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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZNELSON, Sandy(b Sander Nelson, 1 Dec. '38, Santa Monica CA) rock'n'roll drummer who had some of the few instrumental hits of the rock'n'roll era. He went to high school with Jan & Dean, Phil Spector, etc; first group Kip Tyler and the Flips had future Beach Boy Bruce Johnston on piano, recorded for Ebb and Challenge. He played on Spector's Teddy Bears' big hit "To Know Him Is To Love Him' '58, sessioned for Gene Vincent on Crazy Times '59, then struck out as solo: fifth release on Original Sound label "Teen Beat' reached top 5 '59; he was signed by Imperial, lost his left foot in a car crash, had one more top 10 hit "Let There Be Drums' '61. He had more minor hits '62, updated "Teen Beat '65', then faded. |