David Cortez Clowney, known by the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez (born Augu… Read Full Bio ↴David Cortez Clowney, known by the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez (born August 13, 1938, Detroit, Michigan), is an American pop and R&B organist and pianist.
Clowney attended Northwestern High School in Detroit. His father played the piano, and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. Clowney played the piano for 10 years, then he took up the organ.
Clowney made his first record in 1956 under his own name but it was not until three years later that he scored a major success using the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez. His instrumental, "The Happy Organ", was the first pop/rock hit to feature the electronic organ as lead instrument; it featured drummer Gary Hammond and was co-written by noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. The guitar solo is by session musician Wild Jimmy Spruill. The 45 rpm single was the first instrumental No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Clowney became the first African-American artist to have an instrumental #1 hit. Before making his big break with an instrumental record, Clowney had sung with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines.
The original 45 rpm single was released on the independent Clock Records label but the LP which featured it was released by RCA Victor by arrangement with Clock.
Cortez had another Top Ten hit in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" on Chess Records. This record became well known in the UK as the signature tune of the Saturday afternoon programme Professional Wrestling, introduced by Kent Walton, although few knew the name of the tune or the artist. The song has a strong resemblance to 1957's "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia, since it used the same guitar riff.
In 2011, after a 39-year hiatus from recording, Cortez returned with a new album on Norton Records backed by Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds, including underground luminary Mick Collins of the Dirtbombs and the Gories.
Clowney attended Northwestern High School in Detroit. His father played the piano, and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. Clowney played the piano for 10 years, then he took up the organ.
Clowney made his first record in 1956 under his own name but it was not until three years later that he scored a major success using the stage name Dave "Baby" Cortez. His instrumental, "The Happy Organ", was the first pop/rock hit to feature the electronic organ as lead instrument; it featured drummer Gary Hammond and was co-written by noted celebrity photographer James J. Kriegsmann and frequent collaborator Kurt Wood. The guitar solo is by session musician Wild Jimmy Spruill. The 45 rpm single was the first instrumental No. 1 on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 chart. Clowney became the first African-American artist to have an instrumental #1 hit. Before making his big break with an instrumental record, Clowney had sung with two doo-wop groups, the Pearls and the Valentines.
The original 45 rpm single was released on the independent Clock Records label but the LP which featured it was released by RCA Victor by arrangement with Clock.
Cortez had another Top Ten hit in 1962 with "Rinky Dink" on Chess Records. This record became well known in the UK as the signature tune of the Saturday afternoon programme Professional Wrestling, introduced by Kent Walton, although few knew the name of the tune or the artist. The song has a strong resemblance to 1957's "Love Is Strange" by Mickey & Sylvia, since it used the same guitar riff.
In 2011, after a 39-year hiatus from recording, Cortez returned with a new album on Norton Records backed by Lonnie Youngblood and His Bloodhounds, including underground luminary Mick Collins of the Dirtbombs and the Gories.
The Happy Organ
Dave 'Baby' Cortez Lyrics
Instrumental
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@pamalford8319
Skated to this tune at roller rinks in the early 60's. I can still feel the wind flying through my hair going around those corners. What fun!
@harryknackers7892
This song is so far ahead of its time, the world still hasn't caught up.
@theloanranger2632
Is your name really Harry Knackers?? What the frick...
@kristopherguilbault5428
@@theloanranger2632 are u really the lone ranger? My Father worked at a place where he gave out business loans so his handle on everything was always the "Loan" Ranger lol
@Luke-im8sv
@@kristopherguilbault5428 That’s quite Clever of your pops to do that… he sounds like a pleasant man ❤
@skeletonshorror5184
Totally, it’s amazing
@BlazeRobbinsForever
I literally love this music! May it live on!
@marialeblanc3434
I have loved this song since it came out in 1958 I'm 77 now and I have Alexa play it for me in the mornings.....nothing starts the day out better than a little Happy Organ......I remember sitting in History class at Queen Anne High in Seattle and hearing this song on someones car radio outside the window...everyone in the class started jiving to it .....fell in love with it the first time I heard it.....
@joanmiller2219
😂I'm 57 and remember dancing in living room with my mom and sister and brother when we were like 4,5,6!! I couldn't sit still when this came on!!
@dennishill2907
Lol, I’m 76 n remember riding my bicycle uptown to buy this song. You r right , great song!