Dave Somerville
Encyclopedia
Dave Somerville, a.k.a. “Diamond” Dave Somerville (born October 2, 1933), in Guelph, Ontario
, Canada. Best known as co-founder and original lead singer of The Diamonds
, one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1950s.
, Ontario
, 50 miles west of Toronto
. At age 14, he moved to Toronto with his parents and brother, Marc, where he entered Central Tech to study architecture and building construction. He soon realized that would not be his career.
After high school, he studied radio and secured a position in the engineering department as a radio operator at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
. Concurrently, he studied voice with Dr. Ernesto Vinci at the University of Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music.
During the fall of 1953 in the hallway of the C.B.C., Somerville met by chance an unnamed quartet (Stan Fisher, Ted Kowalski, Phil Levitt and Bill Reed), and soon became their vocal coach. Later that year (when Fisher opted for college) Dave became the group’s lead singer. That quartet became The Diamonds. On August 1, 1955, the group tied for first place on Arthur Godfrey
’s Talent Scouts in NYC. In February 1956, with the recommendation of Cleveland’s genius DJ Dr. Bill Randle
, they signed a long-term contract with Mercury Records
.
Somerville performed 8 years with The Diamonds and had great success singing lead on all 16 of their Billboard hits, peaking with the song, “Little Darlin'
” that for 8 weeks, remained at number 2 on the charts becoming the 3rd best selling single record of 1957. With multiple appearances on American Bandstand
, The
Perry Como
and Steve Allen
Shows and more, all combined to increase his visibllity.
In August 1961, Somerville left The Diamonds, married Judy Corns of Evansville, IN and began a 6-year career as a "solo" folk artist under the name David Troy. In 1967 his only son, David Orlando “Landa” Somerville (now also a singer/songwriter) was born. That same year Dave joined The Four Preps singing the bass part as the first replacement member for that group. In 1969 he concentrated on a folk/comedy act with a former member of The Four Preps
, Bruce Belland. The duo, Belland & Somerville, appeared in concerts with Henry Mancini
and Johnny Mathis
and was a regular act on the CBS
primetime TV comedy series “The Tim Conway
Show”. From 1972-74 Somerville founded and performed with Keith Barbour
and Gail Jensen in the group called WW Fancy. In the late 80s he again sang with original members of The Diamonds. He also returned to The Four Preps along with Bruce Belland and Ed Cobb
of the original Four Preps and Jim Pike of The Lettermen
, and organized another group called Somerville’s Diamonds.
He studied acting with Leonard “Mr. Spock” Nimoy
and has guest starred in many TV shows, including Star Trek
: The Original Series. His song, “The Ballad of the Unknown Stuntman”, inspired the creation of the ABC
television series “The Fall Guy
” starring Lee Majors
. With additional lyrics by the producer, Glen Larson, it became the show’s theme, as well as the song about stuntmen. Somerville’s home was used as the set for the home of Colt Seavers (Lee Majors) in the television series. With Bruce Belland, Somerville co-wrote “The Troublemaker” which became the title tune of 2 Willie Nelson
albums. Also through the years Dave has been in demand as a voice-over
artist in Hollywood.
In more recent ventures, Somerville sang in a later version of The Four Preps, “Triple Gold”, with Jim Yester of The Association
and Bruce Belland. Occasionally, he still sings lead in his original group, The Diamonds, when they get together for oldies shows and PBS
specials. His children’s album, “The Cosmic Adventures of Diamond Dave”, contains many original songs and has received critical acclaim. Dave performs his current themed act, "On The 1957 Rock & Roll Greyhound Bus”, which is based on rock and roll’s first major touring show. He’s been honored in 4 musical Halls of Fame.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada. Best known as co-founder and original lead singer of The Diamonds
The Diamonds
The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet who rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with sixteen Billboard hit records. The original members were Dave Somerville , Ted Kowalski , Phil Levitt , and Bill Reed .-1950s:...
, one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1950s.
Biography
Dave Somerville grew up in a musical family in the farming village of RockwoodRockwood
Rockwood is the name of some places in North America:Canada* Rockwood, Manitoba, rural municipality* Rockwood, OntarioUnited States* Rockwood, California* Rockwood , listed on the NRHP in Delaware* Rockwood, Illinois...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, 50 miles west of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. At age 14, he moved to Toronto with his parents and brother, Marc, where he entered Central Tech to study architecture and building construction. He soon realized that would not be his career.
After high school, he studied radio and secured a position in the engineering department as a radio operator at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
. Concurrently, he studied voice with Dr. Ernesto Vinci at the University of Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music.
During the fall of 1953 in the hallway of the C.B.C., Somerville met by chance an unnamed quartet (Stan Fisher, Ted Kowalski, Phil Levitt and Bill Reed), and soon became their vocal coach. Later that year (when Fisher opted for college) Dave became the group’s lead singer. That quartet became The Diamonds. On August 1, 1955, the group tied for first place on Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Godfrey
Arthur Morton Godfrey was an American radio and television broadcaster and entertainer who was sometimes introduced by his nickname, The Old Redhead...
’s Talent Scouts in NYC. In February 1956, with the recommendation of Cleveland’s genius DJ Dr. Bill Randle
Bill Randle
Bill Randle was an American disc jockey, lawyer and university professor.He was born William McKinley Randle Jr. in Detroit, Michigan. In Detroit, he hosted a popular show on WJLB-AM radio called The Interracial Goodwill Hour, featuring rhythm and blues music and hot jazz...
, they signed a long-term contract with Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
.
Somerville performed 8 years with The Diamonds and had great success singing lead on all 16 of their Billboard hits, peaking with the song, “Little Darlin'
Little Darlin'
"Little Darlin" is a popular Top 40 song.It was written by Maurice Williams with both melody and doo-wop accompaniment strongly emphasizing the clave rhythm. It was first recorded by Excello Records in January 1957 and quickly released as a rhythm-and-blues song by Williams's R&B group, The Gladiolas...
” that for 8 weeks, remained at number 2 on the charts becoming the 3rd best selling single record of 1957. With multiple appearances on American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
, The
Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
and Steve Allen
Steve Allen
Steve Allen may refer to:*Steve Allen , American musician, comedian, and writer*Steve Allen , presenter on the London-based talk radio station LBC 97.3...
Shows and more, all combined to increase his visibllity.
In August 1961, Somerville left The Diamonds, married Judy Corns of Evansville, IN and began a 6-year career as a "solo" folk artist under the name David Troy. In 1967 his only son, David Orlando “Landa” Somerville (now also a singer/songwriter) was born. That same year Dave joined The Four Preps singing the bass part as the first replacement member for that group. In 1969 he concentrated on a folk/comedy act with a former member of The Four Preps
The Four Preps
The Four Preps are an American popular music male quartet. In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the group amassed eight gold singles and three gold albums...
, Bruce Belland. The duo, Belland & Somerville, appeared in concerts with Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
and Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
and was a regular act on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
primetime TV comedy series “The Tim Conway
Tim Conway
Thomas Daniel "Tim" Conway is an American comedian and actor, primarily known for his roles in sitcoms, films and television. Conway is best known for his role as the inept second-in-command officer, Ensign Charles Parker, to Lt...
Show”. From 1972-74 Somerville founded and performed with Keith Barbour
Keith Barbour
Keith Barbour is an American singer-songwriter. He was a member of the Jabberwocks, Brown University's oldest male a cappella group, while in college. He was a member of The New Christy Minstrels before signing to Epic Records as a solo artist in 1969...
and Gail Jensen in the group called WW Fancy. In the late 80s he again sang with original members of The Diamonds. He also returned to The Four Preps along with Bruce Belland and Ed Cobb
Ed Cobb
Ed Cobb was a musician, songwriter and record producer, most notably during the 1950s and 1960s.-Career:...
of the original Four Preps and Jim Pike of The Lettermen
The Lettermen
The Lettermen are an American male pop music vocal trio. The Lettermen's trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light arrangements. The group started in 1959...
, and organized another group called Somerville’s Diamonds.
He studied acting with Leonard “Mr. Spock” Nimoy
Nimoy
Nimoy may refer to:*Jeff Nimoy, Emmy Award-winning voice actor and writer*Leonard Nimoy, actor, director, and musician best known for playing Spock in Star Trek*Adam Nimoy, television director...
and has guest starred in many TV shows, including Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
: The Original Series. His song, “The Ballad of the Unknown Stuntman”, inspired the creation of the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
television series “The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy
The Fall Guy is an American action/adventure television program produced for ABC and originally broadcast from November 4, 1981 to May 2, 1986. It starred Lee Majors, Douglas Barr, and Heather Thomas. Majors and Barr are the only two actors to appear in all 112 episodes of the series...
” starring Lee Majors
Lee Majors
Lee Majors is an American television, film and voice actor, best known for his starring role as Colonel Steve Austin in The Six Million Dollar Man and as Colt Seavers in The Fall Guy ....
. With additional lyrics by the producer, Glen Larson, it became the show’s theme, as well as the song about stuntmen. Somerville’s home was used as the set for the home of Colt Seavers (Lee Majors) in the television series. With Bruce Belland, Somerville co-wrote “The Troublemaker” which became the title tune of 2 Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
albums. Also through the years Dave has been in demand as a voice-over
Voice-over
Voice-over is a production technique where a voice which is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations...
artist in Hollywood.
In more recent ventures, Somerville sang in a later version of The Four Preps, “Triple Gold”, with Jim Yester of The Association
The Association
The Association is a pop music band from California in the folk rock or soft rock genre. During the 1960s, they had numerous hits at or near the top of the Billboard charts and were the lead-off band at 1967's Monterey Pop Festival...
and Bruce Belland. Occasionally, he still sings lead in his original group, The Diamonds, when they get together for oldies shows and PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
specials. His children’s album, “The Cosmic Adventures of Diamond Dave”, contains many original songs and has received critical acclaim. Dave performs his current themed act, "On The 1957 Rock & Roll Greyhound Bus”, which is based on rock and roll’s first major touring show. He’s been honored in 4 musical Halls of Fame.
Television
- Double Dare, Co-Star, NBC
- Automan, Featured, 20 Century Fox
- Fall Guy, Featured, Co-Wrote Theme, Glen Larson Productions
- Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Co-Star, Universal
- The Gathering, Star, Metromedia
- Rooster, Principle, 20 Century Fox
- McCloud, Co-Star, Glen Larson Productions
- Star Trek TOS, Featured, Paramount
- Tim Conway Show, Star, CBS
- Steve Allen, Guest Star, NBC
- Merv Griffin Show, Guest Star, KTTV
- Billboard Awards, Star, CBS
- Tonight Show, Guest Star, NBC
- American Bandstand, Guest Star, Dick Clark Productions
- Tony Bennett Show, Guest Star, NBC
- Midnight Special, Guest Star, NBC
- Henry Mancini Special, Guest Star, NBC
- Smothers Bros. Special, Guest Star, NBC
- Spiderman, Principal, Universal
- Perry Como, Guest Star, NBC
- Mike Douglas Show, Guest Star, Mike Douglas Productions
- Doo Wop 51, Star, PBS Special
- Magic Moments, The Best of 50s Pop, Star, PBS Special
Motion Pictures
- The Big Beat, Star, Universal
- A Sign of the Times, Star, Orsatti Productions
- The Doberman Gang, Principle, Rosamond Productions
Stage
- Two Dreams Met, Spence Baldwin, Theatre 206, Los Angeles
- Dew Drop Inn Sam, Cast Theatre, Los Angeles
Spokesman
- TRW
- Sony
- City of Simi Valley
- American Trails
- Southwind Recreational Vehicles
- Candle Corporation
Voice Overs
- Mattel
- Coleman Camping Gear
- CNR Clothiers
- Avia Shoes
- Toyota
- Motown Records
- Shopping Malls
- The Fall Guy
- Ford
- Pro Hardware
- Micom Computers
- Carlo Rossi Wine
- International House of Pancakes
- Chicago Rib Broker Restaurants
- Magnum P. I.
Awards As A Member Of The Diamonds
- 1984 Received the "Juno" award and inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
- October, 2004, Inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of FameVocal Group Hall of FameThe Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor outstanding vocal groups throughout the world. It is headquartered in Sharon, Pennsylvania, United States. It includes a theater and a museum....
in Sharon, Pa. - 2006, Inducted into The Doo-Wop Hall of Fame.