Gary Lewis & The Playboys "This Diamond Ring" on The Ed Sullivan Show

Gary Lewis & The Playboys "This Diamond Ring" on The Ed Sullivan Show, March 21, 1965. Subscribe now to never miss an update: ume.lnk.to/EdSullivanSubscribe
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The Ed Sullivan Show was a television variety program that aired on CBS from 1948-1971. For 23 years it aired every Sunday night and played host to the world's greatest talents. The Ed Sullivan Show is well known for bringing rock n' roll music to the forefront of American culture through acts like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The entertainers each week ranged from comedians like Joan Rivers and Rodney Dangerfield, to Broadway stars Julie Andrews and Richard Burton, to pop singers such as Bobby Darin and Petula Clark. It also frequently featured stars of Motown such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5. The Ed Sullivan Show was one of the only places on American television where such a wide variety of popular culture was showcased and its legacy lives on to this day.
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#GaryLewis #ThePlayboys #EdSullivan #EdSullivanShow

[@pollyhorlander7389]

In 1969, on my senior trip to Dallas, I met and got the autographs of Gary Lewis and the Playboys and their manager Neil Sidel. Sidel gave me the pen after he signed. I still have them! Super nice guys!

[@wilkinscoffee8979]

That’s cool!

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

My dad was in Vietnam and my great aunt let us come over and watch the show on her television. What a treat for a poor boy who grew up on the gulf coast of Mississippi. Great memories

[@MrJimmy3459]

My dad was in Vietnam as well, this was his fav. song

[@josephcland1773]

The sheer joy you felt as a child watching TV in that setting is certainly a gift!

[@calvinbealer7264]

Gary has Splitting Resemblance of his Legendary Father.

[@shivaumesh1129]

I don’t care if this performance is not a live performance, I love it. Thanks Ed Sullivan Show YT channel for sharing it

[@DPJ59]

They're plugged in. That was the great thing about the Sullivan show, he made them actually perform. Stellar live performance

[@The_DC_Kid]

Sullivan always had live performances. The billboard outside said it was live and people paid to watch (unlike the multitude of R&R TV programs that followed). How would you like to pay to see a performer in concert and it turned out they were lip-synching?

[@robomaster4882]

@@DPJ59 No, they have cords and mikes to make them look plugged in and live. Can you hear the kettle drums in the mix? Do you see any on stage? Ed did generally want bands to play live but some, like this one, were not up to the task. They did play on the original recording, but it had tons of overdubs and session musicians (Leon Russel, etc.) to make it sound right. They couldn't recreate that live.

[@tarstarkusz]

It's weird how I know so much 1960s and 1950s music considering I did not live in either decade. My parents never listened to oldies stations and neither did I. There is absolutely nothing special about this. The audio of this particular copy is HORRIBLE. I had a 60s TV as a kid (born in 1970). Stereo TV was like 14 or 15 years after I was born. Was TV sound this bad in the 60s?

[@1953childstar]

@@robomaster4882 Ed Sullivan was "bullied" by Jerry Lewis in a Mafia style threat to allow them to lip-synch this...

[@lonestarfriend]

I can hear why this reached #1. Short but a great pop song with great production behind it.

[@recordguy4321]

Leon Russell arranged and produced this along with staff producer Snuffy Garrett

[@kevingoins9858]

Yup. The Wrecking Crew

[@juliocesarvalenzuelamorale7781]

@@recordguy4321 @

[@JohnEglick-pl1sb]

ALSO, NOTICE A LITTLE ORIENTAL INSTRUMENTATION ON INFLECTIONS ON GUITAR ? SIGN OF THINGS TO COME IN A SOUTHEAST ASIAN RESORT !HA! LOST MY UNCLE THETE MID3/68 TAIL END OF BLOODY ASS TET 2WKS B-4 MY 11TH BDAY.

[@pawthecowboycorgi]

The wrecking crews son

[@Darkeklaw]

Fun Fact. Gary's father didn't know he even had a band till this song hit number 1 on the charts.

[@penelopeholkema1790]

Sounds like Jerry was an absent dad. And to full of himself to even consider his wife and children.🤡👺💔❤️‍🩹🤓

[@danielaguilar6460]

Father of the year lmao

[@dharris6383]

I read an article about Jerry and he was a real bastard to his children. Much like Bing Crosby was to his children (read the book by his eldest, a son).

[@googoo-gjoob]

@@penelopeholkema1790, too

[@itjustlookslikethis]

Prove it, or it never happened.

[@SuperMikecarp]

Ed Sullivan usually insisted that his guests performed live, but he did make the occasional exception. "This Diamond Ring" had too many studio tricks to be played live satisfactorily, so he allowed it to be mimed. He did the same for the Dave Clark 5 and the Mamas and the Papas.

[@niceguy5015]

No excuses. Even if it ye song has bells and whistles, these musicians have great voices and can sing anything. The lip syncers were just lazy and Ed let some of them get away with It for some reason. The mamas and the papas are a good example and it’s disappointing not to hear Their real voices, just a flat recoding. An opportunity lost since really singing usually sounds better and makes the appearance memorable for the ages

[@stevehoffman9735]

@@niceguy5015 Father Jerry Lewis was the reason. He held some sway with Ed, convinced him to let the record stand in for the real thing. Heck, even as a kid watching this back in 1965 it was obvious to me. I felt it was a cheat but I loved the song back then so there ya go..

[@robertbairt928]

Gerry Lewis sings on a airline after putting head phones on and TDR, his son's song is playing as he grooves sitting with big smile. Can't remember movie name?

[@americandreamer6092]

So when the group went on tour they lip synced? The great Pavarotti once tried that….they ran him out of town and rightfully so.

[@SuperMikecarp]

@@americandreamer6092 I'm sure they would have performed completely live when on tour. Lip synching in concert is a more recent phenomenon.

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Ed Sullivan is as much a part of music history as music itself. The memories and music he introduced us to will last for as long as there is a note to be heard.

[@yvonnepeters1914]

Wow does this song bring back memories. I could almost cry. It's bittersweet.

[@cynthiashores57]

It sure does-lucky to be alive in the 60's!

[@mrs.williama.foorejr.4592]

Lol that song was actually about a true event.

[@yvonnepeters1914]

​@@mrs.williama.foorejr.4592 Didn't know that.

[@Nova7o9]

At my university there was a wall for personal ads in one of the buildings. One section was dedicated solely to broken-off engagement rings. 😅 I thought of this song every time I passed it.

[@pamelasikora]

So sad... like the Hemingway story in six words: “For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.” I also think it’s sad that there are enough disputed cases of paternity that there has to be a show about it. Wouldn’t a DNA test do the same thing as this Maury Povich-style “courtroom drama”?

[@that70sgirl90]

This wonderful song brings back one of my fondest childhood memories. When I was a young girl I would go into my mom's drawer and take out her original engagement ring to the bridal set that my dad first gave her. I would take it out of the box and gently slide it on my left ring finger, because the band had thinned in the back. It sparkled as it glistened upon my finger. I would just imagine someday that this diamond ring can be something beautiful ... And this diamond ring can be dreams that are coming true... So if you've got someone's whose love is true... Let It shine for you! How wonderful it was to pretend for just a moment... Happy Sunday... thank you for sharing! 💖

[@jefferydaugherty5435]

I love this song so much. I can relate to what you're talking about. I remember very well playing this song over and over and over again.! I think I may even played it when I would be out of my paper route back in the 60s and delivery newspapers.!

[@that70sgirl90]

@@jefferydaugherty5435 Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@rsykesjr]

This was the group that I began to follow as I moved away from the teen idols of the late 50s and early 60s. I always liked Gary Lewis and the Playboys more than the Beatles or any other group during that time. Brings back many great memories.

[@Chazd1949]

Me too. I was in high school when this aired on Ed Sullivan and no doubt I saw it as we watched every Sunday. Gary Lewis' band had a winning formula of clean-cut guys, great musicianship, wholesome lyrics, smooth harmony, and stage presence. I still listen to and enjoy their music.

[@robomaster4882]

More than the Beatles? You are joking, right?

[@Kw1161]

Another "WRECKING CREW" production fronted by a cover band with Gary Lewis's voice... still very good. One of my 1`st favorite songs.

[@1953childstar]

Actually not the singing of Gary Lewis… He was overdubbed by singer Ron Hicklin..

[@TomElvisSmith]

Very excited about this! One of the most fun bands of the 1960's with catchy songs! From the same episode as "Count Me In" posted earlier, Gary Lewis performs his first hit, "This Diamond Ring". "Count Me In" went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "This Diamond Ring" went to number 1. Thank you so much for this!

[@pattibrooks1907]

I was 8 going on 9 when this aired on Ed Sullivan ! My sister had this record ! Shes my older sister who was 15 almost at the time ! She died May 12th 2021 age 72 of mouth cancer !

[@michaeltuz608]

Interesting parallel, Patti: I was nine, going on ten in March of '65, and had an older sister who was six years my senior. Because of her I was exposed to all of the great music of the sixties. And like your older sister, she, too, passed away from cancer. She was 67 at the time...

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

I'm so sorry for both of your losses. 💔 😥🙏🏼

[@that70sgirl90]

I'm sorry to hear that you both lost a sibling. I can relate to that. I know what that feels like. I'm sorry you both had to go through it. Thank you for sharing! Have a Peaceful Evening! 💖

[@joekoz3815]

I to see these guys live on a small stage in the 70's. It was great.

[@hnc52]

One of the best of the mid 60s songs.

[@speedracer2336]

These guys were big at one time, think they had at least 10 hits!

[@garybruno4064]

after all these years still one of my favorite songs. im 64...lol

[@delam1970]

February 20,1965. The day Gary Lewis and the Playboys hit number one for two weeks with This Diamond Ring ending the Righteous Brothers two week run with You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling. Then afterwards when Gary Lewis and the Playboys ended their two week run,they were dethroned by the Temptations with their first number one smash My Girl.

[@jenihansen7201]

I WAS 9 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS CAME OUT. I WAS IN LOVE WITH GARY LEWIS. I THOUGHT THE WAS THE VERY BEST. NOW 56 YEARS LATER, I STILL LOVE HIM. GREAT SONG. THANK YOU FOR THE UPLOAD.

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

Your comment made me smile, Jeni. I was 10 when this came out. A year or two later, he got drafted into the Vietnam war. I even wrote a letter to the president Johnson in protest. 😁 I loved all his songs, and his voice. He had a great career until he got drafted.

[@roseyc.5846]

Jeni Hansen Same here! 🤗❤️

[@jenihansen7201]

@@GuantanamoBayBarbie2 YES, I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS DRAFTED. BUT I SURE LOVED HIM AND HIS SONGS. I ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT MADE THEM NOT CONTINUE ON THE CIRCUIT...NOW I KNOW...HE WAS IN THE ARMY. SO SAD.

[@jenihansen7201]

@@roseyc.5846 YES ROSEY...HE WAS THE GREATEST AND STILL IS.

[@GuantanamoBayBarbie2]

@@jenihansen7201 He was drafted in 67. He tried to restart his career after his stint in the military, but music had changed a lot by then as you know.

[@tj921able]

Thank you for sharing this. This is one of my favorite songs of his. He did so many, this is an acclamation of how talented of an artist he is.

[@michaeltuz608]

Great performance of a great tune from the mid sixties! Always loved this. Thanks for posting!

[@theaton25]

So what!! Whiner. Don't listen

[@roseyc.5846]

I STILL LOVE GARY AND THIS SONG IN 2022!! 🤗❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@maryomnes9445]

Thank you for letting me know about my favorite group. I just love ❤ YOU TUBE.

[@user-mj8nf2vp7q]

...This has always been a favorite of mine. I've always envied my parents for having been alive during this magical time for music. 👍🏽💯🤗☮️

[@thedjjackshow7512]

These guys deserve to be in the hall of fame can’t believe thir still touring in 2023 on cruises and other places in west coast.

[@TimMonbrod]

Great song then, and especially nowadays ‼️👍🎵🎶🎵🇺🇲

[@grand73am]

His music and voice always had such a magical quality to it. Great songs. Still have one of their "hits" albums that I bought around 1968.

[@12345682900]

"His voice" wasn't really what you heard. Gary's voice wasn't all that good; his vocal track was "applied" to "vocal layers" (dubs). Most of GL & TP's hits (including "This Diamond Ring") were actually sung by Ron Hicklin and/or the Ron Hicklin Singers....a well-established and quite successful (for decades) group of studio session singers.

[@Bobstern]

In 1965 he was giving the Beatles a run for their money with top 5 and 10s. Diamond Ring” was followed by four more Top 5 singles: “Count Me In” “Save Your Heart For Me” (originally released by Brian Hyland as the B-side of a failed single), “Everybody Loves A Clown” (which Gary started as a birthday gift for his dad), and “She’s Just My Style” (the Beach Boys sound was Gary’s suggestion). “Sure Gonna Miss Her” Green Grass” (banned in parts of the South because of the supposed lyric references to marijuana), and “My Heart’s Symphony” (also written by Hardin) all went Top 10.

[@1953childstar]

@@Bobstern Well, how kind of you to give Gary Lewis the credit, but the instrumentals were done by "The Wrecking Crew" and the vocals were provided by the overdub of Ron Hicklin ( and his singers ).. Without this expensive and professional ensemble, Gary Lewis would never have sold one record. He could not sing...

[@Bobstern]

@@1953childstar I’m well aware. And Leon Russell played piano and produced a number of his tunes with Snuff Garret. We go into great length with my interview of Denny Tedesco some years back.

[@terereynolds698]

It’s so refreshing watching these clean cut guys performing great songs. I grew up listening to these bands and now that I’m 65 I appreciate the way both the guys and the girls dressed and sang, so respectful, back then, I just wanted to hear them sing now I have the upmost respect for them.

[@elifoust7664]

Great era

[@joycepiantes8383]

Love it

[@sixtieskid062]

Legendary LA studio drummer Hal Blaine on drums here. He probably overdubbed the tympani part as well.

[@evanholly3649]

Actually, Gary plays the drums on it

[@pmsfar-outgrooviness8025]

@@evanholly3649 there's a huge controversy about this, I wish someone could really prove their point of view

[@1953childstar]

@@pmsfar-outgrooviness8025 "The Wrecking Crew" provided the instrumentals and singer Ron Hicklin overdubbed Gary lewis...

[@debbiemorgan6701]

One of my favorites.

[@paulsolenick4624]

Very underrated group from my high school years in the mid and late 60"s. When their hits come on 60's on Sirius, I always turn the volume up.

[@john6172]

Fantastic Video !

[@sunshine-nw5tz]

Love Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

[@penelopeholkema1790]

All their songs are terrific, some more than others. 😃😎🥳🤩♥️🎶🎵🎊🆒🌞🌹

[@jeffreyfeinstein5525]

...'im not sure but I think he might still be touring. Sounds great! Don't care that it's synched either!

[@sharoncrist7320]

I love Diamond Ring I thought Gary Lewis was so handsome.

[@bonzotalonzo9072]

Even as a very young boy back in the 60's this groups music just always made me feel good.

[@eowyn1964]

Such well-produced songs from these men....

[@1953childstar]

Thank the professional studio group "The Wrecking Crew" and the singing of Ron Hicklin ( and his singers ) for overdubbing the voice of Gary Lewis ( Who could not sing- he sounded like "Kermit the frog" with a bad sinus infection )...

[@Meme-zc4cw]

Let them play live!

[@joanmoran4059]

Love this group

[@mibarra122]

My mom always had mixtapes of 60s music that she always played when I was a kid. This song was among them. It's a good song, makes me remember all the fun memories we had listening to it.

[@ronaldcash8492]

❤ GREAT SONG 😊

[@johnevans9751]

Rockin' the accordion!

[@davidjhitztaler-mrrocklight]

Great Song ❤

[@taimeuppe6174]

I remember this song and those days

[@deb53]

Gary Lewis was my first little girl crush! I remember seeing his first performance (this one I think) on the Ed Sullivan Show!

[@Toto4730]

This is one of many 45s I still have.⏺️

[@evylysk1367]

I loved Gary Lewis & The Playboys. They had a great sound, too. Boy does this take me back to the good ole days.

[@JohnLennon100]

Very Beatley Cool Song!

[@TWayneD1020]

Wonderful !! Thank you so much!!

[@jimwilcox7625]

I didn't realize Gary played the drums. Cool set, double bass. Loved the song.

[@itjustlookslikethis]

And if Gary didn't have a famous last name like Nancy did, would both of them been in show business?

[@MetalHead62]

Man I loved this song.

[@carltwidle3287]

Liked this number when I was young back in the 1960s. 1965 I think. I like the 🎸guitar break in the song.

[@brianzybura8633]

The date of their Ed Sullivan performance was on March 21, 1965.

[@carltwidle3287]

@@brianzybura8633 Thank 😊 you Brian. I live here in New Zealand and when I was getting ready for school this is one of the songs I remember coming out of the radio in 1965. Another one I liked was the Toys song Lovers Concerto. 🎵

[@brianzybura8633]

@@carltwidle3287 You are welcome Carl. I saw this performance while watching the Ed Sullivan Show on TV here close to London, Province of Ontario Canada, back in the day. Instantly I liked the song as well as Gary Lewis and the Playboys. A talented bunch.

[@carltwidle3287]

@@brianzybura8633 Wasn't Gary Lewis the comedian Jerry Lewis 's son?.

[@cynthiashores57]

@@carltwidle3287 YES, HE WAS.

[@mikemclenison8200]

Great tune!

[@thomasmarthinussen8978]

These guys were the rebels of pop!😂 Superb band and marvellous song.

[@lilchopstixz2161]

This is some crisp black and white film ever

[@oldiesgeek1]

@Lil. Actually, the reason it looks so clear and crisp, is because it was shot on videotape and not film. Ed Sullivan's show hadn't switched to color videotape yet. 😊

[@kennyyu5450]

Small and beautiful but is this a sad song ? It got such a cheerful melody.

[@heatherduchene8779]

Loved your story, that 70s girl, the song brought back memories to me too. So many dreams I had back then.

[@brittenmusic6923]

Another hit for The Wrecking Crew

[@jamescalifornia2964]

I wonder if Gary Lewis sang on the recording ... ❓️

[@1953childstar]

@@jamescalifornia2964 Ron Hicklin overdubbed him..

[@jackjules7552]

I read that Liberty records insisted that a professional singer who sounded like Gary sing along with Gary on the song in order for Gary's voice to sound fuller. Liberty records felt that Gary's voice was rather thin and needed enhancement. @@jamescalifornia2964

[@prezakid9]

The Wrecking crew with Gary Lewis

[@1953childstar]

Singer Ron Hicklin overdubbed Gary Lewis...

[@efraimco239]

A song like this wont come back anymore...I miss the good old days

[@jackjules7552]

Sad but you are right. The good old days will never come back.

[@user-ud3ne7uo7z]

Es otro gran temaso d está agrupacion

[@Brex806]

Couldn't wait to get the dinner dishes done so we could watch our faved comedian's son perform.

[@123Rockchild]

Love this! ❤

[@parakeet8157]

Thanks for uploading! Great live version of a Very catchy ,iconic classic.

[@robomaster4882]

Not live at all.

[@keithmcmecking729]

Carmine , one of the most underrated best ever drummers.

[@davideiskowitz4049]

I was in the audience when this was performed, still like it!

[@jeffrobdine]

I heard you screaming like a girl.

[@jackjules7552]

Ed Sullivan told him not to lip sync but Gary did anyway. Lip Syncing not allowed on Ed Sullivan.

[@edmiller8396]

Gary sure looks like his dad! Saw them play as a kid.

[@beaverstandig1747]

Great memories

[@SandraMaria-go9hh]

Thanks for sharing this relic!

[@Thombene77]

AM radio in the 57 Chevy heading to Palisades Amusement park in New Jersey on a Saturday summer morning.

[@philstall6262]

I love 💘seeing this post thanks hello from Wallaceburg Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@johnfronczek2658]

This song is awesome!

[@ednareiman4554]

Come back to us.

[@jimmythundarrsdrumcoverser492]

I was born the day after this hit #1

[@bobleaver5399]

60s' at its best

[@ferriday4ever35]

Thank you for sharing! Patiently waiting for you to upload The Doors one and only live appearance on your show in 1967: 'People Are Strange' and 'Light My Fire' Greetings from Mexico!

[@robomaster4882]

Yes, Ed kicked them off due to Jim refusing to censor the lyrics to "Light My Fire." Just killed their career. Oh, wait...

[@hippymo52]

I had the 45! Love it!

[@lindasafley6001]

Good going with the music Gary.

[@ralphewell8398]

So good. Tasteful. Fun.

[@CoCotheTurtle]

Gary Lewis and his twin guitar army!

[@brendataylor7905]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@larrymags2045]

Jerry Lewis must of been proud of his son when he made it to the Ed Sullivan show.

[@josephk7530]

Jerry Lewis was a scumbag of a father and very abusive, especially towards women. Know your facts waterhead.

[@claudiaengberg3520]

I remember watching this on ES. My boyfriend bought this record for me. 45 rpm.

[@annseven7166]

This is the only rock band that I've seen which included an accordion player!

[@daviddourado8706]

Como ele lembra um pouco o nosso saudoso campeão Ayrton Senna ( o maior piloto da fórmula 1 de todos os tempos )

[@recordguy4321]

written by Al Kooper and his 2 song writing partners. he wrote it it for the Drifters but they turned it down, Kooper hated it at first until the money rolled in.

[@jonroux9291]

Odd how when the drummer turns his head AWAY from the microphone while singing, the volume level stays exactly the same. I wonder why that is. 🤔

[@martinbench3657]

Great early 60's pop

[@bobmalack481]

Like the 'American Indian' sounding keyboard interlude. The cool sounding base also adds..

[@Shneepster]

I like a lot of their songs. Interesting choice of instruments for the 60s? An accordion, 2 Bass drums... I think when he stepped out from behind the drums, the performance level went up or stage presence.

[@user-nz2vv2pg6m]

2023 Oct เพลง ยังคง เดินทาง อยู่ นะ ครับ

[@sherrymiller2302]

He was sooo young....

[@rachelblanche2907]

❤❤

[@Sta2200]

WOW...that "CORDOVOX" thing can produce SO MANY sounds...an organ...an piano...a "chime" like sound on "count me in"....and that "bonk" sound..at the beginning of this one !! I NEVER realized thay did NOT have a real organ or such...until a DAY ago..when I saw the sulivan video for "count me in"....and SAW that the the "chime sound" at the beginning of "count me in" came from that cordovox ENTORELY !!

[@1953childstar]

Well, they were playing to a "pre-recorded" track produced by a professional studio group- "The Wrecking Crew". Gary Lewis was lip-synching to the singing of singer Ron Hicklin...

[@artdjesus6267]

*Gary Lewis & The Playback*