FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16, 1998

DEAR JERRY: I'm trying to locate a great 45 which I believe was from the summer of 1964. The song was pretty much overwhelmed by the British Invasion that year and may have flopped. It might be called “Rock and Roll Will Stand.”

The singer sounded like Louis Armstrong and the music had a New Orleans or Dixieland feel to it. The tune either goes by a different name or never charted because I've not been able to find it in any of the Top 40 books. With your extensive knowledge I'm sure you can solve this mystery. Thanks very much for the help!
—M. Miller, St. Petersburg, Fl. (mmillr1143@aol.com)

DEAR M.M.: You are close with the title, but off just enough to complicate the search. Though the lyrics repeat “rock and roll forever will stand.” the actual title is just “It Will Stand,” and it is by the Showmen.

It seems you missed this rock and roll anthem in 1961, when it first came out (Minit 632), for it is the 1964 reissue (Imperial 66033) that you recall.

Following the lead of Danny and the Juniors, who prophesized in 1958 that “Rock and roll Is Here to Stay,” the Showmen offered similar hope to those concerned about the staying power of rock and roll music. Time has proven that both groups gave us an accurate prognostication.

Interestingly, “It Will Stand” itself has stood. Many years after it came and went and came and went again, the tune and its singer found new life on several fronts.

In the '70s, “It Will Stand” became the theme song of the nationally broadcast “History of Rock and Roll” television show, hosted by Beau Bridges.

Meanwhile, a North Carolina-based magazine devoted to Beach Music made its debut, named “It Will Stand” — a tribute to the song as well as its rising popularity with the Carolina shag (dance) crowd.

The lead singer of the Showmen, Norman “General” Johnson, joined a newly-formed group, the Chairmen of the Board, whose first hit, “ Give Me Just a Little More Time,” reached No. 3 in 1970. They had several other hits, most notably “Pay to the Piper.”

General Johnson embarked on a moderately successful solo in 1976, though his hits were confined to just the R&B charts.

“Don't nickname it, you might as well claim it. It'll be here for ever and ever, ain't gonna leave, never no never. Sinkin' deep in the heart of man, Rock and Roll forever will stand.”

DEAR JERRY: After asking a dozen or more people, none of whom have an answer, I come to you.

Dorothy Collins, the vocalist on “Your Hit Parade” television show, married a band leader. Who was he? Was he the band leader on “Your Hit Parade”?
—Audrey Craig, Madisonville, Ky.

DEAR AUDREY: You came to the right place. After working on “Your Hit Parade” together for a couple of years, Dorothy Collins, in 1952, married the show's orchestra leader, Raymond Scott. Together they remained “Hit Parade” regulars until 1957, when Scott left the show. Collins remained until 1959.

DEAR JERRY: Please help! In the '70s there was a hit by a soul group that I fell in love with. I believe the title is “What You See Is What You Get.” Do you know the name of the group?
—T. Baker, Tarpon Springs, Fla.

DEAR T.: The actual title is a little choppier than you thought - it is “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get.” It is a Top 10 hit from the summer of '71. Besides “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” the Dramatics are best-remembered for the Top 5 hit, in 1972, titled “In the Rain.”

IZ ZAT SO? Before they became the Dramatics, this group made one record as the Dynamics. Titled “Bingo” (Wingate 18), soul music collectors shell out up to $50 for this 1966 issue.