Dave Somerville born 2 October 1933

 

Dave Somerville (born Oct 2, 1933) is a Canadian singer mainly known for his leading vocal role in the Diamonds, one of most popular vocal groups of the 1950s.

 

The Diamonds were a Canadian quartet of the 1950s and early 1960s who rose to prominence performing cover versions of songs by black musicians. The original members were: Dave Somerville - Lead, Ted Kowalski - Tenor, Phil Levitt - Baritone, and Bill Reed - Bass.

 

Dave grew up in the small town of Rockwood, Ontario, Canada. At the age of 14, he moved to Toronto. After high school he entered Central Tech to study architecture. Because of his musical background, and also a talented singer himself, he soon realized that architecture was not for him. He left the Central Tech and got a position as a radio operator at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Not to neglect his singing, he was also studying voice under the teaching of the respected Dr. Ernesto Vinci.

 

By chance, in the hallway at the C.B.C., Somerville met an unnamed quartet (Stan Fisher, Ted Kowalski, Phil Levitt, and Bill Reed), and in a very brief moment of time became their manager and tutor. Later that year, because of Stan Fisher's decision to stay in school, Dave Somerville became the group's lead singer. That quartet became The Diamonds.

 

Somerville had great successes with The Diamonds, spending approximately 8 years as lead singer. Somerville reached his peak moment with his famous song "Little Darlin", which reached no. 2 on the charts, and as Somerville had said, “It would have reached no. 1 if it hadn’t been for that danged Elvis”. With multiple appearances on American Bandstand, this good looking singer with an undoubtly great voice and great smile could evoke screams and sighs from many fans regardless of their age.

 

 

 

 

In 1961, Somerville left the Diamonds and went solo under the name of David Troy. He joined The Four Preps in 1967, singing the bass part. Somerville was the first replacement member for the Preps. In 1969 he concentrated on folk music with a former member of the Four Preps, Bruce Belland. The duo appeared in concerts, TVs, and spent time as regulars on the Tim Conway Show. From 1972 to 1974, Somerville found the group WW Fancy. In the late 80s he again sang with original members of the Diamonds on occasions. He also returned to the Four Preps, and somehow found time to organize another group called the Somerville’s Diamonds.

 

He has acted in many TV shows, including Star Trek: The Original Series. He co-wrote the theme song for the series, “The Fall Guy”, staring Lee Majors. He is greatly in demand as a voice-over artist in Hollywood. In his club act, the 1957 Greyhound Bus Tour has been a crowd pleaser for some time. In more recent ventures, Somerville is singing in a group called “Triple Gold”, with Jim Yester & Bruce Belland. This trio represents the groups, “The Association”, “The Four Preps”, and “The Diamonds”, singing hits from all three groups.

 

 

He performs today under the name of "Diamond Dave" Somerville. (info Wikipedia)