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The Crew Cuts

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Crew Cuts, also spelled Crewcuts, were a Canadian vocal quartet from Toronto. The members, Rudi Maugeri, John Perkins, Ray Perkins and Pat Barrett, had all attended St. Michael's Choir School, the school the Four Lads also came from. In March 1952 they formed a group together, which was first called Four Tones and then Canadaires. They gave up their jobs with the Ontario government to sing full time.

Music and breakthrough

Their breakthrough came in Cleveland, where the disc jockey Bill Randle gave them the name that stuck and arranged a contract with Mercury Records. In the beginning they were mainly specialists in covers of rhythm and blues songs. Their version of Sh-Boom, originally by The Chords, reached number one in the United States in 1954. Earth Angel reached number two and also did well in England and Australia. Songs of their own were successful mainly in Canada. Their covers brought rhythm and blues to a large audience.

Influence

In 1955 they played in Liverpool, where the twelve-year-old George Harrison was in the audience and the thirteen-year-old Paul McCartney got an autograph. In 1958 the group moved to RCA Records and in 1964 it stopped. In 1977 the members got back together in Nashville. In 1984, together with the Four Lads and the Diamonds, they were inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to their version of Sh-Boom and notice the four voices that together carry the song. Then put the original by The Chords next to it: what is different?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists