Hey Little Cobra 🔡
#TheRipChords

#2HitTuesdays Terry Melcher went on to become one of Columbia’s key rock producers & Bruce Johnston joined the Beach Boys... But for a brief stretch, the two had turned The Rip Chords into one of the best examples of LA’s studio-built California Sound. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered

#2HitTuesdays 1965’s “Don’t Be Scared” by The Rip Chords missed the #Hot100 altogether… and the original Rip Chords recording operation essentially ended in 1965. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

#2HitTuesdays The vocals situation for The Rip Chords created decades of confusion over who actually sang what… and the hot-rod formula soon began running out of gas. “One Piece Topless Bathing Suit” managed to squeak onto the #Billboard #Hot100 at #96. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

#2HitTuesdays One hiccup, though… The Rip Chords needed to tour. But Johnston & Melcher weren't gonna be touring as Rip Chords. With Ernie Bringas limited by his seminary studies, Rich Rotkin & Arnie Marcus were hired to round out the touring group. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered

#2HitTuesdays With Ernie Bringas back in the studio for “Three Window Coupe,” the principal recording voices on the single were Terry Melcher & Bruce Johnston and Ernie Bringas & Phil Stewart. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered

#2HitTuesdays “Hey Little Cobra” wasn’t their only US #Top40 hit... The Rip Chords’ follow-up, “Three Window Coupe” (written by Jan Berry & Roger Christian) was their 2nd US #Top40 hit, peaking at #28 in 1964. #TheRipChords #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

#2HitTuesdays At that point, The Rip Chords were just Ernie Bringas & Phil Stewart on vocals, with backing from the famed Wrecking Crew. Among the musicians credited were guitarist Glen Campbell & drummer Hal Blaine. #TheRipChords #TheWreckingCrew #GlenCampbell #HalBlaine #OneHitWondered

#2HitTuesdays Formed in LA by Phil Stewart & Ernie Bringas, The Rip Chords got a big boost when Columbia Records’ young A&R man/ producer Terry Melcher (Doris Day’s son) signed ‘em. Melcher produced their 1st single, 1962’s “Here I Stand.” #TheRipChords #TerryMelcher #OneHitWondered #MusicSky

#2HitTuesdays Before Terry Melcher produced The Byrds or Bruce Johnston joined The Beach Boys, they were the studio masterminds behind The Rip Chords…one of the coolest (and most misunderstood) acts of the ‘60s hot rod/surf explosion. #TheRipChords #TerryMelcher #BruceJohnston #OneHitWondered