So, with Iam Tongi crowned as the 2023 “American Idol,” there’s buzz of all kinds about his potential as a bona fide star of the future.
You know, work his way up to the ranks of a Bruno Mars. Maybe sings on the soundtrack of an island-themed movie. Maybe lands a lucrative recording contract.
Will Tongi, pictured left, join the ranks of the rich and famous? Hope so. However, he needs to chart a plan and secure a skilled talent manager to help oversee his interests and collaborate with the goal of shaping a career path. Tongi requires a vision to match his unique talent
My former Honolulu Advertiser colleague Bart Asato, a dependable, prolific and spot-on commentator and observer of the tempo and flavors of life, is currently reflecting (on Facebook) on who among the former and even current musicians and entertainers, have charted No. 1 hits.
Because Bruno, pictured right, is very now and very wow, we know Mars frequently on the charts, as himself backed by the Hooligans, and also as one-half of Silk Sonic, a smooth r&b act.
And yes, Asato’s right about Bette Midler, pictured left, the Divine Miss M. Her credits include “From a Distance,” which peaked at No. 2; “The Rose,” which went to #3; “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” which surprising peaked at #8; and “Do You Wanna Dance” topped out at #17.
“Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You” was soooooo popular, even performed by a teen-age Glenn Medeiros on “The Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson.
Medeiros, pictured left, also had a biggie, with rapper Bobby Brown, “She Ain’t Worth It,” which was #1 in the UK but reached #12 in the U.S.
Other early groundbreaking island talents included Robin Luke, pictured above, a Punahou teen, who wrote and sang an original about his kid sister, and “Susie Darling” was a hottie on “American Bandstand” and peaked at #5.
The Kingston Trio, pictured right on a Life Magazine cover, featured Bob Shane, Dave Guard and Nick Reynolds, was a folk music legend with “Tom Dooley” spiraling to #1. Share and Guard were Buffanblu grads. All are deceased now.
Another star who called Hawaii home, Tommy Sands, was truly “The Singin’ Idol,” a TV film that produced “Teen-age Crush,” Sands’ signature song, which was #1 on Cashbox and #2 on Billboard. Sands, pictured right, starred at the old Outrigger Showroom at the Outrigger Waikiki, and gigged as a nostalgia star before relocating here.
Martin Denny, specializing in exotic music, became a global guru of what evolved as tiki music, was knows for his reinterpretation of a Les Baxter instrumental, “Quiet Village,” which became his signature. He did periodic Hawaii shows and retired in Hawaii Kai, where he died in 2005 at age 93.
So arigato, Asato-san, for your reminiscence. Doing this bit not to compete with you, but to complement your thoughts…
And that’s Show Biz. …
And don’t forget: Alfred Apaka, Kui Lee,and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole… and probably more… who all had national hits.
And thanks for those memories, Wayne. Lovely to see those people again.
Shouldn’t Don Ho be on this list?
Don Ho was in his prime was mostly known Hawaiian entertainer, appearing in various nightclubs in L.A. and in Las Vegas, but chart presence, based on his recordings, never has been his forte. His biggest albums were released on Reprise Records, but none achieved Top 10 laurels. He was best known for two recordings, “Tiny Bubbles” and “I’ll Remember You.” This discussion on chart presence, thus, would exclude his name.
Wayne, do you remember kid time “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour”? James Shigeta of Hawaii won the national singing contest with the song “Night and Day” and went on to greater things
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HI WAYNE.
SO GLAD THAT IAM WON THE OTHER NIGHT. YOU ARE RIGHT THAT HE NEEDS TO GET A GOOD MANAGER FOR HIS FUTURE. I GOT TO SEE HIM ON GMA AND ALSO ON LIVE WITH KELLY AND MARK.
ALOHA DOLORES,