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| From left to right: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Daryl Dragon, Harriet Johnston, Bruce Johnston, Toni Tennille. Photo courtesy of the Bruce Johnston Photo Archives. |
The Beach Boys' Bruce Johnston sent over this great photo from the mid-70's with some of his music friends. Barry Mann and his wife, Cynthia Weil are one of the most successful songwriting duo's in pop music. Just a few of their hits include "Uptown" by The Crystals, "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" by The Animals, "Don't Know Much" by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville, "I Just Can't Help Believing" by B.J. Thomas (as well as Bobby Vee, Elvis Presley and others), "On Broadway" by The Drifters (also co-written with Leiber & Stoller) and the most played radio and television song of the 20th Century (according to BMI) is "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers (also co-written by Phil Spector). Daryl Dragon and Toni Tennille are best known as "Captain & Tennille". They were part of The Beach Boys touring band before they launched out as the hit duo. Some of their massive hits include the #1 singles "Love Will Keep Us Together", "Do That To Me One More Time", "Muskrat Love", "The Way I Want To Touch You" and many more! Along with being part of The Beach Boys (read our interview HERE), Bruce won a Grammy Award for his song "I Write The Songs" performed by Barry Manilow in 1977. He arranged, produced and/or performed on projects for Sandy Nelson, The Rip Chords, Elton John and Pink Floyd's The Wall (which also featured vocal help from Toni Tennille) among others. His "Disney Girls" has also been covered by The Beach Boys, Art Garfunkel, Cass Elliott, Jack Jones, Doris Day and others including Captain & Tennille as well. To think of the impact these friends in the photo above have had on the pop music scene is quite staggering! Thanks to Bruce Johnston for sharing this rare gem from the archives!
