”Let Me Bring You Up” / ”How Do You Know” (RCA Victor 49.683) July 1970
Ron Dante | Let Me Bring You Up | RCA Victor | 1970 | The voice of the Archies and the Cuff Links comes into his own with this blockbuster initial release that has all the ingredients needed for a Top Ten winner. Will hit hard and fast. (Billboard, July 1970)
The now patented hit sound from the Jeff Barry – Andy Kim writing team forms the basis for this bouncy Rococo-bubblegum deck from Ron Dante. Sound is just right for the summertime scene so watch for “Let Me Bring You Up” to be making radio playlists in short order. (Cash Box, July 1970)
Ron Dante – ’Let Me Bring You Up’ /’How Do You Know’ (RCA Victor 49.683) July 1970
This is a recent purchase of a two sided bubblegum blast by The Archies singer Ron Dante. I wrote about one of his earlier 45s a few months back, check out the archives.
These songs were part of his long player ”Ron Dante Brings You Up” and they’re here on a stereo single to promote his solo album. ”Let Me Bring You Up” is a commercial pop song with the necessary bubblegum trimmings but the flip ”How Do You Know” is something of a long lost delight.
Listen out for the organ bursts and hand-claps in combination with a bouncy rhythmic beat. It could almost be late 1967 again but it’s not. Sadly, it’s now 1970 and bubblegum is starting to sound like yesterday’s news as the heavy rock style and progressive blues start to hold sway.
Both songs were written by the Jeff Barry and Andy Kim song writing partnership. They wrote the hits for The Archies including ”Sugar Sugar” but couldn’t repeat the magic with Ron Dante, at least chart wise.
I love everything Ron Dante! He’s next to Dion DiMucci on all time versatile vocalists, and he wrote some decent pop songs as well. He was also ‘in’ The Detergents and The Cuff Links.
RCA & Kirshner Mass Efforts In Dante Market/Promo Drive
NEW YORK — Release last week of Ron Dante‘s first single has formed a focal point for RCA and Kirshner Records to key on in launching a massive series of drives on behalf of the artist. Known to few by name, Dante has gained anonymous fame as the lead voice with both the Archies and Cuff Links.
Now, the Kirshner and RCA labels I will be working to make Dante’s internal industry reputation one of consumer renown. The companies have, with release of his “Let Me Bring You Up” single, massed a simultaneous marketing, advertising, promotion and publicity drives backing the artist’s performance and his first album which goes into release this week.
“This is a virtually unique phenomenon,” said Joe D Imperio, division vice president, for popular music, in announcing RCA’s marketing plans.
“The name Ron Dante is unknown, yet his voice is familiar to many millions of record buyers who have made smash hit recordings of material by the Archies and the Cuff Links’ recording of “Tracy.’”
D’Imperio said the total campaign will be as extensive as those employed by RCA to launch the Archies and the Monkees. He added: “Dante, via the Archies, had 1969’s worldwide best-selling “Sugar, Sugar,” and we are aware that Dante has an even bigger future as himself which is the reason we have mounted so extensive a campaign.”
Ron Dante | Let Me Bring You Up | RCA Victor | 1970
Kirshner, who made Dante the voice of the Archies, said: “Ron certainly has earned the opportunity to prove his great potential as a recording artist with his own identity. His past product is known throughout the world and I believe he has a future of practically unlimited scope.”
Kirshner also pointed out that another important aspect of Dante’s talent is his ability as a songwriter. Ten of the cuts in his album are self composed. Jeff Barry and Andy Kim wrote additional material for the album, and they are credited with writing both sides of his single.
The single, which has just shipped, and the album, which ships this week, have been specially packaged, the single in a full-colour sleeve, and the album in a package with four-color front & back and a full-colour insert portrait of Dante suitable for framing.
Release of the product was preceded by three weeks of teaser ads in music trades, culminating in a full-page ad in all trades. The consumer advertising campaign commences with full-page ads in major teen magazines. Sales promotion materials will include Ron Dante buttons, postcards for disk jockeys, a four-colour streamer, rack strips, distributor kits and a special publicity kit for disk jockeys and music reviewers.
A national press-promotion tour will introduce Dante to the nation’s important radio and newspaper commentators as well as to RCA’s distributors and dealers. (Billboard, July 1970)
Leave a Reply