While “This Time” was Troy Shondell’s biggest – and only – hit, he had been writing and performing music for almost ten years, since he was fourteen. Until that point, while his songs had been well-received, they hadn’t made it to the charts. “This Time,” however, made him an international star, charting both in the United States and the United Kingdom.
However, Shondell turned out to be a one-hit-wonder, and he follow-up “Tears From An Angel” saw no chart success. Yet Shondell continued to write and perform until 2010 when he called it quits. In January of 2016, he died from complications of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
The Beach Boys (1960s – 1970s)
The year they released their second album, “Surfin' U.S.A.,” was also one of the last years the Beach Boys were a pure pop group. Their sun-and-fun sound had them dismissed by most critics, yet teens loved the sounds of their songs. With distinguishing vocal harmonies and musical ingenuity, they became one of the most influential acts of the rock era.
They were one of the few American bands who maintained their standing during the British Invasion in the sixties. Their 1966 album “Pet Sounds” and its single “Good Vibrations” made them rock innovators. Though members have passed away or quit, the band continues to perform.
Mark Wynter (1960s – 1970s)
While he began his entertainment career as Terry Lewis, he decided to switch to Mark Wynter to avoid confusion with famous comedian Jerry Lewis. Wynter placed fourth in the 1961 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, but that didn't stop him.
He recorded a cover version of the Jimmy Clanton hit “Venus in Blue Jeans,” which helped him find big success, though none of his other musical outputs would reach the same heights. His musical career continued until 1968, at which point he developed into an actor in films, musicals, and plays – he even appeared in the 1978 “Superman” movie.
Brian Hyland (1960s - 1970s)
After small hits, Hyland suddenly delivered an anthem of the sixties thanks to his most famous song, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini.” The novelty song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold almost a million copies in just two months, with over two million total.
Additional hits include “Let Me Belong to You” and “I'll Never Stop Wanting You.” As the decade advanced, the hits racked up, and Hyland began to branch out, producing more than just pop music, including the psychedelic single “Get the Message,” which reached number ninety-one. He even had relative success in the seventies and eighties and continues to tour to this day.
Dion DiMucci (1960s)
Dion, as he was known, had lots of big hits, but only one of them, “Runaround Sue,” made it to number one. He was one of the rare teen idols at the time who had real musical ability beyond chords and a stage presence. He made it into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 – his fans include legendary musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Lou Reed.
This journeyman is still releasing music and can always be found in the studio, on tour, or playing live on Facebook. He's still got plenty of life in him, even for someone who's playing for fifty years.