Brian Hyland talks SEALED WITH A KISS & other Rock Classics

Brian Hyland is known as the voice of Summer Love, & is a pioneer of Rock N Roll.  He sang one of my favorite songs, in fact it’s probably one of almost everyone’s favorite songs & one of the great classics of all time as it is on every karaoke song sheet…Sealed With a Kiss, which has probably been sung billions of times in karaoke. His journey through music is nothing short of legendary. At the ripe young age of just 16, he skyrocketed to stardom with his infectious hit, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” claiming the coveted #1 spot across the nation & earning him a prestigious Gold Record. But..this was just the beginning of a remarkable musical odyssey.   Alongside the dynamic duo of Gary Geld & Peter Udell, he had hits like “Let Me Belong to You,” “Ginny Come Lately,” the world wide phenom “Sealed with a Kiss,” & “Warmed-over Kisses” solidifying his status as a household name.   He collaborated with luminaries such as Snuff Garrett, Leon Russell, &  JJ Cale, delivering hits like “The Joker Went Wild” & “Run, Run, Look and See,” which soared into the top 20 on the charts.   We discuss:   -Where Brian grew up (right near me!) -How & when did this music bug germinate in you. -His meteoric rise which continued with the monumental success of Curtis Mayfield’s “Gypsy Woman,” a timeless anthem that resonated globally, selling over 3 million copies & produced by the legendary Del Shannon who was known for his megahit Runaway.   -How his penchant for reinvention shone brightly with his rendition of Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops,” capturing the essence of soulful melodies with unmatched finesse. -How In 1977 he moved to New Orleans to work with Allen Toussaint.  Allen produced an album with Brian called “In a State of Bayou.” The album was loved by the critics and was one of the best pieces music he ever did. -After 60 years since the release of ‘Sealed with a Kiss’, Brian reunited with Peter Udell. Peter penned a Christmas song & invited Brian to record it. The song, titled ‘A Little Bit of Christmas Time’, was released at the end of Nov. 2023.  -How Brian continues to grace stages & studios with his timeless melodies, with a legacy as a true icon of the music industry which seems to only grow stronger with each passing beat. -“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini…now those are some memorable lyrics. What year was that recorded & how did that song & those iconic lyrics come about. -How long did it take for your next hit song and what song was that? -Sealed With a Kiss.  How did that song come about and was it about someone specific? -What keeps Brian still performing 65 years after his first big hit? See www.BrianHyland.com for upcoming performance and to listen to some of his classics