Biography
Vocal group the Ducanes formed in New Jersey, USA. The five members—Louis Biscardi on lead, Eddie Brian handling baritone, Jeff Breny as first tenor, Rick Scrofan covering second tenor, and Dennis Buckley—first came together after initial recording sessions, when they started reworking current doo-wop numbers they admired, drawing their chief inspiration from the Flamingos. Phil Spector began collaborating with the Ducanes on the track “Yes, I Love You,” ultimately placing them under a production agreement. While they rehearsed, Spector caught them running through Louis Lymon And The Teenchords’ “I’m So Happy,” which he then shaped into their debut and sole release, incorporating a guitar part from Jimi Hendrix. The single climbed to number 109 on the Billboard charts in July 1961. By that point Spector’s attention had shifted elsewhere, denying the Ducanes any further opportunity to work with him in the studio. Liberty Records next assigned the group the country tune “Tennessee,” which the singers answered by mocking its mawkish words and layering in farmyard sound effects. Once the label head discovered the plan, the Ducanes were removed from the session. With Spector now occupied launching Philles Records, the Ducanes’ recording career ended while the members were still only sixteen. Eddie Brian alone returned to the studio later, appearing with the Connotations and the Autumns during the mid-80s.