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{{Short description|American pop group from New Jersey}}
{{About|the pop group|other uses|Critters (disambiguation)}}
{{About|the pop group|other uses|Critters (disambiguation)}}
{{Refimprove|date=December 2010}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Critters
| name = The Critters
| image = The Critters.png
| image = The Critters.png
| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = The Critters in 1967
| caption = The Critters in 1967. Left to right: Jeff Pelosi, Ken Gorka, Bob Spinella, Jim Ryan and Chris Darway
| background = group_or_band
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| alias =
| origin = [[New Jersey]], [[United States]]
| origin = [[Plainfield, New Jersey]], [[United States]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| genre = [[Pop music|Pop]]
| years_active = <!-- {{start date|YYYY}}–{{end date|YYYY}} (or –present) -->
| years_active = {{Start date|1964}} - {{End date|1967}}<br/> {{Start date|2007}} - {{End date|2013}}
| label =
| label =
| associated_acts =
| associated_acts =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Don Ciccone]]<br />Chris Darway<br />Jack Decker<br />Ken Gorka<br />Jeff Pelosi<br />Bob Podstawski<br />Jimmy Ryan<br />Bobby Spinella
| past_members =
}}
}}
'''The Critters''' were a successful American [[pop music|pop]] group with several hits in the 1960s, most notably "Mr. Dieingly Sad" a Billboard top-25 hit in 1966.


'''The Critters''' were an American [[pop music|pop]] group with several hits in the 1960s, most notably "[[Mr. Dieingly Sad]]", a U.S. and Canadian Top 20 hit in 1966.<ref name="Larkin">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1997|edition=Concise|isbn=1-85227-745-9|page=320/1}}</ref>
The group formed in [[New Jersey]] in 1964 when singer-guitarist [[Don Ciccone]] (March 3, 1946--October 8, 2016) and saxophonist Bob Podstawski joined local group the Vibratones, comprising Jim Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker (drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards). They named themselves The Critters in emulation of similar band names like [[the Animals]].


==Career==
⚫
The Critters were originally signed to [[Musicor Records]] by [[Jimmy Radcliffe]], who also produced their first release "Georgianna" backed with "I'm Gonna Give" in 1964. They eventually signed with [[Kapp Records]], and in 1965 recorded [[John Sebastian]]'s song "[[Younger Girl]]" for their first release. The song was selected for the band by producer [[Artie Ripp]]. However, because Ciccone, Ryan, and Podstawski were then all accepted at [[Villanova University]], the record was not completed until late 1965. "Younger Girl" became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and reached #38 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in July that year.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
The group formed in [[Plainfield, New Jersey]], United States, in 1964 when singer-guitarist [[Don Ciccone]] (February 28, 1946 – October 8, 2016) went to see the band in which a friend of his, saxophonist Bob Podstawski, was a member.<ref name="Larkin"/> This local group was the Vibratones, comprising Jimmy Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker (drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards) along with Podstawski. Ciccone was impressed by the group and asked Podstawski if he could arrange an audition with them. The group was taken by Ciccone's playing ability and the fact that he also wrote songs. Ciccone was asked to join with the group renaming themselves "The Critters",<ref name="Larkin"/> in emulation of similar band names like [[the Animals]].<ref name=Prestopnik2010>{{cite web |last1=Prestopnik |first1=Tom |title=Backstage Pass: Don Ciccone reminisces about The Critters |url=https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/backstage-pass-don-ciccone-reminisces-about-the-critters |website=Goldmine |publisher=F+W |accessdate=24 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Critters – "Mr. Dieingly Sad" |url=https://mentalitch.com/the-critters-mr-dieingly-sad/ |website=mentalitch |accessdate=24 February 2019}}</ref>

⚫
The Critters were originally signed to [[Musicor Records]] by [[Jimmy Radcliffe]], who also produced their first release "Georgianna" backed with "I'm Gonna Give" in 1964. They eventually signed with [[Kapp Records]], and in 1965 recorded [[John Sebastian]]'s song "[[Younger Girl]]" for their first release.<ref name="Larkin"/> The song was selected for the band by producer [[Artie Ripp]]. However, because Ciccone, Ryan, and Podstawski were then all accepted at [[Villanova University]], the record was not completed until late 1965. "Younger Girl" became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and reached #38 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in July that year.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| first= David
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| last= Roberts
Line 32: Line 34:
| location= London
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 127}}</ref> It was followed by Ciccone's song "Mr. Dieingly Sad", also produced by Ripp, which reached #17 later in the year, and by "Bad Misunderstanding", which reached #55 still later in 1966. The group had their final chart hit with "Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me" in 1967, at #39.
| page= 127}}</ref> It was followed by Ciccone's song "Mr. Dieingly Sad", also produced by Ripp,<ref name="Larkin"/> which reached #17 later in the year, and by "Bad Misunderstanding", which reached #55 still later in 1966. The group had their final chart hit with "Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me" in 1967, at #39. By the time "Younger Girl" and "Mr. Dieingly Sad" had their respective chart success, Ciccone had already left the group due primarily to the Viet Nam War and his draft status at the time.<ref name="Larkin"/> He had decided to join the U.S. Air Force, in which he would remain for four years, so he would have some choice as to where he would end up.<ref name=Prestopnik2010/><ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Gary |title=Gary James' Interview With Don Ciccone Of The Four Seasons |url=http://www.classicbands.com/FourSeasonsInterview.html |website=Classic Bands.com |accessdate=24 February 2019}}</ref>


After recording several singles and one album (''Younger Girl''), the original band split up when Podstawski, Ciccone, and Decker joined the armed services and Darway left for art college. Ryan and Gorka then attempted to maintain the group with new members for some time, releasing two more albums (''Touch 'n Go With The Critters'' and ''Critters'').
After recording several singles and one album (''Younger Girl''), the original band split up when Podstawski and Decker also joined the armed services and Darway left for art college.<ref name=BCB2016>{{cite web |last1=Staff |title=Don Ciccone of Critters Dies, Sang 'Mr. Dieingly Sad' |url=https://bestclassicbands.com/don-ciccone-critters-10-14-16/ |website=Best Classic Bands |accessdate=24 February 2019}}</ref> Ryan and Gorka then attempted to maintain the group with new members (Jeff Pelosi (Drums/Vocals) and Bob Spinella (keyboards)) for some time, releasing two more albums (''Touch 'n Go With The Critters'' and ''Critters'').<ref name="Larkin"/>


Later, Ryan recorded and toured with [[Carly Simon]] before working as a studio guitarist. Ciccone joined [[The Four Seasons (band)|the Four Seasons]], and later toured with [[Tommy James and the Shondells]]. "Mr. Dieingly Sad" (Ciccone) sadly passed away at the age of 70 from a heart attack on 8 October 2016. Gorka became booker and co-owner of [[The Bitter End]] in [[Greenwich Village]]; he died on 20 March 2015.<ref name=villagevoice>{{cite journal|last1=Valentino|first1=Silas|title=The Bitter End Pays Tribute to Owner Kenny Gorka's Legacy|journal=The Village Voice|date=March 26, 2015|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/the-bitter-end-pays-tribute-to-owner-kenny-gorkas-legacy-6654887|accessdate=October 27, 2015}}</ref>
Later, Ryan recorded and toured with [[Carly Simon]] before working as a studio guitarist.<ref name="Larkin"/> Ciccone joined [[The Four Seasons (band)|the Four Seasons]], and he was a member of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (1973–81).<ref name="Larkin"/> He played guitar, bass and sang lead vocals to the Four Seasons song "[[December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)]]", and later toured with [[Tommy James and the Shondells]] as bassist.


Gorka became a booking agent and co-owner of [[The Bitter End]] in [[Greenwich Village]]; he died on March 20, 2015, at age 68.<ref name=villagevoice>{{cite journal|last1=Valentino|first1=Silas|title=The Bitter End Pays Tribute to Owner Kenny Gorka's Legacy|journal=The Village Voice|date=March 26, 2015|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/music/the-bitter-end-pays-tribute-to-owner-kenny-gorkas-legacy-6654887|accessdate=October 27, 2015}}</ref>
⚫
Chris Darway went on to form Johnny's Dance Band, a popular group in the [[Philadelphia]] area in the late 1970s, followed by the Chet Bolins Band.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20091026094224/http://geocities.com/trentonmusic/pages/jdb.htm Geocities.com]</ref>


⚫
Darway went on to form Johnny's Dance Band, a popular group in the [[Philadelphia]] area in the late 1970s, followed by the Chet Bolins Band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://geocities.com/trentonmusic/pages/jdb.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026094224/http://geocities.com/trentonmusic/pages/jdb.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 26, 2009|title=Johnny's Dance Band|date=October 26, 2009}}</ref>
Kurt Shanaman of [[Mountainside, New Jersey]] filled in on drums on tour and in the studio in 1967.


Pelosi went on to pursue a songwriting career and landed a publishing agreement with Brother Records owned by The Beach Boys.
⚫
In 2007, The Critters re-formed when Don Ciccone was asked to join the band Skeezix, which included Albert Miller, Lenny Rocco, and Milt Koster. Their repertoire included classic hits from all the bands Ciccone was involved with (including a slightly retitled "Mr. Dyingly Sad"), as well as original and cover material. The band performed mostly on the [[Treasure Coast]] of Florida. The Critters recorded a new album, ''Time Pieces'', which includes the updated "Mr. Dyingly Sad" and a new version of "Younger Girl". The band announced their breakup in the summer of 2013. Lead singer Don Ciccone passed away on October 8, 2016.

⚫
In 2007, the Critters re-formed when Ciccone was asked to join the band Skeezix, which included Albert Miller, Lenny Rocco, and Milt Koster. Their repertoire included classic hits from all the bands Ciccone was involved with (including a slightly retitled "Mr. Dieingly Sad"), as well as original and cover material. The band performed mostly on the [[Treasure Coast]] of Florida. The Critters recorded a new album, ''Time Pieces'', which includes the updated "Mr. Dieingly Sad" and a new version of "Younger Girl". The band announced their breakup in the summer of 2013.

In 2012, Ciccone and Ryan joined former Four Seasons keyboardist [[Lee Shapiro (musician)|Lee Shapiro]] and drummer [[Gerry Polci]] to form The Hit Men.<ref name="NashvilleHoF">{{Cite magazine |date=17 October 2019 |title=Musicians Hall of Fame to Honor Session Legends The Hit Men |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8533302/musicians-hall-of-fame-to-honor-session-legends-hit-men |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019012729/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8533302/musicians-hall-of-fame-to-honor-session-legends-hit-men |archive-date=19 October 2019 |access-date=12 July 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Ciccone died from a heart attack on October 8, 2016, at age 70.<ref name=BCB2016/>

== Selective singles discography ==
{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Title
! rowspan="2" |Year
! colspan="3" |Peak positions
! rowspan="2" |Album
|-
![[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
![[RPM (magazine)|CAN]]
![[UK Singles Chart|UK]]
|-
|"Younger Girl"
| rowspan="3" |1966
|42
|—
|38
| rowspan="2" |''Younger Girl'' (1966)
|-
|"[[Mr. Dieingly Sad]]"
|17
|17
|—
|-
|"Bad Misunderstanding"
|55
|75
|—
| rowspan="4" |Non-album singles
|-
|"Marryin' Kind of Love"
| rowspan="3" |1967
|111
|—
|—
|-
|"Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me"
|39
|32
|—
|-
|"Little Girl"
|113
|—
|—
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Critters, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Critters, The}}
[[Category:American pop music groups]]
[[Category:American pop music groups]]
[[Category:Kapp Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1964]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1964]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Plainfield, New Jersey]]

Latest revision as of 23:01, 29 May 2024

This article is about the pop group. For other uses, see Critters (disambiguation).
The Critters
The Critters in 1967. Left to right: Jeff Pelosi, Ken Gorka, Bob Spinella, Jim Ryan and Chris Darway
Background information
OriginPlainfield, New Jersey, United States
GenresPop
Years active1964 (1964) - 1967 (1967)
2007 (2007) - 2013 (2013)
Past membersDon Ciccone
Chris Darway
Jack Decker
Ken Gorka
Jeff Pelosi
Bob Podstawski
Jimmy Ryan
Bobby Spinella

The Critters were an American pop group with several hits in the 1960s, most notably "Mr. Dieingly Sad", a U.S. and Canadian Top 20 hit in 1966.[1]

Career

[edit]

The group formed in Plainfield, New Jersey, United States, in 1964 when singer-guitarist Don Ciccone (February 28, 1946 – October 8, 2016) went to see the band in which a friend of his, saxophonist Bob Podstawski, was a member.[1] This local group was the Vibratones, comprising Jimmy Ryan (lead guitar), Ken Gorka (bass), Jack Decker (drums), and Chris Darway (keyboards) along with Podstawski. Ciccone was impressed by the group and asked Podstawski if he could arrange an audition with them. The group was taken by Ciccone's playing ability and the fact that he also wrote songs. Ciccone was asked to join with the group renaming themselves "The Critters",[1] in emulation of similar band names like the Animals.[2][3]

The Critters were originally signed to Musicor Records by Jimmy Radcliffe, who also produced their first release "Georgianna" backed with "I'm Gonna Give" in 1964. They eventually signed with Kapp Records, and in 1965 recorded John Sebastian's song "Younger Girl" for their first release.[1] The song was selected for the band by producer Artie Ripp. However, because Ciccone, Ryan, and Podstawski were then all accepted at Villanova University, the record was not completed until late 1965. "Younger Girl" became a minor pop hit in early 1966, and reached #38 in the UK Singles Chart in July that year.[4] It was followed by Ciccone's song "Mr. Dieingly Sad", also produced by Ripp,[1] which reached #17 later in the year, and by "Bad Misunderstanding", which reached #55 still later in 1966. The group had their final chart hit with "Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me" in 1967, at #39. By the time "Younger Girl" and "Mr. Dieingly Sad" had their respective chart success, Ciccone had already left the group due primarily to the Viet Nam War and his draft status at the time.[1] He had decided to join the U.S. Air Force, in which he would remain for four years, so he would have some choice as to where he would end up.[2][5]

After recording several singles and one album (Younger Girl), the original band split up when Podstawski and Decker also joined the armed services and Darway left for art college.[6] Ryan and Gorka then attempted to maintain the group with new members (Jeff Pelosi (Drums/Vocals) and Bob Spinella (keyboards)) for some time, releasing two more albums (Touch 'n Go With The Critters and Critters).[1]

Later, Ryan recorded and toured with Carly Simon before working as a studio guitarist.[1] Ciccone joined the Four Seasons, and he was a member of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (1973–81).[1] He played guitar, bass and sang lead vocals to the Four Seasons song "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)", and later toured with Tommy James and the Shondells as bassist.

Gorka became a booking agent and co-owner of The Bitter End in Greenwich Village; he died on March 20, 2015, at age 68.[7]

Darway went on to form Johnny's Dance Band, a popular group in the Philadelphia area in the late 1970s, followed by the Chet Bolins Band.[8]

Pelosi went on to pursue a songwriting career and landed a publishing agreement with Brother Records owned by The Beach Boys.

In 2007, the Critters re-formed when Ciccone was asked to join the band Skeezix, which included Albert Miller, Lenny Rocco, and Milt Koster. Their repertoire included classic hits from all the bands Ciccone was involved with (including a slightly retitled "Mr. Dieingly Sad"), as well as original and cover material. The band performed mostly on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The Critters recorded a new album, Time Pieces, which includes the updated "Mr. Dieingly Sad" and a new version of "Younger Girl". The band announced their breakup in the summer of 2013.

In 2012, Ciccone and Ryan joined former Four Seasons keyboardist Lee Shapiro and drummer Gerry Polci to form The Hit Men.[9]

Ciccone died from a heart attack on October 8, 2016, at age 70.[6]

Selective singles discography

[edit]
Title Year Peak positions Album
US CAN UK
"Younger Girl" 1966 42 — 38 Younger Girl (1966)
"Mr. Dieingly Sad" 17 17 —
"Bad Misunderstanding" 55 75 — Non-album singles
"Marryin' Kind of Love" 1967 111 — —
"Don't Let the Rain Fall Down on Me" 39 32 —
"Little Girl" 113 — —

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 320/1. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  2. ^ a b Prestopnik, Tom. "Backstage Pass: Don Ciccone reminisces about The Critters". Goldmine. F+W. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  3. ^ "The Critters – "Mr. Dieingly Sad"". mentalitch. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  4. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 127. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. ^ James, Gary. "Gary James' Interview With Don Ciccone Of The Four Seasons". Classic Bands.com. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  6. ^ a b Staff. "Don Ciccone of Critters Dies, Sang 'Mr. Dieingly Sad'". Best Classic Bands. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  7. ^ Valentino, Silas (March 26, 2015). "The Bitter End Pays Tribute to Owner Kenny Gorka's Legacy". The Village Voice. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  8. ^ "Johnny's Dance Band". October 26, 2009. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009.
  9. ^ "Musicians Hall of Fame to Honor Session Legends The Hit Men". Billboard. Associated Press. 17 October 2019. Archived from the original on 19 October 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
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