Home Town Success Story

I am a member of the 1956 graduating class at Renton High School, Renton, Washington. Our class held many that did quite well in life but one stood head and shoulders above the crowd. The following is a sketch of some of Ron Hicklin's work after graduation, a trip to Hollywood and after the starvation years. Captured on You Tube were several episodes of the network snow, Shindig. These are from 1965, which is when videotape first came on to the scene. Prior to that all shows were live. Stan Farber was also part of the group, also from Renton. Bob Zwirn was baritone, also from Renton. Those of you that remember Ron Rolla as bass, Ron dropped out of the group in 1963. After the Eligibles stopped ferforming, Hicklin went on to form a corporation in which wh hired out various background or studio musicians. There is where he made a huge success, both in wealth and reputation.

This is a song called Summer Place. It was widely recorded by many but none with the patented harmonies taught at Renton High School in those days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPfZCWV0Goc

Another is "Zing went the strings of my Heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr9CG3jPRq8&feature=related

Here is where The Eligibles backed up Patty Duke. They also backed her on her TV show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MZeABnPaFo

The group went on to back most of that day's feature performers and recording stars, including many themes like the Andy Williams Show, Petticoat Junction, Gilligan's Island and a ton of others.I'll let you search out the rest using your search function. Also look under "The Ron Hicklin Singers."

As a local note, I live in Bayview, Idaho and have for the last 17 years. The Now retired Patty Duke lives just a few miles south of me. Her nephew, Mike Kennedy, a friend of mine, is a member of the Coeur d'Alene City Council. I'm sitting in my home, somewhat house bound while I get well from what was a first stage Pneumonia, listening to the music from 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbct6-6KjSw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdp6-6UWynk

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=the+ron+hicklin+singers&oq=the+ron+hicklin&aq=0&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_l=youtube-reduced.1.0.0.18618l29431l0l34092l15l15l0l7l7l0l187l1059l0j8l8l0.