OldiesButGoodies

Oldies Music

This Diamond Ring – Gary Lewis & The Playboys

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Introduction:

“This Diamond Ring,” recorded by Gary Lewis & the Playboys, became an iconic pop-rock hit upon its release in 1965. Written by Al Kooper, Bob Brass, and Irwin Levine, the song was initially intended as a soulful ballad, reflecting on the lost significance of a diamond ring after a breakup. Originally recorded by singer Sammy Ambrose, it was producer Snuff Garrett who envisioned Gary Lewis & the Playboys bringing a pop sound to the song, and the version quickly topped the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1965.

The recording involved top studio musicians from the Wrecking Crew, including Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn on bass, and Leon Russell on keyboards. This combination, along with Gary Lewis’s heartfelt vocals, helped create a polished yet relatable sound. While “This Diamond Ring” marked Gary Lewis & the Playboys’ breakthrough, Al Kooper reportedly felt it lacked the soulful depth he initially intended, imagining it for a group like The Drifters.

The song’s success launched Gary Lewis & the Playboys into stardom, sparking a series of hits throughout the mid-1960s. The track remains a classic example of 1960s pop, embodying both the heartbreak and catchy melodies of the era.

Video:

https://youtu.be/Vey_dOMHj9w?si=Ujr3KcgnepEY8mMT

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LEGACY UNVEILED: Born Harry Rodger Webb, the man the world came to know as The Man Behind 250 Million Records — And the Real Name the World Almost Never Knew Some artists change music. Others change how a name is remembered. For Cliff Richard, that transformation began not with a hit song, but with a decision — to leave behind a name that sounded ordinary, and step into one that would echo across generations. Born Harry Rodger Webb on October 14, 1940, he entered the world with a name that blended seamlessly into post-war Britain. It was solid, respectable, and unremarkable. As a teenager standing on the edge of a fiercely competitive late-1950s music scene, one truth became impossible to ignore: talent alone was not enough. If he wanted to endure, the name itself had to carry weight. When a name becomes destiny “Cliff Richard” was no accident. “Cliff” evoked strength, solidity, and permanence — an image of something that does not erode easily with time. “Richard” sounded traditional, trustworthy, and perfectly suited for radio. This was not reinvention for shock value; it was alignment. The name fit the artist he was becoming, and it framed how audiences would perceive him long before the first note was sung. That single decision quietly reshaped everything that followed. From teenage idol to national icon Emerging at a time when Britain was searching for its own answer to American rock ’n’ roll, Cliff Richard didn’t simply fill the gap — he helped define it. His early success turned him into a teenage idol, but what followed elevated him far beyond that label. Over the course of his career, he sold around 21 million singles in the UK alone, making him the third best-selling singles artist in British history. Globally, his record sales are estimated at approximately 250 million, a figure few artists of any era can rival. Yet his rise was not built on rebellion, controversy, or cultural shockwaves. It was built on consistency. A career without collapse In an industry infamous for excess and implosion, Cliff Richard stood apart. He avoided scandal, guarded his image, and refused to chase trends that did not suit him. Critics at times dismissed him as “too safe.” History, however, tells a different story. Safety, in his case, became longevity. His catalog stretches effortlessly across rock, pop, ballads, and religious music. Remaining chart-relevant across six decades is rare. Doing so without dramatic reinvention or public downfall is almost unheard of. The meaning of OBE His OBE was awarded not only for musical achievement, but also for decades of charitable and humanitarian work. Long before public virtue became fashionable, his commitment to service ran quietly alongside his career. While many contemporaries faded from public life, Cliff continued to tour and perform — not to compete with younger artists, but to honor an audience that had grown older with him. The name left behind Today, “Harry Webb” exists only in biographies and footnotes. “Cliff Richard” lives on — in radio playlists, shared memories, and collective nostalgia. And yet, despite the change in name, the man himself never truly changed. No dramatic downfall. No sensational redemption arc. Just a long, disciplined journey — steady, resilient, and unbroken. Perhaps that is the real story behind 250 million records: not a single explosive moment, but a lifetime of endurance. rose, almost quietly, to become the third best-selling singles artist in British history. With an astonishing 250 million records sold worldwide, his voice helped shape generations of popular music. Yet beyond the sales figures, chart records, and decades in the spotlight, one question lingers — how did a young boy with a different name transform into a cultural institution whose influence spans more than six decades?

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