(Steve Duboff - Artie Kornfeld)
New Zealand
#4 NZ
This was The La De Das’ second single, although their first, Ever Since That Night/Little Girl on Talent City, had limited distribution.
The B-side was another Duboff-Kornfeld composition, also originally by The Changin’ Times, Pied Piper, best known in the version by Crispian St Peters
The La De Das were a popular Auckland band that grew out of The Mergers, formed in high school in 1963. Their styles moved from the Shadows through the Stones to prog rock, before breaking up in 1975 with Kevin Borich the only remaining foundation member. From the late 60s they worked mainly in Australia, where their biggest hit was Gonna See My Baby Tonight.
See also The La De Das’ NZ #1 Hey Baby.
The La De Das’ How Is The Air Up There? appeared on Rhino’s Nuggets II: (Original Artyfacts From The British Empire And Beyond 1964-1969) .
Further reading: The La De Das page at Milesago covers all the personnel and stylistic changes. See also Bruce Sergent’s history of the band at his NZ music site.
Thanks to Dave Monroe for suggestion and background.
(Steve Duboff - Artie Kornfeld)
USA
Original version
Single on Philips December 1965.
The Changin’ Times were Steve Duboff and Artie Kornfeld, the writers of this song.
Another Changin’ Times original written by Duboff and Kornfeld was Pied Piper (1965), a hit for British singer Crispian St Peters in 1966 in both the UK and USA.
Writer-producer Artie Kornfeld had worked in the Brill Building school of songwriting in the early 60s: Jan & Dean’s Dead Man’s Curve was one of his early co-writing credits, and he wrote The Angels’ hit I Adore Him (1963) with Jan Berry of Jan & Dean. In 1967, after writing and producing for The Cowsills, he was appointed Vice President of Rock by Capitol Records, a recording industry first. Artie was one of the originators of the 1969 Woodstock Festival (his face is familiar to anyone who has seen the movie).
Steve Duboff (1941-2004) met Artie Kornfeld at Screen Gems Music Publishing. Duboff-Kornfeld collaborations included The Rain, The Park And Other Things (1967) and We Can Fly (1968), both hits for the Cowsills (produced by Artie Kornfeld).
Not to be confused with Australian band The Changing Times.
Further reading: 1. Artie Kornfeld’s official website has more biographical details. 2. Variety’s tribute to Steve Duboff [archived].
Thanks to Artie Kornfeld of The Changin’ Times, a longtime friend of this website.
(Kornfeld - Duboff) USA
Later version
On early self-titled EP October 1982 by Los Angeles pop-rock band with line-up Susannah Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, and Annette Zilinskas (member till 1983).
(Kornfeld - Duboff) New Zealand
Later version
Maxi-single on Pagan with NZ singer-songwriter-guitarist and session musician Ted Brown, previously in 80s band The Tunnellers, later based in Los Angeles.
♫ Listen at YouTube
A remixed version of this track was later used as theme music on 90s NZ music show Frenzy.
(Kornfeld - Duboff) New Zealand
Later version
On album Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned by Wellington alternative/garage/punk duo Andrew Tolley (guitar, vocals) and Brendan Moran (drums), active late 1990s to early 2000s.
♫ Listen at YouTube
Further reading: AudioCulture profile and Discogs.com entry.
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Website by Lyn Nuttall. © Lyn Nuttall 2004-2026. 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…
