Biography
The Rockin' Rebels stand among rock & roll's most enduring enigmas, their convoluted history marked by a trail worthy of any seasoned investigator. It all started when Buffalo, NY disc jockey Tom Shannon and partner Phil Todaro composed the theme "Wild Weekend" for Shannon's program. Originally recorded with vocals, the number became a regional sensation among listeners, prompting Shannon to recognize the demand for copies of a nonexistent single. While emceeing a record hop, he was approached by a local high-school outfit called the Rebels, after Duane Eddy's backing unit, who offered to perform an instrumental take of the theme. Although Shannon had never envisioned the piece that way, the group's rendition convinced him to schedule immediate studio time. Issued on the Marlee label that Todaro and Shannon owned, the 1959 release scored heavily in the area and earned the band an appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Clark then advised Shannon against retaining the name shared with Eddy's well-known ensemble, leading the next two Marlee singles to credit the Buffalo Rebels instead. By 1962 the original lineup had dissolved and Shannon was serving in the army at Fort Dixon, New Jersey. Meanwhile Syracuse, NY broadcaster Jimmy O'Brien revived the three-year-old track as his own show's theme, attracting the attention of Swan Records president Bernie Binnick, who located Shannon and arranged a lease for the master. The single subsequently climbed to number eight on the national charts in early 1963. With no band available to cut a follow-up, Todaro and Shannon turned to an earlier Shan-Todd release by Canadian act Big John Little & the Rockers; retitled the Hot Toddys, their "Rockin' Crickets" had already charted at number 57 after its March 1959 issue. Its sonic resemblance to the Rebels made it suitable for the new A-side, while the original vocal B-side "Shakin' and Stompin'" was replaced by "Hully Gully Rock" from yet another local group, the Jesters, who also supplied the accompanying album. Thus the Rockin' Rebels name had generated three national hits across just two singles, all performed by three distinct ensembles that had collectively used at least six different identities. The Jesters, despite contributing the largest share of tracks under the Rebels banner, never secured a hit of their own. In a final twist, Swan reissued "Wild Weekend" in 1966 backed by Kathy Lynn & the Playboys' "Donkey Twine," marking the last vinyl appearance of the Rockin' Rebels for the time being.
Albums
