Two birthdays today: Brian Hyland and Errol Brown, both in 1943 [View all]
Who?
Hyland had a #1 hit "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", a rather controversial song for 1960. Flip side "Don't Dilly Dally Sally" was just as campy and at least the title fit on the label. His other two #3 hits were a cover of "Sealed With A Kiss" (1962), and the Curtis Mayfield penned classic "Gypsy Woman" (1970).
Bikinis were still considered too risqué for mainstream in 1960 and this song in heavy rotation spawned public acceptance on the beach and in Frankie Avalon movies. Indeed the video he made had to employ a two year old girl to disassociate it with any sexual inference. It was explained that it was teeny weeny because the girl was so little. Bubble gum snapping teens who had a transistor radio knew better, didn't we?
The other notable birthday boy would be Jamaican British singer Errol Brown, best known as the front man for "Hot Chocolate". They had a string of well known hits in the '70s and early '80s, including "Brother Louie" (1973), and "Emma" (1975), but the song "You Sexy Thing" (1976) was dropped at the advent of the disco era and became known globally. it was destined for the Billboard #1 slot but was beaten out by Queen with "Bohemian Rhapsody". As an aside, Errol was known by his clean shaven pate. He shaved his head on a bet and decided he liked it. In music it pays to have gimmick to stand out.
The song was originally a B side with "Blue Knight", but the fact we never heard that song is why the change was made.
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