J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers - Songs

ABOUT

J. Frank Wilson (December 11, 1941 - October 4, 1991) was a Buddy Holly-styled singer who became famous during the early 1960s. With The Cavaliers, he is best known for "Last Kiss" (1964), a teenage tragedy saga about a girl who is killed in an auto accident while on a date with her boyfriend. Written and first recorded in 1961 by Wayne Cochran, this oldies classic was inspired by a fatal accident in Barnesville, Georgia near Cochran's hometown involving three teenage couples whose car collided with a tractor trailer.

Born John Frank Wilson in Lufkin, Texas, he began his career in music after his discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1962 when he joined The Cavaliers, a San Angelo-based rock & roll group formed during the mid 1950s led by Sid Holmes (guitar) whose members also included Lewis Elliott (bass), Ray Smith (drums), and Bob Zeller (saxophone). J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers became a popular attraction at local venues and soon after came to the attention of Sonley Roush, a record producer/promoter who introduced the group to "Last Kiss" and arranged for them to record this song, eventually leading to a contract with Josie Records.

J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers debuted on the Pop/Rock charts in 1964 with "Last Kiss," which topped the Cash Box and Record World charts, reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and soon after went gold. This smash was followed by several minor hits through 1965 that included "Hey Little One" (1964), "Speak To Me" (1964), "Six Boys" (1965), "Dreams Of A Fool" (1965), and a cover of Marty Robbins' "A White Sport Coat And A Pink Carnation" (1965). "Last Kiss" resurfaced many years later on the charts in 1973 and was the group's final entry.

Wilson continued to record through the late 1970s and was later inducted into the West Texas Music Hall of Fame.

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SONGS

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J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers

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