Rinky Dink - Dave 'Baby' Cortez - 1962

David Clowney, a.k.a Dave "Baby" Cortez, was the first African-American instrumentalist, who played the organ, and made several hits in the late 50's and early 60's. He's best known for his 1959 hit, "Happy Organ".

[edhawkins]

WOW!!!
This brings it all back!
Roller Skates; Hot Cars; Fuzzy Dice; $0.37 per Gallon; The Marlboro Man; Drive-In Movies; Car Hops; Pony Tails; Saddle Shoes; The Beach
Boys; and Mickey Mantle.
How Lucky were We to be Kids during those times!!

[williamhighfill]

I agree...this was always a happy activity song....I'm 70 and everytime I hear this, my best memories is skating to this song in an ice show at the South Mountian Arena in NJ when I was 14....

[vinyltapelover]

76 and couldn''t help myself from smiling. This song is like buttered popcorn...It's light, no nutritional value, no social significance to anything going on in the world and it makes me feel unashamedly, damn good. I had no clue until today, that you were Afro American, a talented artist that looked like me. What is most important, though, is how good you made so many of us feel with this song and Happy Organ. So, an appreciative Thank You, Mr. Clowney, Dave "Baby" Cortez, for picking up my spirits, way back then.

[pappynitram]

Man they just don't make music like this anymore. What a shame. Doo Wop will never die.

[tubularfrog]

One of the best times to be an American. Great song!

[hamiltonconway]

I remember this well from 63 years ago. In the summer of 1962 my older brother took me and our little brother to a preseason NFL game. At night, on the way home we heard this instrumental played on various stations, up and down the AM dial. Great memories!!

[beverlysmith]

Loved roller skating to this at the local roller rink.❤

[timjones]

I took a dance class in 1959. I was 13. Cha Cha was big then. This is definitely Cha Cha! First time I've heard it in probably 60 years. Can't sit still while this is playing. Great memories! Sounds like a B-3...

[cierakitty]

Played this a lot as a teen, walked around the house to the beat drove my mother nuts. (lol) Then once caught her playing the record and doing what I had been doing, she was ssooo cute ! !

[thomastarwater]

Dave Baby Cortez sure did rock that organ keyboard!

[skeeterblanton]

76 now and this has always been one of my favorite memory played it a million times on my record player, drove my Mother best of

[Jean-Louis-Laylle]

I remember this song, I have 23 years in 1962. Beautiful memories.

[muffsmercury]

The man behind the happy organ came back to the top 10 with this awesome instrumental. The first one I didn't remember new but this one I certainly did. It was great being a kid in 1962.
Great assortment of photos here. You are to be commended.

[wito]

Great song! I’m glad someone is spreading the oldie joy!!

[fcjsr]

Thanks. Happy Organ went to #1 1959. He was very talented. Love hearing them both again.

[joemoniz]

Great brings back so many memories growing up.

[deniskeller]

Quelle joie de retrouver la fraîcheur de ce disque !!!!

[davidhull]

I never noticed, until pointed out to me recently, that this song owes a debt to Love is Strange.

[johnmacaulay]

Haven’t heard “Rinky Dink” in forever. Heard it not even an hour ago on Sirius XM. This song
will be in my head for days now, which is how it should be…a great segue with Rydell’s “Cha-Cha-
Cha!”
No wonder The Small Faces covered this tune -
it puts a smile on your face that won’t quit!

[margo]

God bless people who share such music here on youtube!