This past week I did my internet radio show, on jukinoldies.com, featuring two gentlemen who had birthdays this week both from the DooWop group …”The Spaniels!” Pookie Hudson (June 11, 1934) and Gerald Gregory (June 10, 1934) who grew up in Gary, Indiana and both went to Roosevelt High School. That’s where they formed their first groups the Four Bees and changing to the Hudsonaires which eventually became the “Spaniels”. They signed with Vee Jay Records (one of the first groups to sign with the Vee Jay Label) in 1953 but it was the song … “Goodnight, Sweetheart Goodnight” that actually gave them the National attention. The first time you experience this golden classic you’ll hear Gerald’s legendary bass voice followed by the smooth lead vocals of Pookie Hudson. This song brings back so many memories … when my children (Rachael and Justin) were little, I used to sing … “Doe, doe, doe, … doe doe … Goodnight, Sweetheart Goodnight” when it was time for them to go to bed. … they hated it! But fast forward years later they both used the same tactic on their children. The Spaniels went on to be the top selling vocal group for the Vee Jay Label. Some historians say that Pookie was the first front man to have his own microphone while the rest of the group shared and gathered around a second mic. The Spaniels were one of the first groups to have their Bassman (Gerald) sing some leads. Another fond memory is singing with the Spaniels in a benefit concert at the Holiday Inn Ballroom in Pittsburgh. On the bill was the Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels headlining the show, the Magnificents (“Up on the Mountain), the Fantastics (There Goes My Love) and yours truly, Johnny Angel and the Halos. Being in the same room with three of my favorite DooWop groups was a memory I will never forget. Imagine warming up your voice with these legendary singers … it was like Heaven! Not only my generation but many generations to follow experienced the works of the Spaniels through movies and television over the years like Sha-Na-Na’s TV show and the Movie Classic “American Gaffiti”. The Spaniels … Pookie and Gerald … DooWop Royalty!