The Dapper Dans
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The Dapper Dans are a barbershop quartet that performs at Disneyland in Anaheim, California (since 1959), at the Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Florida (since 1971), and at Hong Kong Disneyland in Lantau Island, Hong Kong (since 2005). The Dans have been tested at Disneyland Paris in the past, but were cut due to cost management at the struggling theme park.[citation needed]
While the group usually performs as a quartet, they actually comprise twelve singers at each park, plus occasional substitutes. This allows them to have multiple quartets performing separately or to combine and form a larger ensemble. Membership has changed over the years as various singers have retired or died and new ones have been brought in to succeed them. The Dapper Dans are members of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
As of early 2006 the Dapper Dans at the Disneyland Resort consisted of Shelby Grimm (lead), Bob Hartley (tenor), Jim Campbell (bass), and Bill Lewis (baritone). In 2006 it was announced that a new group of Dapper Dans would be cast, to make their debut in May 2006. David Marchesano (lead), Robbie Banner (tenor), Frank Romeo (bass), and Steven Arlen (baritone) can now be seen Tuesday through Saturday at Disneyland on Main Street, USA.
You can be serenaded by the Dans at the Magic Kingdom in Florida while having your hair cut in a real, working barbershop on Main Street there. The Dans at Hong Kong Disneyland stroll up and down Main Street from Town Square. The Dans at Disneyland can be seen on their Schwinn custom 4-seater bicycle (commissioned by Walt Disney himself) and in various locations around Main Street.
[edit] Film and Television Appearances
"The Bell Telephone Hour", airdate February 17, 1961. (Roger Axworthy, T.J. Marker, Ted Nichols, John Borneman).
"Mickie Finn's", 7 episodes in 1966 (NBC). (Jim Schamp, Ron Browne, Fred Frank, Tom Knox).
"Tony Orlando and Dawn", airdate January 7, 1976 (CBS). (Doug Scott, John Sherburn, Jerry Siggins, and Tony Orlando subbing for Creighton Hogan).
"The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", May 16, 1974 (NBC). (Creighton Hogan, Doug Scott, John Sherburn, Jerry Siggins).
"Children's Miracle Network Telethon", airdate May 31, 1986 (KHJ-TV, Channel 9 (KCAL-TV), Los Angeles). (Ron Browne, Shelby Grimm, Jim Schamp, Jerry Siggins).
"Blossom" episode titled "Of Mice and Men", airdate February 8, 1993 (NBC) (Jim Campbell, Shelby Grimm, Mike Economou, Dan Jordan).
"The Simpsons" episode titled "Homer's Barbershop Quartet", airdate September 30, 1993 (1st Episode of Season 5), as the singing voices of 'The Be Sharps'. (Jim "James" Campbell, Mike "George" Economou, Shelby Grimm, Dan "Don" Jordan).
"Home Improvement" episode titled "Adios", airdate September 29, 1998 (ABC) as 'The Flannels'. (Jim Campbell, Shelby Grimm, Bill Lewis, Tim Reeder).
"The Haunted Mansion", released in November 2003, as 'The Singing Busts'. (Disney) (Jim Campbell, Shelby Grimm, Bob Hartley, Bill Lewis, Tim Reeder).
[edit] Personnel
The Dapper Dans lineup has changed over the years as various singers have retired or died and new performers have been brought in to succeed them.
 The Dapper Dans of Disneyland in July, 1971 on their custom Schwinn 4-seater bicycle. Jerry Siggins (bari), Dick Kneeland (lead), Bub Thomas (bass), Bob Mathis (tenor). This particular quartet migrated from California to Florida to open Disney World. |
 The Dapper Dans of Disneyland as of Fall 1995, clockwise from top: Jim Campbell (bass), Bill Lewis (baritone), Shelby Grimm (lead), and John Heffron (tenor). |
 The Dapper Dans of Disneyland, performing with their Deagan Organ Chimes, Summer, 2006. (l to r) Brandon Brigham, David Marchesano, Steven Arlen, Frank Romeo. |
 The Dapper Dans in spring, 1986. (l to r) Rick Allan, Mike Geiger, Tim Reeder, Jim Schamp. Disneyland, California. |
 The first Dapper Dans of the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, Florida, seen here as recent transplants from California in 1971. (l to r) Dick Kneeland, Bub Thomas, Jerry Siggins, Bob Mathis. |
