Annette Funicello-Dr Pepper Celebrity Party (1963)

More Info: www.DonnaLoren.net -
The clip begins with Dick Clark and Donna Loren speaking with Bob Marcucci, who discovered and managed the careers of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, amongst others. The 1980 movie, The Idolmaker, is loosely based on his life in the record industry.
In 1963, right after signing with Dr Pepper as their national spokesperson, 16-yr old Donna Loren, "The Dr Pepper Girl" co-hosted this ABC-TV Special with Dick Clark. This was the official launch of her new position with the soft-drink company. Her 5-year stint with the company posted Dr Pepper's largest sales gains in their history to that time. This show was a very unusual live televised Hollywood Party, filmed in 1963 at the home of Bob Marcucci, then manager of Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Johnny Rivers and Lou Christie, among others. Located in the heart of the Sunset Strip on Sunset Plaza Drive, the home was a shocking pink Spanish Villa (previously owned by Laurence Olivier, Anne Baxter and John Hodiak) overflowing on this night with celebs like Donna's mentor Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Jan Berry with Jill Gibson, Dean Torrance, Connie Francis, Dick and DeeDee, Johnny Mathis, Bobby Vinton, Dick Dale, Deborah Walley, Wayne Newton, Bill Medley, Bobby Hatfield, Connie Stevens, Shelly Fabares, George Hamilton, Jack Jones, John Ashley, Bobby Vinton, Paul Peterson, Nick Adams and Trini Lopez to mention a few of those interviewed.
Donna Loren was the one-and-only "Dr Pepper Girl" from 1963 to 1968. She was signed to a long-term contract with the soft-drink company to sing all television and radio commercials, do all magazine and billboard advertising representing them in every capacity, sometimes sharing the spotlight with American Bandstand's Dick Clark. This relationship led to her touring in Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars with other popular acts like Diana Ross and The Supremes and singing solos in the popular Beach Party films starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon. Later, she became the regular female vocalist on the popular 60's American live rock n roll TV show "Shindig" and she appeared in singing and acting roles in many iconic TV shows like Batman, The Monkees, Gomer Pyle, The Mothers-In-Law, Red Skelton, Milton Berle and various game shows. She released 22 singles and an album in the sixties. Ms Loren is currently in the studio again making music: / donnalorennow

[@mollydusen5879]

She was my idol!,,

[@J-50s60smusic]

Thank you so much for posting this clip of ANNETTE. I always have loved hearing her sing. She was always 100% Pure Class and so very beautiful and talented.

[@terryhigginbotham7650]

Miss those days watching beach party movies. Also seeing Annette as a Mousekteer. Love u Annette forever.

[@august19621]

Just discovering Annette .... she was gorgeous

[@MrShopngo]

Annette was always my true love, she is missed.

[@peterhogan9537]

every kid my age had a crush on Annette.

[@lenb7275]

Boy ! What a sad ending to her life! 😢

[@TheSerafina2]

Annette Funicello absolutely steals the show!

[@J-50s60smusic]

Hi Ernie, I absolutely agree with you.

[@aris95]

Annette starts at 0:40

[@rbratcherjr]

Great song but it's missing the interview with Dick Clark which is right after her song!!