The Wellingtons (folk group)
| Company type | Vocal ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Founder | George Patterson, Ed Wade, Kirby Johnson |
| Defunct | 1971 |
| Products | Theme songs for television series, backing vocals |
The Wellingtons were a vocal ensemble active between 1958 and 1971, recognized for their performances of theme songs for television series during the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, notably including Gilligan's Island and Davy Crockett. They frequently appeared on the musical program Shindig!.
The group was established by George Patterson, Ed Wade, and Kirby Johnson, originally recording under the name the Lincolns for Kapp Records. After adopting the name The Wellingtons, they secured a contract with Walt Disney to produce theme music for Disney’s The Wonderful World of Color and other related ventures. Their work with Disneyland Records featured tracks such as The Ballad of Davy Crockett, which was part of the Davy Crockett mini-series soundtrack and subsequently included in the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox.
The Wellingtons were commissioned by producer Sherwood Schwartz to perform the popular theme for Gilligan's Island, collaborating with composer George Wyle. They also made an appearance during the show’s second season portraying a fictional band named the Mosquitoes, a humorous homage to The Beatles.
Beyond their television contributions, The Wellingtons served as studio backing vocalists for performers such as Annette Funicello and Jan and Dean. Their touring history includes an extensive period supporting entertainer Donald O'Connor for more than six years, as well as sharing performance bills with artists like The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. Among the founding members, Ed Wade remained alive until 2023 after shifting to a legal profession in California. Kirby Johnson died in 1999, while George Patterson passed away in 2015.
External links
- George Patterson
- The Ballad of Davy Crockett
- [ All Music Guide]