Little Anthony, Anthony being Anthony Gourdine, and friends formed a vocal group in 1954. They competed in battles of the bands against other performers of that era, including the legendary Frankie Lyman. Anthony had talent, garnered attention, and was signed by a record label.
The group that Anthony started eventually became Little Anthony and the Imperials. They had a bonofide big hit in 1958 when Tears on My Pillow sold a million copies. My favorite of the Little Anthony songs was recorded in 1964. Yep, there they were, a group from the 1950's scoring a #6 pop hit in the 1960's.
Since he was the star, and the singer, I guess we ought to play the song that Anthony himself said was his best ever recording. It was a hit in 1965 and climbed both the pop and the R&B charts.
I saw a newspaper advertisement today and, low and behold, Little Anthony and the Imperials will be performing just south of here, at the Skagit Valley Casino, on May 29. Many people from Bellingham and Skagit County frequent the shows at that casino. The next video, which looks pretty recent, indicates that the guys can still go through the paces and strut their stuff. This song, originally, was a hit in 1959. You got to love the words and beat on this one. My certifried assistant and his buddy, Charles Buell, can really do the Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop. How about you?
For more "Stories Behind the Music" click on the guitar 
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
Steven - what in the h#$@@#$@# are you doing??????
You're too young to be "Going out of your Head."
Anyway, thanks so much for posting. This group was tremendous and led the way for so many others. I can hear that voice in my head as I write this.......going out of my head......over youuuuuuuu
Cheers
Fred,
I feel like I went out of my head a long time back.
Thanks for the post! They look pretty good!
steven... i know all of these songs... but would have been hard-pressed to tell you the name of the originators, since they've been so heavily covered over the years.
thanks for unearthing Little Athony and the Imperials.
I hear the chants, the masses wish to see Certified Assistant dancing with his Buddy to Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop.
Yes,
Anthony still has that distinctive voice.
Moves better than I do, that's for sure. Good sounds all.
I join Kate Ford in asking for the demo of your two good buddies, albeit enemies, doing the shimmy shimmy bop!! I did like the songs but didn't know who did them.
Steven, I loved those songs! Brings back American Bandstand memories.
Charlie says no. He threw his back out so Nutsy has no partner.