The Hilltoppers (band)

This article is about the 1950s vocal pop group. For the 1940s big band orchestra the Hilltoppers, see Tiny Hill.
The Hilltoppers

circa 1954
Background information
Origin Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States
Genres Traditional pop
Years active 19521957
Labels Dot
Website The Hilltoppers Page
Past members Jimmy Sacca
Donald McGuire
Seymour Spiegelman
Billy Vaughn

The Hilltoppers were an American popular music singing group.

Career

Originally the group was a trio formed at Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University), Bowling Green, Kentucky. The original members were three students; Jimmy Sacca (born July 26, 1929, Lockport, New York, died March 7, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky); Donald McGuire (born October 7, 1931, Hazard, Kentucky), and Seymour Spiegelman (October 1, 1930 February 13, 1987). Spiegelman was born in Seneca Falls, New York. They took their name from the nickname of the Western Kentucky athletic teams.

They later added a pianist, Billy Vaughn (April 12, 1919 September 26, 1991). Vaughn was born in Glasgow, Kentucky. Vaughn was eventually to become famous in his own right as an orchestra leader.

In 1952 they recorded a song, "Trying," written by Vaughn. A local disc jockey sent a copy to Randy Wood, who was starting a new record label, Dot, and he agreed to distribute the record. It became a Top 10 hit single. They went on to record a number of additional hits until their break-up. Their 1953 release, "P.S. I Love You," sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1]

Spiegelman died in New York City. Vaughn died in Palomar, California. McGuire is still alive.

Hit records

Year Title Chart positions
US[2] CB UK[3]
1952 "Trying" 7 5
1953 "Must I Cry Again" 15 22
"I Keep Telling Myself" 26 39
"If I Were King" 22 26
"I'd Rather Die Young (Than Grow Old without You)" 8 12
"P.S. I Love You" 4 5
"Love Walked In" 8 11
"To Be Alone" 8 14
1954 "'Till Then" 10 7
"Alone"(Jimmy Sacca, solo) 28
"From the Vine Came the Grape" 8 3
"Time Will Tell" 27 38
"Poor Butterfly" 12 14
"Wrapped Up In a Dream" 37
"Sweetheart (Will You Remember" 24 25
"If I Didn't Care" 17 18
"Time Waits for No One" 25 26
1955 "D-A-R-L-I-N'" 16
"The Door Is Still Open" 22
"The Kentuckian Song" 20 22
"Only You (And You Alone)" 8 3 3
"Searching" 81 43
"My Treasure" 31 37
1956 "Ka-Ding-Dong" 38 17
"Tryin'" 30
1957 "Marianne" 3 2 20
"I Love My Girl" 75 45
"I'm Serious" 74
"A Fallen Star" 58 24
"The Joker (That's What They Call Me)" 22 20

References

  1. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 65. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890 - 1954 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 213. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  3. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 253. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links

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