The Critters
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The Critters – Sweet Breezes
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Biography
The Critters were a successful American pop group with several hits in the 1960s.
The group formed in New Jersey when singer-guitarist Don Ciccone and saxophonist Bob Podstawski joined local group the Vibratones, comprising Jim Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker (drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards). They named themselves The Critters in emulation of similar band names like The Animals.
They signed with Kapp Records, and, in 1964, picked John Sebastian’s song “Younger Girl” for their first release. However, because Ciccone, Ryan and Podstawski were then all accepted at Villanova University, the record was not completed until late 1965. “Younger Girl” became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and was followed by Ciccone’s song “Mr. Dieingly Sad”, which reached # 17 later in the year. The group had their final chart hit with “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me” in 1967.
The original band split up when Podstawski, Ciccone and Decker joined the armed services, and Darway left for art college. Ryan and Gorka then attempted to maintain the group with new members for some time.
Later, Ryan recorded and toured with Carly Simon before working as a studio guitarist. Ciccone joined Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and later toured with Tommy James and the Shondells. Gorka now owns the Bitter End in Greenwich Village.
The group formed in New Jersey when singer-guitarist Don Ciccone and saxophonist Bob Podstawski joined local group the Vibratones, comprising Jim Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker (drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards). They named themselves The Critters in emulation of similar band names like The Animals.
They signed with Kapp Records, and, in 1964, picked John Sebastian’s song “Younger Girl” for their first release. However, because Ciccone, Ryan and Podstawski were then all accepted at Villanova University, the record was not completed until late 1965. “Younger Girl” became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and was followed by Ciccone’s song “Mr. Dieingly Sad”, which reached # 17 later in the year. The group had their final chart hit with “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me” in 1967.
The original band split up when Podstawski, Ciccone and Decker joined the armed services, and Darway left for art college. Ryan and Gorka then attempted to maintain the group with new members for some time.
Later, Ryan recorded and toured with Carly Simon before working as a studio guitarist. Ciccone joined Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and later toured with Tommy James and the Shondells. Gorka now owns the Bitter End in Greenwich Village.
Top Tracks
Top Albums
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Younger Girl
417 listeners26 tracks
Released:
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Anthology 1965 to 1967
1,152 listeners20 tracks
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Anthology: The Complete Kapp Recordings,1965-1967
38 listeners19 tracks
Released:
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Timepieces
15 listeners12 tracks
Released:
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luckystoned
love harmony ♫♪ ♫♪ ♥♥♥
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TrueIndian
Mr. Dieingly Sad - one of my favourite songs ever
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applecloud
Mr. Diengly Sad is a "must played song" at my family reunions lol.. <3 love it
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itschewbac
Good God this is psychodelically sappy amazing harmony! Love it!
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ElectricSoul921
Mr. Dieingly Sad :-)
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