The Canadian Sweethearts

The Canadian Sweethearts, sometimes known as Bob & Lucille, were a Canadian singing duo,[1] who were popular during the 1960s, disbanding in 1977. The duo consisted of vocalist Lucille Starr, and her guitar playing husband, Bob Regan. They are best known for the rockabilly song, "Eeny Meeny Miney Moe." Their contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.[2]

The Canadian Sweethearts
OriginVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
GenresCountry
Rockabilly
Years active1958–1977
LabelsAlmo International Records, A&M Records, Epic Records
MembersLucille Starr
Bob Regan

History

Regan was born Robert Frederickson, on March 13, 1931)[3] in Rolla, British Columbia. As a child he played harmonica, guitar, mandolin and fiddle.[2] Starr was born Lucille Marie Raymonde Savoie on May 13, 1938 in St. Boniface, Manitoba. In 1958, Regan had been performing in his brother Keray's band The Peace Rangers and had recorded a single, ""Teenage Boogie/I Will Never Hold Another", singing a duet with his sister Fern on the B side.[2] Starr had performed in the French band Les Hirondelles and later as a solo singer. The two met at a wedding and began performing together. They soon married, and began to perform and record in Canada, calling themselves "Bob and Lucille".[4][5] Their first recording was the 1958 single "Eeny-Meeny-Miney-Moe,", released through Ditto, a small recording studio in Hollywood, California. A second single, "The Big Kiss/What's the Password", was also released through Ditto.[2]

At this point the pair started billing themselves as "The Canadian Sweethearts", and in 1961 released a single, "No Help Wanted," with Soma. They performed and toured in the US and Canada.[6] In 1963 the duo signed with A&M Records, and released two albums and a number of singles, including "Out For Fun/Freight Train". None were commercially successful in the US, although three were near the top of the Canadian charts.[2] In 1964 Starr recorded "The French Song", singing solo and backed by the Tijuana Brass, label co-owner Herb Alpert's band.[1][7] The single was a hit in Europe[2] and was also popular in Canada (#12).

The Canadian Sweethearts appeared on various television programs, including regular appearances on ABC's Country America show,[2][8] and toured with Hank Snow.[9][6]

In 1966 they signed with Epic Records in Nashville, Tennessee,[10] releasing a series of singles, some of which appeared briefly in the charts. The next year the couple divorced, but continued to perform and record together until 1977. The two went on to perform separately.

Regan died on March 5, 1990.[3] Starr died on September 4, 2020.

Discography

Albums
Year Album Label
1962 Say You Love Me (as Bob Regan and Lucille Starr) A&M
1964 Introducing the Canadian Sweethearts
1967 The Canadian Sweethearts Epic

Singles
Year Single Chart Positions Album
CAN Country US Country
1964 "Hootenanny Express" — 45 Introducing the Canadian Sweethearts
1965 "Stand Upon the Mountain" 5 —
"Lookin' Back to See" 2 — The Canadian Sweethearts
1966 "Don't Knock on My Door" 1 — Singles only
1968 "Let's Wait a Little Longer" — 51
1970 "Dream Baby" (as Bob Regan & Lucille Starr) 28 50

References
  1. Joseph Murrells (1978). The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie and Jenkins. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-214-20480-7.
  2. "Always Sweethearts In Song". Deep Roots Magazine, 2012.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  4. Randy Ray; Mark Kearney (May 1, 1998). The Great Canadian Trivia. Dundurn. pp. 165–. ISBN 978-1-77070-015-4.
  5. Chuck Davis (January 1, 1997). The greater Vancouver book: an urban encyclopaedia. Linkman Press. p. 683. ISBN 978-1-896846-00-2.
  6. "Three Thousand Fans at Snow, Carter Show". The Chilliwack Progress, Chilliwack, Canada, July 18, 1961 Page 7 (subscription required)
  7. Lucille Star does single for A&M. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 16, 1964. pp. 40–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  8. "Lucille Starr Artist Biography". AllMusic, by Sandra Brennan
  9. "Canadian Sweethearts". The Canadian Encyclopedia,
  10. Singings. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 3, 1966. pp. 28–. ISSN 0006-2510.
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