Rhythm and Blues
Where would teenagers in this first era of rock and roll be without their telephones?
“Don’t hang up (no no)
Oh don’t you do it now, don’t hang up (No No)”
The song “Don’t Hang Up,” which was co-written by musician/produucer Dave Appell and songwriter Kal Mann (both from Philadelphia), was one of the biggest hit singles for The Orlons. It reached #3 on the R&B Chart and #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. The Orlons also had hit singles with “The Wah-Watusi” in 1962 and “South Street” in 1963. All three songs sold more than one million copies and received RIAA Gold Records.
The Orlons are an R&B group from Philadelphia, that formed in 1960. And their career has lasted for more than 50 years. Over the years, there have been numerous personnel changes. The members for “Don’t Hang Up” consisted of Rosetta Hightower, who sang lead, Shirley Brickley, Marlena Davis, and Stephen Caldwell. They called themselves The Orlons as a joking response to a popular group at their high school named The Cashmeres (that is, Orlon is an inexpensive synthetic material – enough said).
3 Comments
[…] Please click here to listen to “South Street.” If you would like to read more about “Don’t Hang Up” by The Orlons, please click here. […]
Happy to find your site. I have this for the ringtone on my phone! Great Philly doo wop group.
Cute song. Love that Philly R&B and doo wop.