One-Hit Wonders: The Cascades

From San Diego to Japan, in the 1960s the story of how The Silver Strands came to be The Cascades from rhythmoftherain.com.

The U.S.S. Jason AR-8 would home-port in San Diego and Japan in the 1960s. Servicemen and locals were entertained by The Silver Strands. John Gummoe became their manager, and then, along with Dave Wilson, became the duo David and John.

Len Green penned "Thunder Rhythm" (which changed the name to The Thundernotes) and "Pay Day." The Thundernotes became The Cascades in 1963. The Cascades were Dave Stevens on bass, Len Green and Eddy Snyder on guitar, Gummoe with vocals, percussion and keyboards, Wilson on drums and David Szabo with vocals and keyboards. Green left to pursue other interests.

After the group played their demo tape, it was suggested they meet with Andy DiMartino in San Diego.

The first single in 1962 for The Cascades was written by Gummo and was "There's A Reason," which was a hit on the West Coast.

In 1963, "Rhythm of the Rain" was popular in Milwaukee and across the nation. It hit the charts at No. 80, then jumping 20 spots. A No. 2 hit eventually making it to No. 1.

The Cascades then released "The Last Leaf" and "Shy Girl," but neither was a chart hit, according to songfacts.com.

Gummoe left in 1967. The others continued to tour, then disband in 1975 with a reunion tours once in a while. The members pursued their individual interests.