Gary Lewis & the Playboys
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Gary Lewis |
| Defunct | 1970 (initial disbandment) |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Pop and rock music recordings and performances |
| Website | www |
Gary Lewis & the Playboys were a pop and rock ensemble from the 1960s, fronted by musician Gary Lewis, the son of comedian Jerry Lewis. Their most notable achievement was the 1965 chart-topping single "This Diamond Ring", which marked the beginning of several hits throughout 1965 and 1966. The band cultivated an approachable, boy-next-door persona, akin to British Invasion groups such as Herman's Hermits and Gerry and the Pacemakers. Although they disbanded in 1970, they later resumed live performances, frequently appearing at events supporting veterans.
1960s prominence
Originally called Gary & the Playboys, Gary Lewis established the group at age 18 alongside four friends. The term "Playboys" was inspired by a humorous remark about their habit of arriving late to rehearsals.
They landed a gig at Disneyland without revealing Gary's famous family background, quickly attracting a fan base. Orchestra leader Les Brown, who knew Jerry Lewis, mentioned their act to producer Snuff Garrett. Recognizing the commercial advantage of Gary's surname, Garrett appended "Lewis" to the band's name.
Garrett produced their breakthrough hit "This Diamond Ring" during a session funded by Patti Lewis, Jerry Lewis' wife. While the Playboys performed on every track, Garrett enlisted seasoned session musicians—members of The Wrecking Crew—to overdub parts for greater commercial polish. These included artists such as Mike Deasy, Tommy Allsup, Leon Russell, Joe Osborn, and Hal Blaine. Vocals combined Gary Lewis and the band with session singer Ron Hicklin.
To gain airplay in New York City, Garrett collaborated with DJ "Murray the K" Kaufman, offering concert appearances in exchange for radio promotion. Leveraging Jerry Lewis' connections, they secured a spot on The Ed Sullivan Show. Due to studio effects on the recording, the band mimed their performance to pre-recorded tracks during the January 1965 broadcast, which rapidly elevated their fame. "This Diamond Ring" reached number one on the charts, sold over a million copies, and received a gold disc.
By late 1965, only John West and Gary Lewis remained from the original members; later additions included Tommy Tripplehorn (father of actress Jeanne Tripplehorn), Carl Radle (deceased 1980), Jimmy Karstein, Randy Ruff, Pete Vrains, Bob Simpson, Adolph Zeugner, Les John, Wayne Bruno, and Dave Gonzalez.
Gary Lewis & the Playboys were among just two acts in the 1960s whose first seven singles all entered the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10—the other being The Lovin' Spoonful. Their successful singles included "This Diamond Ring" (No. 1), "Count Me In" (No. 2), "Save Your Heart for Me" (No. 2), "Everybody Loves a Clown" (No. 4), "She's Just My Style" (No. 3), "Sure Gonna Miss Her" (No. 9), and "Green Grass" (No. 8). After Gary was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1967, previously recorded songs continued to chart but with declining success.
In 1966, they featured in a television special titled "An Evening With Gary Lewis & The Playboys" aired on WGN 9, showcasing Gary Lewis (vocals, guitar), Tom Tripplehorn (guitar), Carl Radle (bass), John West (cordovox), and Jim Karstein (drums).
Following his military discharge in 1968, Lewis returned to recording with a top-20 cover of Brian Hyland's "Sealed With A Kiss", though he was unable to regain his earlier popularity. He continued touring as a nostalgia act and regularly appeared on his father's Labor Day telethons benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Throughout the 1970s, he owned a music store and overcame personal struggles including substance abuse. By 1985, he participated in a nine-month “Happy Together” tour alongside groups like the Turtles, the Buckinghams, and the Grass Roots.
In total, Gary Lewis earned eight gold singles and four gold albums in the United States, achieving twelve Top 40 hits out of fifteen Hot 100 entries. His television appearances included major programs such as The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, Shindig!, Hullabaloo, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson among others.
Despite significant success in America during a period dominated by British Invasion bands, Gary Lewis & the Playboys had limited influence in the United Kingdom, charting only once on the UK Singles Chart with a re-release of "My Heart's Symphony", which peaked at No. 36 in 1975. They remain recognized as one of few American groups to successfully compete with British acts during that decade.
Later Lives of Former Playboys
- Carl Radle collaborated with Eric Clapton and Derek and the Dominos during his career. He passed away on May 30, 1980, due to complications related to alcohol and drugs, just before turning 38. In 2006, Radle was honored posthumously by induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
- David Walker remains active as a guitarist and multi-string instrumentalist, currently living in Hickory, North Carolina.
- Allan Ramsay served in the United States Air Force between 1965 and 1967. He died in an aviation accident on November 27, 1985, at the age of 42, while residing in White House Station.
- Both David Costell and John West withdrew from the music industry and now lead private, non-public lives.
- Tom Tripplehorn performed on stage during his career; he married Suzanne Ferguson but divorced in 1965. Their daughter, Jeanne, became a well-known actress. Tom passed away on March 15, 2019, at age 75.
Band Members
- Gary Lewis (born Gary Harold Lee Levitch on July 31, 1945, in Newark, New Jersey) – lead vocals (1964–1970), drums (1964–1965), guitar (1965–1970)
- David Walker (born May 12, 1943, in Montgomery, Alabama) – rhythm guitar (1964–1965)
- Allan Ramsay (July 27, 1943 – November 27, 1985) – bass guitar (1964–1965)
- David Costell (born March 15, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) – lead guitar (1964–1965)
- John West (born July 31, 1939, in Uhrichsville, Ohio) – organ and cordovox (1964–1970)
- Carl Radle (June 18, 1942 – May 30, 1980) – bass guitar (1965–1968)
- Tom Tripplehorn (February 2, 1944 – March 15, 2019) – guitar (1965–1968)
- Jim Keltner (born April 27, 1942) – drums (1965–1966)
- Jim Karstein (August 22, 1943 – March 27, 2022) – drums (1966–1968)
- Charley Carey – guitar (1968–1970)
- Alan Rosenthal – bass guitar (1968–1970)
- Bill Boatman – drums (1968–1970)
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Rankings | Catalogue Number | B-side (featured on same album as A-side unless noted) |
Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US AC |
AUS |
CAN |
NZ |
SA |
UK | |||||
| 1965 | "This Diamond Ring" | 1 | — | 6 | 3 | 4 | — | — | Liberty 55756 | "Hard to Find" (later replaced by "Tijuana Wedding") (both tracks not included on LP) |
This Diamond Ring |
| "Count Me In" | 2 | — | 49 | 3 | 10 | — | — | Liberty 55778 | "Little Miss Go-Go" | A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys | |
| "Doin' the Flake" (Kellogg's Corn Flakes promotional single) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | Liberty 65–227 | "This Diamond Ring" / "Little Miss Go-Go" (from This Diamond Ring and A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys) |
non-LP track | |
| "Save Your Heart for Me" | 2 | 1 | 60 | 1 | 4 | — | — | Liberty 55809 | "Without a Word of Warning" | A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys | |
| "Everybody Loves a Clown" | 4 | — | 62 | 4 | — | — | — | Liberty 55818 | "Time Stands Still" | Everybody Loves a Clown | |
| "She's Just My Style" | 3 | — | 53 | 5 | 17 | — | — | Liberty 55846 | "I Won't Make That Mistake Again" | She's Just My Style | |
| 1966 | "Sure Gonna Miss Her" | 9 | — | 72 | 21 | — | — | — | Liberty 55865 | "I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight" (non-LP track) | "Hits Again" |
| "Green Grass" | '8' | '—' | '64' | '1' | '—' | '—' | '—' | 'Liberty 55880' | "I Can Read Between the Lines" | ||
| "My Heart's Symphony" | '13' | '—' | '98' | '31' | '—' | '—' | '36' | 'Liberty 55898' | "Tina (I Held You in My Arms)" | '(You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture' | |
| "(You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture" | '15' | '—' | '58' | '9' | '—' | '7' | '—' | 'Liberty 55914' | "Looking For the Stars" | ||
| "Where Will the Words Come From" | '21' | '—' | '99' | '8' | '—' | '—' | '—' | 'Liberty 55933' | "May the Best Man Win" (from Gary Lewis and The Playboys) | ||
Albums
| Year | Album | Billboard 200 | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | This Diamond Ring | 26 | Liberty Records |
| A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys | 18 | ||
| Everybody Loves a Clown | 44 | ||
| She's Just My Style | 71 | ||
| 1966 | Hits Again | 47 | |
| (You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture | 79 | ||
| 1967 | New Directions | 185 | |
| Listen! | – | ||
| Gary Lewis & The Playboys | – | Sunset Records | |
| 1968 | Gary Lewis Now! | 150 | Liberty Records |
| 1969 | Rhythm of the Rain/Hayride | – | |
| Close Cover Before Playing | – | ||
| Rhythm! | – | Sunset Records | |
| I'm on the Right Road Now | – | Liberty Records |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Billboard | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Golden Greats | 10 | Liberty Records |
| 1968 | More Golden Greats | – | |
| 1975 | The Very Best of Gary Lewis and the Playboys | – | United Artists Records |
| 1990 | The Legendary Masters Series | – | EMI Records |
External links
- Official website
- Retrieved January 14, 2025