Genres Traditional pop Active until 1957 | Years active 1952–1957 Website The Hilltoppers Page Genre Traditional pop music | |
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Past members Jimmy SaccaDonald McGuireSeymour SpiegelmanBilly Vaughn Albums Tops In Pops, The Best of The Hilltoppers Similar The Fontane Sisters, The Four Aces, The Four Lads, Billy Vaughn and His O, The Ames Brothers | ||
Career
Originally the group was a trio formed at Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University), Bowling Green, Kentucky. The original members were three students; Jimmy Sacca (born July 26, 1929, Lockport, New York, died March 7, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky); Donald McGuire (born October 7, 1931, Hazard, Kentucky), and Seymour Spiegelman (October 1, 1930 – February 13, 1987). Spiegelman was born in Seneca Falls, New York. They took their name from the nickname of the Western Kentucky athletic teams.
They later added a pianist, Billy Vaughn (April 12, 1919 – September 26, 1991). Vaughn was born in Glasgow, Kentucky. Vaughn was eventually to become famous in his own right as an orchestra leader.
In 1952 they recorded a song, "Trying," written by Vaughn. A local disc jockey sent a copy to Randy Wood, who was starting a new record label, Dot, and he agreed to distribute the record. It became a Top 10 hit single. They went on to record a number of additional hits until their break-up. Their 1953 release, "P.S. I Love You," sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Spiegelman died in New York City. Vaughn died in Palomar, California. McGuire is still alive.
Songs
PS I Love YouTops In Pops · 2008
The Kentuckian SongTops In Pops · 2008
To Be AloneTops In Pops · 2008