Doowopheaven: The Goofers

Sonntag, 26. Juni 2016

The Goofers

The Goofers

(Las Vegas, Nevada)

Frank Nichols, Jimmy Vincent, Tom Terry Fresh, Jimmy Dell, Jack Holliday

Group members:

Frank Nichols (Frank James Nicolais) (trumpet & voacal)

Jimmy Vincent (James Vincent Faraci) (drums & vocal)

Jimmy Dell (James Edward Del Giudice) (trombone & voacal)

Tom (Tommy/Thomas) Terry Fresh (upright bass & vocal)

Jack Holliday (Jack M. Holliday) (piano & vocal)

Alternate piano: Bob Murray after Jack Holliday passed away

Alternate bass player: Frank Mercy

Discography:

1954 - Hearts Of Stone / You're The One (Coral 61305)

1955 - Flip, Flop And Fly / My Babe (Coral61383)

1955 - Nare / Goofy Dry Bones (Coral 61431)

1955 – Dee-Do, Dee-Da / What Does That Dream Mean? (Coral 61480)

1955 - Sick! Sick! Sick! / Twenty One (Coral 61545)

1956 - Crave Me / Oh How I Miss You Tonight (Coral 61593)

1956 - Tennessee Rock N' Roll / Tear Drop Motel (Coral 61650)

1956 – I’m Gonna Rock and Roll ’Til I Die / Our Miss Brooks Theme (Coral 61664)

1957 - Wow! / Push Cart (Coral 61802)

1957 - Take This Heart / The Dipsy Doodle (Coral 61881)

1958 - The Head Hunter / Scotch On The Rocks (instr.) (Port 70006)

1958 - A Little Bit Square But Nice / 'S O.K. 'S Alright (Tiara 6123)

1959 – Perfidia / Nameless / (Tiara 6127)

Biography:

The Goofers were 5 Italian musicians originally part of Louis Prima’s big band, during the time of Keely Smith. They developed a one-of-a-kind novelty act, playing their instruments while on pogo sticks or hanging upside down from a trapeze. Their musical style was swing/be-bop, often with all 5 members singing/harmonizing together. The members sometimes also wore masks. Louis would feature these five very talented Italian musicians, until one day, they decided to break out on their own, managed by Mannie Greenfield.

Jack Holiday,Frank Nichols, Jimmy Dell, Jimmy Vincent, Tom Terry Fresh

They started performing on their own live in 1951 through 1963 with over 30 live performances including Royal Command Performances for Bautista (Cuba) and Queen Elizabeth II. Their longest running engagement was at the Flamingo in Las Vegas in 1956 (periodically for approximately 4 years), opening for the Mills Brothers. They were a favorite of Ed Sullivan, appearing on his show 8 times. Their other television appearances included Toast Of The Town, Jackie Gleason Show and Perry Como Show. They were featured in the cult movie, Bop Girl Goes Calypso, which showcased several of their songs.

The Goofers produced 13 single records, 26 songs, including 3 originals, from 1955 through 1959 on Coral, Port and Tiara Records. They covered a lot of Black artists between 1954 and 1956 and sold a lot of records to a still very much segregated audience. This was one such record from 1955, Coral 61383 (Flip, Flop And Fly).

They borrowed heavily from the Bill Haley & The Comets sound, thanks to producer Paul Cohen. This sold a lot of records and got tons of air-play on radio stations where Big Joe Turner had no chance of being heard over the air.

Sources:

The Goofers official website

The Goofers discography and label scans at 45cat

Movie: