Genres Soul Labels Blue Cat Genre Soul music | Years active 1964–1981 Active until 1981 Record label Blue Cat Records | |
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Past members Hugh Harris
Danny Austin
Dave Watt
Norman Donegan
Mary Ann Thomas Origin Bayonne, New Jersey, United States (1964) Albums The Complete Blue Cat Years Similar The Dixie Cups, The Jelly Beans, Betty Everett, The Chiffons, Jewel Akens | ||
Giving up the ad libs video steven bogarat 1969
The Ad Libs were an American vocal group from Bayonne, New Jersey during the early 1960s. Featuring their characteristic female lead vocals with male "doo-wop" backing, their 1965 single "The Boy from New York City", written by George Davis and John T. Taylor, was their only pop chart hit.
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Known originally as The Creators, the group formed in 1964 in Bayonne with Hugh Harris, Danny Austin, Dave Watt, Norman Donegan and Mary Ann Thomas. "The Boy from New York City" was released in December 1964 and by March 1965 had scored number 8 on the US popular music charts. The group next recorded "He Ain't No Angel" which reached number 100 in 1965. The next two singles failed to chart, and The Ad Libs' contract was not renewed by Red Bird Records company. In 1969, they had a last R&B chart hit with the song "Giving Up", which peaked at number 34 R&B. They continued to record into the 1980s, but never repeated the success of "The Boy from New York City".
"The Boy from New York City" charted again in the UK for Darts in 1978 and in the US for The Manhattan Transfer in 1981. The song has been used in a commercial for Everybody Hates Chris on the Paramount Comedy channel in the UK.
Dave Watt died December 5, 2008.
Compilation albums
Songs
The Boy From New York CityStonewall · 1996
Nothing Worse Than Being AloneThe Complete Blue Cat Years · 2006
Kicked AroundThe Complete Blue Cat Years · 2006