26 Miles (Santa Catalina)

"26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" is a popular song by the 1950s and 1960s pop band The Four Preps. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the Billboard R&B chart in 1958.^[1] The song sold over a million copies^[2] and the group appeared on several television shows, including The Gisele MacKenzie Show (March 15, 1958) and The Ed Sullivan Show.

The main theme of the song is summed up in the last line in the refrain, stating that Santa Catalina is "the island of romance", with the word "romance" repeated four times.

Tracks

• A 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) 2:27
• B Big Man 2:25

Credits

• Conductor [Orchestra]: Lincoln Mayorga (tracks: B)
• Writers: Bruce Belland, Glenn Larson*

History

At the age of 15, the band's lead singer Bruce Belland broke his ankle and took up the ukulele to pass the time while recuperating. He learned four chords, which ended up becoming the song's opening music. The chorus was developed some time later when, while body surfing at a California beach, Belland's friend said he could see Santa Catalina 26 miles away.^[3]

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the group amassed eight gold singles and three gold albums. Its million-selling signature tunes included "26 Miles," "Big Man," "Lazy Summer Night," and "Down by the Station." Bruce Belland, Ed Cobb, Marv Ingram, and Glen Larson were students at Hollywood High School and were signed to a recording contract by Capitol Records, after one of Capitol's executives saw them at a talent show at that school in 1956.

Their biggest hit was "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)," which reached #2 in 1958. The record sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc. In 1966, David Somerville, formerly of The Diamonds, joined the group, replacing Ingram. In 1969, the group disbanded, as their type of music had become less popular. Belland and Somerville occasionally performed as a duo after the breakup. Belland continued writing songs for other singers, as well as writing television show scripts, eventually becoming a network executive. Belland was a producer on several game shows in the 1970s for Ralph Edwards Productions. Cobb became a record producer and sound engineer. Somerville went into television acting and providing voice-overs. Ingram became a commodities broker. Glen Larson became a television producer, creating 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Knight Rider.' Larson died in November 2014.

Glen Larson also receives credit for writing the song, as he contributed to the lyrics.

Cover versions

The song was covered by Dent May on his album Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele.^[4]

Influences

The song served as an influence to Beach Boys singer Brian Wilson, as well as Jimmy Buffett.^[3] Neil Peart, lyricist/drummer of the band Rush, recalls that it is one of the first pop music songs that he remembers listening to as a child, stating "I heard that song many times that year (1958). The chorus echoes readily in memory, with its lilting shuffle."^[5]

External links

• Four Preps, The – 26 Miles (Santa Catalina)
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKHlfOU3ZHE The Gisele MacKenzie show from March 15, 1958

References