Don Cherry (singer)

Don Cherry
Birth name Donald Ross Cherry
Born (1924-01-11)January 11, 1924
Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S.
Died April 4, 2018(2018-04-04) (aged 94)
Genres Big band, traditional pop
Years active 1951–1960s
Labels Decca, Columbia
Website www.doncherry.us

Donald Ross Cherry (January 11, 1924 – April 4, 2018) was an American traditional pop music and big band singer and former amateur and professional golfer. In music, he is best known for his 1955 hit "Band of Gold".

Biography

Cherry was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. He started as a big band singer in the orchestras of Jan Garber and Victor Young. In 1951 he recorded his first solo hits, "Thinking of You" and "Belle, Belle, My Liberty Belle". In 1955 came his biggest hit, Band of Gold, which reached #4 on the Billboard chart. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[1] The track peaked at #6 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] He had three more hits in 1956: "Wild Cherry", "Ghost Town", and "Namely You", all backed by orchestra leader Ray Conniff. He was also the voice of the Mr. Clean commercials during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Throughout his singing career, Cherry was also a top-ranked amateur golfer, and was in contention to win the 1960 U.S. Open before eventually finishing tied for ninth along with Ben Hogan, four strokes behind winner Arnold Palmer.[3] Cherry played on three Walker Cup teams (1953, 1955, and 1961) and in nine Masters Tournaments, making the cut seven times with a best finish of T-25 in 1959.[4] He captured the Canadian Amateur Championship in 1953 and the prestigious Sunnehanna Amateur title in 1954. In 1962, Cherry decided to turn professional and "Pro" became his nickname among fellow entertainers. His volcanic temper on the golf course (which, according to Cherry, "...made Tommy Bolt look like a choir boy!") was in startling contrast to his velvety-smooth singing voice and pleasant stage persona.

Cherry published his biography, Cherry's Jubilee, with co-writer Neil Daniels. He was a good friend of Willie Nelson, and had collaborated on three albums with him, Augusta (1995), The Eyes of Texas (2002), and It's Magic (2007). Cherry was married four times, once to 1956 Miss America Sharon Ritchie, before wedding Francine Bond Smith, who survives him. in 1993. They lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. His son, Stephen, was a casualty of the 9/11 attacks when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower. Stephen left behind four sons.[5] Cherry died in April 2018 at the age of 94.[6]

Singles

Year Title Chart positions
US
1950 "Mona Lisa"(with Victor Young) 7
"The 3rd Man Theme"(with Victor Young) 22
"Thinking of You" 4
1951 "Vanity" 11
"Belle, Belle, My Liberty Belle"(with Sonny Burke) 25
1955 "Band of Gold"A"(with Ray Conniff) 4
1956 "Wild Cherry" (with Ray Conniff) 29
"I'm Still a King to You" (with Ray Conniff) 72
"Ghost Town" (with Ray Conniff) 22
"I'll Be Around" (with Ray Conniff) 78
"Namely You" (with Ray Conniff) 65
"Give me More" (with Ray Conniff) —
1966 "Married"B —
"I Love You Drops" 112
1967 "There Goes My Everything" 113
1968 "Take a Message to Mary"C —
  • A"Band of Gold" also peaked at #6 in UK singles Charts.
  • B"Married" also peaked at #30 in Adult Contemporary singles.
  • C"Take a Message to Mary" also peaked at #71 in Billboard country Charts

Notes

  1. ↑ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 72. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 103. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. ↑ 1960 U.S. Open results
  4. ↑ "Don Cherry". Golf Major Championships. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ Doncherry.us Archived July 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
  6. ↑ Dean Martin Fan Center News

References

  • Cherry, Don; Daniels, Neil (2006). Cherry's Jubilee: Singin' and Swingin' Through Life with Dino and Frank, Arnie and Jack. Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-57243-834-7.
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