The Happenings *were,* in fact, discovered by the Tokens when they were known as The Four Graduates. When the Tokens founded their own label, B.T. Puppy Records, in 1964, the Happenings signed with the label in early 1966, and the Tokens produced all the Happenings' hits, including this one (sometimes under the pseudonym "Bright Tunes Productions"). When B.T. Puppy folded in 1968, the Happenings signed with distributing label Jubilee, where they had a minor hit with "Where Do I Go/Be-In."
I wonder if a group like this would survive today's music scene. Clean cut, not vulgar, no tatoos or piercings. No screaming hate, drugs or expletives. I guess not. I remember this time. Thanks for posting.
I was 11 years old when this was released in 1967. The Happenings do a great version of this tune. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts in June, 1967. I still have my copy of the Happenings "Psycle" LP, which contained "I Got Rhythm". Long live vinyl!!!
Thanks. The Smother's Brothers deserve much more credit.... This is a great song in every respect. Dip,dip, dip, dip, dip.....rhythm....dip...dip....!!! Who could ask for more???
Man, I forgot how cool the smothers brothers were. The Jefferson Airplane, other Associations songs, with psychedelic backgrounds... I'm feelin' tragically hip!
I heard this on the radio this morning and when I got home tonight I had to come to You Tube and listen to it again. And I'm so glad that my 13 year old granddaughter is discovering what she jokingly calls 'old music'.
We just saw them at Westbury Music Fair on Dec. 8th and Bob Miranda still sounds like he did when he recorded "I Got Rhythm" all those years ago! If they happen to be in your area don't miss the opportunity to see them. You won't be disappointed!!
This single reached #3 nationally in the U.S. in the summer of 1967. Not bad for a tune written by George and Ira Gershwin almost 40 years earlier and first made famous in the Broadway musical "Girl Crazy" when performed by Ethel Merman! Oddly enough, it was originally written as a slow song in 1928 for an unsuccessful musical, "Treasure Girl."
Thank you Bob! This was back in the day when lead singers (and backup vocalists) had a 3 octave voice range. Singing supreme! I remember the song and group like it was yesterday.
i was born in the late 80's and yet, to me the 60's seems like the pinnacle of good music to me. i wish that... i was born a thousand years ago.... oh wait. i mean 40 or 50 years ago. :)
We saw them Dec 8th at Westbury Music Fair, NY. Bob Miranda sings the notes just as he did when the song was originally recorded. If they are performing in your area make it a point to see them. You will not be disappointed!!
I always tell my friend if I had a timemachine I would go back to 1964.Ragdoll was the #1 hit.Had my transistor radio with a little earpiece and didnt have a care in the world!!!!
This always reminds me of passing by Magdeburg in East Germany in 1967, with the car radio still tuned into a West German station. This was playing at the time.
The Happenings did concert at my college. It was without a doubt the most entertaining concert, I've seen in that type of venue. More like a Vegas show.
My brother and I loved this song.I did learn later who else sang it and I know the Happenings weren't the first to sing it-but I still have an old record album that this version of the song is on.
Dip dip dip dip dip dip. Yeah, this song is contagious and I loved it when it came out. Still do. Anyone catch Brian Wilson's take on this song from his new album, "Re-imagining Gershwin?" Really great. The lead singer on this take has a phenomenal voice. What range and emotion!
Many don't know this was Gerswhin tune from the 30's. Toyota used part of this song in commercials in the 1980's. "Toyota. Who Can Ask For Anything More?"
Despite the video droputs (and Tom's awkward introduction), this is a first rate capture of one of the most effervescent hit records of the '60s. Your heart cannot help but soar while listening to The Happenings' showstopping performance. George and Ira Gershwin wrote this for their 1930 Bradway musical "Girl Crazy" and it was Ethel Merman who first belted the tune to the back rows. "Filling in the 73 syllables of the refrain wasn't as simple as it sounds," said lyricist Ira..
On this day in 1967 {April 2nd} "I Got Rhythm" by the Happenings entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; seven weeks later on May 21st, 1967 it peaked at #3 {for 3 weeks} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100... Between 1966 and 1969 the New Jersey quartet had nine* Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, their other Top 10 record, "See You In September", also peaked at #3 {1966}... * All nine of their Top 100 records were covered versions...
Bob Miranda was a patient of ours years ago. He told us that basically, he was a kid, and most of the money they made off any charting hits went to the record company. I always felt bad about this....Nice man. Different times in the music industry.
Their show hosted many memorable performances in the time they were on. My father didn't like them because of their politics, but my brother & I would always watch them any time we could.
The Tokens did, in fact, discover the Happenings and produced all their hits. And the Happenings actually began as "The Four Graduates." But thanks for posting this. I was just 5 years old in 1967 when this version of "I Got Rhythm" came out, and it bought back many untapped but pleasant childhood memories.
I was 10 when this song was released, and I loved it. I still do. The first time I heard it, I thought it was the Four Seasons. I'm sure many people made the same mistake.
As I once pointed out to my Mom, they did not throw out the American Songbook when rock 'n' roll came around. With the revival cycle working as it does, those songs were due. The versions of the Songbook that were cut in the 50's and 60's were the definitive ones in my book. Sinatra and the Four Seasons' versions of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," also out about this time, were another example.
These harmonizing masters should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Seriously. In the "Soft Rock Wing" (assuming there is one). They are one of the most talented, stylistic and hard-driving pop vocal groups of the '60s. And that lead singer has velvet vocal chords! Their version of "Go Away Little Girl" is ALSO better than anyone else's!
Mind boggling harmonies. Would LOVE to see a video of "Tea Time", their utterly bizarre B-side to their 1966 "Go Away Little Girl" single. Same for their cover of Al Jolson's "My Mammy" with its larger than life acapella intro.
Are you sure? The instrumentation was there and it sounded exactly like the 45. Most TV shows demanded that they lip-sync especially shows with an audience. No 2nd takes.
Yes indeed, a great song - beautiful harmonies! I think this is my favorite version of the song .... just slightly ahead of Fozzie Bear's version on The Muppet Show, "I Don't Got Rhythm" !! :-)
This trash out today can't even come close to this greatness. We didn't know it then but we were witnessing greatness. I turned my radio off by about 1973 because I could see what was coming. We now have this rap and hip hop nonsense. May God help us.
Great song. Brings back so many memories. Does anyone have a copy of the Happenings doing a version of "Where Do I Go" from Hair? Been looking for it for almost forty years, but most people think I'm crazy when I bring it up. If you have a copy of this rare recording, please post. I would love to hear it again. Thx.
Back then I knew who Gershwin was and that this was just one of his great tunes, but I can't remember why I knew it. Then once on the radio they played an old recording of him ripping up the piano with his pyrotechnic version of "I Got Rhythm" and I understood why he was considered great. He was the Eric Clapton AND Paul McCartney of his time.
My older brother who I haven't talked to in years used to sing this song to me as a kid because he knew I liked it. Maybe I should give him a call.
Today's music Can't hold a candle to music back then
Bob Miranda to this day has one of the strongest falsettos in Pop music history!
Very good '60's take on an unforgettable old classic!
OMG - l just realized they are singing live to the recorded backing track. They sound amazing!!
The Happenings *were,* in fact, discovered by the Tokens when they were known as The Four Graduates.
When the Tokens founded their own label, B.T. Puppy Records, in 1964, the Happenings signed with the label in early 1966, and the Tokens produced all the Happenings' hits, including this one (sometimes under the pseudonym "Bright Tunes Productions"). When B.T. Puppy folded in 1968, the Happenings signed with distributing label Jubilee, where they had a minor hit with "Where Do I Go/Be-In."
Lead singer Bob Miranda had a great voice! Timesless stuff!
I wonder if a group like this would survive today's music scene. Clean cut, not vulgar, no tatoos or piercings. No screaming hate, drugs or expletives. I guess not.
I remember this time. Thanks for posting.
I was 11 years old when this was released in 1967. The Happenings do a great version of this tune. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard charts in June, 1967. I still have my copy of the Happenings "Psycle" LP, which contained "I Got Rhythm". Long live vinyl!!!
Thanks. The Smother's Brothers deserve much more credit.... This is a great song in every respect. Dip,dip, dip, dip, dip.....rhythm....dip...dip....!!! Who could ask for more???
Man, I forgot how cool the smothers brothers were. The Jefferson Airplane, other Associations songs, with psychedelic backgrounds... I'm feelin' tragically hip!
I heard this on the radio this morning and when I got home tonight I had to come to You Tube and listen to it again.
And I'm so glad that my 13 year old granddaughter is discovering what she jokingly calls 'old music'.
This is a fantastic version, full of RYTHM indeed!
Calvin Johnson has a great voice.
We just saw them at Westbury Music Fair on Dec. 8th and Bob Miranda still sounds like he did when he recorded "I Got Rhythm" all those years ago! If they happen to be in your area don't miss the opportunity to see them. You won't be disappointed!!
Great song! This group is from my hometown Paterson, NJ. My dad said he saw them live a couple of times before they hit it big.
This single reached #3 nationally in the U.S. in the summer of 1967. Not bad for a tune written by George and Ira Gershwin almost 40 years earlier and first made famous in the Broadway musical "Girl Crazy" when performed by Ethel Merman! Oddly enough, it was originally written as a slow song in 1928 for an unsuccessful musical, "Treasure Girl."
Thank you Bob! This was back in the day when lead singers (and backup vocalists) had a 3 octave voice range. Singing supreme! I remember the song and group like it was yesterday.
i was born in the late 80's and yet, to me the 60's seems like the pinnacle of good music to me. i wish that... i was born a thousand years ago.... oh wait. i mean 40 or 50 years ago. :)
This so reminds me of the 60s, I was young and loved life.
Bravo, this group is really great and it´s a pleasure to listen too!
One of the great voices of the 60s... Way to go Bob.
I always smile when folks recall moments like this when a tune brings the memories back.
Reminiscence of other groups of the mid 60's such as... The Four Seasons, The Vogues, The Happenings. Great vocal harmonies!
We saw them Dec 8th at Westbury Music Fair, NY. Bob Miranda sings the notes just as he did when the song was originally recorded. If they are performing in your area make it a point to see them. You will not be disappointed!!
That lead singer had one of the finest voices in music then. Thanks for posting this rare footage!
I always tell my friend if I had a timemachine I would go back to 1964.Ragdoll was the #1 hit.Had my transistor radio with a little earpiece and didnt have a care in the world!!!!
I've talked about the Time Machine also. Just to go back for a day every now and then. Maybe catch an episode of Where the Action Is.
me too,always with a transistor radio walking around,way before walkmans
This always reminds me of passing by Magdeburg in East Germany in 1967, with the car radio still tuned into a West German station. This was playing at the time.
I love harmony , these guys are great .
The Happenings did concert at my college. It was without a doubt the most entertaining concert, I've seen in that type of venue. More like a Vegas show.
Really neat, cool and musically colorful stuff. I remember this song on the AM radio airwaves as youngster way back when. It still sounds quite good.
50 years old and still a great song.
I always loved this version!
Great group and lead singer..he's right up ther with the best of them.
Wow! Wow! This is so great back in the day baby!!!
My brother and I loved this song.I did learn later who else sang it and I know the Happenings weren't the first to sing it-but I still have an old record album that this version of the song is on.
Always liked this classic gem, they were the last of the street corner Jersey "do wop sound", So much fun!
I remember this on tv.....and the smothers brothers song......What a great one...
The Happenings were from my hometown.....Paterson,NJ
The oldies are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was 12, and we danced to these songs for phys ed in public school in NJ.
Heavenly days MaGee, this version's thirty years older than I thought! ah, a classic is more timeless that we have a right to know.
i had this 45. always loved it.
Dip dip dip dip dip dip. Yeah, this song is contagious and I loved it when it came out. Still do. Anyone catch Brian Wilson's take on this song from his new album, "Re-imagining Gershwin?" Really great. The lead singer on this take has a phenomenal voice. What range and emotion!
The happenings are what was happening back then, I was at a car race at a dirt track in n.c. when i heard this one of the best groups of all time!!!
Loved this THEN love it NOW !!!
What a catchy song.😄👍
Many don't know this was Gerswhin tune from the 30's. Toyota used part of this song in commercials in the 1980's. "Toyota. Who Can Ask For Anything More?"
Underrated group - had plenty of rhythm. August now, see you in September !
Despite the video droputs (and Tom's awkward introduction), this is a first rate capture of one of the most effervescent hit records of the '60s. Your heart cannot help but soar while listening to The Happenings' showstopping performance. George and Ira Gershwin wrote this for their 1930 Bradway musical "Girl Crazy" and it was Ethel Merman who first belted the tune to the back rows. "Filling in the 73 syllables of the refrain wasn't as simple as it sounds," said lyricist Ira..
On this day in 1967 {April 2nd} "I Got Rhythm" by the Happenings entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; seven weeks later on May 21st, 1967 it peaked at #3 {for 3 weeks} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
Between 1966 and 1969 the New Jersey quartet had nine* Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, their other Top 10 record, "See You In September", also peaked at #3 {1966}...
* All nine of their Top 100 records were covered versions...
See you in September - one of my top 10 favorites.
Class act from start to finish!
Amazing group!!! Miss these days!!!
Not an easy song to sing, not the way these guys sang it anyway, these guys were solid.
Bob Miranda was a patient of ours years ago. He told us that basically, he was a kid, and most of the money they made off any charting hits went to the record company. I always felt bad about this....Nice man. Different times in the music industry.
Their show hosted many memorable performances in the time they were on. My father didn't like them because of their politics, but my brother & I would always watch them any time we could.
oh man i remember singing this in school
i love how Bernie was my music teacher
Love it love it love it!
The Tokens did, in fact, discover the Happenings and produced all their hits.
And the Happenings actually began as "The Four Graduates."
But thanks for posting this. I was just 5 years old in 1967 when this version of "I Got Rhythm" came out, and it bought back many untapped but pleasant childhood memories.
Pretty big hit back in the day
I was 10 when this song was released, and I loved it. I still do. The first time I heard it, I thought it was the Four Seasons. I'm sure many people made the same mistake.
As I once pointed out to my Mom, they did not throw out the American Songbook when rock 'n' roll came around. With the revival cycle working as it does, those songs were due. The versions of the Songbook that were cut in the 50's and 60's were the definitive ones in my book. Sinatra and the Four Seasons' versions of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin," also out about this time, were another example.
These harmonizing masters should be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Seriously. In the "Soft Rock Wing" (assuming there is one). They are one of the most talented, stylistic and hard-driving pop vocal groups of the '60s. And that lead singer has velvet vocal chords! Their version of "Go Away Little Girl" is ALSO better than anyone else's!
Mark this down as one of the most *under-rated* groups of the 1960s...
Great arrangement.
Just great!
i had the 45. always loved it. great song.
Love you, The Happenings.!Have all your musics, and you sang on my teens (and forever).
Monica de Catella
singer/writer
from BRAZIL
Keeping the italian american doo wop style pumping almost into the 70s. Respect this hit.
Mind boggling harmonies. Would LOVE to see a video of "Tea Time", their utterly bizarre B-side to their 1966 "Go Away Little Girl" single. Same for their cover of Al Jolson's "My Mammy" with its larger than life acapella intro.
great video!!!!
Great job.
I remember when this originally aired on The Smothers Bother's Show. lol
Very classy act!!!
I like this song. Thanks for sharing this.
Smothers were never afraid to have some really outsider stuff on their show. Jefferson Airplane playing "Lather," etc.
People used to be clean cut looking. They didn't have flames tattooed all over themselves and body piercings all over.
1967: QUANTA SAUDADE, ANO MÁGICO DA MÚSICA INTERNACIONAL. QUERIA PODER VOLTAR NOVAMENTE VIVER ESTES GRANDES MOMENTOS.
Great Stuff!! Miss The Smothers Brothers Show!!
This sounds like it was done live, not lip sync'd, which was unusual for that time, I think. Great performance!
Thanks for posting this!
I thought this was the 4 Seasons...Thanks for clearing that up...
nice song
what makes this song and others with quartet or quintet is the background vocals.
I remember Pat Paulsen doing parodies of this song on the Smothers Brothers show.
Excellent version of this classic. Made #1 on Cash Box but surprisingly, not Billboard.
amen an right on.thank god for jesus
Thumbs Up!
Hey, it's not lip-synched.
Great to hear, and an informative intro.
Are you sure? The instrumentation was there and it sounded exactly like the 45. Most TV shows demanded that they lip-sync especially shows with an audience. No 2nd takes.
Lead vocal is live, the rest is backtracked :)
Rick Charles the singing is not the same as on the recording
Bob miranda is my grandpa
Wonderful voices
good music
yes they did
Thanks for posting!
another great group from jersey .also .tommy james and the rascals
Good sound here!
great post!! Miranda can really sing!
Yes indeed, a great song - beautiful harmonies!
I think this is my favorite version of the song .... just slightly ahead of Fozzie Bear's version on The Muppet Show, "I Don't Got Rhythm" !! :-)
wonderful!
This trash out today can't even come close to this greatness. We didn't know it then but we were witnessing greatness. I turned my radio off by about 1973 because I could see what was coming. We now have this rap and hip hop nonsense. May God help us.
Rap music...jumbo shrimp...army intelligence...
Lol
I cant even imagine a bunch of guys that age being able to do that today; just not even possible;
Great song. Brings back so many memories. Does anyone have a copy of the Happenings doing a version of "Where Do I Go" from Hair? Been looking for it for almost forty years, but most people think I'm crazy when I bring it up. If you have a copy of this rare recording, please post. I would love to hear it again. Thx.
You have got Rhythm!
Back then I knew who Gershwin was and that this was just one of his great tunes, but I can't remember why I knew it. Then once on the radio they played an old recording of him ripping up the piano with his pyrotechnic version of "I Got Rhythm" and I understood why he was considered great. He was the Eric Clapton AND Paul McCartney of his time.