Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 27, 2026

The Shells

The Shells were an American doo wop ensemble formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States, in 1957.

Last revised
May 27, 2026
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≈ 1 min
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The Shells
OriginBrooklyn, New York, United States
GenresDoo-wop
Years active1957 (1957)–1963 (1963)
LabelJohnson Records
Past members
  • Nate Bouknight
  • Randy Shade Alston
  • Bobby Nurse
  • Danny Small
  • Gus Geter
  • Alphonse Merkman

The Shells were an American doo wop ensemble formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States, in 1957.1

The group scored a US pop hit in 1957 with the song "Baby Oh Baby", released on Johnson Records; the song cracked the Top 30.2 Further singles passed with little success until 1960, when producers Donn Fileti and Wayne Stierle re-issued "Baby Oh Baby". The tune hit number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100 upon re-release.3 The group issued several further singles, as well as a split LP with The Dubs in 1963.

Members

  • Nate Bouknight
  • Randy Shade Alston
  • Bobby Nurse
  • Danny Small
  • Gus Geter
  • Alphonse Merkman

Singles

Note:This list is incomplete

  • "Angel Eyes" (1957) and (What's In An Angel's Eyes 1960)
  • "Baby Oh Baby" (1957; re-released 1961)
  • "Sippin' Soda" (1958)
  • "She Wasn't Meant for Me" (1959)
  • "Be Sure My Love" (1960)
  • "So Fine" (1960)
  • "Explain it to Me" (1961)
  • "Happy Holiday (1962; with Ray Lamont Jones)
  • "Deep in my Heart" (1962)
  • "Will you Miss me When I'm Gone?" (date unknown)
  • My Cherie (1957)
References

References

  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 2245/6. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. The Shells Biography, AllMusic
  3. "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.com. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
External links