Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

DARLING, Erik

(b 25 Sep. '33, Baltimore MD) Folksinger; played guitar and banjo, specialising in 12-string guitar. Infl. by Burl Ives, Josh White; early interest in calypso. Formed the Tunetellers inspired by the Weavers; changed name to Tarriers, with Bob Carey and actor Alan Arkin (b '34; many films incl. Catch 22 '70); had two top 10 hits '56: "Cindy, Oh Cindy' (backing Vince Martin), "Banana Boat Song' (aka "Banana Boat (Day- O)' by Harry Belafonte). Arkin left, replaced by Alan Cooper; Darling left to replace Pete Seeger in the Weavers '58-62, then formed the Rooftop Singers with Bill Svanoe and Lynne Taylor (had sung with Benny Goodman; d '82); they had no. 1 hit '63 with "Walk Right In', which must have been Vanguard's biggest single. Mindy Stuart replaced Taylor; Patricia Street replaced Stuart, wrote songs with Darling, they made album The Possible Dream '75 on Vanguard. He made a solo LP on Elektra, True Religion and Train Time on Vanguard; accompanied Ed McCurdy, Oscar Brand, Judy Collins, Jack Elliott etc.