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The Hilltoppers (band)

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The Hilltoppers
c. 1954
c. 1954
Background information
OriginBowling Green, Kentucky, United States
GenresTraditional pop
Years active1952–1963[1]
LabelsDot, London
Past membersJimmy Sacca
Donald McGuire
Seymour Spiegelman
Billy Vaughn
WebsiteThe Hilltoppers Page

The Hilltoppers were an American popular music singing group.

Career

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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

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Year Title Chart positions
US[4] CB UK[5]
1952 "Trying" 7 5
1953 "Must I Cry Again" 15 22
"I Keep Telling Myself" 26 39
"If I Were King" 22 26
"I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old without You)" 8 12
"P.S. I Love You" 4 5
"Love Walked In" 8 11
"To Be Alone" 8 14
1954 "'Till Then" 10 7
"Alone" (Sacca, solo) 28
"From the Vine Came the Grape" 8 3
"Time Will Tell" 27 38
"Poor Butterfly" 12 14
"Wrapped Up In a Dream" 37
"Sweetheart (Will You Remember" 24 25
"If I Didn't Care" 17 18
"Time Waits for No One" 25 26
1955 "D-A-R-L-I-N'" 16
"The Door Is Still Open to My Heart" 22
"The Kentuckian Song" 20 22
"Only You (And You Alone)" 8 3 3
"Searching" 81 43
"My Treasure" 31 37
1956 "Ka-Ding-Dong" 38 17
"Tryin'" 30
1957 "Marianne" 3 2 20
"I Love My Girl" 75 45
"I'm Serious" 74
"A Fallen Star" 58 24
"The Joker (That's What They Call Me)" 22 20

References

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

Further reading

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  • 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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