The Hillside Singers

The Hillside Singers stand apart in music history because their formation hinged entirely on the triumph of a single television advertisement. The concept originated at McCann Erickson, the agency that sought to enlist the New Seekers for a Coca-Cola jingle titled “I’d Like to Give the World a Coke.” When scheduling conflicts prevented the New Seekers from accepting, the agency turned to producer Al Ham, who recruited a roster of studio singers. Among those chosen were his wife Mary Mayo, celebrated for her space-age pop recording Moon Gas, their daughter Lorri, and brothers Rick and Ron Shaw, formerly of the Brandywine Singers. Once the commercial aired in late 1971 and captured widespread attention, Ham expanded the jingle into a new, brand-free composition, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).” Issued under the Hillside Singers’ name, the single climbed to number 13 on the Billboard pop chart and anchored a full-length album of the same title. The New Seekers later released their own rendition, which reached number seven. Following the group’s dissolution, Ham launched the syndicated easy-listening format The Music of Your Life. He passed away in 2001.