The Oldies Music Board / Dave ‘Baby’ Cortez, Hitmaker Who Seemed to Vanish, Is Dead at 83

**Posted by Lorne** July 11, 2025 10:13 pm

Famous for "The Happy Organ" and "Rinky Dink", he had passed away over three years ago, but details of his passing have only come to light recently.
https://archive.ph/RSfdT#selection-4315.0-4315.64

**Posted by unclefester** July 12, 2025 7:08 am

Thanks Lorne

Interesting read and another victim of the music business from days gone by

As an aside...whenever I heard the names of either Dave "Baby" Cortez or Chris Montez (he's still with us although he is 82!!!!) I had to stop and think for a second just who was who

Last edited by unclefester (July 12, 2025 7:50 am)

**Posted by GrimsbyFan** July 13, 2025 6:54 am

Here is a list of the 11 Instrumentals that reached #1 in the 50s and 60s.

Interesting that most are not pop / rock songs but rather "easy listening" tunes done by "middle of the road" music performers, a reflection of the diversity of styles of music that made up the charts at that time.

"The Happy Organ" by Dave "Baby" Cortez (1959)
"Sleep Walk" by Santo & Johnny (1959)
"Theme From A Summer Place" by Percy Faith and His Orchestra (1960)
"Wonderland By Night" by Bert Kaempfert and his Orchestra (1960)
"Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk and his Orchestra (1961)
"Stranger On The Shore" by Mr. Acker Bilk (1962)
"The Stripper" by David Rose and his Orchestra (1962)
"Telstar" by The Tornadoes (1962)
"Love is Blue" by Lamoue Est Bleu and Paul Mariat and his Orchestra (1968)
"Grazing in The Grass" by Hugh Masekela (1968)
"Love Theme From Romeo & Juliet" by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra (1969)

Last edited by GrimsbyFan (July 13, 2025 6:54 am)