The Playmates

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The Playmates were a late 1950s vocal group, led by the pianist Chic Hetti (born Carl Cicchetti, 26 February 1930) and drummer Donny Conn (born Donald Claps, 29 March 1930) of Waterbury, Connecticut.

[edit] Career

Signed to Morris Levy's Roulette Records in 1958, they released two notable singles -- "Jo-Ann" and "Don't Go Home" -- before having a surprise #4 hit (July 9, 1958) with the tempo-changing novelty record "Beep, Beep (The Little Nash Rambler)" - lyrics - that became a regular spin for Dr. Demento. The "Beep, Beep" song was on the Billboard Top 40 chart for twelve weeks. Because of a directive by the BBC that songs do not include brand names in its lyrics, a version of "Beep Beep" was recorded for the European market replacing the Cadillac and Nash Rambler with the generic terms limousine and bubble car.

After four albums for Roulette, the group -- which was known for its between-song comedy and banter as it was for its repertoire -- broke up in 1964. Conn moved to California where he wrote and performed comedy for years before becoming a successful corporate and event speaker-for-hire.