ABOUT
The Fifth Estate is a veteran rock band that became famous during the late 1960s. Although they have covered mainly garage rock, folk rock, and psychedelia over the years, they are best known for their pop remake of "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead" (1967), from the classic movie musical fantasy, "The Wizard Of Oz" (1939), starring Judy Garland. This Top 20 smash, which seamlessly incorporates parts of "La Bouree" from Michael Praetorius' "Terpsichore" suite into the song's instrumental break and coda, was recorded and released in five different languages (Japanese, Italian, French, German, and English) and became a hit worldwide.
Formed in 1963 in Stamford, Connecticut and first known as The D-Men, the original hitmaking lineup consisted of Rick Engler (guitar, fuzz bass, lead vocals, harmonica), Ken Evans (drums, vocals), Doug Ferrara (bass, lead harmony vocals), Bill Shute (guitar, shugro 8, vocals), and lead singer Wayne Wadhams (d. August 19, 2008, age 61), who later became a faculty member at the Berklee College of Music. The band made a number of appearances on TV and by 1966, had renamed themselves The Fifth Estate. They have continued to perform and record actively to the present day, with all original members remaining except for Wadhams.
LINKS
- The Berklee College of Music remembers Wayne Wadhams.
MERCHANDISE
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- The Fifth Estate - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- The Fifth Estate - Digital music - Amazon.com
- The Fifth Estate - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
SONGS
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The Fifth Estate
- Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead 1967
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