DOO WOP

Heart Throb

Back in the 1950's, Darwin Lamm started listening to the music of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson and other great rock 'n roll artists. But it was when he saw Buddy Holly on a local TV station in Portland performing his hits in 1959 that Darwin said "I can do that!" And he immediately went to the small music store in Vancouver Washington and bought a fender guitar just like Buddy Holly's.

Darwin had been singing in high school, solo, as well as with various groups. He started singing and playing the guitar at age 18, writing his own material. This led to a music scholarship at the local college in Vancouver, Washington. It was at that time he hooked up with Bobbie Brown and Janet Peters, who were also in the choir, and asked if they would sing with him on a few songs. He kept telling the girls he planned to make a demo recording and was going to try to get a record deal. After many weeks of practice and practice, they all kind of wondered, "Is this really going to go anywhere? Or is it just a crazy idea?"

Darwin's fantasy of being a singer was put on hold, when new plans of quitting his job and moving to California with his buddy took center stage. However, something happened, call it fate. Darwin read in the local newspaper that Bonnie Guitar, a famous guitarist and singer, would be appearing at the Frontier Room in Vancouver, Washington. The article went on to say how she was instrumental in the great success of the group, The Fleetwood's. "That was it…" Darwin thought. The more he read, the more excited he got. This was his opportunity, his one chance to make his dream come true. They eventually formed a group called 'Darwin and the Cupids,' produced by Bonnie Guitar.

Although the recording label was small and regional, Darwin & the Cupids achieved two #1 hit

songs in the Great Northwest.

The exposure had a tremendous impact on Darwin's life, moving him to Los Angeles to continue writing, performing, and producing for Dore and Dot Records.