(3) Canadian Music Influence: The Diamonds

  Very well-known during the 50s were three vocal quartets from Toronto, who later emerged as international stars. The first group, The Four Lads perfected their well-tuned style by singing gospel music and being in the St. Michael's Cathedral Choir School.

Their former schoolmates, the Crew-Cuts, would modify African-American Rhythm and Blues chart hits to create pop hits songs like Sh-Boom (1954, originally by the Chords), became a craze for white audiences.

The third Toronto based foursome, The Diamonds (image) precipitated a major dance craze in the world, based on their recording, The Stroll (1958). Also, Little Darlin' (1957) and Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1956), became Singapore hits.

Do not mistake them for The Blue Diamonds (3 postings on this blog), who came from Holland and were very popular in Singapore.

Reference: Canadian Encyclopaedia Historica.

Image: The Diamonds Website.