Sources of Australian Pop Records from the 50s, 60s and 70s plus some Aussie originals and some New Zealanders
Originals / Covers / Remakes / Songwriters / Chart Positions
Pop-Tops – Oh Lord, Why Lord (1968)
[Published composition] – Danza Española No. 5: Andaluza (1890)
The Monkees – I’ll Be True To You (1966)
“Hair”: Official French Cast – Hair (1969)
Annick Bouquet – Toi, C’est Pas Pareil (Under The Moon Of Love) (1962)
Little Herbie & The Sandabs – Beach Ball (1962)
Willy & Ruth recorded the original version of Come A Little Bit Closer (1954), a well-known oldie in Australia through the local hit version by The Delltones (1959).
Come A Little Bit Closer was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was the first release on their own label, Spark.
Also on Spark soon after was Willy & Ruth's Love Me (1954), later a hit for Elvis Presley, also written by Leiber & Stoller.
Willy Headen and Ruth were both in a gospel quintet called The Honey Bears who were recording for Spark. Willy sang lead, and Ruth was married to the bass singer.
Willy went on to release some records of his own, but nothing more seems to be known about Ruth, not even her surname.
Maybe someone will read this and let us know more.
Pop Archives
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Website by Lyn Nuttall. © Lyn Nuttall 2004-2024. Chart positions courtesy of Gavin Ryan’s Australian Chart Books and Dean Scapolo’s Complete NZ Music Charts. Special thanks to Terry Stacey for information, corrections and suggestions. Thanks also to Tony Watson, Philippe Edouard, Dave Overett.., More…