The Cyrkle
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes, Jim Maiella |
| Defunct | 1968 (original band) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1968; reactivated in 2016 |
| Headquarters | Easton, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Don Dannemann, Tom Dawes, Jim Maiella, Earle Pickens, Marty Fried, Michael Losekamp, Pat McLoughlin |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Number of employees | Various band members over time |
| Website | thecyrkle |
The Cyrkle is a rock group from the United States, originally prominent during the 1960s and reactivated in 2016, recognized for their two major hits, "Red Rubber Ball" and "Turn-Down Day."
Career
The band was established by guitarists and lead vocalists Don Dannemann and Tom Dawes, with original drummer Jim Maiella, while attending Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. The lineup also featured Earle Pickens on keyboards and Marty Fried on drums. Initially named the Rhondells, they came under the management of Brian Epstein, renowned for managing the Beatles. Epstein changed their name to The Cyrkle, inspired by the roundabout at Easton's Centre Square, with the distinctive spelling suggested by John Lennon. Their production was handled by John Simon.
In 1966, The Cyrkle served as opening act for 14 concerts during the Beatles' US tour, including a headline performance at Dodger Stadium alongside artists such as Bobby Hebb and the Ronettes. They also appeared at the Beatles' final ticketed show at Candlestick Park.
That same year, their single "Red Rubber Ball," co-written by Paul Simon and Bruce Woodley of the Seekers, climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, selling over a million copies and receiving a gold certification. Later in 1966, "Turn-Down Day" reached No. 16 on the charts. Following their debut album Red Rubber Ball, they released Neon later in 1966 and a soundtrack album titled The Minx in 1967 (which was issued in 1970). After releasing several singles, the band dissolved in mid-1968.
Following the breakup, Dawes and Dannemann found success composing commercial jingles—Dawes created the well-known "plop plop fizz fizz" jingle for Alka-Seltzer, while Dannemann wrote for Continental Airlines and Swanson Foods and composed the original 7 Up "Uncola" tune. Dawes also produced two albums for Foghat and co-wrote "Wild Cherry." Marty Fried transitioned from music to law, becoming a bankruptcy attorney after earning his degree from Wayne State University. Earle Pickens pursued a medical career as a surgeon in Florida.
Revival
In early 2014, keyboardist Mike Losekamp of The Cyrkle joined Columbus, Ohio-based classic rock ensemble The Gas Pump Jockeys, which included Pat McLoughlin (guitar/vocals), Scott Langley (drums), Don White (lead guitar), along with bassists Rick Brown (deceased 2015) and later Mike "Roscoe" Rousculp (deceased 2019). They incorporated The Cyrkle's signature songs "Red Rubber Ball" and "Turn Down Day" into their setlists, where these numbers became crowd favorites.
Motivated by positive audience reactions, McLoughlin aimed to organize a 50th anniversary reunion featuring original Cyrkle members—a difficult endeavor given the band's disbandment in 1968 and members' career changes. Original drummer Marty Fried, now practicing law in Michigan, and keyboardist Earl Pickens, working as a surgeon in Florida, were located but unavailable due to professional obligations. Original bassist Tom Dawes had passed away in 2007. McLoughlin then concentrated on lead vocalist and guitarist Don Dannemann, who had previously operated an advertising jingle company before retiring.
After extensive efforts, McLoughlin facilitated contact between Dannemann and Losekamp in 2016, marking the first communication between bandmates in five decades. Following business discussions, Dannemann joined The Gas Pump Jockeys to establish a new incarnation of The Cyrkle.
The revitalized group made its live debut with a promotional video and live album recording (Full Cyrkle) in November 2016 and resumed professional performances in February 2017 in Columbus. Beginning October 2017, they embarked on national tours often sharing stages with other classic rock acts from the 1960s. As of 2022, they continue to perform throughout the United States.
The current lineup features original member Don Dannemann alongside Michael Losekamp, with Pat McLoughlin, Mike Rousculp (deceased 2019), Don White, Scott Langley, Mike Shoaf (2019–2021), and Dean Kastran (joined 2021), who was a founding member of The Ohio Express.
Marty Fried passed away from pancreatic cancer on September 1, 2021, at age 77; he had retired as a bankruptcy attorney near Detroit.
Their album Revival, released in 2024 on Big Stir Records, includes the track "We Were There."
Singles
| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) Both tracks sourced from the same album unless noted otherwise |
Record Label | Highest Chart Rankings | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard | US Cashbox | Canada RPM | ||||
| 1966 | "Red Rubber Ball" b/w "How Can I Leave Her" |
Columbia 43589 | 2 | 3 | 1 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2>Red Rubber Ball |
| "Turn-Down Day" b/w "Big Little Woman" |
Columbia 43729 | 16 | 18 | 16 | ||
| "Please Don't Ever Leave Me" b/w "Money to Burn" (from Red Rubber Ball) |
Columbia 43871 | 59 | 50 | 31 | style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2>Neon | |
| 1967 | "I Wish You Could Be Here" b/w "The Visit (She Was Here)" |
Columbia 43965 | 70 | 57 | 46 | |
| "Camaro" b/w "SS 396" (by Paul Revere & The Raiders) Chevrolet dealers promotional release |
Columbia Special Products 466 | - | - | - | Non-album tracks | |
"We Had a Good Thing Goin
b/w "Two Rooms" (from Neon) |
Columbia 44018 | 72 | 65 | 69 | ||
| "Penny Arcade" b/w "The Words" |
Columbia 44224 | 95 | 61 | 53 | ||
| "Turn of the Century" b/w "Don't Cry, No Fears, No Tears Comin Your Way" (from Neon) |
Columbia 44366 | 112 | – | – | ||
| 1968 | "Reading Her Paper" b/w "Friends" |
Columbia 44426 | – | – | – | |
| "Red Chair Fade Away" b/w "Where Are You Going" |
Columbia 44491 | – | – | – | ||
Reissued Single
- 1966 – "Red Rubber Ball" / "Turn-Down Day"
Albums
Studio Albums
| Year | Title | Billboard |
Cashbox |
Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Red Rubber Ball | 47 | 32 | Columbia Records |
| 1967 | Neon | 164 | 81 | |
| 1970 | The Minx (soundtrack, 1967) | – | – | Flying Dutchman Records |
| 1991 | Red Rubber Ball (A Collection) | – | – | Columbia/Legacy Records |
| 2017 | Full Cyrkle (live album) | – | – | Independent release |
| 2024 | Revival | – | – | Big Stir Records |
CD Reissues
- 1991 – Red Rubber Ball (A Collection) – Columbia Legacy 47717
- 2001 – Red Rubber Ball – Sundazed SC 11108
- 2001 – Neon – Sundazed 11109
- Both editions feature the original album tracks alongside demos, outtakes, and singles not included on LPs.
Band Members
- Tom Dawes (July 25, 1943 – October 13, 2007) – lead vocals, lead guitar, bass guitar
- Don Dannemann (born May 9, 1944) – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Marty Fried (1944 – September 1, 2021) – drums, backing vocals
- Earle Pickens – keyboards on debut album; later pursued a career as a general surgeon in Gainesville, Florida
- Michael Losekamp (born September 8, 1946) – keyboards and vocals on second and third albums; retired engineer at AT&T
- Pat McLoughlin (born June 23, 1952) – rhythm guitar, percussion, vocals
- Don White (born April 30, 1953) – lead guitar, vocals
- Scott Langley – drums, vocals
- Mike Shoaf (born June 29, 1951) – bass guitar and vocals
- Mike "Roscoe" Rousculp (May 30, 1949 – May 16, 2019) – bass guitar, vocals
- Dean Kastran (born October 22, 1948) – bass guitar and vocals