Tommy Facenda

Eugene Thomas Facenda (November 10, 1939 – November 18, 2022), better known as Tommy Facenda, was an American rock and roll singer and guitarist. He is best known for his 1959 single "High School U.S.A." Facenda and Paul Peek became known as "The Clapper Boys" of Vincent's band, because of their trademark handclap style during live shows. Facenda toured with Vincent and appeared in films with him, but by 1958 had left Vincent to seek a solo career.

Facenda signed with Nasco Records and released his first single, "Little Baby" b/w "You Are My Everything". The song became a nationwide hit, reaching No. 30 on the Rhythm and Blues chart and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959. All 28 regional versions were combined into one chart listing.

Facenda wrote and recorded a 1960 followup single, "Bubba Ditty", which failed to chart. He served in the military through 1962 and then worked as a firefighter in his hometown of Portsmouth.

Discography Singles "Little Baby" / "You're My Everything" – Nasco 6018 – 1958 "High School U.S.A." (National version) / "Give Me Another Chance" – Legrand 1001 – 1959 "High School U.S.A." (Regional versions, see below) / "Plea Of Love" – Atlantic 51–78 – 1959 "Bubba Ditty" / "I Don't Know" – Atlantic 2057 – 1960 "High School U.S.A." (National version) / "High School U.S.A." (Los Angeles Version) – Legrand 1001 (reissue)

Regional Atlantic Records releases of "High School U.S.A." Virginia—45–51 New York City—45–52 North & South Carolina—45–53 Washington D.C. / Baltimore—45–54 Philadelphia—45–55 Detroit—45–56 Pittsburgh—45–57 Minneapolis/St. Paul—45–58 Florida—45–59 Newark, New Jersey—45–60 Boston—45–61 Cleveland—45–62 Buffalo—45–63 Hartford, Connecticut—45–64 Nashville—45–65 Indianapolis—45–66 Chicago—45–67 New Orleans—45–68 St. Louis & Kansas City—45–69 Georgia & Alabama—45–70 Cincinnati—45–71 Memphis—45–72 Los Angeles—45–73 San Francisco—45–74 Texas—45–75 Seattle, WA & Portland, OR—45–76 Denver—45–77 Oklahoma—45–78