Gary Lewis

Gary Lewis (born Gary Harold Lee Levitch; July 31, 1945 ) is an American musician who was the leader of Gary Lewis & the Playboys.

Early life Gary Lewis is the son of Jerry Lewis His mother, who was performing at the time with the Ted Fio Rito Orchestra, intended to name him after her favorite actor, Cary Grant, but her son became "Gary" as the result of a clerical error. He received a set of drums as a gift for his 15th birthday in 1960.

Lewis was the drummer, and Dave Walker was the singer and guitarist. in Tomorrowland at Disneyland and that Garrett should give them a listen. making Lewis an instant star. Besides The Lovin' Spoonful, the group was the only act during the 1960s to have its first seven Hot 100 releases each reach that chart's top 10. (number two); "Save Your Heart for Me" (number two); "Everybody Loves a Clown" (number four); "She's Just My Style" (number three); "Sure Gonna Miss Her" (number nine); and "Green Grass" (number eight). Lewis says he composed "Everybody Loves a Clown" as a gift for his father's birthday. He believed the song was too good, so instead of giving it as a gift, he recorded it.

By 1966, Lewis was exclusively singing, replaced on the drums by, among others, Jim Keltner.

Army In January 1967, his career was put on hold when he was drafted into the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War with the Eighth Army, until 1968. Lewis has stated that he was reluctant to go to Vietnam, but he credits the Army with being the time when he "grew up."

Post-Army He returned to performing and recording, but did not recapture his earlier success and five releases by the band that year peaked from 13th to 39th.

In 1971, Lewis took a break from performing, operating a music shop in the San Fernando Valley and giving drumming lessons.

In the summer of 2013, Lewis, along with a group of 1960s musicians including Gary Puckett (Gary Puckett & The Union Gap), Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), Mark Lindsay (former lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders), and The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, toured 47 cities in Paradise Artist's "Happy Together" tour. , Gary Lewis and the Playboys are still touring the world on their own and occasionally with other popular acts of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s. The group performs on cruise ships, at casinos, festivals, fairs, and corporate events.

Film appearances Gary Lewis appeared in a credited role singing "The Land of La-la-la" with his father in Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958), where he played Jerry Lewis as a boy. He also was seen in the movie The Family Jewels (1965). He was cast in his father's movie The Nutty Professor (1963), but his part was cut out of the film because he appeared in a bar and was not of legal age to drink alcohol at the time.

Personal life In 2009, on the nationally syndicated program Inside Edition, Gary met his half-sister Suzan Kleinman, who had learned from DNA testing results that they are related siblings, the children of comedy star Jerry Lewis.

Lewis and his family reside in Rush, New York.

Discography

With Gary Lewis & the Playboys

Singles A-sideB-sideYear"This Diamond Ring""Hard to Find" (later replaced with "Tijuana Wedding") (both are non-LP tracks)1965"Count Me In""Little Miss Go-Go""Doin' the Flake""This Diamond Ring" / "Little Miss Go-Go""Save Your Heart for Me""Without a Word of Warning""Everybody Loves a Clown""Time Stands Still""She's Just My Style""I Won't Make That Mistake Again""Sure Gonna Miss Her""I Don't Wanna Say Goodnight" (non-LP track)1966"Green Grass""I Can Read Between the Lines""My Heart's Symphony""Tina (I Held You in My Arms)""(You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture""Looking For the Stars""Where Will the Words Come From""May the Best Man Win""Way Way Out" (Way...Way Out Promo Release)1967"The Loser (with a Broken Heart)""Ice Melts in the Sun""Girls in Love""Let's Be More Than Friends""Jill""New in Town""Has She Got The Nicest Eyes""Happiness""Sealed with a Kiss""Sara Jane"1968"Main Street""C.C. Rider""Rhythm of the Rain""Mister Memory" 1969"Hayride""Gary's Groove" "I Saw Elvis Presley Last Night""Something is Wrong""I'm on the Right Road Now""Great Balls of Fire"1970"Then Again Maybe" (Gary Lewis solo)"Peace of Mind"1972"One Good Woman" (Gary Lewis solo)"Ooh Baby"1975

Albums

Solo

Singles A-sideB-sideYear"Then Again Maybe" (Gary Lewis solo)"Peace of Mind"1972"One Good Woman" (Gary Lewis solo)"Ooh Baby"1975