Sandy Nelson's song "Teen Beat" rose to #4 on the charts in 1959. Subsequen… Read Full Bio ↴Sandy Nelson's song "Teen Beat" rose to #4 on the charts in 1959. Subsequently he signed with the Imperial label and pounded out two more Top 40 hits, "Let There Be Drums", which went to #3 in Britain, and "Drums Are My Beat". All three were instrumentals (a feat seldom, if ever, repeated).

Sander L Nelson was born on 1 December 1938 in Santa Monica, California. He attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence (who together became Jan and Dean), and Kim Fowley. After gaining respect as a session drummer, he played on such well-known songs as "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, 1958), "Alley-Oop" (The Hollywood Argyles, 1960), "A Thousand Stars" (Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1960) and more.

Nelson continued to record into the early 1970s.

Teen Beat
Sandy Nelson Lyrics

Instrumental

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Comments from YouTube:

Marlena Linne

6y↑52

THIS, my friends, is how to play the drums. This record hit the charts in 1959, when I was 15 years old, and we couldn't believe what we were hearing. Oh, there were the vocal or guitar megahits, but never anything like this. It was incredible. I bought the 45 and still have it.

Daniel's Den

Born in 1958. The best!

Daphne S

I was born in ‘65 and grew up with a vast eclectic array of music thanks to my mother. Today I still love it all, but the 60s and 70s own my heart. Nothing today comes close.

Paul Waelder

48w

I was 14 and having it on a LP (33 tpm) with colorful Las Vegas cover.

Pam Grimm

33w

I was 13. Didn’t we have some great instrumentals? I think I bought the 45, too!

Pam Grimm

33w↑3

Oh boy, I LOVED Teen Beat! And it still sounds great today. So proud of my son, who became such a good drummer.

Ed Halfen

8y↑21

As a 65 year old drummer getting back into it, I realize all my go-to riffs are from Sandy. Kudos and thanks to Mr.Nelson...

Marakesh7

11y↑21

One of my teenage heroes. Always bought his records as they were released. Great drum sound and unique.

Robbie Russell

8y↑24

ive been a self taught drummer since early 60s. thanks to Sandy Nelson, John Bonham, Cozy Powel, and ALEX Van Halen.GOD BLESS THEM ALL!.

David Walsh

Man you nailed it with those 4 still to this day Jan. 8 2023

the unofficial Goya Dress channel archive

2y↑5

Let there be drums in heaven! RIP Sandy...

Rusty King

2y↑13

Now that's a groove! Bright, clean drums, given equal time to the melody. Ludwig drums never sounded better. Now...Let There Be Drums!

Tony Trotta

6y↑15

Sandy Nelson - A legend in my mind! Great drummer!

Randomly Rebecca

10y↑81

I had Christmas dinner with this amazing man just 2 days ago!!! What an honor!

frank ferro

10y↑11

THATS THE COOLEST THING I 'VE HEARD IN AWHILE! ALWAYS LIKED HIM AND THIS BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES.

Bill Craig

10y↑7

Jealous as I can be!!!!! After Gene Krupa and before Ringo, this was the guy I tried to emulate. 64 now, and I still LOVE this! Thanks for the memories!

Ambertjeblue

10y↑7

Wow, truly lucky you ! Send him my love X

Richard Skola

9y↑5

6jkey, you win.. The best I could do was share pizza with Sandy, and the guys after a show about 50+ yrs ago..

2 More Replies...

Dolf Weeder

7y↑6

He must to have be a famous phenomenial drummer. What a big sound.

Vin D

11y↑5

I still remember this rhythm from his original offering. Not only perfect in timing, but a very sensible beat for those who know. Did you hear the last drop? He's asking, "Get it?"

countrypaul

2y↑4

He also played drums on The Teddy Bears "To Know Him Is to Love Him" and dozens more LA sessions. He knew how to drive a beat, no matter what the tempo. RIP Sandy, February, 2022, age 83.

michelle adams

1y↑1

LOVE THIS BEAT!!

Antone Matos

2y↑2

Rest In Peace to Sandy Nelson. One of the first, if not the first, rock and roll drummer instrumentalist. Just found out about it after looking his name up in Wikipedia and found out he passed on Valentines Day. 1938-2022.

absue

7y↑22

Proof that drums can do much more than just pound out a beat.

Kenny P Road To Recovery

4y↑24

Sandy was at our Bbq today.
What a Legend. Always good to visit.

rocknroll_jezus9

3y↑2

How cool!

Henrique Kurtz

Descanse em paz, Sandy Nelson 🥁

Trevor Armstrong

3y↑11

This man made me the drummer I am today. You can have you barbecues and know this guy and suck up to him but he was the one that put bread and butter on my table. Love you my man. If I was this man knowing I influenced at least one person in my life mattered. That person is me💪🏽
I

Marlena Linne

1y↑1

THAT, my friend, is how it's done. I still have my copy. We played the heck out of it on our little record players.

queensway26

9y↑179

I was born in 1945 and this was the very first record I bought - still have it.

judacia

9y↑5

+Pammie Moore
I grew up with oldies radio, and too wished I had grown up back then. Keep the oldies alive!

queensway26

9y↑4

+Pammie Moore I'm glad I grew up at that time and had the pleasure of hearing great sounds like this at the very beginning.

Mistermopar

+queensway26 No way!! I too was born in 1945, and this was (almost) my first record.....and I still have it in it's original sleeve!Enjoy your 70th, I've got a couple of months until my big bash....

Mistermopar

9y↑3

+Pammie Moore You're so right, life was great! By today's standards it was uncomplicated, unsophisticated, and a whole lotta fun :-).Make the most of what you've got Pammie! I know it sounds a bit corny, but life really is all about living and making each day count

Robert Bonter

8y↑2

+Pammie Moore Political Correctness has its roots in equality legislation which chokes off freedom of speech and freedom of choice.

10 More Replies...

cheryl gallegos

1y↑1

Best drummer ever!!!

Артём Танчаров

какая могучая, крутая, очаровательная , волшебная музыка, в ней есть ностальгия...

Dan Raustadt

7y↑1

I'd forgotten about Sandy and this song. My sister had the 45. Sandy was an accomplished studio musician and went on to put out some records on his own.

Didi Wray

I love him!!! He changed the game!!!!

Sean Whalley

One of my favourite Teen Beat Sandy Nelson Love It keep on Drumming Sandy Nelson.

69ssrszl1

12y↑4

Loved this in 59 and still love it today, a classic.

mkl62

This hit from Sandy Nelson went to #4 on the Top 40 charts. It also went to #4 on the Cashbox charts. It went to #17 on the Rhythm & Blues charts and to #9 in the United Kingdom. It would finish at #36 for the year, 1959. As we make our way to the top, who will be #1 for the year? Will Domenico Modugno repeat? Or will someone else take the torch? Stay tuned.

leon delord

One of the first records I bought as a kid. King of beat

Seanzie_73

4y↑2

I love lead drums. It's almost a genre. Dave Clark took a lot from this!

Roger Irving

I believe the drummer on early Dave Clark 5 records (Glad All Over and Bits and Pieces, in particular) was a session musician called Bobby Graham.

Joe Easter

7y↑14

this guy still rocks!!

Daniel Laubach

Yes he doe's!

gracie santana

2y↑2

Rip Sandy Nelson, I did know he passed recently until today on
the net. I enjoyed listening to your music & your drumming!🎧🎼
🎵🥁🙏🏼👑🥁🌹🎵

Sam Feldstein

4y↑4

Easily one of the best hit songs of 1959

clarkewi

12y

Sandy Nelson was one of Phil Specter's first studio drummers.

Kenneth Morrison

I treasured his solo LP's on the Liberty lable -- I lost them long ago and I miss them to this day.

Tremolux Man

14y

Totally Kick-Butt marriage of guitar and drums. Perfect in every way. One flaw: it's way too short of a song. I loved it when I heard it when I was 11 and love it more now.

John Crawley

13y↑1

Terrific. One of the first records I bought .

Dawny Weiser

9y↑5

Love it!!

John Reichard

7y↑1

Own 3 albums of Sandy Nelson. Entertainment at its best.

Joe Easter

7y↑2

I STILL SAY SANDY DIDNT GET THE RECOGNITION HE DESERVED...THIS GUY WAS FANTASTIC

Daniel Fetyko

John Bonham was mesmerized with this song. Rest in peace

FinlayB

13y

Good old school drumming. Can't beat it. :)

Kurt Decker

I remember as kud growing up in the 80's and digging through my mother's 45s and just playing the heck out of this record on my Sears record player

Hyuckal Frisoer

13y↑3

This is totally my beat! Now, if I were only a teen in the 50's...

alworkedup

12y↑3

I'll bet a million kids learned to play drums by drumming along with this :)

Dietrich StruckRich S

7y↑1

Still have this record since 59 & still play it.

David Wickers

10y↑4

Cool! I remember my older brother had this on vinyl!!! WavyD

Soulman

10y↑34

All thumbs up for this song !!!

John Barry

13y

Just hit's the spot!

Robert Huge

6y↑5

Sandy can thank Cozy Cole (Topsy PT. 2). Cozy had a smash hit in 1958...Sandy in '59. Both were tops in my book!

J Aster

Gwad I can't believe I FOUND THIS!! TCM has been playing this Halloween montage that starts with the exact same opening drum beat as Teen Beat. It's taken a few weeks (and even posting on the TCM website with a snippet of the video asking for help identifying what song is from - no answer) and relistening to all the Ventures songs because I thought it was them - but tonight on Halloween I heard it again on TCM, and suddenly in my mind I saw the old 45, the red label, and from there I remembered Teen Beat. (Now, what was on the flip side? lol). Anyway, it was one of brother's records but we always played it. Spooky happening and great to hear this again and put this quest to bed! Wish I still had all those great records - we played the hell out of them.

Kevin FitzMaurice

Paul J. Hughes, a former disc jockey at WVLK radio in Lexington, Kentucky, used to close his Saturday afternoon music show each week with this--twenty years after "Teen Beat" was on the charts.

331SVTCobra

1y↑2

The Mighty John Bonham was captivated by this recording.

Grand Theft Auto Tracks

I hear it now! It's been so many years and I never heard the sample/resemblance, but I hear it now!

Neal Schier

47w

I would really like to have a transcription of the first 90 seconds of this...I wonder if one will ever be made.

victor Churchman

9y↑5

Born in 1944 my first teen 45 still sounds great

Margot Bronski

Let's hear it for 1944!!! Me too.

Elliot Hagen

Bob Stroud played as he was talking about 40 years of rock & roll roots today in the drive WDRV 97.1 Chicago. This a great instrumental

Bobbie LaVanway

As a teen I learned to hula to this...my neighbor taught me....wanted to do it in high school for talent show...they said no

Fail Trail Fails

This and Let There Be Drums is why I became a drummer

Giosepe dos Santos

8y↑6

GOOD MUSIC
BOA MÚSICA

bionicbigfoot

12y↑3

My dad had this 45 & I played it religiously growing up in the late 70s.

I Love Jesus Christ and Dogs!

Love how wholesome and great everything about the melody and the drums are.

8angst8

52w

Drums aren't "wholesome" or "non-wholesome"---they just ARE.

Jay Cooper

6y↑5

This was the first record I ever played on a jukebox (it cost me a bright, shiny threepenny bit -remember them?) it was in Eastgates Cafe Slade Rd.Erdington,Birmingham it was 1959 and I was 11 years old.Teen Beat sounds just as good now as then.

Josh Lonewolf

Boy, Do I REMEMBER This Guy! When I Started To Play Guitar When I Was 7, I Heard Sandy Play This, & I Was HOOKED! I Started To Play The Drums!

Roger Gros

2y↑1

Sadly, Sandy passed away away on Feb. 14 2022 at the age of 84. A celebration of life will be held in his hometown of Boulder City, Nevada on April 9. Come and bring a drum so Sandy can hear a drum line in his honor. Bicentennial Park.

DENNIS GOLDFARB

3y↑1

He could make drums sing !!

Ronald Bradtke

5y↑1

Great drums

Jennifer Smith

1y↑1

Wonderful

John Atwell

4y↑1

As a young drummer, John “Drumbo” French was inspired by this drummer, and this track in particular.

Rockin Daddy

Das ist purer Rock n Roll ! Grossartig

Bud Fisher

you can't beat these lyrics...

69ssrszl1

11y↑1

Tell Him to keep it up one of my favorite drummers.

Robbie Russell

3y↑7

I'm 67 my father bought me all Sandy's albums to learn on..self taught..drove my mother 🤪

Elden Mayes

Sandy Nelson's music its cool rock on brother

choclochonclo

9y↑5

Got this album for my birthday when I was 13 takes me back

Roger Jackson

12y↑1

Old school still the best

Keith Gravat

7y↑6

love anything by Sandy Nelson

Shirley Jennings

Awesome!

Jessica Rainey

4y↑1

My 5th grade teacher showed us 5th this song absolutely love it now

Jim McAllister

7y↑16

I was 18 in summer of '59 and drove to California from Cincinnati in a '57 Chevy where I met a great young chick. Storybook stuff and great memories. Two years later I was in the Air Force. I wouldn't trade those years for anything. Do all you can when you are young. Time flies and you don't want to be left behind.

DENNIS GOLDFARB

well said. the 50s and 60s were magical !! If you saw American Graffiti, that's the most accurate film account of those days!!!!!

Jim McAllister

@DENNIS GOLDFARB Fun times for sure in those days. Even the Air Force was a great 4 years. I had a trip to Germany out of it and met some great troopers along the way. I was lucky; got out in '65 met a great girl. finished college and have had a nice life. I still remember drinking those 25 cent Heinekins and Lowenbraus in Germany!

poekoelan75

Say what you want about it being simplistic corny or whatever. It takes a certain amount of conviction to make "simple" groove. And this has that conviction in spades. Chops only take music so far. But groove takes music anywhere and everywhere. It almost has a "Walk The Line" feel to it. So we have somewhat of a Johnny Cash feel that highlights the drums. And Johnny didn't even have drums on that recording. Brilliant.

Aero Smith

1y↑2

This is what John Bonham listened to. Spent hours on end recreating it.

Kir Rich

Went to the Crescendo Theater in Hollywood to see Sandy Nelson on Wink Martindale's TV show. Awesome!!!

Steven D

6y↑2

This guy is right on top with Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Moe Purtill, etc.

Ron Morrow

Sandy was most Successful at Selling His Albums ! Made more Ca$h than most Others !!!

Juan Rivera

Not in the slightest

Marty Koven

9y↑32

Now THAT was a drummer!

Виктория Литвякова

Marty Koven He still alive

Ricky Coogin

12y

Summer of 1995, this was my anthem.

Digscomics

10y↑16

I was watching the British Transport Film "Snow" a while back and thinking how cool the soundtrack was, and now I find that it's a remix of this. Groovy!

teent0mt0m

5y↑2

Not a remix, but a UK remake of Teen Beat by Johnny Hawksworth (with audio "effects" by Daphne Oram - of BBC Radiophonic Workshop fame). The closing credits of Snow also borrow heavily from Sandy's "Drums Are My Beat".

Bracey

4y↑2

@teent0mt0m
That same British Transport Film brought me here (I did a bit of online research and found it was based on this song). But the closing credits music had me searching for more information about it and how the rest of the song goes.

So, thank you @teent0mt0m! I'm off to listen to The Drums Are My Beat now!

Nick Dalby

50w

Yeah I love all the sandy nelson songs including teen beat

Anne T

Memories come flooding back good time !!!

kenneth wilson

I was 20 in 1959 great record

Elliot Hagen

Last month Bob Stroud on 97.1 the drive Chicago. Play this on his 40th anniversary show. On rock & roll roots. That was 1 of his best rock & roll roots show. He play some instrumentals as bumper music. When played this. I thought to myself that's Sandy Nelson. After the show was over I looked it up on you tube. Great tune

JOgleJSO1

It was one of the first songs I learned to play on the drums when I was maybe 5 yo. The first one was Wipe Out

MarkusRonfeldt

11y↑1

I do like "Teen Beat" very much! Thank you Sandy Nelson!!;D...

MrMartininuk

7y↑4

Stands the test of time very well...

Daniel Laubach

Yep it does! Have a couple of his albums in my collection.

William Blake

1y↑2

looped this 5 times..

Futtbucker6000

4y↑4

This was some hardcore shit in the 50s!

Lynn Dellaria

Grew up listening to this

kurtlong07

7y↑1

It is a crime that Sandy Nelson is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ron Morrow

Look Sandy up in some of His Nightclub Vids where He
Plays with the House Band while telling Cool Storys about the Old Days while playing some of His Favorite Drum Riffs, the Crowd Loves Him ! Also look for Vids of Sandy Nelson in His Trailer demonstrating how He came up with some of the Very Cool Riffs On His Hits, both the Nightclub and Trailer Vids are Awesome !!!