Keith McCormack (October 19, 1940 – April 10, 2015) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter.
McCormack was born in
Dalhart, Texas
Dalhart is a city in Dallam and Hartley counties in the U.S. state of Texas, and the county seat of Dallam County. The population was 8,447 at the 2020 census.
History
Founded in 1901, Dalhart is named for its location on the border of Dallam ...
, but was raised in Plainview. He sang and played guitar for the Patio Kids, the Rock 'n' Rollers, the Leen Teens and, finally,
the String-A-Longs
The String-A-Longs were an American instrumental group from Plainview, Texas, United States. The band consisted of Richard Stephens and Jimmy Torres alternating lead guitars, Keith McCormack on rhythm guitar, Aubrey de Cordova, bass guitar and Do ...
with Aubrey deCordova and Richard Stephens from 1956 until 1965. The Leen Teens were managed by
Norman Petty
Norman Petty (May 25, 1927 – August 15, 1984) was an American musician, record producer, publisher, and radio station owner. He is considered to be one of the founding fathers of early rock & roll. With Vi Ann Petty—his wife and vocalist—he ...
, who later renamed them
the String-A-Longs
The String-A-Longs were an American instrumental group from Plainview, Texas, United States. The band consisted of Richard Stephens and Jimmy Torres alternating lead guitars, Keith McCormack on rhythm guitar, Aubrey de Cordova, bass guitar and Do ...
, and in 1960 they had their biggest hit with "
Wheels
A wheel is a rotating component (typically circular in shape) that is intended to turn on an axle bearing. The wheel is one of the key components of the wheel and axle which is one of the six simple machines. Wheels, in conjunction with axl ...
", which reached number 3. He also recorded at Petty Studios under the alias of Mickey Boyd, Bryan Keith, Keith & Kay (with Juanita Jordan), and lead vocalist for "The Bug Men". He replaced Jimmy Gilmer in a late '60s lineup of The Fireballs; this formation toured but did not record. Actually, they did make 2 45RPMs on The Uni label as the band Colorado. 2 members of Colorado were Stan Lark - Fireballs bassist and George Tomsco - Fireballs lead guitarist. Keith McCormack played rhythm guitar and was lead singer for the group. Their drummer was George Rudiger. The 2 Uni singles are "Country Comfort" B/W "My Babe", and "Moonshine"(Tennessee Wine) B/W "Dogwood". Keith McCormack is listed as composer on the Uni label for "Dogwood".
McCormack co-wrote "
Sugar Shack
"Sugar Shack" is a song written in 1962 by Keith McCormack. McCormack gave songwriting credit to his aunt, Beulah Faye Voss, after asking what are "those tight pants that girls wear" to which she replied "leotards". The song was recorded in 1963 ...
" with his aunt Faye Voss, which was recorded by
Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs and sold over one million copies in the United States in 1963. It was the biggest selling song of the year and spent five weeks at number 1 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100 from October 12 until November 9, 1963. He also co-wrote their follow-up single, "
Daisy Petal Pickin'
"Daisy Petal Pickin'" is a song written by Keith McCormack, Glynn Thames, and Juanita Jordan and performed by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs.
Chart performance
It reached #5 in Australia, #11 for 2 weeks in Canada
Canada is a coun ...
", which reached #15 on the ''Billboard'' chart and #5 in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
.
He died of a stroke in
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the List of cities in Missouri, third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County, Missouri, Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 censu ...
on April 10, 2015. He was 74.
References
External links
Interview with Keith McCormack in International Songwriters Association's "Songwriter Magazine"
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCormack, Keith
1940 births
2015 deaths
People from Dalhart, Texas
American male singer-songwriters
Singer-songwriters from Texas