Vocal group Big Daddy comprised Marty Kaniger (lead tenor, sometimes baritone and falsetto), Bob Wayne (lead, tenor, baritone), Tom Lee (baritone and bass), David Starns (tenor) and Gary Hoffman (tenor and drummer) and were formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in 1982. The idea behind the outfit was to revive vocal group oldies of the 50s and early 60s, but Rhino Records' head Richard Foos gave this formula a twist by suggesting they make a contemporary doo-wop album of modern standards. The concept was further expanded by back-cover sleeve-notes describing how this authentic 50s group had been kidnapped by Asian authorities while touring service bases in 1959 and forced to play their repertoire there ever since - until freedom arrived via a crack CIA unit. All bunkum, but effectively rendered, it gave the group a degree of press momentum. Released in 1983, the album featured cover versions of "I Write The Songs" (Barry Manilow), "Superfreak" (Rick James), "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" (Barbra Streisand) and "Hotel California" (Eagles), all executed in pure 50s rock 'n' roll style and with considerable panache. Although it tagged Big Daddy as a novelty pastiche group (their abilities were far superior to this billing), it gave them a substantial performing identity at venues coast to coast. By the time they returned to the studio in 1985, they were joined by John Hatton (bass). So Meanwhile - Back In The States continued the process of reworking the cheesier songs of the day in a diverting new (old) fashion. The songs included "I Just Called To Say I Love You" (Stevie Wonder), "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson), "Flashdance" (Irene Cara), "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" (Cyndi Lauper) and "Jump" (Van Halen). Several television appearances followed, and the group found particular popularity in England, where their version of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing In The Dark" headed an EP that reached number 20 in the national charts. By 1986 David Starns had left to be replaced by Don Raymond, while their third album, Cutting Their Own Groove, continued the winning formula.

Listen to Big Daddy at Finetune.

• (2005)  Cutting Their Own Grove

• Welcome To The Jungle
• I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
• Ice Ice Baby
• Money For Nothing
• Like A Virgin

• Richard Cheese
• King
• Bud E Luv
• Dread Zeppelin
• Hayseed Dixie
• Eric Cartman
• Dr. Evil
• The Bad Plus
• William Hung
• Electric Hellfire Club
• Apocalyptica
• Brave Combo
• Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
• Die Krupps
• Gary Hoey
• J.K. Meedom
• Christopher O'Riley
• RJ
• The Rutles
• Weird Al Yankovic