["QUARTER TO THREE"{3}] Written by: Frank Guida {see note 1}, Joseph Royster, Gene Barge {see note 1} & Gary "U.S." Bonds. Performed by: Gary "U.S." Bonds{4}{5} First released{6}: Single: June 1961 Album: 1961

{1}Daddy "G" is the nickname given to Gene Barge, a Norfolk, Virginia-based, tenor, saxophone virtuoso who is best known for being named in other people's songs, most notably, "Quarter to Three," and "The Bristol Stomp," by the Dovells. (Of course, it's not surprising that Barge had a hand in writing the lyrics for both of those songs.) Also of note is that in the late '50s, the founder of Legrand Records, Frankie Guida, owned a record shop called Frankie's Birdland, which was located on Church Street, in Norfolk, Virginia. Early in 1960, Barge joined a with four other instrumentalist to form a group called the Church Street Five, which was named after the street on which Guida's shop was located. In February of 1961, the Church Street Five released an instrumental number called "A Night with Daddy 'G.'" It didn't crack the Hot 100, though it did receive regional air play and made several local charts. Realizing that the tune had potential, Guida had Bonds record a vocal track over an instrumental track that was nearly identical to the Church Street Five's rendition of "A Night with Daddy 'G.'" And, to tie up all the loose ends, the line in "Quarter to Three," "It was the swingin'est song that could ever be," refers to the song, "A Night with Daddy 'G.'" [ed. Are you confused yet? I know I am!]

{2}Blow Daddy! refers to Gene "Daddy 'G.'" Barge. Bonds is commenting as a way of introducing Daddy 'G' as the saxophone soloist during the break. (For the complete story, see note 1 above.)

{3}"Quarter to Three" became a Billboard Pop 100, #1 hit in the United States in June of 1961 and remained at #1 for two weeks. It also appears on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll list.

{4}Born Gary Anderson, June 6, 1939, Gary grew up in the Norfolk, Virgina area. When he was not yet 21, he was approached by local record producer, Frank Guida, to join his tiny Legrand label. Guida changed Anderson's name to U.S. Bonds, hoping the first release, "New Orleans," would get extra airplay by disc jockeys mistaking it for a public-service announcement. Bonds is a rhythm & blues and rock & roll singer and a prolific songwriter.

{5}Covered by: Billy "Crash" Craddock, Frank Guida, Chuck Jackson, Little Cesar & the Romans, Doug Sahm & the Sir Douglas Quintet, The Shadows, The Soundalikes, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, The Strangeloves, Bill Wyman, et al.

{6}Appears on:{*} Single(s): (1)Gary 'U.S.' Bonds A-side: "Quarter to Three" B-side: "Same Ole Story" 1. Legrand, 7-Inch, Vinyl, 45rpm, #1008, US-1961.

EP(s): (1)Gary 'U.S.' Bonds: Track 1: "New Orleans" Track 2: "Not Me" Track 3: "Quarter to Three" Track 4: "A Night with Daddy G" 1. Top Bank, 4-Track EP, #20-007, US-1962.

Album(s): (1)Gary 'U.S.' Bonds: Dance Til' Quarter to Three 1. Legrand, 12-Track, Mono LP, #LLP-3001, US-1961.

(2)Greatest Hits of Gary 'U.S.' Bonds 1. Legrand, 12-Track, Mono LP, #LLP-3003, US-1962{7}. et al.

{*}This list is not intended to be the complete discography on which this song appears.

{7}Transcribed from the track on this album.