Donna Loren (born March 7, 1947) is a singer and actress. A very prolific performer in the 1960s, she was the Dr Pepper spokesperson from 1963–1968, prolific vocalist on ABC-TV’s ''Shindig'', and a cast member of the American International Pictures ''Beach Party'' movie series. Loren regularly performed live, and appeared on numerous variety and musical shows. She guest starred on episodic television series including ''Dr. Kildare'', ''Batman'', and ''The Monkees''. In 1968, she retired to marry and raise a family. She recorded again in the 1980s and ran her own fashion business ADASA Hawaii throughout the 1990-2000s. In 2009, Loren returned to performing, and her most recent releases include the album ''Love It Away'' (2010).
Early years
Loren was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Her mother Ruth and her adopted father Morris (Morey) Zukovsky are deceased. Loren performed in amateur talent shows from the early age of six and, in 1955, sang on a radio commercial for Meadow Gold Ice Cream appearing with
Dick Beals, who was famous for playing the character of Speedy Alka Seltzer. In the same year, she was a frequent performer on the music radio series ''Sqeakin’ Deacon'' with
James Burton (who she would work with many times throughout her career). By 1956, she was performing with The Moppets Group and also recorded a single “I Think It’s Almost Christmas Time” (Fable)”. On her tenth birthday, Loren appeared on ''
The Mickey Mouse Club'' on the Friday “Talent Round-Up Day”, performing the songs “I Didn’t Know the Gun was Loaded” and “Pennies from Heaven”. Loren continued to perform and record through the late 1950s and early 1960s, with her songs released on Skylark and Ramada, as well as the American Publishing Company’s new label Crest. Her first two efforts for that label, “Hands Off”, written by Billy Page, arranged by his brother
Gene Page, and
Glen Campbell’s “I’m So Lonely were produced by
Jimmy Bowen – another person who would play a significant role throughout Loren’s career – and were recorded at Gold Star Studios. It was also at Crest that she began to use the professional name Donna Loren, having previously recorded under the names of Donna Zukor (Morey’s pen-name and Donna’s legal name), Donna Dee, and Barbie Ames. On television, Loren appeared on ''
Playhouse 90'' episode “In the Presence of Mine Enemies” (1960), featuring
Robert Redford.
Dr Pepper
In 1963, Loren signed a contract with Dr Pepper as the “Dr Pepper Girl” to promote the drink to a younger demographic. National exposure via radio, print, television and personal singing appearances followed.
One of her first appearances for the company was co-hosting with Dick Clark an ABC television one-hour special, the Dr Pepper-sponsored ''Celebrity Party'', which included performances and/or appearances by (Beach Party alumni) Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, John Ashley, Deborah Walley, and Dick Dale, as well as Nick Adams, The Beach Boys, Bobby Pickett, Johnny Crawford, James Darren, The Challengers (with whom Loren performed “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey”), Dick and Dee Dee, Duane Eddy, Shelley Fabares, Connie Francis, Jill Gibson, George Hamilton, Bobby Hatfield, Jan & Dean, Jack Jones, Trini Lopez, Johnny Mathis, Bill Medley, Wayne Newton, Nino Tempo & April Stevens, Paul Petersen, Tommy Sands, Nancy Sinatra, James Stacy, Connie Stevens, Bobby Vinton, and Miss Teen America (which was also hosted by Dr Pepper).
Loren made hundreds of public and performing appearances for the company; these appearances, along with many more performances in her capacity as a singer and actress proved she was the consummate entertainer. Loren appeared at the 1964 New York World's Fair, with Dick Clark and Loren as “host and hostess” for winners of a large Dr Pepper promotion. The first prize was three days at the Fair, including a picnic for the winner and up to 50 friends, accommodation, spending money, and a 1964 Comet Caliente. In the same year, Loren was part of Clark’s Caravan of Stars 22-city Summer tour, whose line-up during the tour included Lou Christie, Mike Clifford, The Crystals, Dean & Jean, The Dixie Cups, The Drifters, Fabian, Bobby Freeman, The Hondells, Brian Hyland, The Jelly Beans, The Kasuals, Major Lance, George McCannon III, Gene Pitney, The Premieres, The Reflections, The Rip Chords, Round Robin, The Searchers, Dee Dee Sharp, The Shirelles, The Supremes, Johnny Tillotson, and The Velvelettes. Among her other appearances were the Teen Fair of Texas, which was held at the Joe Freeman Coliseum in June, 1964 both appearing at the Dr Pepper Booth and in a series of day and evening stage shows; the opening day party for Academy of Electro Systems on July 12, 1964 in Houston, Texas,; and the opening of the Ruston Bottling Plant in October, 1964.
In July, 1966 Loren’s filming of Dr Pepper print and television ads in Galveston made the front page of ''The Galveston News''. She was joined by Dick Clark, who was there to also film for ''Where the Action Is''. One of her last appearances for Dr Pepper was on September 14, 1968, at an Open House for the new Mid-Continent Bottlers, Inc. plant in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she performed and appeared at an autograph party. A full page advertisement/congratulations to the Bottlers from Dr Pepper featured Loren with the note “Petite and lovely Donna Loren, nationally famous radio television and recording star, will entertain you with an exciting show”.
Away from Dr Pepper, Loren was a regular performer at concerts and shows during much of the decade throughout the country. These included at the teenage nightclub The Million Cellars (with Glen Campbell also on the bill) and performances at the Pasadena Teen Dances, and concerts and shows with other performers such as Bobby Sherman at Rock ‘N Roll City. Other performances were at Indiana University’s ‘Little 500’ race weekend in May, 1965; the line-up also included Bob Hope and The Kingsmen. On April 7, 1967 Loren performed at the Greater Los Angeles Press Club’s “Headliner of the Year” awards, where Ronald Reagan was recognised “as the state’s outstanding newsmaker for 1966”, and on May 13, 1967 Loren crowned “Teen Safety Queen” at the Municipal Auditorium in Dodge City.
Challenge Records
In the same year that she began with Dr Pepper, Loren signed with
Challenge. She release six records there – regarded as some of her best early showcases and of the then fifteen year old’s already well-developed and mature vocal depth – including “I'm in Love with the Ticket Taker at the Bijou Movie” (B Side: “I'm Gonna Be Alright”, subsequently re-released in 1963 as an A Side, with “Johnny’s Got Something”) (1962), “On the Good Ship Lollipop” (B Side: “If You Love Me (Really Love Me)”), and “(Remember Me) I’m the One Who Loves You” (B side: “Dream World”) (1963). Loren said of her early recording, “Somehow I had a knowledge in me that came through my voice and therefore more mature songs were chosen and adapted for recording”.
Beach Party Movies and Capitol Records
In 1964 Loren began appearing in the American International Pictures’ ''Beach Party'' series, for which she is particularly fondly remembered. Loren’s first appearance in ''
Muscle Beach Party'' was supposed to be a promotion for Dr Pepper (a sponsor of AIP), but her role in this picture was expanded and she became the quintessential musical moment. In the film, Loren sang “Muscle Bustle” with Dick Dale. In an article reporting the singer’s debut ‘Dr Pepper’s Donna Gets a Movie Part’ appearing in the ''Galveston Daily News'', the author wrote “It didn’t take long for Donna, Dr Pepper’s new singing star to make her mark. She has a feature singing part in the movie that also stars Jody McCrea, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Morey Amsterdam, Don Rickles, John Ashley, Buddy Hackett and several newcomers to the screen”. The debut was heavily promoted by the company. In the same newspaper, for example, advertisements for a “Muscle Beach Party” organized by Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Galveston and held at the State Theatre appeared, where patrons would screen the film and receive Dr Pepper, “a gesture on the part of the firm to have the public see Donna Loren, Dr Pepper’s new singing star”. The release of the single “Muscle Bustle”, written by
Brian Wilson,
Gary Usher, and
Roger Christian would be Loren’s final recording for Challenge (B Side: “How Can I Face the World”).
Loren would then appear in ''Bikini Beach'' (singing “Love’s a Secret Weapon”), and ''Pajama Party'' (“Among the Young”). An article regarding the release of ''Pajama Party'' described “the amazingly-voiced Donna Loren, seventeen-year-old songstress who made her debut in “Muscle Beach Party” and who makes a bigger impression each time she sings. She will be seen and heard next in “Beach Blanket Bingo”. She appeared in her most well-remembered role in the series in the fifth film ''Beach Blanket Bingo'' in 1965, performing “It Only Hurts When I Cry”, which some regard as her “signature tune”. The film resulted in Loren’s first album, Beach Blanket Bingo. Loren told Adam Gerace of the recording of the album: “I worked for 14 hours straight. The album was completed in that session”. The album was released on Capitol Records (which Loren had signed with in 1964), produced by Dave Axelrod, and arranged and conducted by H. B. Barnum.
| ! Beach Blanket Bingo (Capitol, 1965)
|
| Side One
|
| Cycle Set (Gary Usher, Roger Christian)
|
| I Think, You Think (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| It Only Hurts When I Cry (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| These Are the Good Times (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| I’ll Never Change Him (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| Side Two
|
| Fly Boy (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| New Love (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| I Am My Ideal (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| Beach Blanket Bingo (Guy Hemric, Jerry Styner)
|
| Freeway (Mike Curb) [instrumental]
|
Loren also appeared in another AIP Beach Party film, ''Sergeant Deadhead'', where she sang “Two Timin’ Angel”. The film starred other regular Beach Party actors, including Frankie Avalon, Deborah Walley, Harvey Lembeck, John Ashley, Bobbi Shaw, and Buster Keaton.
At Capitol, Loren released many of her well-known songs including the well-received “Blowing Out the Candles” and (B Side) “Just a Little Girl” (1964), which were produced by Axelrod and arranged and conducted by Barnum, “So, Do The Zonk” (B Side: “New Love” from her LP) (1965), “Call Me” (B Side: “Smokey Joe’s”), (1965), and “I Believe” (1965; regularly performed in her Dr Pepper appearances).
In late 1964, the Hollywood Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild named Loren one of its Deb Stars, an annual award given to up-and-coming performers, who were “the likeliest candidates for motion picture and television stardom in the coming years”. Other “most likely star candidates of 1965” were Janet Landgard, Margaret Mason, Tracy McHale, Mary Ann Mobley, Barbara Parkins, Laurie Sibbald, Wendy Stuart, Beverly Washburn, and Raquel Welch. Loren was also nominated for a 1965 ''Photoplay'' Gold Medal Award for “Most Promising New Star (Female)”.
''Shindig''
Loren was the featured female vocalist on ''Shindig'', which premiered on September 16, 1964. The series has been described as “different from previous U.S. rock 'n' roll programs. It featured non-stop music that, in most cases, was only interrupted by the commercial breaks”, and “most of the top American and British rock/pop acts of the mid-1960s appeared on ''Shindig!''”. These included The Beatles (from England) in October 1964. Loren appeared on the first show, along with host Jimmy O’Neil, and appearances by Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, The Righteous Brothers, The Wellingtons, Jackie and Gayle, Bobby Sherman, The Blossoms, Alan Sues, and the Shindig dancers. Other performers included Glen Campbell, Tina Turner, and James Burton. Loren has referred to her enjoyment of the series, telling Adam Gerace “The microphone that I used was the greatest. I loved the sounds that came out”. She said during a radio interview with “Bulldog” Bill Feingold on KNews Radio (Palm Springs, CA) on November 11, 2009 of her professional work on Shindig, “It was fantastic. It was really the highlight of my life”. Loren was able to perform a wide range of material both in solos and work with other performers. These included (many are on You Tube) "Wishin’ and Hopin’" (her first song on the series), "Shakin’ All Over", "Goldfinger", "Ain’t That Loving, You, Baby", "Too Many Fish in the Sea", "Boys", "I am Ready", "Rock Me in the Cradle", "Cycle Set", "African Waltz", "It’s Alright", "The Boy from New York City", "The Way of Love", "Down the Line", "That’s What Love", "Where Have All the Flowers Gone", "With the Wind & the Rain in Your Hair", and "Personality". Loren sang on 26 shows, and was a well-known member of the cast. She also appeared in the live theatre show “Shindig ‘65”.
Other television and acting
In 1966, Loren became a co-star with
Bobby Rydell on ''The Milton Berle Show'', a variety series hosted by
Berle and co-starring
Irving Benson. The signing of Loren and Rydell was widely reported at the time. The series was subsequently aired for a short 13 weeks.
Loren guest starred on a seven-part ''Dr. Kildare'' in 1965 as Anna Perrona, a young woman in need of dialysis treatment. In 1966, she played Susie in two episodes of ''Batman'' (“The Joker Goes to School”, “He Meets His Match, the Grisly Ghoul”), for which she is well remembered. In a guide to the week’s television, her character was described as “Aiding The Joker is Donna Loren, a frisky cheerleader”. Loren’s kiss with ''Batman'' co-star Burt Ward (Robin) was reportedly accompanied by “a flood of mail”. Loren also guest starred on ''The Monkees'' (episode: “Everywhere a Sheik, Sheik”, 1967) as Princess Colette, who Davy is set to marry; and on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1968) as Anna Kovach, who hides a romance from her family. She also appeared on ''The Mothers-In-Law'' in 1968.
Loren made hundreds of appearances on numerous variety, music and game shows. Many of these were multiple appearances and included ''American Bandstand'', ''The Lloyd Thaxton Show'', ''The Regis Philbin Show'', ''What’s This Song'', ''The Red Skelton Show'' (singing “Johnny One Note” and “The Way of Love”), ''Hollywood A Go-Go'', ''Top 40!'', ''9th Street West'', ''Groovy'', ''Boss City'', ''Where the Action Is'', ''Nightlife'', ''Celebrity Game'', ''The Dating Game'', ''The Joey Bishop Show'', ''The Steve Allen Show'', ''The Pat Boone Show'' (including an episode co-hosted by Milton Berle), ''The Woody Woodbury Show'', and week-long stints on ''The Hollywood Squares''. She also appeared on ''New Talent in Young America'' in January 1965, a special where “Youthful artists making great strides in the field of music are showcased in this hour-long Special”.
On March 11, 1968, “Two for Penny” aired on ''The Danny Thomas Hour''. The series was “an all-purpose hour hosted by Danny Thomas. Presentations included musical programs, comedy and variety hours, and filmed dramas”. Loren starred as Greek-American Penny Kanopolis, whose brothers (Michael Constantine and Lou Antonio) try to organise a courtship and marriage to Yani (Gregory Razaki), even though she is already dating another boy, the non-Greek David (Bill Bixby). Danny Thomas played the family priest. This was a pilot for Loren’s own series, produced by Thomas and Aaron Spelling and was aired on NBC as a one-hour special.
Reprise
From 1967-1968, Loren recorded with
Reprise, releasing “Let’s Pretend” (B Side: “Once Before I Die”) again produced by Jimmy Bowen, and arranged by
Don Peake, and “As Long as I’m Holding You” (B Side: “It’s Such a Shame”), produced by
Mike Post. The recordings have been called “exceptional” showcases for Loren.
Retirement in 1968
By the end of 1968, Loren left show business to marry and raise a family. Loren married music producer
Lenny Waronker, president of Warner Bros. Records, and would have three children:
Joey,
Anna, and Katherine. Loren and Waronker divorced in the mid 80’s.
Modelling, Writing, Other Work
In addition to her work for Dr Pepper, Loren was often featured in modelling and fashion spots geared toward teenagers, including for hats, exercise workouts, makeup, and dental care. In 1963 she was chosen by Simplicity Pattern Company to appear in a national advertisement campaign “If I Can Sew, You Can Sew”, appearing in print and commercials. Loren was contractually signed because she made much of the wardrobe she appeared in during television and live performances. Her best portrait is by
Francesco Scavullo for Simplicity.
Loren also wrote two separate regular columns for Movie Life Magazine (“Donna Loren’s Young Hollywood” in 1966 and “Let’s Talk it Over” in 1967). She was also regularly featured in teen, television, and movie magazines of the 1960s as their cover girl.
1980s
Loren began recording again during the 1980s. In 1982 she released “Sedona”, (B Side: “Simply Loving You”). She wrote and produced the songs for her own label Royalty Records. James Burton produced “Sedona” with Loren, played guitar and assembled other members of the
Elvis Presley TCB Band,
Ronnie Tutt (drums),
Jerry Scheff (bass), and
Glen D. Hardin (piano).
Chris Hillman played mandolin. In the same year, Loren recorded “Wishin’ and Hopin’” in Nashville with her longtime producer Jimmy Bowen with
David Hungate from Toto (B Side: “Somewhere Down the Road”; Warner Bros). Loren also recorded a number of other songs (see section:
Magic: The 80’s Collection).
Loren appeared on ''The Merv Griffin Show'' in 1984 performing “Somewhere Down the Road”. Other guests were Ed Asner, Sybil Danning, and Larry Miller. In introducing Loren to much applause, Griffin acknowledged Loren’s return with the new single “after a long hiatus”. In the same year, Loren produced a live concert in Sedona, Arizona she called “Star Series” based on the American Composer of the Year. She hired Henry Mancini, 1983 Composer of the Year, and the Flagstaff Symphony, and in her introduction she sang “Always” by Irving Berlin. In 1985 Loren was invited to appear in Tokyo, Japan at an International Ballroom Dancing event, and also performed in a show in Beverly Hills, CA (Jerry Lee Lewis was also on the bill).
ADASA Hawaii
In 1995 Loren married Jered Cargman. Loren and Cargman knew each other in the 1960s and Cargman was her Prom Date. Cargman was a member of the surf band Fantastic Baggys. Moving to Hawaii, Loren decided to turn her design and fashion interest into a business (Loren had designed and made clothes since her teenage years and continued to do so after she retired). After premiering a couture collection in 1998 and being chosen by Honolulu Magazine as one of Hawaii’s best new designers, she and Cargman launched ADASA Hawaii, which included a boutique in Waimea and three boutiques on Oahu.
Return to Performing 2009-present
Swinging Sixties Productions and ''“It Only Hurts When I Cry”''
Loren turned again to writing music. In 2009, Loren and husband Cargman started their label Swinging Sixties Productions which, in conjunction with Swinging Sixties Music, publish and release Loren’s music. Loren’s first release in August, 2009 was a remake of “It Only Hurts When I Cry”, which she produced and arranged, releasing it both as a music video on YouTube and as a single to download. Drew Saber played guitar on the track and appears in the music video. Maurice Gainen engineered the song, and would also engineer Loren’s album ''Love It Away''.
''Magic''
In the same month as the release of the single, Loren’s ''Magic: The 80’s Collection'' was released, both as a download and later as an enhanced CD. This was a collection of songs Loren recorded at Amigo Studios during the early 1980s, with musicians such as John Thomas and James Burton. Seven of the songs on the album had not previously been released.
In a review for the album, ''Magic'' was described as containing “Great production and a flawlessly effortless vocal montage”.
Magic: The 80's Collection (2009; Swinging Sixties Productions)
| Song (Writer) !! Producers !! Notes
|
| Could This Be Magic (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren, James Burton, M. Delevie |
| Thinkn' of You (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren |
| Wishin’ and Hopin’(Bacharach, David) |
Jimmy Bowen, Donna Loren |
| Hard to Believe (B. Hyde, J. Abelson) |
Randy Stern |
| Sedona (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren, James Burton |
| Simply Loving You (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren, M. Delevie |
| Somewhere Down the Road (C. Weil, T. Snow) |
Donna Loren, Nick DeCaro |
| Eulogy of a Marriage (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren |
| U Speak 2 Me (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren |
| Real Morning Kisses (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren |
| Could This Be Magic (unplugged) (Donna Loren) |
Donna Loren |
''Love It Away''
In January 2010 ''Love It Away'' was released, first as a download and then as an album. This was Loren’s first album of completely new material since 1965. Loren produced the album, and it was recorded both in Hawaii at Lava Tracks Studio and Los Angeles. “Love It Away” was recorded at Lava Tracks. Maurice Gainen engineered the album, with Gainen and Charles Michael Brotman mixing and mastering. Mark Arbeit photographed Loren for the album, which includes her wearing one of her couture designs for the cover. Loren also wrote a paragraph for the insert booklet setting the tone of the album. ''Love It Away'' contains eight original songs by Loren. Among the covers Loren performed were “Last Night I Had a Dream” by Randy Newman, “Live Nude Cabaret” by Jackson Browne, “Old Man” by Neil Young, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” by Bob Dylan, as well “Shakin’ All Over”, a rockabilly classic she once performed on ''Shindig''. Musicians who worked on the album include Jamieson Trotter, Bob Glaub, Maelan Abran, and Loren’s former collaborator Carol Kaye. Loren also played piano and synthesizer on many tracks.
Love It Away (2010, Swinging Sixties Productions)
| Song (Writer) !! Notes
|
| Last Night I Had A Dream (Randy Newman) |
Keyboards: Jamieson Trotter, Synthesizer: Charles Michael Brotman
|
| Shakin’ All Over (Johnny Kidd) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Clapping: Trotter and Loren
|
| Love It Away (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards, Synthesizer: Trotter, Bass: Bob Glaub
|
| Only Love (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards, Synthesizer: Trotter, Bass: Glaub, Solo Piano Ending: Loren.
|
| OK (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Bass: Glaub
|
| Be Your Best Friend (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Background Vocals: Maelan Abran, Loren
|
| We are Woman (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards, Synthesizer: Trotter, Bass: Glaub, Background Vocals: Abran, Loren
|
| UR (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Accordion: Trotter, Bass: Glaub, Background Vocals: Abran, Loren
|
| Live Nude Cabaret (Jackson Browne) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Bass: Glaub
|
| Don’t Bring Me Down (Jeff Lynne) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Bass: Carol Kaye
|
| Old Man (Neil Young) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Synthesizer: Loren
|
| Still Love You (Donna Loren) |
Keyboards: Trotter, Synthesizer, Background Vocals: Loren
|
| I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob Dylan) |
Guitar: Andrew Saber, Violin: Tony Selvage, Bass: Carol Kaye
|
| Satisfied Mind (Jack Rhodes, Red Hayes) |
Keyboards: Loren
|
| Bonus Track: Love It Away (Remix) (Donna Loren) |
Arranged, Engineered by Charles Michael Brotman. Guitar, synthesizer: Brotman, Percussion, Background vocals: Loren
|
Album produced by Donna Loren.
''Love It Away'' was “Pick of the Week” (review posted June 8, 2010) on MuzikReviews.com. The album received four-stars. Loren’s original pieces and her interpretation of songs such as “Old Man” were particularly praised, and the review drew attention to Loren’s vocal (“The main instrument is her voice”) and the production:
"I think one of the reasons for the success of this recording besides Donna’s flat out stunning vocal performance, is the production being kept to a minimum and the instrumentation generally focuses on the keyboards highlighting the sweet sensual vocals of Ms. Loren."
The autobiographical nature of the material was also discussed, “The importance of this release can be found beyond the music, it is a personal statement from the artist and her heartfelt interpretation of her feelings relating to her own life”.
''"Love It Away (Remix)"''
The first single off of the album was a remix of “Love It Away”, which is also included on the CD as the final track and was released as a single to download. As of June, 2010 the single was charting on a Top 40 Adult Contemporary radio play chart.
''Music videos''
Loren released several music videos in conjunction with ''Love It Away'' on YouTube. “Shakin’ All Over” was released as two videos in March and May, 2010 and both include footage from her original performance of the song on ''Shindig''. “Love It Away” was released in March, 2010 and "Last Night I Had a Dream" and "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" in July, 2010.
''Beach Party Movie Medley''
In May, 2010, Loren released a medley of her ''Beach Party'' songs “Beach Blanket Bingo”, “Muscle Bustle”, “Love’s a Secret Weapon”, “It Only Hurts When I Cry”, and “Among the Young”. A video of the recording session at Lava Tracks Studios was also released on YouTube. Loren recorded new versions of “Beach Blanket Bingo” and “Muscle Bustle”, as singles to download. Loren again worked with Charles Michael Brotman on this project.
''"Eloquent"'' (Single)
In July, 2010, Loren released the dance-electronic "Eloquent" as a single to download.
''"Merry Christmas Baby"'' and ''Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii''
On November 1, 2010 the single "
Merry Christmas Baby" was officially released for download (having been pre-released in the Donna Loren Store on her website a few days before the official release). Written by
Lou Baxter and
Johnny Moore and first recorded by
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers in 1947, the R&B; standard had been covered by
Chuck Berry,
Charles Brown,
Etta James,
Otis Redding and, more recently,
Bruce Springsteen,
Christina Aguilera, and
Sheryl Crow. The song was recorded by Elvis Presley for his album ''
Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas'' (1971). The release is Loren’s first Christmas song to be recorded for an album, although she performed "
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" on ''Shindig'' in 1964.
The song was followed by the release of ''Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii'' on November 15, 2010, an EP of her renditions of four Presley songs. In addition to "Merry Christmas Baby", Loren recorded “Loving You”, "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear", and "One Night". "Loving You" and "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" were both recorded in 2010, with a sample of "Loving You" appearing on Loren’s blog two months prior to the release. "One Night" was recorded in the 1980s at Amigo Studios and, like many of the songs on her 2009 album ''Magic'' from these recording sessions, had not been previously released. The EP was produced by Loren, and she again worked with Maurice Gainen and Charles Michael Brotman and musician Jamieson Trotter, as well as new collaborators Sonny Lim and Wailau Ryder.
The EP makes use of a number of themes related to Loren, Elvis Presley, Hawaii, and Hollywood. Loren explained on radio show ''The Sheena Metal Experience'' (LA Talk Radio) on November 4, 2010 the evolving of the concept:
"When I was looking for just the right [Christmas] song to do, I thought of Elvis. And so when I started doing research to do a Christmas song of Elvis’, I started seeing songs that really resonated with me, especially a song called “Loving You” which, when the time drew nearer when we were departing Hawaii, was so healing for me."
The song "Loving You" was recorded at Lava Tracks Studio and represented Loren’s moving from "my beloved Hawaii" to California. The selection of other Presley songs further fits the concept nature of the EP for, as Loren acknowledged, "Elvis and Hawaii go hand-in-hand". The artwork for the single and the EP, both designed by Katie Waronker’s company Riot Structure, blended Hawaiian-inspired imagery including Presley’s 1961 LP ''Blue Hawaii'' as inspiration for the "Merry Christmas Baby" cover art, and a depiction of Kalakaua Blvd in Waikiki (with Los Angeles-inspired billboards featuring Loren, photographed by Mark Arbeit) for the cover of the EP. The back of the EP includes a picture of Loren from the 1960s.
Further links between Presley and Loren include Presley’s recording "I Believe" for his EP ''Peace in the Valley'' in 1957, a song Loren also recorded at Capitol, and which she regularly performed. Loren also recorded with the Elvis Presley TCB Band for her 1980’s single "Sedona" during the Amigo Studios recording sessions which also produced "One Night" from the EP.
Donna Does Elvis in Hawaii (2010, Swinging Sixties Productions)
| Song (Writer) !! Notes
|
| Merry Christmas Baby (Lou Baxter, Johnny Moore) |
Engineer: Maurice Gainen, Keyboards: Jamieson Trotter, Saxophone: Gainen, Drums: Clarence Harris, Background Vocals: Loren
|
| Loving You (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller) |
Engineer: Charles Michael Brotman, Bass, Ukulele: Sonny Lim, Slack Key Guitar: Wailau Ryder, Background Vocals: Loren
|
| (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (Kal Mann, Bernie Lowe) |
Engineer: Charles Michael Brotman, Ukulele: Charles Michael Brotman, Background Vocals: Loren
|
| One Night (Dave Bartholomew, Anita Steiman, Pearl King) |
Engineer: Chet Hines, Piano: John Thomas, Guitar: Joey Newman, Drums: Michael Delevie
|
EP produced by Donna Loren.
Appearances in conjunction with Loren’s new work
Loren accompanied the release of her new material with numerous appearances on radio shows, interviews, and public appearances. An article in ''Beverly Hills Courier'' in March, 2010 profiled her new work, beginning with “Donna Loren was the “It Girl” long before Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian hit the streets of Beverly Hills”.
She hosted a “Beach Party Movie Marathon” (''Muscle Beach Party'' and ''Beach Blanket Bingo'' were shown) presented by American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre, Hollywood on February 11, 2010, debuting the medley of her ''Beach Party'' songs. She would sing the medley and “Love It Away” for a Thrillville’s “Valentine’s Beach Party” at The Balboa Theatre, San Francisco on February 14, 2010, which screened ''Beach Blanket Bingo'', and performed again at “Movie Night at the Blue Dragon” at the Blue Dragon Coastal Cuisine and Musiquarium in Kawaihae, Hawaii on April 28, 2010.
Liz Smith included a feature on Loren in her column on March 17, 2010. On June 25, 2010, Loren was interviewed on the nationally syndicated radio show ''Little Steven’s Underground Garage'', hosted by Steven Van Zandt.
Loren performed and met fans at the three-day Rock Con Festival, held July 30-August 1, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Among the over 100 other artists and guests appearing were Billy Hinsche, Al Jardine, Paul Petersen, Hilton Valentine, Mary Wilson, and members of the girl-groups The Angels and The Delicates.
Other releases and media
Loren has been featured on a number of compilations, including one of all her songs from Capitol, ''The Very Best of Donna Loren Featuring Beach Blanket Bingo'', a product of EMI-Capitol Music Special Markets and distributed by Collectables Records.
| Album !! Songs
|
| ''The Very Best of Donna Loren Featuring Beach Blanket Bingo'' (Collectables Records, 2000) |
All songs from ''Beach Blanket Bingo'' LP, and all of Loren’s Capitol songs.
|
| ''Girl Group Gems - Soul to Surf'' (Red Bird Entertainment, 2002) |
"Dream World", "Muscle Bustle"
|
| ''Girls Go Zonk – US Dream Babes'' (RPM, 2004) |
“So, Do The Zonk”
|
| ''The Girls of Hideaway Heaven'' (Rare Rockin’ Records, 2004) |
“Hands Off”
|
| ''Sex and the ‘60s'' (Varèse Sarabande, 2006) |
“Love’s a Secret Weapon”
|
| ''Summer Beach Party: Songs from the Classic Beach Movies of the ‘60s'' (Varèse Sarabande, 2006) |
“Love’s a Secret Weapon”, “Muscle Bustle”, “It Only Hurts When I Cry” [movie version]
|
Loren has also been interviewed and profiled in a number of books, including ''It’s Party Time'' by Stephen J. McParland (John Blair, 1992), ''Swingin’ Chicks of the Sixties'' by Chris Strodder (Cedco, 2000), ''Drive-In Dream Girls'' by Tom Lisanti (McFarland & Company, 2003), ''The Encyclopedia of Sixties Cool'', also by Strodder (Santa Monica Press, 2007), and ''Whatever Became of...?'' by Richard Lamparski. Loren was interviewed for the television documentary ''Hollywood Rocks the Movies: The Early Years'' (1955–1970) (2000), and was also profiled and interviewed for a segment on the television series ''Hawaiian Moving Company'' (2002).
Current Projects
Loren is currently writing her autobiography and working on new songwriting and recording projects.
References
External links
Donna Loren Official Website
Donna Loren on Facebook
Donna Loren on MySpace Music
Donna Loren on Twitter
Category:1947 births
Category:Living people
Category:American actors
Category:People from Boston, Massachusetts
Category:American singers
