Red Rubber Ball – Cyrkle, The
The Cyrkle was a short-lived American rock and roll band active in the mid-1960s. Though not officially a one-hit wonder (the group charted two top-40 hits), they are best known for their 1966 version of the song Red Rubber Ball, which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and still receives significant airplay on oldies radio stations across the United States.
The band was formed by guitarists and lead singers Don Dannemann and Tom Dawes (bass guitar), who met while studying at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The other members were Earl Pickens on keyboards and Marty Fried on drums. They were originally a “frat rock” band called The Rhondells but were later discovered and managed by Brian Epstein, who was better known as manager of The Beatles. Epstein’s partner was New York attorney Nathan Weiss, who heard the band in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Labor Day in 1965. He became their manager and renamed them. John Lennon provided the unique spelling of their new name. They were produced by John Simon.
In the summer of 1966, they opened on fourteen dates for the Beatles during their U.S. tour. On August 28, they headed the opening acts performing prior to The Beatles at Dodger Stadium. The other artists who appeared were Bobby Hebb, The Ronettes, and The Remains. Before touring with The Beatles, The Cyrkle had a successful engagement at the Downtown Discotheque in New York City.
The Cyrkle is best known for their 1966 song “Red Rubber Ball,” which went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was co-written by Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel and Bruce Woodley of The Seekers. It was released on the Columbia record label. The band had one more Top 20 hit, “Turn-Down Day,” later in 1966. After the release of their debut album, Red Rubber Ball, they recorded a second album, Neon, in late 1966, and a movie soundtrack, The Minx, in 1967. They followed that with various singles and then disbanded in late 1967.
Both Dawes and Danneman became professional jingle writers after The Cyrkle disbanded. Dawes later wrote the famous “plop plop fizz fizz” jingle for Alka-Seltzer. Danneman wrote jingles for Continental Airlines and Swanson Foods. He penned the original 7Up Uncola song. In 1977, Dawes produced Foghat. [Source: Wikipedia]
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Lafayette College, …
Lafayette College, Sigma Nu, I think
I remember this …
I remember this song so well when it played on the am radio dial in the sixties. I was six years old in 1966 when this was released but this is one the most memorable songs for me. Can remember vividly riding in our family station wagon, a blue ‘65 Dodge Coronet wagon, the whole family piled in the car going somewhere and hearing this song on the radio was so “cool”. Love it. Thanks for posting this.
@johnbailiol …
@johnbailiol Actually co-written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley, a member of the great Australian folk group The Seekers.
@azuredreams717, …
@azuredreams717, tried that sadly YT got smart. My IP Address prevents me as YT has a gimmick that would prevent me to repost from my home computer.
I fooled them before on my second try, when they had not yet set up their new gimmick. Sadly, someone complained to YT after I did repost, I guess that person(s) had subtitle envy.
Thanks for your comment. Have a great weekend.
@deafsubtitles
…
@deafsubtitles
Make another account and repost your songs.
Always liked this …
Always liked this song. Did you know this was written by Paul Simon.
I was engaged to …
I was engaged to this real life-sucking loser. I finally came to my senses and dumped her. She sent me a cd with Dido’s White Flag on it. Of all the songs in the world I had to choose from, I sent this one on a disc back to her. I can’t recall many songs that can twist a knife like this one. It’s all poppy and uplifting- until you’re on the receiving end of it!! HA! I’m married and have a beautiful son and a great life. Thanks for the post.
@bib4tuna One of …
@bib4tuna One of em was in the service or just got out. Coast Guard I believe.
Could of been him/
the dude was in the …
the dude was in the Coast Guard Reserve
The drummer for …
The drummer for this group is now a bankruptcy attorney in Michigan. I got to speak with him on the phone a few years ago when I was looking for a job at his firm. While we were talking, I told him I was a singer/songwriter, and he said “don’t quit your day job” (a standard line I’ve heard from many, many people!). I also asked him what it was like to tour with the Beatles. He seemed very reluctant to talk about it, not wanting to open up old memories.
@bib4tuna, oh yes …
@bib4tuna, oh yes it is a 60s style. One of them at least. I should know, I had one.
What’s with that …
What’s with that dudes haircut? Was he in the service? It’s definitely not very 60s band…
Turn it up and sing …
Turn it up and sing along…thanks for the lyrics. This is definetly the original, this is the version that was ridiing the top 10 for many weeks back in 1966. I see there are many other artists that have sang this popular song but Simon and Garfungle weren’t known to have made it Top 40 with this Red Rubber Ball. Thx4 posting!
@deafsubtitles …
@deafsubtitles Funny about YT cops. They take the songs away and people always find a way to re-post. “catch me if you can”. heehee
@zephrah, I too …
@zephrah, I too have had run ins with YT cops. A lot more songs I can no longer post. What is weird is when they slam me, but others still have theirs up. Seems YT is discriminatory after all
Thanks for the comment. I have loved this song for ages..
I love this song. …
I love this song. I used to have it on my favs until the YT police took it off. Happy to hear it again. Thanks for posting.
FAR OUT!.
FAR OUT!.
dig that one dude’s …
dig that one dude’s axe…it’s a gretch bikini..seriously..doubleneck guitar/bass but unique in that split in half for easier storage in the case
@wingspan6 … COOL.
@wingspan6 … COOL.
They had Other ” …
They had Other “Hits”
Tommy Dawes is my …
Tommy Dawes is my uncle
I was only 8 when …
I was only 8 when this song first came out.
Julianna Margulies …
Julianna Margulies father is credited with the Alka Seltzer jingle in imdb. Internet Movie Database. Maybe they collaborated together on the music portion of it. Anyhow, this is a great video. I remember this song because it’s the first “rock and roll” song I ever learned.
@jeremynv89523 you …
@jeremynv89523 you said it! Pass it on! Spread the word, let’s change our pop music for the better!
@buffspringfield …
@buffspringfield Buff, I agree. What a pleasure it is hearing songs like this, compared to todays’ songs about killin’ cops, suicide, etc.