Most of you will remember these guys

[SilvrT]

Tom Hanks' Father:

 

If you were alive in 1957, and old enough to enjoy Rock and Roll, you will probably remember the group, "The Diamonds" who had just launched their super hit "Little Darlin' ".

 

For you that are too young to remember - it was a time when the performers were happy, enjoying themselves, respecting their fans, dressed appropriately and their lyrics could be understood.

 

They did not feel obligated to scream, eat the microphone, mumble inaudible lyrics or trash the set.

 

In 1957, The Diamonds had a hit with "Little Darlin" 47 years later, they were requested to perform at Atlantic City ...

 

This link leads to both performances.

 

Watch the first one then scroll down for the new one 47 years later.

 

Tom Hanks father is much better looking than Tom, and even better looking with age. In the linked videos Tom Hank's father is the lead singer on the left. He still has it! Hope you enjoy.

 

47 years apart 2 Performances --

 

http://www.flixxy.com/the-diamonds-little-darlin-1957-2004.htm

 

He's the guy on the left.

[jakester]

Thanks Silver T for putting a smile on my face this morning..Nice

Bill

[videoarizona]

+1 on the thanks. Love those guys!

 

I love the oldies...

david

[Beau-Kat]

Now, that was just so cool.

I wasn't born until 1958, but do remember that group and their songs very well. I only wish I could ever sing like that (and so does my wife).

Thanks for the post.

And I agree. Those were happy, meaningful songs during those days.

[StarFan]

Dang these guys are good !

Remember this song from my youth days.

Personally think that they are far better today than 47 years ago. Hope I get to age that well.

Thanks for posting

[Leland]

Origins: The Diamonds were one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1950s, a quartet of Canadians best known for their hit "Little Darlin'," which reached the #2 spot on Billboard's singles chart in 1957. Tom Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director best known for winning consecutive Best Actor Academy Awards (for Philadelphia in 1993 and Forrest Gump in 1994). Contrary to the rumor reproduced above, however, there is no familial connection between The Diamonds and Tom Hanks.

 

The lead singer of The Diamonds when they recorded hits such as "Little Darlin'" was Dave Somerville, a native of Guelph, Ontario, who was born in 1933 and is still alive. (Somerville left The Diamonds in 1961, although since the late 1980s he has sung with original members of the group from time to time.)

 

Tom Hanks' father, Amos Mefford Hanks, was born in Glenn County, California, in 1924 and died in 1992. Amos Hanks, according to various biographies, was something between an "itinerant cook" and a "restaurant chef."

 

None of The Diamonds, either the original group or the replacement members, bore the surname Hanks or is known to be directly related to Tom Hanks the actor.

 

Last updated: 6 February 2012

 

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[SilvrT]

Leland ... thanks for putting the kaybosh on my thread LOL!!

 

just kiddin of course ... glad you cleared that "urban legend" up as I didn't know it and simply re-posted something the warden shared with me.