The_Hilltoppers_(band)

The Hilltoppers (band)

The Hilltoppers (band)

American vocal group

This article is about the 1950s vocal pop group. For the 1940s big band orchestra the Hilltoppers, see Tiny Hill.

The Hilltoppers were an American popular music singing group.

Quick Facts Background information, Origin ...

Career

Originally the group was a trio formed at Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University), Bowling Green, Kentucky. The original members were three students; Jimmy Sacca (born July 26, 1929, Lockport, New York, died March 7, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky); Donald McGuire (born October 7, 1931, Hazard, Kentucky, died September 7, 2018, in Lexington);[2] and Seymour Spiegelman (October 1, 1930 – February 13, 1987). Spiegelman was born in Seneca Falls, New York and died in New York City. They took their name from the nickname of the Western Kentucky athletic teams.[1]

They later added a pianist, Billy Vaughn (April 12, 1919 – September 26, 1991). Vaughn was born in Glasgow, Kentucky. Vaughn was eventually to become famous in his own right as an orchestra leader.

In 1952, they recorded a song, "Trying", written by Vaughn.[1] A local disc jockey sent a copy to Randy Wood at Dot, and he agreed to distribute the record.[1] It became a top 10 hit single.[1] They went on to record a number of additional hits until their break-up.[1] Their 1953 release, "P.S. I Love You," sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[3]

Spiegelman died in New York City. Vaughn died in Escondido, California. Both Sacca and McGuire died in Lexington.[2]

Hit records

More information Year, Title ...

References

  1. [1]
    Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1150. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. [2]
    Hensley, Steve (8 September 2018). "Hazard native Don McGuire, part of legendary singing group, dies". WYMT-TV. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  3. [3]
    Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. [4]
    Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890 - 1954 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 213. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  5. [5]
    Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 253. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

Further reading

  • Jackson, Carlton (2007). P.S. I Love You: The Story of the Singing Hilltoppers. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-81317-222-4. - Excerpt on Google Books
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