a musical genius in France?

    June 2009
  • tj66stang

    amazing songs!

    June 2009
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