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  SPIRIT MOVIE  IRON MAN  APPLE MOBILE  DAVE  IESB LIVE PODCAST |
Dante & The Evergreens- Main page, Archive, Send Message, Join Fan Club | |
Champions of Youth & Lovers of Music From Hits to Hearts Dante & the Evergreens & friends 1960 to 2006 It was 1959 and three students at Santa Monica City College decided to form a vocal trio. Don “Dante” Drowty, Frank Rosenthal and Bill Young became friends with fellow student, Dean Torrance (of Jan and Dean fame), and eventually were introduced to Dean’s managers, Herb Alpert and Lou Adler. The guys met fourth Evergreen member, Tony Moon, while hangin’ out at Herb and Lou’s office above a Chinese laundry on the Sunset Strip. “Tony was a trained musician who taught us vocal harmonies and did arrangements,” remembers Don, who had the strongest voice and, accordingly, became lead singer. The group was dubbed DANTE AND THE EVERGREENS and was named b y Bones Howe & Lou Adler. “Our harmony improved 100% with Tony Moon directing the vocal arrangement.,” said Don. “We knew we could out-harmonize and out-sing a lot of top groups, plus we had a more diversified look. Bill was a blond surfer type, Frank an athlete, Tony played guitar and I could sing lead on anything from Pop to Rock & Soul to Blues.” They had two great teaching groups from the West L.A. Black all stars community. Brice Coefield & The Untouchables & Charles Wright of 103rd Street Watts Rhythm Band. These fellows were like brothers in times when much of America was messed up with prejudice & hate. 1960 brought the group a “curse and blessing” — their recording of “Alley-Oop”, a novelty, pre-rap/spoken-sung/ode to the caveman-comic strip character that became a world-wide hit was just a fore runner to their showing off very diverse talent. The hit made them instant stars and got them booked on radio and TV programs, package tours, club dates and theater shows. They even were one of the first white acts to play traditionally Black venues like The Apollo (New York), The Uptown (Philly), and The Howard (Washington, D.C.). Along with their novelty hits of Alley Oop & Time Machine the group had developed their performing and harmonizing abilities and recorded an album of contemporary American hits. (“Hushabye,” “Dream Lover”) and originals (“Dreamland,” “Think Sweet Thoughts”) that demonstrated their vocal skills and cast them in a Belmonts, Mystics, Passions mode. The Evergreens toured extensively for the next few years, but their well crafted, White doo-wop and pop singles were deeply appreciated in concert and on dics. The group disbanded in 1964 after Frank contracted an illness that lasted about six months and seriously curtailed the group’s touring. Frank returned to college on an athletic scholarship and even became a professional athlete for a time. Bill fooled around in music and movies for a while, but eventually left the business. Tony ended up in Nashville as a respected arranger, writer and producer. Don, however, stuck to it. He recorded many sides for Imperial as DANTE AND HIS FRIENDS, part of Dante deal with Lou Chudd, Pres. Of Imperial records was to bring Don’s best friend, Herb Alpert on board.as a co writer, arranger, co-producer and gigantic boost to our chances in music. Herb began using The Rivingtons as the background group. “To this day, I love “Something Happens,” said Don. “That record should have been a huge hit. It WAS #1 IN Seattle so I sang at the World Faire there is ’62. It’s a great doo-wop ballad that I sung my heart out on.” Don worked extensively with Herb Alpert, who wrote and sang background as one of Dante’s “Friends.” One of the sides they did, “Little Miss America,” was covered by The Beach Boys. He went on to work as a writer/producer for Bert (aka Bert Russell) Berns' of Mellin Music Publishers ("Twist & Shout", "Tell Him", "Cry Baby", etc.) working with The Isleys, The McCoys, and many others. Bert Berns ran their East Coast offices & Don(Dante) ran their West Coast offices in Hollywood. Don recorded some things for A&M Records, including a strong version of “Speedoo.” However, for the last 35 years, Don has devoted himself almost full-time to working with disadvantaged youths, underprivileged children and Southwestern Native American Indian tribes. He is currently employed as a special school education teacher and is the proud father of two children. He has logged 33 years of teaching from poverty zones to Indian nations to his home town of Santa Monica and more With the help of his friends Herb Alpert, Jerry Moss & Bert Boeckmann & family & perhaps a few thousand volunteers he has developed & implemented 35 totally free programs for disabled, abused, orphaned, ill, troubled & needy kids, seniors, military & their families. His various activities are always provided free and can be reached at his Headquarter in Paradise, Ca & Santa Monica, Ca. Perhaps you might want to help others in many ways before you exit this life. Or do more than you are already doing. Don Drowty Project TOUCH Every service free and all volunteers since 1960. P.O. Box 878 Paradise, CA 95967 (530)877-2700 Cell U.S.A. (530)321-3833 American Bandstand Survivors. Send a self addressed & stamped envelope (.63 cents) for full brochures with pix of Denzel, Arnold, Roy & Dale and dozens of others with Don & children of every color & faith. Love put into action is our key. If not you then who? If not now then when? | ||
