DRUMMOND
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
Australia 1971
#2 Sydney #1 Melbourne #1 Brisbane #1 Adelaide #4 Perth #15 NZ

Single on Fable that capitalised on the current success of another Australian band, Daddy Cool, who shared a name with this song and recorded their own version of it. Drummond's single charted while Daddy Cool's #1 single Eagle Rock was on the Australian charts.

Drummond were Adelaide trio Graeham Goble, Russ Johnson and John Mower, who had been members of the band Alison Gros. After the success of Daddy Cool, they recorded their own material and became better known as Mississippi, the band that later evolved into Little River Band (Reminiscing, 1978, #3 USA and nine other Top 40 US hits).

Further reading: The account by Beeb Birtles, another member of Mississippi and LRB, at his website.

Thanks to Leon Van Gestel for additional information.
DADDY COOL
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
Australia 1971
Influential version

Wildly popular goodtime rock revivalists from Melbourne who created a classic with their own Eagle Rock, Australia's #1 single of 1971. See also Baby Let Me Bang Your Box, Cherry Pie and I'll Never Smile Again

Daddy Cool grew out of an informal 50s-styled band-within-the band of Sons Of The Vegetal Mother, the progressive band of Daddy Cool founders Ross Wilson and Ross Hannaford.

The band shared its name with another old song, Daddy Cool, originally by The Rays (1957).

Daddy Cool appeared on Daddy Cool's album Daddy Who? Daddy Cool!

The Daddy Cool EP, which charted in some places, does not include the song Daddy Cool.

Further reading: 1. Daddy Cool history at Milesago. 2. DaddyCool.com.au

Thanks to Keith Glass.
GUY 'DADDY COOL' DARRELL
Daddy Cool, Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
USA 1961

Single on Warwick.
THE REATAZ WITH THE SATELLITES
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
New Zealand

c.1960

New Zealand female vocal trio The Reataz with rock'n'roll band The Satellites.

This was a recording for Viking, anthologised, for example, on Early Rock From New Zealand. I'm unable to clarify the original release details.
THE DIAMONDS
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
USA 1957

B-side of #10 USA single Silhouettes.

This was a double-sided cover of the Rays single Silhouettes/Daddy Cool.
THE RAYS
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
USA 1957
Original version

B-side of #3 USA single Silhouettes (also written by Slay-Crewe).

Both sides were covered on the one 45 by The Diamonds and charted #10 USA.

Before he teamed with Bob Gaudio of the Four Seasons to steer that group's chart-topping career, songwriter-producer-arranger Bob Crewe recorded under his own name and often wrote in partnership with Philadelphian pianist Frank Slay. He was also instrumental in launching the careers of Freddy Cannon, Diane Renay and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels.

Essential listening: Ronnie Allen's recent radio interview with Bob Crewe, archived in mp3 format at Ronnie's Radio Page.
Further reading: Bob Crewe's career has been long and wide-ranging. Good starting points: 1. Bob Crewe entry at Answers.com. 2. Bob Crewe page at the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 3. Bob Crewe at the Pop Culture Cantina.
DARTS
Daddy Cool
(Frank Slay - Bob Crewe)
UK 1977
#6 UK

Single on Magnet by British fifties revivalist band, produced by Tommy Boyce and Richard Hartley, engineered by Phil Chapman. This was the first studio track Darts ever recorded.

Thanks to Phil Chapman.
BONEY M
Daddy Cool
(Farian - Reyman)
Germany 1977
Red herring
#6 UK #2 Sydney #8 Melbourne #11 Brisbane #30 Adelaide #4 Perth #15 NZ

Same title but not the same song as 'Daddy Cool' by Drummond.

Co-charted with version by Tahiti in Brisbane

TAHITI
Daddy Cool
(Farian - Reyman)
1977
Red herring
#11 Brisbane

Same title but not the same song as 'Daddy Cool' by Drummond.

Co-charted with original version by Boney M in Brisbane. CBS single. Apart from that: I know nothing!

Corrections or comments? Contact the writer.