The Edsels Biography
This R&B vocal ensemble from Campbell, Ohio, USA, led by George Jones Jnr. (lead vocal), also included Marshall Sewell, James Reynolds, and brothers Harry and Larry Greene. They were named after the popular make of car. In 1959, they auditioned for a local music publisher who helped them secure a recording contract. Their debut single was the fast doo-wop outing "Rama Lama Ding Dong" (written by Jones), originally released under the incorrect title of "Lama Rama Ding Dong". It was a local hit but flopped nationally. Two years later, when Marcels had a big hit with the similar-sounding doo-wop version of "Blue Moon", a disc jockey was reminded of "Rama Lama Ding Dong" and started playing it. Demand grew and it was re-released under its correct title and became a hit in the USA. By this time the Edsels had moved on and could not capitalize on their success. Although the original failed in the UK the song was a hit in 1978 when it was covered by Rocky Sharpe And The Replays.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
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