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Wikipedia

Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)

July 20, 2023

Not to be confused with Kokomo (song).

"Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)" is a popular rock novelty song written in late 1954 by the rhythm and blues partnership of Forest Gene Wilson and Eunice Levy,[1] and also credited to Jake Porter. One of the earliest rock and roll songs,[2] it was probably "the most extensively recorded rock 'n' roll song of that time".[3]

"Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)"
Song by Gene and Eunice (original)
Published1954
GenreNovelty song, rock
LabelCombo, Aladdin Records
Composer(s)Forest Gene Wilson, Eunice Levy

Originally recorded by rhythm and blues duo Gene and Eunice (Wilson and Levy) in November 1954 on the Combo label and again in January 1955 on the Aladdin label, it was covered by at least 17 different musicians in the first few months of 1955 alone, including Perry Como, The Crew-Cuts, The Charms, Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby, Goldie Hill & Red Sovine, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Rita Robbins, The Hutton Sisters (Marion Hutton and Betty Hutton), The Flamingos, Ronnie Aldrich and The Squads, Tito Rodríguez, Big Dave and His Orchestra, Marvin & Johnny, Barry Frank (with the Four Bells), Bill Darnell & Betty Clooney, Jack Cardwell with Jackie Hill, and The Dooley Sisters. Andy Griffith also recorded a satirical parody of the song.

The song spent 15 weeks in the Billboard charts from January to May 1955, and peaked at #3 in its Honor Roll of Hits in the week ending March 2, 1955.[4] The version by Perry Como, RCA's first rock 'n' roll release,[5] was the most successful,[3] reaching #2 on the Billboard charts in February 1955, while a version by The Crew-Cuts reached #6 on the Pop charts that same month.[6] Gene and Eunice's versions were on the charts for 7 weeks and reached #6 on the Billboard R&B charts.[7]

History

Forrest Samuel Wilson, Jr. (born September 3, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas; died on July 24, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada) (known professionally as Gene Forrest) and Eunice Hazel Russ (known professionally as Eunice Levy) (born March 12, 1931 in Texarkana, Texas; died May 26, 2002),[8][9] who were romantically involved with one another (and later married) and known as "The Sweethearts of Rhythm & Blues",[10] wrote the song together by the Spring of 1954.[11] Classified as a rhythm and blues song, it featured Dave Bartholomew's much-used (or even over-used)[12] tresillo three-beat Caribbean or Latin riff,[13] and a habanera bassline.[2]

Gene and Eunice

Performing under the name Gene and Eunice, in the Fall of 1954 Forrest and Levy made the first recording of the song,[11] backed by Jonesy's Combo (which included saxophonist Brother William Woodman's band),[14][15] in the studio in the basement of veteran musician Jake Porter's home, and released in November 1954 on his Combo label (Combo 64) as their first single.[1][16] Late in 1954 The Billboard magazine reported: "Uptowners also digging the stellar treatment issued by newcomers Gene and Eunice and their Combo 'Ko-Ko-Mo' slicing".[17]

On the 78rpm version (Combo 64-A), the songwriting was credited to G. Forest and Porter (as V. Haver), with no credit given to Levy,[15] however the 45rpm version (Combo 45 64-A) credited Forrest (as F. Wilson), Porter, and Levy as the songwriters.[15] The song was copyrighted to Wilson, Porter, and Levy and the Meridian Music Corporation on January 10, 1955,[18] and reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine on January 15, 1955.[19] Played by influential pioneer rock and roll disc jockey Alan Freed on his program on 1010 WINS from New York City,[20][21] this version of the song "hit it big in New York and Chicago very quickly",[22] as well as in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Los Angeles by mid-January 1955.[23]

However, in January 1955, Aladdin Records, which had Wilson on contract as a solo artist, claimed ownership of the team of Gene & Eunice, and had them record another version of the song[24] with Johnny Otis's band (billed as Johnny's Combo—perhaps as a slap at Combo Records) (Aladdin 3276).[25][26] While the songwriting was credited to Wilson, Porter and Levy,[15] Aladdin also claimed the publishing rights,[24] which Porter had only a few weeks earlier sold to the E.H. Morris Publishing Company for an advance of $5,000,[24][27] with the result that Forrest and Levy received very little of the songwriting royalties due them.[14] Aladdin released the re-cut version on January 17, 1955.[28] Aladdin, a much larger independent label than Combo, ran an ad in Billboard announcing: "Don't Be Fooled! This Is The Gene & Eunice Ko Ko Mo."[14] Combo Records responded on January 22, 1955, proclaiming: "This is it! The original Ko Ko Mo".[29]

The Combo and Aladdin singles, counted as one unit by Billboard's compilers,[14] entered the Billboard R&B charts in the week ending January 26, 1955,[30] and spent 7 weeks in the charts,[31] before it reached #7 in the week ending February 16, 1955,[32] before peaking at #6 on the R&B charts.[6][14]

Cover versions

Encouraged by findings of the US Federal Court in the A Little Bird Told Me case that permitted cover versions,[33] and fueled by advance rumors that the song was a likely hit,[26] by the middle of January 1955, cover versions had been recorded by Perry Como (RCA Victor 20-5994A) on January 4, 1955 in New York city;[34] The Crew-Cuts;[35][36] The Hutton Sisters (Marion Hutton and Betty Hutton) (Capitol 303); the Bill Darnel & Betty Clooney duo (X Records "X"-0087; 4X-0087);[37][38] and The Dooley Sisters (Tampa 100) that "broke loose in Pittsburgh".[39]

By the end of January 1955, there were also a jazz version by Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby (Decca 29420),[40][41] that was recorded on January 18, 1955 in Los Angeles;[42] The Charms (De Luxe 6080).[43][44][45][46] a "vigorous country" version by Alabama disc jockey Jack Cardwell with Jackie Hill (King 1442),[47][48] that was recorded on January 20, 1955 at radio station WKAB in Mobile, Alabama; a country version by Goldie Hill & Red Sovine (Decca 29411); and a rockabilly/Western swing version by country singer Hawkshaw Hawkins with Rita Robbins (Victor 47-6022);[49]

However, pioneer rock and roll disc jockey Alan Freed refused to play the copycat 'cover' versions of R&B hits (including "Ko Ko Mo") which were rapidly being turned out by the major pop labels,[50] as he believed that they were imitative of the originals and that his audience quickly detected their lack of authenticity.[51] Other disc jockeys refused to play any R&B songs, including Marc Jennings, of WCMI in Huntington, West Virginia, who indicated in May 1955:

"Tunes like 'Kiss the Baby', 'Hearts of Stone', 'Ko Ko Mo' and 'Tweedle Dee' are products of the mass hysteria prevalent in our world today."[52]

Perry Como

"Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)"
Single by Perry Como
B-side"You'll Always Be My Lifetime Sweetheart"
ReleasedJanuary 1955
RecordedJanuary 4, 1955[53]
StudioWebster Hall, New York City[53]
GenreBig band, Traditional pop
Length2:40
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Forest Gene Wilson, Jake Porter, Eunice Levy

The most popular and commercially successful version of Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) was that of Perry Como,[3] "the quintessential white pop crooner of the 1950s",[54] who recorded his version at Webster Hall, New York on January 4, 1955,[53] as the first rock 'n' roll release on the RCA Victor label.[1] Shapiro and Pollock viewed Como's version as part of "the industry effort to whitewash the racy, raunchy music of rhythm and blues before anyone's daughter heard it".[55]

Como's version was reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine in its January 15, 1955 issue,[56] and the label promoted it extensively in a two-page advertising spread in the same issue,[57][58] headlined as "DIG PERRY IN ACTION ON A GREAT 'ROCK-AND-ROLL' RECORD".[59] Como also performed the song on his television program "The Perry Como Chesterfield Show" in mid-January,[60] and again on February 18, 1955.

Entering the Billboard charts on February 5, 1955, eventually the song spent 14 weeks in the charts.[61] Como's version peaked on March 2, 1955, when it was ranked #2 onBillboard's Disc Jockey Chart, #5 on the Best Sellers in Stores chart, and #5 on the Juke Box Chart.[62] However, on March 2, 1955, Julius La Rosa sang the song with Joni James on Como's Perry Como Chesterfield Show on CBS due to Como's vacation. Como also performed the song on his NBC television program The Perry Como Show on October 29, 1955.[63] At the end of 1955, Como's version was ranked by Billboard Magazine as #22 on its Disc Jockey charts and #25 of the year's Top Tunes based on record sales.[64][65]

Como again performed the song on The Perry Como Show on April 28, 1956,[63] this time with Louis Armstrong,[66] who had previously covered the song with Gary Crosby in early 1955.

Despite its commercial success, Como's version is regarded by some critics as being one of his worst recordings, due to his reluctance to record the song, his apparent discomfort, an inane choral backing, and losing both the rhythm and meter of the song in the final chorus.[1] Albin Zak described Como's version as a "bizarre transformation emphasizing the novelty element to the point of Spike Jonesish parody."[67]

The Crew-Cuts

"Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)"
Single by The Crew-Cuts
B-side"Earth Angel"
Released1955
Recorded1955
GenreBig band, Traditional pop, R&B, Doo-wop, Swing music
Length2:40
LabelMercury records
Songwriter(s)Forest Gene Wilson, Jake Porter, Eunice Levy
The Crew-Cuts singles chronology
"Don't Be Angry"
(1955) 		"Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)"
(1955) 		"Chop Chop Boom"
(1955)

Canadian vocal quartet The Crew-Cuts' version of Ko Ko Mo was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70529. After their version was reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine on January 15, 1955,[56] it entered the Billboard magazine charts on January 29, 1955, eventually spending 14 weeks in the there.[61] On the Disk Jockey chart, it peaked at #11; on the Best Seller chart, at #10; on the Juke Box chart, at #6.[68] The song was one side of a two-sided hit, with the flip side being "Earth Angel."

Defending against the criticism that they and other white artists were being "predatory" by "systematically pillaging the R&B charts" and recording cover versions of songs written by black musicians,[69][70] Crew-Cut member Rudi Maugeri responded:

"If we hadn't done "Don't Be Angry" or "Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)" or "Earth Angel", these songs would not have helped black groups get their songs to the white masses. They helped us by writing good Material, and we helped them by doing their material and presenting it to white audiences."[71]

The Flamingos

In an attempt to capitalize on what he felt would be a hit record after hearing Gene and Eunice's Combo Records version in California in November 1954,[72] Chicago blues label Parrot Records owner Al Benson encouraged The Flamingos to record an up tempo version of the song on his label (Parrot 812).[73][74][75][76] Released in late January 1955, the single features Nate Nelson and Johnny Carterin unison on lead.[77] While it was played on the radio in various parts of the United States, it was never able to steal the thunder from the Gene and Eunice version.[78] This lack of commercial success precipitated their move to Chess Records' Checkers subsidiary later in 1955.[78]

In January 1959 Checker Records re-released The Flamingo's Parrot Records version as a single, and included it on their self-titled album the following month.[73] In 1961 The Flamingos re-released a version of the song on End Records (End 1085).[79][80]

The Charms

On January 11, 1955,[43] The Charms recorded their version of the song on the De Luxe label (De Luxe 6080).[44][45][46] Seen as a cover of The Flamingo's cover,[73] their "attempt to hijack Gene And Eunice's 'Ko Ko Mo' in February 1955 failed, and saw the group return to writing originals."[81] Alan Freed's refusal to play cover records at the time (really directed at White pop covers); nonetheless had the effect of shutting out The Charms.[82] Despite reaching #7 in the New Orleans R&B charts by mid-February,[83] their version was withdrawn from sale by the end of February 1955.[43]

Other versions

By the end of February 1955, there was also a mambo version of Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So) by Tito Rodríguez(Victor 47-5998);[84] Additionally, Andy Griffith (Capitol 3057) had satirized the song in which he described the love affair of a lady wrestler and a referee.[85] Griffith's version was still in the top 10 of the Capitol Records on the Pop charts on April 30, 1955.[86]

By March 19, 1955, at least another two versions were released:[49] including those by Marvin & Johnny (Modern 949); and Barry Frank (with the Four Bells) (Bell Records).

On April 18, 1955, Life magazine, in discussing the emergence of rock 'n roll music and the ensuing controversy, mentioned Ko Ko Mo in the article as representative of the new songs that were dominating the juke boxes.[87] On April 24, 1955 Mitch Miller defended "Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)" in an article in The New York Times entitled "June, Moon and Swoon and Ko Ko Mo".[88]

In 1955 rockabilly duo The Collins Kids performed the song on Tex Ritter's Town Hall Ranch Party television program.[89] Jamaican / British vocal groupThe Southlanders performed the song on BBC television program In Town Tonight on October 15, 1955.[90]

In 1957 professional baseball player Arthur Lee Maye & Mel Williams recorded the song on Johnny Otis' Dig Records,[91] however it was not released until 2000, when it was included on Johnny Otis Rock 'N Roll Hit Parade (ACE CDCHD 774). In August 1959 Joe Houston released "a rocking arrangement" of the song that featured horns (Combo 157),[92] and a "deliriously fractured doo-wop harmony over a loping rhumba pattern".[93]

In 1960 Sam Butera & The Witnesses released their version of the song on Dot Records.[94] By September 1961 The Four Amigos (Jose Vadis, Miguel Alcaildes, German Salinas, and Pedro Berrios),[95][96] "a lively Puerto Rican cross between the Four Preps and Kingston Trio",[97] released a Spanish-language version of the song on Capitol Records [Capitol ST 1617].[97]

In January 1965 The Righteous Brothers included the song on their Phil Spector produced fourth album You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Philles Records PHLP-4007, LP-4007), and subsequently performed the song on the NBC television program Shindig! on March 10, 1965,[98] and again on September 18, 1965.[99] Also in 1965 New Jersey quartet The Valtairs (Harry Ray, Joe Gardner, Kenneth Short, and Gregory Henson) released the song as the flip side of "Moonlight in Vermont" on the Selsom Records label, but it failed to chart.[100]

Discography

Singles

Albums

  • Various Artists 8 Top Hits: Hits, Hits Hooray! (1954; Waldorf Music Hall MH 3310) Loren Becker with the Enoch Light Orchestra & Chorus.
  • Andy Griffith Make Yourself Comfortable (US: 1955; Capitol EAP 1-630) (Australia: 1958; Capitol EAP 1-630).
  • The Crew-Cuts (with the David Carroll Orchestra) Tops in Pops (1955; Mercury Records EP-1-4001-A)
  • Big Dave and His Orchestra (Vocal by The Nuggets) Arthur Murray ... Rock 'N' Roll (1955; Capitol EAP 3-640).
  • The Crew-Cuts Presenting the Crew-Cuts (UK: 1956; Mercury MEP 9002).
  • Various Artists Schlagerparade USA (Germany: May 1956; Brunswick 86 036 LPB; LPB 86036) Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby.
  • Various Artists Rock ‘n Roll with Rhythm and Blues (September 1956; Aladdin Records LP-710 -).
  • The Crew-Cuts Crew Cut Capers (1957; Mercury).
  • Various Artists Johnny Otis Rock 'N Roll Hit Parade (1957; Dig Records unreleased) (2000; Ace CDCHD 774). Features Arthur Lee Maye and Mel Williams version.
  • The Flamingos The Flamingos (February 1959; Checker LP 3005).[73]
  • Betty Hutton Betty Hutton at the Saints and Sinners Ball (1959; reissued by Sepia Records in 2009) features duet with Marion Hutton.
  • Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars Happy Birthday, Louis!: Live at the Newport Jazz Festival 1960 (1960).
  • Sam Butera & The Witnesses The Wildest Clan (1960; Dot Records DLP-3272 (mono); DLP-25272).
  • The Four Amigos The Four Amigos (Capitol T 1617). Spanish-language version.
  • The Four Amigos (Spain: 1962; Capitol EAP 5-1617).
  • Perry Como Make Someone Happy (1962; RCA Victor Camden CAL 694).
  • The Crew-Cuts High School Favorites (1962).
  • Hawkshaw Hawkins Hawkshaw Hawkins Sings (April 1964; Camden CAS-808).
  • The Righteous Brothers You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (US: January 1965; Philles Records PHLP-4007, LP-4007) (Canada: 1965; PHLP-4007, ST-90692, PHL-4007) (Germany: 1965; Metronome MLP 15183) (Scandinavia: 1967; Sonet SLPS 1917).
  • Various Artists The Golden Years Of Rock' N Roll - Record One - 1948-1955 (UK: 1975; World Records SM 311) Gene and Eunice version.
  • The Flamingos Flamingos (1976: Chess).
  • Various Artists The Jake Porter Story (UK: 1983: Ace CH 84) Gene and Eunice's Combo version.
  • Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe: August 26th 1957 (UK: 1983; Rollercoaster 2005).
  • Joe Houston Rockin' at the Drive-In (1984) (2004; Ace) (2013 Ace).
  • Gene and Eunice This is My Story (1985: Pathé Marconi 156136-1).
  • Various Artists Rock Me All Night Long (Aladdin Records 1945-1958) (1986; EMI America ST-17201) Gene and Eunice version.
  • Otis Williams and His Charms Sing Their All Time Hits (1988: King 570).
  • The Collins Kids Television Party (TV 5758).
  • Louis Armstrong 16 Original World Hits (Germany: 1989; MCA Records 8.62000 LZ).
  • Various Artists The Rock 'N' Roll Era: Roots of Rock 1945-1956 (1989: Time-Life Music SRNR-30/2RNR-30 Warner Special Products OP-2570OPCD-2570) Gene and Eunice (Aladdin version).
  • Hawkshaw Hawkins Hawk (1991: Bear Family BCD-15539).
  • Louis Armstrong The ★ Collection (Germany: 1991: MCA Records MCD 17750) (Greece: 1991: MCA Records MCA 17750).
  • Collins Kids Rockin' On T.V. (UK: 1993: Krazy Kat KKCD14).
  • Gene and Eunice The Aladdin Records Story (1994; EMI Records EMI 308822).
  • Otis Williams and His Charms Sing Their All Time Hits (1994: King Records).
  • Louis Armstrong The Great Chicago Concert 1956 (1997: Jazz C2K 65119; Columbia 65119; Legacy/Sony 65119).
  • Marvin & Johnny Cherry Pie: The Original Modern Recordings (1995) (1998; Ace) (2003; Ace) (2013; Ace).
  • Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe: August 26th 1957 (UK: 1996; Schoolkids 1547).
  • Gene and Eunice Lost Artists Vol. 2: Gene & Eunice--This is My Story (1998; Case 6002).
  • Perry Como The Ultimate Collection (1998: BMG International).
  • Sam Butera & the Witnesses Louis Prima Presents: The Wildest Clan/ Apache! (UK: November, 1998; Jasmine 346).
  • Various Artists Rockin' Is Not Our Business!: 20 Crazy Covers of Rockin' R&B Classics 1950-58 (1998; Westside) features version by Betty Clooney & Bill Darnel with Sid Bass & His Orchestra.
  • Gene and Eunice Go on Ko Ko Mo! (2001; Ace Records Ace 812) (Bear Family Records CDCHD812).
  • The Bricats Welcome to Bricatannia (Germany: September 2002; Part Records 628.003).
  • Various Artists King Hillbilly Bop 'n' Boogie: King/Federal's Roots of Rockabilly 1944-1956 (2002; Ace CDCHD854). Includes Jack Cardwell's version.
  • Various Artists Surefire Hits On Central Avenue: The South Central R&B Scene (2003; Ace). Gene & Eunice version (2:43)
  • Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong Collection (2006: Legacy) features Velma Middleton.
  • Various Artists From Boppin Hillbilly to Red Hot Rockabilly (2006; Proper Records Properbox103) features version by Hawkshaw Hawkins.
  • Rosemary and Betty Clooney Sisters (2006: Sepia Records) features version by Betty Clooney and Bill Darnel.
  • Various Artists They Sold A Million: Fifties (June 19, 2006: Alphadisc). Perry Como version.
  • Sid Phillips and his band Any Old Iron (2007; Dutton Vocalion).
  • Various Artists 50 Hot Rhythm & Blues Tunes from The R&B Years 1955: Volume One (UK: 2007; Boulevard Vintage BVDCD1012). Gene and Eunice version.
  • Various Artists Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight! (Germany: 2007; Bear Family BCD16864). Hawkshaw Hawkins version.
  • Otis Williams and His Charms Ivory Tower (January 2008; Forgotten Third).
  • Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet Soul Monster (2009; Delta Groove Productions / Wienerworld).
  • Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe: August 26th 1957 (UK: 2009; Rollercoaster SKR1547).
  • Various Artists Great British Rock 'n' Roll Volume 3 : Just About As Good As It (UK: February 2009; Smith & Co.) features The Rock 'n' Rollers version.
  • Various Artists Jumping The Shuffle Blues: JAMAICAN SOUND SYSTEM CLASSICS 1946-1960 (UK: 2011; Fantastic Voyage FVTD087) Gene and Eunice version.
  • Various Artists Great British Rock 'n' Roll Volume 5 : Just About As Good As It (UK: February 2011; Smith & Co.) features The Southlanders version.
  • Various Artists Rumba Doowop Vol.1 1933-54 (March 2012; Rhythm & Blues) features The Flamingos version.
  • Red Sovine Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight: Juke Joint Johnny (2012; Bear Family Records).
  • The Flamingos The Chess Sessions.
  • The Crests Collector's Gold Series (Trigger).
  • Otis Williams and His Charms The Charms Vol. 2 (EP) (De Luxe 3664)
  • Various Artists British Rock 'n' Roll, Skiffle and Early 60s U.K. Teeners: Embassy Label Rock 'n' Roll Volume 1. Features version by the Rock "N' Rollers.
  • Various Artists Rock & Roll Hits Vol. 2: Chick's Are Jivin' (Bear Family Records CDTLR002). Hutton Sisters version.

Videography

  • Various Artists The Fabulous 50's Volume 4 (DVD) Features version by the Collins Kids.
  • Various Artists SHINDIG! - The Complete Series Volumes 11 & 12 (DVD). Features The Righteous Brothers singing the song.[98]
  • Various Artists SHINDIG! - The Complete Series Volumes 23 & 24 (DVD). Features The Righteous Brothers singing the song.[99]

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July 20, 2023
love, confused, with, kokomo, song, popular, rock, novelty, song, written, late, 1954, rhythm, blues, partnership, forest, gene, wilson, eunice, levy, also, credited, jake, porter, earliest, rock, roll, songs, probably, most, extensively, recorded, rock, roll,. Not to be confused with Kokomo song Ko Ko Mo I Love You So is a popular rock novelty song written in late 1954 by the rhythm and blues partnership of Forest Gene Wilson and Eunice Levy 1 and also credited to Jake Porter One of the earliest rock and roll songs 2 it was probably the most extensively recorded rock n roll song of that time 3 Ko Ko Mo I Love You So Song by Gene and Eunice original Published1954GenreNovelty song rockLabelCombo Aladdin RecordsComposer s Forest Gene Wilson Eunice LevyOriginally recorded by rhythm and blues duo Gene and Eunice Wilson and Levy in November 1954 on the Combo label and again in January 1955 on the Aladdin label it was covered by at least 17 different musicians in the first few months of 1955 alone including Perry Como The Crew Cuts The Charms Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby Goldie Hill amp Red Sovine Hawkshaw Hawkins and Rita Robbins The Hutton Sisters Marion Hutton and Betty Hutton The Flamingos Ronnie Aldrich and The Squads Tito Rodriguez Big Dave and His Orchestra Marvin amp Johnny Barry Frank with the Four Bells Bill Darnell amp Betty Clooney Jack Cardwell with Jackie Hill and The Dooley Sisters Andy Griffith also recorded a satirical parody of the song The song spent 15 weeks in the Billboard charts from January to May 1955 and peaked at 3 in its Honor Roll of Hits in the week ending March 2 1955 4 The version by Perry Como RCA s first rock n roll release 5 was the most successful 3 reaching 2 on the Billboard charts in February 1955 while a version by The Crew Cuts reached 6 on the Pop charts that same month 6 Gene and Eunice s versions were on the charts for 7 weeks and reached 6 on the Billboard R amp B charts 7 Contents 1 History 1 1 Gene and Eunice 2 Cover versions 2 1 Perry Como 2 2 The Crew Cuts 2 3 The Flamingos 2 4 The Charms 2 5 Other versions 3 Discography 3 1 Singles 3 2 Albums 4 Videography 5 ReferencesHistory EditForrest Samuel Wilson Jr born September 3 1931 in San Antonio Texas died on July 24 2003 in Las Vegas Nevada known professionally as Gene Forrest and Eunice Hazel Russ known professionally as Eunice Levy born March 12 1931 in Texarkana Texas died May 26 2002 8 9 who were romantically involved with one another and later married and known as The Sweethearts of Rhythm amp Blues 10 wrote the song together by the Spring of 1954 11 Classified as a rhythm and blues song it featured Dave Bartholomew s much used or even over used 12 tresillo three beat Caribbean or Latin riff 13 and a habanera bassline 2 Gene and Eunice Edit Performing under the name Gene and Eunice in the Fall of 1954 Forrest and Levy made the first recording of the song 11 backed by Jonesy s Combo which included saxophonist Brother William Woodman s band 14 15 in the studio in the basement of veteran musician Jake Porter s home and released in November 1954 on his Combo label Combo 64 as their first single 1 16 Late in 1954 The Billboard magazine reported Uptowners also digging the stellar treatment issued by newcomers Gene and Eunice and their Combo Ko Ko Mo slicing 17 On the 78rpm version Combo 64 A the songwriting was credited to G Forest and Porter as V Haver with no credit given to Levy 15 however the 45rpm version Combo 45 64 A credited Forrest as F Wilson Porter and Levy as the songwriters 15 The song was copyrighted to Wilson Porter and Levy and the Meridian Music Corporation on January 10 1955 18 and reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine on January 15 1955 19 Played by influential pioneer rock and roll disc jockey Alan Freed on his program on 1010 WINS from New York City 20 21 this version of the song hit it big in New York and Chicago very quickly 22 as well as in Cincinnati Cleveland Atlanta and Los Angeles by mid January 1955 23 However in January 1955 Aladdin Records which had Wilson on contract as a solo artist claimed ownership of the team of Gene amp Eunice and had them record another version of the song 24 with Johnny Otis s band billed as Johnny s Combo perhaps as a slap at Combo Records Aladdin 3276 25 26 While the songwriting was credited to Wilson Porter and Levy 15 Aladdin also claimed the publishing rights 24 which Porter had only a few weeks earlier sold to the E H Morris Publishing Company for an advance of 5 000 24 27 with the result that Forrest and Levy received very little of the songwriting royalties due them 14 Aladdin released the re cut version on January 17 1955 28 Aladdin a much larger independent label than Combo ran an ad in Billboard announcing Don t Be Fooled This Is The Gene amp Eunice Ko Ko Mo 14 Combo Records responded on January 22 1955 proclaiming This is it The original Ko Ko Mo 29 The Combo and Aladdin singles counted as one unit by Billboard s compilers 14 entered the Billboard R amp B charts in the week ending January 26 1955 30 and spent 7 weeks in the charts 31 before it reached 7 in the week ending February 16 1955 32 before peaking at 6 on the R amp B charts 6 14 Cover versions EditEncouraged by findings of the US Federal Court in the A Little Bird Told Me case that permitted cover versions 33 and fueled by advance rumors that the song was a likely hit 26 by the middle of January 1955 cover versions had been recorded by Perry Como RCA Victor 20 5994A on January 4 1955 in New York city 34 The Crew Cuts 35 36 The Hutton Sisters Marion Hutton and Betty Hutton Capitol 303 the Bill Darnel amp Betty Clooney duo X Records X 0087 4X 0087 37 38 and The Dooley Sisters Tampa 100 that broke loose in Pittsburgh 39 By the end of January 1955 there were also a jazz version by Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby Decca 29420 40 41 that was recorded on January 18 1955 in Los Angeles 42 The Charms De Luxe 6080 43 44 45 46 a vigorous country version by Alabama disc jockey Jack Cardwell with Jackie Hill King 1442 47 48 that was recorded on January 20 1955 at radio station WKAB in Mobile Alabama a country version by Goldie Hill amp Red Sovine Decca 29411 and a rockabilly Western swing version by country singer Hawkshaw Hawkins with Rita Robbins Victor 47 6022 49 However pioneer rock and roll disc jockey Alan Freed refused to play the copycat cover versions of R amp B hits including Ko Ko Mo which were rapidly being turned out by the major pop labels 50 as he believed that they were imitative of the originals and that his audience quickly detected their lack of authenticity 51 Other disc jockeys refused to play any R amp B songs including Marc Jennings of WCMI in Huntington West Virginia who indicated in May 1955 Tunes like Kiss the Baby Hearts of Stone Ko Ko Mo and Tweedle Dee are products of the mass hysteria prevalent in our world today 52 Perry Como Edit Ko Ko Mo I Love You So Single by Perry ComoB side You ll Always Be My Lifetime Sweetheart ReleasedJanuary 1955RecordedJanuary 4 1955 53 StudioWebster Hall New York City 53 GenreBig band Traditional popLength2 40LabelRCA VictorSongwriter s Forest Gene Wilson Jake Porter Eunice LevyThe most popular and commercially successful version of Ko Ko Mo I Love You So was that of Perry Como 3 the quintessential white pop crooner of the 1950s 54 who recorded his version at Webster Hall New York on January 4 1955 53 as the first rock n roll release on the RCA Victor label 1 Shapiro and Pollock viewed Como s version as part of the industry effort to whitewash the racy raunchy music of rhythm and blues before anyone s daughter heard it 55 Como s version was reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine in its January 15 1955 issue 56 and the label promoted it extensively in a two page advertising spread in the same issue 57 58 headlined as DIG PERRY IN ACTION ON A GREAT ROCK AND ROLL RECORD 59 Como also performed the song on his television program The Perry Como Chesterfield Show in mid January 60 and again on February 18 1955 Entering the Billboard charts on February 5 1955 eventually the song spent 14 weeks in the charts 61 Como s version peaked on March 2 1955 when it was ranked 2 onBillboard s Disc Jockey Chart 5 on the Best Sellers in Stores chart and 5 on the Juke Box Chart 62 However on March 2 1955 Julius La Rosa sang the song with Joni James on Como s Perry Como Chesterfield Show on CBS due to Como s vacation Como also performed the song on his NBC television program The Perry Como Show on October 29 1955 63 At the end of 1955 Como s version was ranked by Billboard Magazine as 22 on its Disc Jockey charts and 25 of the year s Top Tunes based on record sales 64 65 Como again performed the song on The Perry Como Show on April 28 1956 63 this time with Louis Armstrong 66 who had previously covered the song with Gary Crosby in early 1955 Despite its commercial success Como s version is regarded by some critics as being one of his worst recordings due to his reluctance to record the song his apparent discomfort an inane choral backing and losing both the rhythm and meter of the song in the final chorus 1 Albin Zak described Como s version as a bizarre transformation emphasizing the novelty element to the point of Spike Jonesish parody 67 The Crew Cuts Edit Ko Ko Mo I Love You So Single by The Crew CutsB side Earth Angel Released1955Recorded1955GenreBig band Traditional pop R amp B Doo wop Swing musicLength2 40LabelMercury recordsSongwriter s Forest Gene Wilson Jake Porter Eunice LevyThe Crew Cuts singles chronology Don t Be Angry 1955 Ko Ko Mo I Love You So 1955 Chop Chop Boom 1955 Canadian vocal quartet The Crew Cuts version of Ko Ko Mo was released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70529 After their version was reviewed positively in The Billboard magazine on January 15 1955 56 it entered the Billboard magazine charts on January 29 1955 eventually spending 14 weeks in the there 61 On the Disk Jockey chart it peaked at 11 on the Best Seller chart at 10 on the Juke Box chart at 6 68 The song was one side of a two sided hit with the flip side being Earth Angel Defending against the criticism that they and other white artists were being predatory by systematically pillaging the R amp B charts and recording cover versions of songs written by black musicians 69 70 Crew Cut member Rudi Maugeri responded If we hadn t done Don t Be Angry or Ko Ko Mo I Love You So or Earth Angel these songs would not have helped black groups get their songs to the white masses They helped us by writing good Material and we helped them by doing their material and presenting it to white audiences 71 The Flamingos Edit In an attempt to capitalize on what he felt would be a hit record after hearing Gene and Eunice s Combo Records version in California in November 1954 72 Chicago blues label Parrot Records owner Al Benson encouraged The Flamingos to record an up tempo version of the song on his label Parrot 812 73 74 75 76 Released in late January 1955 the single features Nate Nelson and Johnny Carterin unison on lead 77 While it was played on the radio in various parts of the United States it was never able to steal the thunder from the Gene and Eunice version 78 This lack of commercial success precipitated their move to Chess Records Checkers subsidiary later in 1955 78 In January 1959 Checker Records re released The Flamingo s Parrot Records version as a single and included it on their self titled album the following month 73 In 1961 The Flamingos re released a version of the song on End Records End 1085 79 80 The Charms Edit On January 11 1955 43 The Charms recorded their version of the song on the De Luxe label De Luxe 6080 44 45 46 Seen as a cover of The Flamingo s cover 73 their attempt to hijack Gene And Eunice s Ko Ko Mo in February 1955 failed and saw the group return to writing originals 81 Alan Freed s refusal to play cover records at the time really directed at White pop covers nonetheless had the effect of shutting out The Charms 82 Despite reaching 7 in the New Orleans R amp B charts by mid February 83 their version was withdrawn from sale by the end of February 1955 43 Other versions Edit By the end of February 1955 there was also a mambo version of Ko Ko Mo I Love You So by Tito Rodriguez Victor 47 5998 84 Additionally Andy Griffith Capitol 3057 had satirized the song in which he described the love affair of a lady wrestler and a referee 85 Griffith s version was still in the top 10 of the Capitol Records on the Pop charts on April 30 1955 86 By March 19 1955 at least another two versions were released 49 including those by Marvin amp Johnny Modern 949 and Barry Frank with the Four Bells Bell Records On April 18 1955 Life magazine in discussing the emergence of rock n roll music and the ensuing controversy mentioned Ko Ko Mo in the article as representative of the new songs that were dominating the juke boxes 87 On April 24 1955 Mitch Miller defended Ko Ko Mo I Love You So in an article in The New York Times entitled June Moon and Swoon and Ko Ko Mo 88 In 1955 rockabilly duo The Collins Kids performed the song on Tex Ritter s Town Hall Ranch Party television program 89 Jamaican British vocal groupThe Southlanders performed the song on BBC television program In Town Tonight on October 15 1955 90 In 1957 professional baseball player Arthur Lee Maye amp Mel Williams recorded the song on Johnny Otis Dig Records 91 however it was not released until 2000 when it was included on Johnny Otis Rock N Roll Hit Parade ACE CDCHD 774 In August 1959 Joe Houston released a rocking arrangement of the song that featured horns Combo 157 92 and a deliriously fractured doo wop harmony over a loping rhumba pattern 93 In 1960 Sam Butera amp The Witnesses released their version of the song on Dot Records 94 By September 1961 The Four Amigos Jose Vadis Miguel Alcaildes German Salinas and Pedro Berrios 95 96 a lively Puerto Rican cross between the Four Preps and Kingston Trio 97 released a Spanish language version of the song on Capitol Records Capitol ST 1617 97 In January 1965 The Righteous Brothers included the song on their Phil Spector produced fourth album You ve Lost That Lovin Feelin Philles Records PHLP 4007 LP 4007 and subsequently performed the song on the NBC television program Shindig on March 10 1965 98 and again on September 18 1965 99 Also in 1965 New Jersey quartet The Valtairs Harry Ray Joe Gardner Kenneth Short and Gregory Henson released the song as the flip side of Moonlight in Vermont on the Selsom Records label but it failed to chart 100 Discography EditSingles Edit Gene and Eunice with Jonesy s Combo November 1954 Combo 64 Gene and Eunice with Johnny s Combo January 17 1955 Aladdin 3276 Perry Como with Mitchell Ayres and his Orchestra and the Ray Charles Singers US January 1955 RCA Victor 47 5994 20 5994A UK 1955 His Master s Voice B 10841 The Crew Cuts with the David Carroll Orchestra US January 1955 Mercury Records 70529 X45 70529 78 36 Canada Mercury 70529 X45 UK 1955 Mercury MB 3202 Germany 1955 Austroton M 70529 The Flamingos January 1955 Parrot 812 Jack Cardwell with Jackie Hill January 1955 King 45 1442 Bill Darnell amp Betty Clooney with Sid Bass and Orchestra January 1955 X Records 4X 0087 The Dooley Sisters directed by Robert Scherman January 1955 Tampa TP 100 45 UK March 1955 London Records HL 8128 Goldie Hill amp Red Sovine January 1955 Decca 9 29411 Hawkshaw Hawkins and Rita Robbins with String Band January 1955 RCA Victor 47 6022 The Charms US February 1955 De Luxe6080 46 UK March 1955 Parlophone MSP 6155 Parlophone R 3988 GOLD 78rpm The Hutton Sisters Marion Hutton and Betty Hutton Orchestra conducted by Vic Schoen US January 1955 Capitol F 3031 UK April 1955 Capitol 14250 Louis Armstrong amp Gary Crosby with The Jud Conlon Rhythmaires US February 1955 Decca 9 29420 UK March 1955 Brunswick 05400 Germany 1955 Brunswick 82 849A Brunswick 12044 Germany Satchmo Sings August 1955 Brunswick 10 030 Andy Griffith adaption by Griffith and Ainslie Pryor with Orchestra conducted by Burt Massengail US 1955 Capitol F3057 UK April 1955 Capitol CL 14263 Ronnie Aldrich and The Squads featuring Andy Reavley UK March 1955 Decca F 10494 Four In a Chord UK May 1955 Embassy Records WB130 Tito Rodriguez 1955 Victor 47 5998 The Four Jacks with Herbie Layne s Orchestra 1955 Gateway Top Tune Records 1106 101 The Four Jacks with Herbie Layne s Orchestra 1955 Big 4 Hits 125 Marvin amp Johnny 1955 Modern 949 Gayle Lark with The Rhythmaires with Nat Charles and Orchestra 1955 Tops Records R252X45 49 Record of the Month Club Records 45 R252 The Rockets with The Prom Orchestra Prom Records 45 1104 A Barry Frank with the Four Bells and the Jimmy Carroll Orchestra 1955 Bell Records 1089 The Rock N Rollers directed by Ken Jones UK May 1958 Embassy Records WEP1004 The Southlanders UK 1958 Decca Records The Flamingos January 1959 Checker 73 Joe Houston August 1959 Combo 157 Sam Butera amp The Witnesses 1960 Dot Records 45 16072 The Flamingos 1961 End 1085 The Four Amigos Capitol ST 1617 Spanish language version The Valtairs 1965 Selsom Records s 1061 Gene and Eunice 1973 United Artists Silver Spotlight Series XW151 Gene and Eunice US 1974 Imperial Records The Golden Series 015 UK 1974 Phoenix Records PR 4435 The Flamingos 1979 Lost Nite Records 154 Ray Ellington Quartet UK Columbia Records Sid Phillips and his band UK HMV Albums Edit Various Artists 8 Top Hits Hits Hits Hooray 1954 Waldorf Music Hall MH 3310 Loren Becker with the Enoch Light Orchestra amp Chorus Andy Griffith Make Yourself Comfortable US 1955 Capitol EAP 1 630 Australia 1958 Capitol EAP 1 630 The Crew Cuts with the David Carroll Orchestra Tops in Pops 1955 Mercury Records EP 1 4001 A Big Dave and His Orchestra Vocal by The Nuggets Arthur Murray Rock N Roll 1955 Capitol EAP 3 640 The Crew Cuts Presenting the Crew Cuts UK 1956 Mercury MEP 9002 Various Artists Schlagerparade USA Germany May 1956 Brunswick 86 036 LPB LPB 86036 Louis Armstrong and Gary Crosby Various Artists Rock n Roll with Rhythm and Blues September 1956 Aladdin Records LP 710 The Crew Cuts Crew Cut Capers 1957 Mercury Various Artists Johnny Otis Rock N Roll Hit Parade 1957 Dig Records unreleased 2000 Ace CDCHD 774 Features Arthur Lee Maye and Mel Williams version The Flamingos The Flamingos February 1959 Checker LP 3005 73 Betty Hutton Betty Hutton at the Saints and Sinners Ball 1959 reissued by Sepia Records in 2009 features duet with Marion Hutton Louis Armstrong amp His All Stars Happy Birthday Louis Live at the Newport Jazz Festival 1960 1960 Sam Butera amp The Witnesses The Wildest Clan 1960 Dot Records DLP 3272 mono DLP 25272 The Four Amigos The Four Amigos Capitol T 1617 Spanish language version The Four Amigos Spain 1962 Capitol EAP 5 1617 Perry Como Make Someone Happy 1962 RCA Victor Camden CAL 694 The Crew Cuts High School Favorites 1962 Hawkshaw Hawkins Hawkshaw Hawkins Sings April 1964 Camden CAS 808 The Righteous Brothers You ve Lost That Lovin Feelin US January 1965 Philles Records PHLP 4007 LP 4007 Canada 1965 PHLP 4007 ST 90692 PHL 4007 Germany 1965 Metronome MLP 15183 Scandinavia 1967 Sonet SLPS 1917 Various Artists The Golden Years Of Rock N Roll Record One 1948 1955 UK 1975 World Records SM 311 Gene and Eunice version The Flamingos Flamingos 1976 Chess Various Artists The Jake Porter Story UK 1983 Ace CH 84 Gene and Eunice s Combo version Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe August 26th 1957 UK 1983 Rollercoaster 2005 Joe Houston Rockin at the Drive In 1984 2004 Ace 2013 Ace Gene and Eunice This is My Story 1985 Pathe Marconi 156136 1 Various Artists Rock Me All Night Long Aladdin Records 1945 1958 1986 EMI America ST 17201 Gene and Eunice version Otis Williams and His Charms Sing Their All Time Hits 1988 King 570 The Collins Kids Television Party TV 5758 Louis Armstrong 16 Original World Hits Germany 1989 MCA Records 8 62000 LZ Various Artists The Rock N Roll Era Roots of Rock 1945 1956 1989 Time Life Music SRNR 30 2RNR 30 Warner Special Products OP 2570OPCD 2570 Gene and Eunice Aladdin version Hawkshaw Hawkins Hawk 1991 Bear Family BCD 15539 Louis Armstrong The Collection Germany 1991 MCA Records MCD 17750 Greece 1991 MCA Records MCA 17750 Collins Kids Rockin On T V UK 1993 Krazy Kat KKCD14 Gene and Eunice The Aladdin Records Story 1994 EMI Records EMI 308822 Otis Williams and His Charms Sing Their All Time Hits 1994 King Records Louis Armstrong The Great Chicago Concert 1956 1997 Jazz C2K 65119 Columbia 65119 Legacy Sony 65119 Marvin amp Johnny Cherry Pie The Original Modern Recordings 1995 1998 Ace 2003 Ace 2013 Ace Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe August 26th 1957 UK 1996 Schoolkids 1547 Gene and Eunice Lost Artists Vol 2 Gene amp Eunice This is My Story 1998 Case 6002 Perry Como The Ultimate Collection 1998 BMG International Sam Butera amp the Witnesses Louis Prima Presents The Wildest Clan Apache UK November 1998 Jasmine 346 Various Artists Rockin Is Not Our Business 20 Crazy Covers of Rockin R amp B Classics 1950 58 1998 Westside features version by Betty Clooney amp Bill Darnel with Sid Bass amp His Orchestra Gene and Eunice Go on Ko Ko Mo 2001 Ace Records Ace 812 Bear Family Records CDCHD812 The Bricats Welcome to Bricatannia Germany September 2002 Part Records 628 003 Various Artists King Hillbilly Bop n Boogie King Federal s Roots of Rockabilly 1944 1956 2002 Ace CDCHD854 Includes Jack Cardwell s version Various Artists Surefire Hits On Central Avenue The South Central R amp B Scene 2003 Ace Gene amp Eunice version 2 43 Louis Armstrong Louis Armstrong Collection 2006 Legacy features Velma Middleton Various Artists From Boppin Hillbilly to Red Hot Rockabilly 2006 Proper Records Properbox103 features version by Hawkshaw Hawkins Rosemary and Betty Clooney Sisters 2006 Sepia Records features version by Betty Clooney and Bill Darnel Various Artists They Sold A Million Fifties June 19 2006 Alphadisc Perry Como version Sid Phillips and his band Any Old Iron 2007 Dutton Vocalion Various Artists 50 Hot Rhythm amp Blues Tunes from The R amp B Years 1955 Volume One UK 2007 Boulevard Vintage BVDCD1012 Gene and Eunice version Various Artists Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight Germany 2007 Bear Family BCD16864 Hawkshaw Hawkins version Otis Williams and His Charms Ivory Tower January 2008 Forgotten Third Rod Piazza amp The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet Soul Monster 2009 Delta Groove Productions Wienerworld Charlie Gracie Live At The Stockton Globe August 26th 1957 UK 2009 Rollercoaster SKR1547 Various Artists Great British Rock n Roll Volume 3 Just About As Good As It UK February 2009 Smith amp Co features The Rock n Rollers version Various Artists Jumping The Shuffle Blues JAMAICAN SOUND SYSTEM CLASSICS 1946 1960 UK 2011 Fantastic Voyage FVTD087 Gene and Eunice version Various Artists Great British Rock n Roll Volume 5 Just About As Good As It UK February 2011 Smith amp Co features The Southlanders version Various Artists Rumba Doowop Vol 1 1933 54 March 2012 Rhythm amp Blues features The Flamingos version Red Sovine Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight Juke Joint Johnny 2012 Bear Family Records The Flamingos The Chess Sessions The Crests Collector s Gold Series Trigger Otis Williams and His Charms The Charms Vol 2 EP De Luxe 3664 Various Artists British Rock n Roll Skiffle and Early 60s U K Teeners Embassy Label Rock n Roll Volume 1 Features version by the Rock N Rollers Various Artists Rock amp Roll Hits Vol 2 Chick s Are Jivin Bear Family Records CDTLR002 Hutton Sisters version Videography EditVarious Artists The Fabulous 50 s Volume 4 DVD Features version by the Collins Kids Various Artists SHINDIG The Complete Series Volumes 11 amp 12 DVD Features The Righteous Brothers singing the song 98 Various Artists SHINDIG The Complete Series Volumes 23 amp 24 DVD Features The Righteous Brothers singing the song 99 References Edit a b c d Malcolm Mcfarlane and Ken Crossland Perry Como A Biography and Complete Career Record McFarland 2009 97 a b Larry Birnbaum Before Elvis The Prehistory of Rock n Roll Rowman amp Littlefield 2012 312 a b c Charlie Gillett The Sound of the City The Rise of Rock and Roll rev ed Pantheon Books 1984 53 The Billboard March 19 1955 30 Malcolm Mcfarlane and Ken Crossland Perry Como A Biography and Complete Career Record McFarland 2009 96 97 a b Jay Warner American Singing Groups A History from 1940 to Today Hal Leonard Corporation 2006 109 Whitburn Joel 2004 Top R amp B Hip Hop Singles 1942 2004 Record Research p 227 Texas Birth Index 1903 1997 Texas Texas Department of State Health Services Microfiche Russ had married a building contractor named Harold Levy After her marriage to English record distributor Jack Frost she was known as Eunice Levy Frost See www geocities ws shakin stacks eunicelevy txt March 9 2003 Nick Talevski Rock Obituaries Knocking On Heaven s Door Omnibus 2010 368 a b Archived copy Archived from the original on 2016 03 03 Retrieved 2014 01 07 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Robert Palmer An Unruly History of Rock amp Roll New York Oxford University Press 1995 60 Rick Coleman Blue Monday Fats Domino and the Lost Dawn of Rock n Roll De Capo 2007 125 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The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues Macmillan 1978 234 The Billboard January 15 1955 38 David Edwards and Mike Callahan Philo Aladdin Singles Discography April 17 2007 The Billboard January 22 1955 43 The Billboard February 12 1955 56 Arnold Shaw Honkers and Shouters The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues Macmillan 1978 234 The Billboard February 26 1955 56 Russell Sanjek American Popular Music and Its Business The First Four Hundred Years Volume III From 1900 to 1984 Oxford University Press 1988 340 Ko Ko Mo I Love You So Kokomo ca Retrieved 30 April 2021 The Billboard January 15 1955 1 33 a b Jay Warner American Singing Groups A History from 1940 to Today Hal Leonard Corporation 2006 132 133 The Billboard January 15 1955 1 42 The Billboard February 12 1955 23 The Billboard January 15 1955 38 The Billboard February 12 1955 46 Michel Ruppli ed The Decca Labels A Discography Vol 1 The California Sessions Greenwood Press 1996 539 Michael Meckna Satchmo the Louis Armstrong Encyclopedia Greenwood Publishing Group 2004 176 a b c Marv Goldberg Otis Williams amp The Charms Based on Interviews with Otis Williams 2003 2009 Uncamarvy com a b The Billboard February 12 1955 32 a b Jon Hartley Fox King of the Queen City The Story of King Records University of Illinois Press 2009 104 a b c Jay Warner American Singing Groups A History from 1940 to Today Hal Leonard Corporation 2006 109 110 The Billboard February 26 1955 58 The Billboard March 19 1955 48 a b The Billboard March 19 1955 30 Ian Whitcomb After the Ball Pop Music from Rag to Rock Penguin Books 1974 221 Henry T Sampson Swingin on the Ether Waves A Chronological History of African Americans in Radio and Television Programming 1925 1955 Vol 2 Scarecrow Press 2005 1144 Vox Jox The Billboard May 14 1955 44 a b c Ko Ko Mo I Love You So Kokomo ca Retrieved 30 April 2021 Kenneth J Bindas America s Musical Pulse Popular Music in Twentieth century Society Greenwood Press 1992 272 Nat Shapiro and Bruce Pollock Popular Music 1920 1979 a Revised Cumulation Vol 1 2nd ed Gale Research 1985 49 a b Talent Corner The Billboard January 15 1955 46 and Review Spotlight on Records 54 Ko Ko Mo Belongs to Como The Billboard January 15 1955 44 45 Michael T Bertrand Race rock and Elvis University of Illinois Press 2000 76 Nick Tosches Unsung Heroes of Rock n Roll The Birth of Rock n Roll in the Wild Years Before Elvis rev ed Harmony Books 1991 9 This Week s Best Buys The Billboard January 22 1955 30 a b George Plasketes Play it Again Cover Songs in Popular Music Ashgate Publishing Ltd 2010 66 The Billboard March 19 1955 34 a b Malcolm Mcfarlane and Ken Crossland Perry Como A Biography and Complete Career Record McFarland 2009 196 198 The Billboard December 31 1955 29 The Billboard January 7 1956 20 Malcolm Mcfarlane and Ken Crossland Perry Como A Biography and Complete Career Record McFarland 2009 198 Albin Zak I Don t Sound Like Nobody Remaking Music in 1950s America University of Michigan Press 2010 138 Whitburn Joel 1973 Top Pop Records 1940 1955 Record Research E g Reebee Garofalo Rockin Out Popular Music in the USA 4th ed Pearson Prentice Hall 2008 139 Michael Coyle Hijacked Hits and Antic Authenticity in Roger Beebe Denise Fulbrook and Ben Saunders eds Rock Over the Edge Transformations in Popular Music Culture Duke University Press 2002 154 Rudi Maugeri in Mark Kearney and Randy Ray The Great Canadian Trivia Book Two Dundurn 1998 166 The Flamingos Inductees The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation 27 September 2007 Archived from the original on 2007 09 27 Retrieved 30 April 2021 a b c d e Marv Goldberg The Flamingos Based on interviews with Johnny Carter and Terry Johnson 2009 Uncamarvy com Jay Warner American Singing Groups A History from 1940 to Today Hal Leonard Corporation 2006 195 Robert Pruter Doowop the Chicago Scene University of Illinois Press 1996 51 Arnold Shaw Honkers and Shouters The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues Macmillan 1978 312 434 Robert Pruter Doowop The Chicago Scene University of Illinois Press 1996 51 a b Robert Pruter Doowop The Chicago Scene University of Illinois Press 1996 51 George Plasketes Play it Again Cover Songs in Popular Music Ashgate Publishing Ltd 2010 47 Martin Popoff Goldmine Standard Catalog of American Records 1948 1991 Krause Publications 2010 437 Colin Larkin ed The Encyclopedia of Popular Music 4th ed Oxford University 2000 306 1 dead link R amp B Territorial Best Sellers The Billboard February 26 1955 56 The Billboard February 12 1955 48 The Billboard February 26 1955 52 Top Sellers Popular The Billboard April 30 1955 25 A Question of Questionable Meanings Life April 18 1955 168 Mitch Miller June Moon Swoon and Ko Ko Mo The New York Times April 24 1955 Section Magazine 19 Collins Kids Ko Ko Mo I Love You So on YouTube Kokomo on YouTube Marv Goldberg Arthur Lee Maye amp Crowns Based on an interview with Arthur Lee Maye 2000 2009 Uncamarvy com The Billboard August 24 1959 48 Living Blues Issues 176 181 Center for the Study of Southern Culture The University of Mississippi 2005 75 45 Discography for Dot Records 16000 series 15 January 2015 Archived from the original on 2015 01 15 Retrieved 30 April 2021 Billboard Music Week September 25 1961 41 Billboard December 2 1967 74 a b Scholastic Voice 31 1961 41 a b SHINDIG on DVD Vol 11 amp 12 Beau Brummels Standells Billy Fury MORE SHINDIG TV Show on DVD Thevideobeat com Retrieved 30 April 2021 a b SHINDIG Vol 23 amp 24 on DVD Stones Byrds Yardbirds Pretty Things Collins Kids Thevideobeat com Retrieved 30 April 2021 The Valtairs Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved 30 April 2021 Gateway Top Tune Records Ohio Local Labels 45rpmrecords com Retrieved 30 April 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ko Ko Mo I Love You So amp oldid 1097580205, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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