“This Diamond Ring” was written by Al Kooper, Bob Brass, and Irwin Levine, and was recorded first by Sammy Ambrose, then by Gary Lewis (son of comedian Jerry Lewis). Gary’s version charted first, starting at #101 on Billboard‘s “Bubbling Under” chart on January 2, 1965. The following week, Ambrose’s version came in at #117 while Gary’s stayed at #101. Ambrose’s version dropped off the chart the following week, while Gary’s entered the Hot 100 at #65 and reached #1 on February 20.
I remember this during my first real job in the mid eighties…listening to the oldies channel. Good song.
John off topic but I thought of you when I saw this short post of this lady playing a 10 string guitar. Have you ever played one?
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/4157552/posts/2668970611
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I’ve seen seven-string guitars, and of course the twelve-string has six pairs of strings, but I’ve never seen one with ten (until now, anyway). I had enough trouble with six…
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That is me also…ok I thought I would share that with you. It looks fun to play…like a giant classical guitar.
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Great song! I was living in the Chicago-Land area of Indiana when this first hit the WLS airwaves. I was a big fan of Gary Lewis. Even bought the 45 record version of this song.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
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I remember it was really popular around that time.
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Yeah, crushed on him for a while. Haven’t heard it in ages. Thanks.
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Great song!
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Yes, it is!
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Ooh great oldie! I too didn’t know about the family connection ~ fun fact 🙂
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Looks just like his father, doesn’t he?
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I haven’t heard this song in such a long time but as soon as I saw the title I started singing it 🙂
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It’s hard to resist, isn’t it?
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Oh wow, I haven’t heard of this song in so long and I love it. I had no idea he was the son of Jerry Lewis.
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Really? He looks just like Jerry….
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Ah, yes, Jerry’s son.
This diamond ring can be something beautiful and this diamond ring can be dreams that are coming true …and then your heart won’t have to break like mine did, if there’s love behind it …
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Al Kooper, who co-wrote the song, founded both The Blues Project and Blood Sweat & Tears. He wasn’t happy with Gary’s version and did his version later…
Evidently he tried to get BS&T to do it and everyone else refused…
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oh, i had forgotten all about these guys, good one, john
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I thought people would appreciate it….
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