Hondells "Little Honda"

American Bandstand. October 17, 1964

[@bcgrittner]

Those were fun times. I was a lot younger then. I’m 67 now and I still enjoy that music.

[@richardortiz8704]

2021

[@josephmessina3587]

I always wanted to have one of those boss sweaters.

[@frankcarone3769]

those were the best of times

[@GhislainLafrance]

I’m 47 years old and I’m still listen to this 60’s music. Why ? Because it’s the best era of pop music.

[@IntellectualFish]

@@GhislainLafranceI'm 15 years old and I love this era of music!!

[@13lonewolfe]

"you meet the nicest people on a Honda" a sales line that'll live forever.

[@20thcentlimited]

Yep, and next to that sign in the motorcycle dealership was one that said "you meet the fastest people on a BSA"

[@JustClaude13]

@@20thcentlimited In 1965 the head of BSA said Honda was going to be very good to BSA. Once people got used to riding their Hondas they would want to step up to a real motorcycle. In 1968 Honda released the CB750.

[@francoamerican111]

I was one of them.

[@msquaretheoriginal]

@@JustClaude13 he wasn't wrong, Soichiro was just a step ahead.

[@j20tower]

The 60’s has the greatest music.

[@humbertosesma4891]

American Bandstand great times RIP Dick Clark

[@SpeegBJ]

In 1964 I moved to Los Angeles, age 16. There they were...Honda motorbikes everywhere. Dick Clark American Bandstand had just moved to the West Coast...and it all wound around my brain..the Hondell's in the background of everything new out there. This was the narrative sound.

[@kmgall]

I'll bet that the Honda company LOVED this song!

[@jabba0017]

Brian Wilson wrote it for American Honda

[@jimstrict-998]

Not that I've read. Brian wrote the song first, with Gary Usher. When the song became a hit, THEN American Honda got interested. They later DID do some promotions with the Hondells, most notably with the jingle "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda".

[@danbailey8182]

My favorite bike was a 1970 Honda CB 350. This song brought back memories of some great summer evenings.

[@iplaymytele]

I sing this song to myself , as I’m cruising around town on my 250 Honda dual sport.....🙏❤️❤️❤️🎵

[@davediamond9436]

i do the same with my honda lawnmower

[@ZZstaff]

I remember when this song came out. Our neighbor had a Honda 305 Superhawk - hot stuff back then.

[@Flashbackjacko]

I had the 305 Scrambler.

[@funguy4utube]

I had one in 1965 ... loved it ... I was 16 at the time .. great times !

[@stehudson302]

@@funguy4utube i had in 1964 I was 16. My 305 was bored and stroked s

[@pianofry1138]

It's still pretty cool today.

[@Flashbackjacko]

When this song came out, I was going into the 11 grade and I had a Honda 150. There were not many motorcycles on the road back then. Old ladies would roll up their windows and lock their doors when I pulled up next to them.

[@pdgearhead3504]

I remember the Honda 150 Benley Touring - a great bike.

[@TheSkywalker513]

When you were at this age were there no Honda cars in America yet? And what did you feel the quality of the bike back then?

[@JayBee-ky6mp]

Hooligan!

[@SpeegBJ]

There were no Honda cars yet. I was 16, living in LA in '64. Lots of kids out there had Honda bikes, they fit the scene, and the music felt like living there. What a time.

[@nicnak4475]

Wow my cousin had a blue Honda 150 when he was 16 , had the "rocker" gear change and great bike , happy times .

[@patrickmcgrath5411]

THANK YOU BRIAN WILSON ❣️

[@sunbeamskating]

I still have my honda. 1971 CB175.

[@John_Fugazzi]

This song hit #9 in the country in the Fall of 1964. It's a Brian Wilson song and had been on the Beach Boys album, All Summer Long. When Brian decided not to make it a single his friend and occasional songwriting partner Gary Usher had singer Chuck Girard and studio musicians including Hal Blaine and Glen Campbell make the recording. When it hit he put together a touring band for concerts and TV appearances. That's who this is. It was a common practice then.

[@hawk1866]

VERY CORRECT!

[@matthatter2849]

@@tdoheron Nah, the guy lip syncing in the video isn't Chuck. But that's his voice on the record. I just recently became a major Love Song fan and didn't know that Chuck was doing the lead vocals for The Hondells. No wonder Love Song was able to record their first album at Gold Star Studios in Hollywood!

[@John_Fugazzi]

@Baz Actually the Beach Boys did it too and it was released around the same time on their only EP "Four by the Beach Boys" from which the most airplay went to "Wendy". The other two songs were "Hushabye" and "Don't Back Down". All the songs were on the LP, "All Summer Long".

[@jimstrict-998]

@@matthatter2849 The front-man here is Dick Burns (really), occasionally referred to as Ritchie Burns. He was usually a studio bass-player and back-up vocalist. It was decided (probably by Gary Usher) to make him the public front-man of the band.

[@jimstrict-998]

@@John_Fugazzi If you listen carefully to both versions, I believe it is actually the SAME track, only with "GO" added to the start of the Beach Boys version. Beach Boys-Dad Murray Wilson was QUITE annoyed that Brian had "given away" a hit single to somebody else. He made sure that there was a "Beach Boys" version released as soon as possible, to the point of even using the same studio-track.

[@michiwonderoutdoors2282]

My parent had this album I listened to it a lot. I was born DEC 64

[@cruisebumify]

I saw these guys at the annual Aquatenial Spectacular in Minneapolis in summer of 1965..

[@ranchodeluxe1]

I own the motorcycle this song was written about! It's the ""Honda 55". 55cc pushrod activated engine, the forerunner to the Trail 90, step-thru frame, very rudimentary, super quality. I recall Soichiro Honda laughing with my old MMI instructor. Apparently in the 60s Soichiro offered him what would become Camelback Honda, my teacher laughed at the product and told Soichiro his plan to build a dealer network was doomed to fail. At-least he was modest enough to laugh at his own foolishness many years later.

[@Flashbackjacko]

My brother and I had the 150s and then moved up to the 305 Scrambler while we were in high school. People did not like people who rode motorcycles back then, it did not matter what you looked like. This song helped change some of that, it was a big hit and it seems like it played for ever.

[@sunshinelee5056]

This song is SO Groovy!!!

[@markbowman6655]

I can only imagine what those Beatles souvenirs would be worth today, like on eBay.

[@dontreadtoomuchintomycomment]

grandpa said he put it in the spokes of his bike, lol.

[@summerboy1976]

@@dontreadtoomuchintomycomment lol who knew

[@aartmark]

That song sold a lot of Hondas.

[@njwater]

I thought it was a metaphor with Honda being a pseudonym for a girlfriend... guess it was just me :D

[@jamiefeliciano4874]

Honda Motorcycles, that is, sold a lot of. Honda and Suzuki motor bikes as their respective product/ brands were the wave in 1964 by the time this record launched. Classic "west coast" sound at best!

[@HeeneStudios]

+promaster to date, the honda cub has passed 87 million units as the highest production vehicle of all time!

[@williamedgarperrigo9813]

@njwater - Almost every song is that way. just like the words rock & roll are a synonym group for humping. yeah, grandma has some explaining to do!

[@splortz]

@@HeeneStudios 100 million worldwide in its various configurations.

[@Chrisman77]

simply amazing that there was a time this music video was deemed acceptable in society.

[@hugejohnson5011]

No different than the Korean boy bands that are ringing up huge money today really.

[@bartleywalton1888]

One of my personal favorite hot rod/surf records from the 60s

[@MrDjh66]

Love my 1971 CB 350

[@sauquoit13456]

On this day in 1965 {Feb. 3rd} the Hondells performed "Little Honda" on the ABC-TV weekly program 'Shindig!' Five months earlier on Sept. 12th, 1964 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #9 and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100... It was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love; and the Beach Boys released their own version of the song, it reached #65 on the Top 100 R.I.P. Dennis Wilson {1944-1983}, Carl Wilson {1946-1998}, and Jimmy O'Neill {Shindig's host, 1940 -2013}

[@warrenstaelens5208]

Im dedicating this song to my friend Jim M. from Lansing ,Mi who was hit by a car while riding his Honda 150 Scrambler in 1966.

[@bobsilver3983]

I would go back to these day anytime. 2015 is so evil.

[@pvgroups2]

very true Bob..and getting worse..

[@MakesClouds]

If that's the case I'm done

[@patrickgearon678]

Amen Brother. !!

[@jwserge]

+Bob Silver Back in the USSR? ;)

[@ZeeboLaywicker]

+dkmeller1 got that right..and im generation x and i wish every day i would have been born when my parents were born. tho i do have to say being a teen in the 80s was cool, but for a car nut like me i needed to be born about 1940 to be right in the thick of things by the time the 60s came about........today just sucks..and i mean literally..all it is is remebering the good old days..problem is i dont they are making any more good old days.....

[@robertcrosen6726]

She climbs the Hills like a MATCHLESS....great line

[@TheShepman1]

+Robert Crosen It's "She hugs the hills like a mattress".I think.

[@merlemorrison482]

+Robert Crosen I wonder, do you know what a Matchless is?

[@j.d.marshall1098]

Yes, Did you ever ride a BSA 441 Victor Special?

[@robertcrosen6726]

Yes I have a 69' Bonneville, 75 850 Norton (Electric Start) In past had 73 Tiger, 79 Bonneville, 71 Daytona, postwar JAWA, 1963 R69/2 anyway a bunch of British and European bikes. So I know what a Matchless was at least I know what they were talking about in this song. Do I think it was the best British bike ever made? No Do I like Matchless yes

[@robertcrosen6726]

Not that exact bike but I had a Triumph big single that was actually a BSA B 50 MX sold or tagged as a Triumph TR5 MX. It was a beast when it ran. It was very hard to start, but had tremendous power. When it warmed up she was easy to start Alas she broke down and I let it go

[@s.c4545]

This was when music was music 🎶

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

The best music. Come on. No way can you disagree. George Vreeland Hill

[@heyskid]

Very true. I just wish I could guess your name, anonymous stranger

[@funguy4utube]

I like their version ... and the Beach Boys version too. I am surprised to hear it did not make it down closer to 1 or even #1. To me it was always a huge HIT as I was crazy for Honda motorcycles and the freedom and excitement they gave me as a young teen and this song wrapped it all up for me so well.

[@thelmanieto3217]

ive never heard about this song until i resides in sacramento, now is one of my best.

[@christineklinger6759]

Years ago I danced to this song as part of my talent competition in The Kansas ARC Performing Talent And Model Completion. I took a third place trophy even though I didn't get to complete in the big show. But I had fun I also danced to The Stroll and did the dance.

[@frendoman4327]

nice to hear these guys again... I played in a band in Lahaina called the Avengers... did this song

[@jchapman6572]

Those guys are having an absolute blast!

[@donbrown1477]

The Hondells, Ronnie and the Daytonas, Jan and Dean.......all sang Beacjh Boys songs written by Brian Wilson

[@RDK860]

Anyone Remember the Cushman Motor Scooter? It was THE one to have before the Honda Scooter-Bike 50 came on the Scene in '64!

[@JohnSmith-ch9fr]

What a really good song from way back.

[@reynardofox6628]

I haven't seen choreography that tight since Left Shark's Superbowl halftime performance.

[@markdavis9148]

Hahaha, it was pretty bad, like they had not even met before

[@gdholmfirth]

@@markdavis9148 Probably had not. The group was a pretend group.

[@killxmexcutie]

I always have this tune playing when I'm riding my escooter along

[@jesse_cole]

We're goin' down to the sweater shop, tell you what we're gonna buy...

[@BB45s]

Lead studio vocal is by Chuck Girard (Castells, Gary Usher team, Love Song). He has a great Beach Boys tune called Rock & Roll Preacher on his first solo album. He's also a hug Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan

[@jmen4ever]

They were the best of times, thy were the worst of times.Never again be such times.

[@scottmckay9535]

1980 Honda Accord Hatchback. Oh, I wish I still had it. Great car.

[@Rlduncan1]

Scott Mçkày My Dad wanted me to get a Honda way way back in 86’. I’m on my 4th Honda car 🚗 and love it!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@markdavis9148]

I had an '82. Put 175,000 miles on it and it ran perfectly the whole time.

[@brucegordon7248]

This song helped the Honda Accord and Honda Civic, the fine cars they are today.

[@podiumguy100]

+Bruce Gordon - it's about motorcycles

[@brucegordon7248]

I apologize for my ignorance.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Bruce Gordon no its about honda supercub!!! Soichiro Honda and his business partners

[@wolfgangzrx]

@@brucegordon7248 Yes about a decade too early,your right though fine cars!!!! I bought my daughter a new '13 Civic new 6 years ago,it's been flawless! I like your spirit!!

[@brucegordon7248]

@@wolfgangzrx Yup, you are right I was a couple of decades too early. I have a 2005 Honda Accord with 130,000 miles and I've had no problems with it.

[@duncanidaho2097]

“Climbs the hills like a Matchliss...” A reference to a high performance bike at the time. I love the car and bike( this is the only one I remember) songs of the era. Evocative of our freedom and mobility seeking culture, unlike today when many young don’t even own a car and don’t care.

[@hawk1866]

I grew up with this song....family reunions, family gatherings and the like...you see, than young man singing lead vocals in this video is non other than my Uncle, Richard Burns. Uncle Dick for short. Richard wrote songs, and produced for Herb Albert and Capitol Records for 20 years. Yes, I've heard stories, and yes I could drop names, but I won't. I will say that since his passing a few years ago that he will always be here, with us, with this song that Brian Wilson wrote especially for the Hondells........

[@tonyz376]

We must be related somehow since Ernestine Burns (Rick's wife) was my dad's first cousin. We also had many family reunions down in the Santa Barbara area and Ernestine gave me a book of our family tree. If you're Ernie's nephew, you and I are of the same generation and would have common great grandparents.

[@gabrieldecampos7774]

Perfeito!!Adoro essa música muito boa mano

[@markmark2080]

I was in high school when this came out, magical time...

[@paulpelentay9337]

Love the guitar on this. Awesome song

[@TallCoolOne5378]

🤯..i thought this was sung by The Beach Boys!!!?.. wow..😲.. Always 'luved' this song..😍...😄.

[@harryfrezza1035]

And they said: thank you Brian

[@johnnylackland3992]

Great little fun song. 'just like the bike.

[@davidgrose6349]

Like Surf City, this was another missed opportunity for the BeachBoys. This version isn’t bad. Capitol Records originally would not let the Beach Boys version ( the first version) be released as a single in the USA. So Brian Wilson gave the song to Garry Usher and he put together this version with the Hondells. Despite what a lot of know all’s say, there are differences between both versions. Lyrically and musically as well as production. But a good song is a good song and both groups definitely do it justice. This song did well .

[@gdholmfirth]

I'm so glad they decided to perform the song live.

[@jussix48]

Sounding excellent...! 🙂👌🏿👍🏿

One of my favorite songs!

[@jimb01957]

My first bike was a '75 500-4 Honda ..... Loved it!!!!

[@hamilton59840]

Kewl!! This episode aired on my 5th birthday.

[@crazybob75]

I took my riding class downtown Chicago alternating betwein a Honda Rebel and a Honda Nighthawk. Zippy and fun!

[@monisamontoya401]

Amused when groups are named after their song as if they were preordained as one hitters -Floaters "Float On".

[@TheDejael]

The Hondells were a studio band of session musicians and singers, and not a real band that could go out touring. Whenever they did, it was usually four guys that were hired to do the gigs, and lip-synch to the studio recordings. I know three of the original studio members of The Hondells - Chuck Girard, the lead singer; Richie Podolor, who wrote most of their songs and played guitar, and Bill Cooper, who also sang and played guitar rhythms. Chuck Girard sang lead on their two biggest hits "Little Honda" (1964) and "Younger Girl" recorded in 1965. Another influence in the band was Gary Usher, who was frequently involved. In this American Bandstand clip, my friend Chuck Girard, of the Christian Country Rock band Love Song in the 1970s, was lead singer, the fellow at the right is lip-synching to. The actual performers of the music were not always available so they sent out doubles. This was 1964.

[@techanalyst1]

You can hear the lead vocalist........... sounds exactly like Chuck Girard but that is not the person singing, so I'm assuming this is all lip synced.

[@kathydalton3430]

Yep it was a studio band my husband was one of them. it was the 50s

[@kathydalton3430]

check your mouth and your historyand the beach boys were included.

[@TheDejael]

kathy dalton 1964.

[@hawk1866]

Dejael Long To one and all - the lead singer of this band was my uncle - a man by the name of Richard Burns. In those days he went by "Richie". I grew up with song at family reunions by the campfire. This song, Little Honda, was written FOR the Hondells by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, who later recorded it. Of the two versions, I have always prefered this one. The Hondells, who recorded only one other album, faded into the 60's without much fare. However, if you are a fan of the beach classic, "Beach Blanket Bingo", look carefully at the house band. They are none other than the Hondells. Richard Burns spent the next 2 decades behind the scenes at A&M Records, writing and producing for various artists. He left the music biz and returned to his collegiate roots as a financial officer for Wells Fargo until he retired in the mid 90's. His passing in 2008 left our family with a large legend to cling to for the rest of OUR days......I play this song every once and a while just to hear his voice.

[@davidkrause4826]

Just took my Honda Twinstar for a cruise because of this song 🎵

[@briancritchley498]

Great song, liked it as kid

[@billsomrak]

Wow .. don't think I've heard that song since I used to listen to it on my little transistor radio way back in the day as a kid. Those little Honda 50cc bikes were very popular. I was too young to own/afford one, but enjoyed the song anyway.

[@itchie67]

Ahhh...the summer of'65'.

[@bqkmg2037]

Wrong...this was released in the summer of 1964 year before 1965.

[@josephharnett5075]

Cool Song my Dad bought my Brothers and i the album from the local honda dealer and yes we all rode honda's still do

[@splortz]

The Honda Cub 49cc was, as they sing, a 3 speed originally. Got one sitting in my garage. Red and white w whitewall 2.25x17 tires. ;-)

[@JimBering]

About 2012 or thereabouts we were in a small town in SE Alaska. My chief engineer spotted an old Honda 50 complete with rifle scabbard on some guy's property. He knocked on the door and asked if he could buy it. The guy said it hadn't been started in at least three or four decades and he could have it for free. He took it back to the boat and all the crew worked on it, well except me. They put the rear wheel on a conveyor belt in an attempt to compression start it. Believe it or not, after countless tries it worked. They rode that thing all over SE Alaska. It became quite a joke and other crews would ask to borrow it. The thing had to be over a half-century old at the time and they got it running without new parts.

[@pwieringa2]

Early years of 60 's ..... I know this song of the " Beach Boys " at my AIWA - Transistor radio by Radio Veronca in 1964 ... good young early years when i was 8 years " old " ......

[@mesolithicman164]

I used to push weights listening to this song performed by the Beach Boys. Great tune.

[@douglasholt8353]

This song is years old ❤

[@spectrumlocalb191]

One of those Beatles souveniers was the picture disc first album on Camden now worth 300,000.00.

[@hellsbellez]

I just sold my Lil Honda yesterday 😢 love you lil sweetie pie!

[@carlosa.sanchez896]

great song! No coincidence they sound just like the Beach Boys, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

[@georgeinfante1106]

When all gear were. Great. 🎶

[@joseguadalupearredondo1217]

Tengo un Lp que me trajo mi papá de Chicago y me gustó su música, ésto fue por los 60,s

[@mrhamburger6936]

I remember back then they used to call the Honda's little peanut poppers

[@josephloehr9617]

I’ve heard: track was slowed down, Brian Wilson sang lead, track mastered at normal speed.

[@overspray6057]

I had a '72 CL350 and a #750 K5

[@freegitson2732]

Subliminal indeed honda for life since

[@towerhillbilly]

I remember American Honda adopted this song for radio commercials and included the suggested retail price in the lyrics ...216

[@sweabea6017]

EXCELLENT.

[@bigbootypatrick]

Love this song

[@SuperJord88]

Never heard of anything about the band before. They sound kinda nice.

[@njwater]

info on Chuck Girard here greatest70salbums.blogspot.com/2016/05/49-chuck-girard-by-chuck-girard-1975.html

[@SuperJord88]

Kay. Thank you.

[@SuperJord88]

Kay. If you say so. Thanks.

[@hugejohnson5011]

Oh man! It cut out before the message from Dentyne! Bastards! I'm a dyed in the wool Harley-Davidson ® enthusiast, but have loved this song since I was little. And, I like little Hondas quite a bit too!

[@nev707]

Nice sweaters.

[@frankprio4490]

66 and restoring a Honda cub70 for my daughter.....i was 7 when this was recorded..just a fun song. The bikes are fun but not for the crazy, fast traffic of our time, just on a sidestreet or remote country road in... my opinion

[@user-ud1nr7ek6g]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheShepman1]

The Hondells were a studio group. The famous "wrecking crew' (Hal Blaine on drums, Jerry Cole and Mike Deasy on guitar and other hot studio musicians would arrange cut songs and them. A record would get made and if it hit, They would put a group together to tour the country. That was how some of the business went back then. The Byrds first two albums were made this way. The Rip Chords are another "Wrecking Crew" group.

[@jaguarJS]

You are correct except it was Wayne Edwards on drums. Lead singer in the studio was Chuck Girard. To market the song, written by Brian Wilson, they hired actors to go out and mime the song with the recording.

[@georgeinfante1106]

Driving to the beach 🏖 fun & surfing 🏄 good times

[@thesurfhotrodscene4060]

The Hondells were a Gary Usher produced group with the best LA musicians and Chuck Girard singing lead. The guys in the video are the touring Hondells lip syncing; Richie Burns, Wayne Edwards, Randy Thomas + 1. All friends of Gary Usher.

[@nthnu]

Reminds me of Skeet Surfin' on the Top Secret movie lol

[@JohnnyUtah15]

Ha, I thought of that while listening to it a second time!

[@isakjohansson7134]

I mean thats most likely what its parodying

[@goyeabuddy]

Honda motorcycle co. should have paid these guys! they are one of the reasons why Honda m/c's took off in the '60's

[@MorningGlass55]

Actually, Honda initially threatened to sue, but when Honda sales increased, they figured they better let it go. When the Beach Boys performed this on the Andy Williams show, they did change the lyrics.

[@dannystephenson4197]

I started with a Honda Super 90,1968. On to a Honda CL 175 Scrambler, 1969 !!!! Honda 350 Scrambler later in 1969, had 1- down and 5 - up. On to cars 1970 !!!!?

[@paulbengle3451]

i learned to ride on a honda

[@jamesmonroe7903]

Let’s start the debate,shall we? Who did this better,The Beach Boys or The Hondells? I’ll say this-when I was a kid,The Hondells’version was the one I always heard on oldies radio in STL,MO-I had no idea till years later that Brian Wilson wrote this or that The Beach Boys had cut.it too! It’s a tossup for me ‘cause both acts had studio bands back in’ ‘em up-all they did was sing! At least The Beach Boys could tour and not have to rely on doubles-which I never knew about till I just saw this on YT and looked @the comments!

[@vichua1052]

I was on a Yamaha 80.

[@phungcanhngo]

The best motorcycles from Japan.

[@user-tl8du8oe6t]

🛵🏍😎Have a great summer July 2024.

[@patriciaolsson8588]

I was 4 when this song was out

[@mattm6397]

I was negative sixteen when this came out.

[@arschka]

Now I think I must finally buy Honda Super Cub. 100 000 000 persons already has bought it.