Larry Verne

Larry Vern Erickson (February 8, 1936 – October 8, 2013) was an American novelty song vocalist.

Larry Verne
Birth nameLarry Vern Erickson
Born(1936-02-08)February 8, 1936
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedOctober 8, 2013(2013-10-08) (aged 77)
Sylmar, California, U.S.
GenresNovelty songs
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1960–1963
LabelsEra Records

Biography

Verne recorded two U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart hit singles in 1960, "Mister Livingston" (No. 75) and "Mr. Custer" (No. 1, and No. 9 R&B).[1] "Mr. Custer" was written by Fred Darian, Al De Lory, and Joe Van Winkle.[2] The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.[2] In the UK, "Mr. Custer" was successfully covered by Charlie Drake. "Mr. Custer" was featured on an album of novelty songs recorded by Verne called Mister Larry Verne, which was released that same year.

After growing tired of the music industry, Verne quit to become a successful builder of Hollywood film sets, which he did for 35 years before retiring.[3]

Death

Verne died on October 8, 2013, of heart failure in Sylmar, California, at the age of 77.[4] He had long suffered from Alzheimer's disease and had suffered three strokes.[5]

Discography

Singles
Year Title Peak chart
positions		 Record Label B-side Album
US
Pop		 US
R&B
1960 "Mr. Custer" 1 9 Era "Okeefenokee Two Step" Mister Larry Verne
"Mister Livingston" 75 — "Roller Coaster"
1961 "Abdul's Party" 113 — "Tubby Tilly"
"Charlie at the Bat" — — "Pow, Right in the Kisser"
"The Speck" — — "Beatnick"
1962 "I'm a Brave Little Soldier" — — "Hoo-Ha"
"The Coward That Won the West" — — "The Porcupine Patrol"
1964 "Return of Mr. Custer" — — "Running Through the Forrest"

References
  1. Leggett, Steve. "Larry Verne Biography". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  2. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 130. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. Osborne, Jerry (November 17, 2003). "Ask 'Mr. Music' Jerry Osborne". Mr. Music.
  4. "July to December 2013". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. "Passings: Larry Verne (1936 - 2013)". Vintage Vinyl News. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.