THE LA DE DAS
Hey Baby
(Margaret Cobb - Bruce Channel)
New Zealand 1967
#1 NZ

Popular Auckland band that grew out of The Mergers, formed in high school in 1963. Their styles moved from the Shadows through the Stones to prog rock, before breaking up in 1975 with Kevin Borich the only remaining foundation member. From the late 60s they worked mainly in Australia, where their biggest hit was Gonna See My Baby Tonight.

Hey Baby was the first local single to reach #1 after the New Zealand pop charts began in 1966.

See also The La De De Das' How Is The Air Up There?

Further reading: The La De Das page at Milesago covers all the personnel and stylistic changes. See also Bruce Sergent's history of the band at his NZ music site.

Suggestion from Terry Stacey.

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RICHIE WRIGHT & THE VIKINGS
Hey Baby
(Margaret Cobb - Bruce Channel)
Australia 1965
#22 Brisbane

Single on HMV label, double-sided hit with Did You See Maria.

Brisbane band whose leader went on to form The Richard Wright Group in Sydney, later re-formed as The Wright Group after his departure.

More details at Richard Wright Group - No No No No.
BRUCE CHANNEL
Hey Baby
(Margaret Cobb - Bruce Channel)
USA 1961
Original version
#1 USA #2 UK #5 Melbourne #6 Brisbane #1 Perth

Single on Smash label, originally recorded for the Le Cam label in Fort Worth, Texas. Le Cam's previous national hit had been Hey Paula by Jill & Ray (renamed Paul & Paula).

Harmonica by Delbert McClinton. Legend has it that McClinton gave some Lennon harmonica tips during a pre-Beatlemania tour of Britain, thus influencing John Lennon's harmonica style, especially as heard on Love Me Do.

Source: AMGR. Further reading: Tom Simon's Bruce Channel page.

TED NUGENT
Hey Baby
(Derek St Holmes)
USA 1976
Red herring
#37 Brisbane

Same title but not the same song as "Hey Baby" by The La De Das.

From his debut album on the Epic label, Ted Nugent.

Heavy metal guitarist, formerly of The Amboy Dukes (USA). Song written by Derek St Holmes, rhythm guitarist and singer on Ted Nugent's early albums. (GRD, AMGR)

J.J. CALE
Hey Baby
(J.J. Cale)
USA 1976
Red herring
#40 Melbourne

Same title but not the same song as "Hey Baby" by The La De Das.

From the 1976 album Troubador.

Laid-back singer-songwriter-guitarist who wrote After Midnight and Cocaine, both popularised by Eric Clapton. Full name Jean Jacques Cale (not to be confused with John Cale of Velvet Undergound.) (All Music Guide)

NO DOUBT FEAT. BOUNTY KILLER
Hey Baby
(Tom Dumont - Tony Kanal - Rodney Price - Gwen Stefani)
USA 2001
Red herring
#1 USA #2 UK #7 Sydney #5 Melbourne #3 Brisbane #8 Adelaide #10 Perth

Same title but not the same song as "Hey Baby" by The La De Das.

New Wave/ska band influenced by British band Madness (All Music Guide).

Deejay Bounty Hunter is co-writer Rodney Price.

Later versions:

JOSE FELICIANO
Hey Baby
(Margaret Cobb - Bruce Channel)
USA 1968
Later version
#9 Adelaide

Single on RCA label, also on 1968 RCA album Souled.

New York guitarist-singer and occasional songwriter of Puerto Rican heritage, popular from the late 60s for his Latin-style rearrangements of such songs as The Doors' Light My Fire (1968, his biggest hit) and High Heel Sneakers (1968). He is still active, touring frequently and recording. (RSE) The official site is at www.josefeliciano.com.

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DJ OTZI
Hey Baby (Uhh Ahh)
(Margaret Cobb - Bruce Channel)
Austria 2002
Later version
#1 UK #1 Sydney #1 Melbourne #1 Brisbane #1 Adelaide #1 Perth

Austrian DJ Gerry Friedle, the bleached blond from Tyrol (who) became a sensation in late 2001 by turning classic party songs into dance tracks (David Peter Wesolowski, All Music Guide).


The song became a football anthem and DJ Otzi released a World Cup Remix.

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