Retro Redux: Swimming To Catalina With The Four Preps - Page 2

Portrayed as a wholesome alternative to edgy early rockers, the group had modest success at first but began to gain notice. In addition to recording they made a few TV appearances along the way — including one on Ozzie & Harriet with a young Ricky Nelson, also making a move into pop music.

They didn't hit it big until they recorded Belland and Larson's tribute to Catalina, but it proved to be the key to fame and fortune — at least for a while. At one point David Somerville replaced Larson but over the next few years the group had several good sellers, including "Big Man," and "Lazy Summer Night."

Eventually the listening public moved on and the guys went their separate ways, but as individuals they ended up making pretty big impacts in a number of ways. Larson forged a career as one of the biggest TV producers around, and Belland became a much-admired songwriter whose compositions have been performed by everyone from Willie Nelson to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He's also been a TV writer and producer. Cobb became an award-winning record producer and Ingraham a busy actor, as did Somerville — in fact, all the members of the group have been known to catch the acting bug occasionally. You also might find them showing up once in a while as one of the groups on the oldies circuit, doing the good old songs.

Article Author: Big Geez

The Big Geez is a retiree who takes time off from trimming his ear hair to write about music -- sometimes doing conventional reviews, but often just sharing his opinions about how something resonates with his memories and those of his generation. …

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